THE VERDICT: Ultimate Teammate Wilson's Individual Accolade Long Overdue

Doug Wilson gladly fielded a call he neither craved nor anticipated, then quickly handed the phone off to wife, Kathy. Lanny McDonald was on the other end. He's the chairman of Hockey Hall of Fame, which had been skating a man short for too long.

"She's the rock of our family and always has been," said the Class of 2020 inductee Wednesday. "Raised our kids while I was playing games, gives love to their kids now. Put up with me. The call came at 11:24 this morning. We were married on the 11th. Today is the 24th. And yeah, 24 was my jersey. Don't know if you're into that numbers thing. I know you have trouble with words."

HHOF 2020 INDUCTEES

**FEATURE**: Years or Decades, Call from Hall Worth the Wait

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**NEWS**: Doug Wilson Elected to Hall of Fame

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Why admirers of Wilson, if not Wilson himself, waited 24 years this moment is a mystery wrapped in a conundrum. His raw statistics with the Blackhawks always were gaudy. All he did after that was serve as the first captain and All-Star for the nascent San Jose Sharks, who, since he became their general manager in 2003, have won more games than any National Hockey League franchise.

Even McDonald concedes that this decision is "long overdue," but don't expect Wilson to second the notion.

"I've been humbled even to be considered for the Hall of Fame," he said. "To me, it is a place for superstars. I lived a dream, to play hockey, and I got more from the game than I gave. I'm incredibly honored by this. I never saw it coming. Plus, if it had happened earlier, I wouldn't be able to share it like I am now. We have four children. We have four grandchildren, with a fifth on the way. My oldest son, Dougie, when he heard about this, he got all choked up. Emotional. Broke down happy. As a father, you think I'll ever forget that?"

Supposedly, the missing link in Wilson's thick resume was absence of a Stanley Cup. Well, now, if you want to go there, the inventory of sports legends who never earned a ring would render "War and Peace" into a pamphlet. Ted Williams and Dan Marino, to cite two. Chicago: Dick Butkus, Gayle Sayers, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo. Hall of Famers all, but for the ultimate championship.

When Wilson arrived in Chicago, a first round 1977 draft choice and sixth overall, the Blackhawks were not an item. Then came Denis Savard and Steve Larmer, and the Stadium was packed again, electric. But the Edmonton Oilers reigned. Ironically, Kevin Lowe also was inducted Wednesday. He is the seventh player from that dynasty in the Hall. Add the coach, Glen Sather, and it's eight.

"Willy was always right there with the best at his position," said Blackhawks' Hall of Fame ambassador Savard. "It's crazy he didn't get voted in before. He could go in twice, also as a builder for what he's done in San Jose. As great as he was offensively, he was tremendous in his own end. He was as sharp without the puck and he was with it. I can count the times Doug got caught on one hand."

So can Tony Esposito, also a Blackhawks' Hall of Fame ambassador.

"Best defenseman I ever played behind, absolutely," he said. "As a goalie, I tell you he was always in position. And if he was a step behind on occasion, he was so fast and quick and smart that he would be right there when it counted. And he didn't take any guff. Look at his career penalty minutes (830). He wasn't just out there circling around, looking for points.

"He played in every situation. Penalty kill, power play. And what a shot! Heavy, accurate. A rocket. I saw it in practice, wouldn't have wanted to see it in games. He won one Norris Trophy (1982), was in the running for several others. On merit. Flashy, yes. But really, really steady. Great, even without all his goals and assists."

When Wilson was a rookie, Bobby Orr worked in the Blackhawks' front office, having signed as a free agent the year before in hopes of extending his legend despite an obstinate left knee.

"A special player, Doug was," said Orr. "A big part of the Blackhawks' revival after a difficult time. Strictly on performance, a Hall of Famer. But a special individual too. I watched him as a kid who matured into a terrific person in public representing the game. A leader in his own way, a team guy. Always contributing, in one way or another."

Bingo. Wilson's personality endeared him to fans and fellow players. He was zero maintenance, with a pithy sense of humor. If you couldn't have fun around him, you weren't paying attention. But Wilson will tell you he merely absorbed hockey's tapestry.

"Stan Mikita was my first roommate," he said. "Keith Magnuson took me in like a brother. I lost my father when he was only 52. The real Douglas Wilson. It rocked our family. I was devastated. I could have gone sideways. I was a mess. Stan and Keith were there for me like you wouldn't believe. Helped me in more ways than I can count. But that's the way it was. When we lost Keith in a tragic automobile accident, I tried to be the same for his son, Kevin.

"We had quite a group. Four of us are GMs. Dale Tallon, Marc Bergevin, and my old defense partner, Bob Murray. We loved competing, we loved each other. That's the way hockey still is. Through all these years, with all the changes, the people in hockey still get it. Our game has some unbelievable people, at all levels. The games, the laughs, the friendships. You never forget certain individuals, you just miss them."

At the funerals for Magnuson and Mikita, Wilson was a pall bearer.

"So lucky to have learned from so many guys who gave back," he went on. "So fortunate about today's phone call. Now, we've got to get 'Larms' in. Steve Larmer is a Hall of Famer."

There's Willy again, still that team guy.