A Bittersweet Hall of Fame Induction?

Three of the most recent inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame can’t help but reflect on the lockout

By Tyler Piccotti

(AP Photo)

On Monday, four of the best players in NHL history were honored in Toronto. Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin, Adam Oates, and Pavel Bure were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame amidst the failed negotiations and apparent discord between the league and the NHLPA. These four were honored for their outstanding accomplishments and their contributions to the game of hockey. One would expect such a ceremony to be a joyful occasion.

Surprisingly, however, there was an inescapable feeling of discouragement brought on by the current labor dispute.

As ESPN.com reported, Sakic could not help noticing something on his new plaque. Lodged between his 20 years of service in the NHL was the 2004-2005 labor dispute, one that cost him another year on the ice.

“ I lost a year of hockey,” Sakic said. “It would have been 21 years instead of 20. That’s what you lose.”

Sundin had his own lockout demons to expunge. The former Maple Leafs star commented on the Stanley Cup Playoffs that never occurred. He felt as though he and his teammates had been denied of a legitimate chance to win the Cup during the same locked-out season. He didn’t need many words to convey his feelings either.

“It was awful,” he said. “I think it’s devastating.”

Wait a second… I thought this was an induction ceremony for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Why is everyone acting like the world’s supply of hockey pucks ran out?

Once again, you can blame the current lockout. It was also the reason why Toronto native Adam Oates missed out on being honored at the Air Canada Centre prior to a Devils-Maple Leafs matchup the previous Friday. By the way, he is supposed to be coaching the Washington Capitals at the moment as well. Ironically, his last season was the 2003-2004 campaign, the one prior to the locked out season.

As the reactions of these three hockey greats illustrate, the current dispute is a hard hit even for those retired from the league. Both Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr were on hand for the ceremony. Being the league commissioner, Bettman gave a speech in which he referred to the current negotiations as “difficult times.”

 Yes, even during a ceremony honoring some of the game’s legends, Bettman could not escape the stigma of the current dispute.

There’s a problem here. Even receiving a plaque in the Hockey Hall of Fame has lost its luster. Fans are already frustrated. Now the players are starting to feel the same way. I can’t help but think the game is headed down a dark path as the lockout drags on. It has become a stinging wound for fans and players alike. If you don’t believe me, then maybe you’ll believe Joe Sakic.

“It hurts the players, it hurts the owners, it hurts the fans, and it hurts the game.”

I feel your pain, Joe. We all do.

Mike Modano’s Hall of Fame Induction Certainly Merited

The greatest goal scorer to come from the United States is recognized for his accomplishments amidst the lockout turmoil

By Tyler Piccotti

It’s hard for hockey fans to find something to smile about these days.

(AP Photo/Vernon Bryant)

The NHL will remain locked out after a failed attempt by league officials to end the conflict through the proposed 50/50 revenue split. This means that hockey fans will have to continue living in a world without the NHL for the time being. More concrete evidence of the lockout’s inevitably long duration is the fact that on Friday, ESPN.com reported that the NHL would be canceling games through November 1. Simply put, things are a mess.

Amidst the failed negotiations and stalled discussions, however, there is one thing that all hockey fans can cheer about. Mike Modano, the most prolific offensive player to ever hail from the United States, was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday. Joining him were Devils president Lou Lamoriello and current television analyst Ed Olczyk. All three have, without a doubt, made valuable contributions to the game of hockey.

However, let’s face it: Modano is the real “superstar” of this trio.

The Livonia, Michigan native started playing hockey at a very young age. According to the official biography on his website, Modano began playing at the age of seven. By age 15, he had joined the Prince Albert Raiders. During his time with them, he was able to develop into a player deserving of the number one pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.

Thus, the rest of the NHL had officially become “Star-struck.” During his time with Minnesota and Dallas, Modano tallied 557 goals and 1,359 points. This does not even account for his 145 career playoff points with the franchise. He led Dallas to the Stanley Cup in 2000 and was named an NHL All-Star seven times. From 2003 to 2006, he served as one of the most respected team captains in professional hockey. After playing his final season with the Detroit Red Wings, he signed a one-day contract in September 2011 that allowed him to retire as a Star.

Now that he has retired, Modano is greatly committed to his charitable organization, The Mike Modano Foundation. It provides education and care for at-risk children in the Dallas area. He also continues to provide resources for various organizations that assist victims of child abuse.

In other words, he is a genuinely good person, and his Hall of Fame induction is well deserved.

Although he only reached the 50-goal plateau once in his entire career, Modano was a model of consistency. One could always count on him to put up points year after year, often in clutch situations. These traits, along with his exceptional work ethic, have allowed him to cement his status as one of the league’s all-time greats.

He may be synonymous with the number “9”, but Mike Modano deserves recognition as a number one star. He is the greatest American to ever play the game, and his accomplishments will serve as a benchmark for the country’s new crop of young talent.