1998
INDUCTION GALA
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| On November 16, 1998, two of hockey's greatest players
during the 1980's took their place among the game's legends at the Hockey
Hall of Fame. Peter Stastny and Michel Goulet, along with Roy Conacher
and Monsignor Athol Murray, were inducted as honoured members, capping
off an exciting, fun-filled weekend at hockey's sacred hall.
The 1998 Induction Weekend Celebration kicked off on Friday with a special
appearance by former New York Islanders sniper Mike Bossy. Both young and
old came out for this rare opportunity to meet one of hockey's greatest
goal scorers.
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Saturday was Kodak Photo and Fan Forum day at the Hall of Fame, which
meant there were numerous prizes given away. The grand prize went to Jim
Hutton of Scarborough, winning a weekend at the Royal York Hotel, 2 ticket's
to Saturday's Leaf game and 2 ticket's to the Induction Gala. Excitement
filled the air as five honoured members, representing 26 Stanley Cup championships,
each spent time in a question/answer session led by the FAN 590's Gord
Stellick. Yvan Cournoyer, Red Kelly, Pierre Pilote, Steve Shutt and Gerry
Cheevers brought back some great memories of a by-gone era, reminiscing
about former teammates, favourite memories and Stanley Cup victories. Then,
each relieved their glory days, posing with various fans and Lord Stanley's
Mug.
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Hockey's newest legend's took centre stage
on Sunday. Former teammates, Peter Stastny and Michel Goulet both spent
a couple of hours signing autographs and accepting congratulations on their
induction.
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Finally, the big day arrived. The Hall was closed to the
public on Monday, as preparations were in full force for
the evening's gala event. During this time, a luncheon was being
held to honour the newest Media Award winners. After 34 years of
covering the Montreal Canadiens, Yvon Pedneault was voted the winner
of the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for his contributions to the
print media.
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Also, being honoured was former Toronto Maple Leaf and
longtime hockey instructor/commentator, Howie Meeker. Howie received the
Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in recognition of his work on NHL broadcasts.
At 6 p.m. the doors were opened and guests began to arrive. Two radio
stations set-up with live spots, the FAN 590 from Toronto and CHRC 80 from
Quebec City. With an exquisite buffet and plenty of drinks available, both
stations relived a little nostalgia, interviewing the likes of Ted Lindsay,
Bill Gadsby, Ted Kennedy and Johnny Bower.
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| Dignitaries were present from all corners of the globe,
as well as the who's who of hockey, while the nervous honourees anxiously
awaited their moment in the spotlight. TSN broadcast the event live in
Canada, while ESPN played it tape delayed in the U.S. First up was Michel
Goulet, who would enter the Hall of Fame as the first member of the Quebec
Nordiques. Goulet would say, "Tonight, it is an honour to join such
a select group. It is so flattering, so rewarding." Next up would
be Roy Conacher Jr., accepting posthumously for his father. Roy Sr. joined
brothers Lionel and Charlie, as the only brother threesome in the Hall
of Fame. The late Monsignour Athol Murray was then inducted as a builder,
joining Father David Bauer in representing the relationship between hockey,
school and everyday life. Finally, Goulet's former linemate and the first
Slovakian to be inducted, Peter Stastny, took centre stage. Stastny paid
tribute to the past, by saying, "Being with such a special group with
all the hockey legends in the Hall of Fame is truly something special."
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The evening wound down as the newest hockey legends
joined their fellow members, conversing among the paid guest. Perhaps the
entire meaning of the induction celebration was summed up with a simple
meeting between three generations. Michel Goulet's eyes beamed while introducing his son to a group of his boyhood heroes.
Click here for audio clips of the 1998 Inductees
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