DALLAS, Tx. -- The growth of hockey in the United States is alive and well according to 2012 Lester Patrick Trophy recipients Dick Patrick and Bob Chase-Wallenstein.

"Hockey has grown tremendously the past 30 years or so," Patrick said. "When [U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee] Mike Modano was coming up through the system, the best players in the United States were from Minnesota and Detroit, but now they're coming from all over, including Washington, California and Dallas."

Modano can vividly recall the first time he learned how Americans were viewed overseas.

"I didn't know the impact it had until I went to Moscow in 1987 to play in the World Junior Championship and see the impact, internationally, that we had and how people viewed American hockey players," Modano said. "That perception they had about us … we were so young at the time that we wanted to change that perception. It was almost like the Europeans didn't think we belonged on their level. We always wanted to prove to other countries that we could play with anyone."

Dick Patrick was humbled when told he'd be one of two recipients of the 2012 Lester Patrick Trophy to be awarded on Monday at U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame ceremonies at the Plaza of the Americas Atrium in downtown Dallas.

Dick Patrick becomes the third family member to receive the trophy, which is named after his grandfather. The award, one of the most prestigious in hockey, was presented to the NHL by the New York Rangers in 1966. It honors the memory of Lester Patrick, who spent 50 years in hockey as a player, coach and general manager and was a pioneer in the sport's development.

Mike Modano still needs to pinch himself when told he'll be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in the city of Dallas.

Modano received quite an ovation when introduced to the stage as one of the three U.S. Hall of Fame inductees on Monday by Master of Ceremonies Steve Levy.

"We never really felt in our heart of hearts that hockey would move down here and thrive like it has and, in the process, turn [the Dallas Stars] into one of the most successful franchises in the League," Modano said. "It's been a remarkable transition the way the game has changed in Dallas. It's been great watching the popularity and the way it has come together."

Lou Lamoriello admits one of his greatest experiences was helping the United States capture the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

"Winning the Stanley Cup and three of them is, without question, the highest honor and it's side by side with the 1996 World Cup with Mike [Modano] and the group we had there and the time we had there," Lamoriello said. "It was all about never letting each other down and we were going to find a way to win."

As the general manager for Team USA, Lamoriello certainly had his work cut out.

Don't be surprised if Ed Olczyk becomes a tad emotional when he steps to the podium to talk about his induction into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday at the Plaza of the Americas Atrium in downtown Dallas.

During his media availability prior the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Ceremony & Dinner, Olczyk was asked if he would be able to get through his speech without breaking down.

Um, fat chance.

"I cried when I signed my first contract with the Chicago Blackhawks back in 1984," Olczyk said. "I cried when my wife was walking down the aisle in August of '88. I cried when I played my last game in the NHL and cried when all my kids were born. I'm sure [Monday] will be no different, and I know for sure I'll be crying when I'm six feet under."

Even before his trade to the Detroit Red Wings midway through the 1955-56 season, Murray Costello was always a big fan of Gordie Howe.

"I know Bobby Orr came after Gordie, as did [Wayne] Gretzky, but in my day, Gordie was the standard and Gordie was the guy," Costello said.

Knowing he would call him a teammate was something he would forever treasure. Costello, who will receive the Wayne Gretzky International Award during U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Oct. 15, played in the NHL for three "Original Six" franchises from 1953-57 -- the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and Detroit.

For the past six decades, Bob Chase-Wallenstein has been the radio play-by-play voice of the Fort Wayne Komets of the East Coast Hockey League for the 50,000-watt Indiana-based station, WOWO.

He has inspired many young sports enthusiasts to pursue a career in hockey broadcasting, including Mike "Doc" Emrick. That's one reason he'll receive the Lester Patrick Trophy at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Monday.

Not to be forgotten, however, is the memorable broadcast he presented on March 20, 1954, at the Indiana State High School basketball championship. The game involved tiny Milan High School against mighty Muncie Central, the prohibitive favorite seeking a fifth straight championship.

DALLAS -- In a span of four months, not only did Ed Olczyk learn he would be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame alongside Mike Modano and Lou Lamoriello, but that his son Tommy would captain the ice hockey team at Penn State University in 2012-13.

When Tommy got word that dad was the newest inductee into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, he was obviously filled with pride.

Tommy took some time to discuss his dad with NHL.com prior to induction ceremonies on Monday evening at the Plaza of the Americas Atrium in downtown Dallas.

The 40th U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Dinner will surely be an evening to remember on Monday at the Plaza of the Americas Atrium in Dallas, Tx.

In addition to honoring 2012 U.S. Hall of Fame inductees Mike Modano, Eddie Olczyk and Lou Lamoriello, Lester Patrick Trophy winners Bob Chase-Wallenstein and Dick Patrick and Wayne Gretzky Award winner Murray Costello will also be saluted.

This marks the first time that the State of Texas will host the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction Ceremony & Dinner, which is slated to begin 8 p.m. ET.

Steve Levy, longtime ESPN SportsCenter anchor and hockey broadcaster, will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the event. All award recipients will be available to the media in attendance from 5-6:30 p.m. ET at the Dallas Marriott City Center prior to the ceremony.

Keep checking back to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame blog on NHL.com for up-to-the-minute reports and reaction from all those being honored on Monday.