U.S. Hall inductees to be enshrined Oct. 15 in Dallas

USA Hockey announced Thursday that the 2012 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class, which includes Lou Lamoriello, Mike Modano and Eddie Olczyk, will be enshrined Oct. 15 in Dallas.

"We're really pleased to bring the induction event to Dallas," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "The Class of 2012 is extraordinary and we anticipate a record crowd for what will be a spectacular evening."

It marks the first time that Texas will host the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Dinner, which will be held on the ice at the Plaza of the Americas in Dallas.

The 2012 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class, which includes Lou Lamoriello, Mike Modano and Eddie Olczyk, will be enshrined Oct. 15 in Dallas. (Photos: Getty Images)

Modano, the highest-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history, spent 20 of his 21 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise before announcing his retirement Sept. 23, 2011.

The first pick of the 1988 NHL Draft and native of Livonia, Mich., closed out his career as the Stars' all-time leader in games played (1,459), goals (557), assists (802) and points (1,359). He also holds franchise records with 145 playoff points in a club-high 174 games. He remains the all-time leader among U.S.-born players in goals (561) and points (1,374).

Olczyk was selected in the first round (No. 3) by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1984 and embarked on a 16-year NHL career starting as an 18-year old rookie with the Hawks in 1984-85.

In his first three seasons with the Blackhawks, Olczyk recorded 180 points in 225 games. He'd produce 342 goals and 794 points in 1,031 games with the Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Chicago native played his final two years with the Blackhawks before calling it a career in 2000. He then made a smooth transition into broadcasting.

Lamoriello, who will be honored as a builder, is only three years removed from his enshrinement into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto in 2009.

His resume includes three Stanley Cup championships in 24 seasons as CEO/president/general manager with the New Jersey Devils, a U.S. World Cup gold medal with Modano in 1996, a role as a founder of Hockey East, and a distinguished 22-year career as a player, coach and athletic director at Providence College. He was inducted into the Providence College Hall of Fame in 1982. Lamoriello was recruited from Providence in 1987 by former Devils owner John McMullen, and was a visionary in his role in bringing Russian players to the NHL.