They stood on opposing blue lines Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre, staring across the ice at opponents, game faces on, preparing for what would prove to be one of the most intense games of the young season.
But, first, there was a chance to remember the past -- fittingly on the eve of Canada's Remembrance Day celebrations.
Saturday night, the visiting New Jersey Devils and host Toronto Maple Leafs played in the third annual Hall of Fame Game here. In a moving pre-game ceremony, several former Hall of Famers -- including Bobby Hull, Ted Lindsay, Peter Stastny, Borje Salming, Michel Goulet and Andy Bathgate -- were introduced to the sellout crowd and were on the ice to greet the five new inductees to the Hall of Fame.
Devils assistant coach Slava Fetisov, sensational scorer Mike Gartner former Winnipeg and Buffalo star Dale Hawerchuk, Finnish star Jari Kurri and Pittsburgh general manager Craig Patrick were greeted by these legends in a reception line as they made their way to center ice for the pre-game ceremonies.
2001 Hall of Fame Inductions
Editor's note: There's nothing more self-fulfilling to a hockey player than to be elected to the Hall of Fame. On Monday November 12, Four new members, Viacheslav Fetisov, Mike Gartner, Dale Hawerchuk and Jari Kurri, will be inducted into the Hall in the Player Category. Pittsburgh Penguin GM, Craig Patrick, will also enter the Hall, as he will be honored in the Builder Category. |
It was a special moment for anyone who cares about the history of the sport. There on the ACC ice were several generations of hockey's most prodigious talents, celebrating their special fraternity of greatness.
The moment was not lost on the NHL's current players.
"I played against or with most of those guys, so that tells you how old I am," laughed grizzled Devils' defenseman Ken Daneyko, 37. "It's a special day for those guys, a day that they all deserve. I don't think at this point in my career, I don't think I take anything like that for granted. It was a real special thing, for sure."
Bobby Holik, a physical power on the ice and a thinking man off the ice, was amazed by the pedigree of the former players that shared the ice with him in the ceremonies. Not surprisingly, he was as impressed with their playing feats as he was with their contributions to the game he so loves.
He went out of his way to mention the contributions of Lindsay, whom he credited with helping organize the Players' Association which has served him so well during his playing career.
"That was great," said Holik, "there was a lot of heart out there, wasn't there? Everyone of them were legends. That was really special."
So special, in fact, that the collection of stars left the hulking Holik feeling quite small in the moments leading up to the opening faceoff.
"Looking at those guys, it makes you feel like you have done nothing when you see all those special guys out there. It makes me feel like I have a long way to go before I get recognized."
While Holik used the moments shared with greatness as a motivational tool, teammate Jim McKenzie was just happy to soak in the atmosphere and his proximity to players he considered heroes while growing up in Saskatchewan dreaming of a NHL career.
"Growing up in Western Canada and dreaming of being like those guys, to see those guys in person, it's very inspiring," he said.
McKenzie admitted he couldn't take his eyes off Hull, the Chicago Blackhawks legend that was the hero to legions of Canada youngsters during his illustrious career. Hull was all smiles as he took the ice, smiling at the crowd and enjoying the camaraderie of his fellow greats and those about to be welcomed into his select club.
"You watch Bobby Hull and it's unbelievable," said McKenzie. "I thought maybe he was running for mayor or something. He came on the ice and he shook everybody's hand and he's got that huge smile on his face and a hand shake for everyone."
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Rafalksi was amazed at the everyday qualities of the heroes who filled the dreams of his youth.
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Brian Rafalski was also amazed at the everyday qualities of the heroes who filled the dreams of his youth.
"There were a lot of good players out there," said Rafalski, who admitted to never having been to the Hall, although he plans to bring his children one day to learn about the history that preceded his playing days.
"They still look pretty good for all the battles they went through during their careers," he said. "Just goes to show that there is life after hockey."
Goalie Martin Brodeur, who grew up in a hockey family and called the Montreal Forum a second home as a youngster, was not as star-struck as some of his teammates. Brodeur, who tagged along with his father -- the team photographer for the Canadiens -- as a kid, said he was used to being around the great players that flocked to the Forum during his formative years.
But, yet, he too was marked by the collection of accomplishment on hand Saturday night in Toronto, one of the original cradles of the National Hockey League.
"These guys, they built the NHL and we all have a lot of respect for those gentleman," said Brodeur.
