I ran into brand new Hockey Hall Of Fame inductee Cammi Granato last night upon her return from a whirlwind week of travelling that had stops in Toronto, to get inducted into the HHOF, the east coast to be honoured at the 4 Nations Cup, and then Chicago, for a chance to catch up with family, before heading back to her home here in Vancouver.
I was pleased that, even with kids in tow, she took a moment to discuss her opinion on who she thinks might be the next inductees into the HHOF from the women's player. I was a bit shocked on her pick...but then after looking at the facts once I got home, her pick makes more sense. Instead of picking current IIHF HOFers Geraldine Heaney of Canada or Riikka Nieminen from Finland, she went with someone not yet in the IIHF HOF. Congratulations Angela James. Congratulations Cammi Granato. Welcome to the Hockey Hall Of Fame11/7/2010
Yes, I suppose congrats to Dino Ciccarelli as well. But really, as rocky of a road as he took to the hall, it was pretty tame compared to the amazing road the first two women to be inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame as players took.
Angela James, a 45 year old from Toronto, Ontario will become one of the first two women hockey players to enter the hall, and the first Canadian women's player to enter. Despite never getting to play in the Olympic games, James accomplishments & marks on the sport are so recognized by hockey enthusiasts & stats keepers, that even her lack of Olympic medals couldnt prevent the "first modern superstar of women's hockey" from being inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall Of Fame, The IIHF Hall Of Fame & now the Hockey Hall Of Fame. James grew up in the era where women were not just discouraged from playing hockey, but often were prevented from playing. She didnt have large multi-team leagues of talented females to compete against, she had to hone her craft against boys, and she did so. She quickly started to emerge as one of women's hockey's top stars in the 70s & 80s as she played in the Central Ontario Women's Hockey League (which eventually became the NWHL). Throughout her career James played in every position, including goaltender. Despite being known as a top scorer, Angela also has a shutout on her resume as well. James has been retired from the game for about a decade now, but her mark is still seen at all levels of the sport. From Olympic champions idolizing her, to her involvelemt in running an adult hockey school (Breakaway Adult Hockey School) to simply having the top scoring player in the Canadian Women's Hockey League win a bowl named after her "Angela James Bowl" every season, James has left her mark all over the hockey world. Her list of accolades includes. - Canadian Sports Hall Of Fame in 2009 - International Ice Hockey Federation Hall Of Fame in 2008 - An arena named after her in Toronto - 4 World championships (90, 92, 94, 97) - 12 National championships (8 MVP titles in those tournies) She even has a roller hockey & ball hockey championship. It would be terribly hard to find someone with a rational excuse to keep Angela James out of the Hockey Hall Of Fame. Cammi Granato is a 39 year old from Downers Grove, Illinois that will join Angela James as the first women hockey players to be inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame. Unlike her Canadian counterpart, Granato played in 2 Olympics, collecting Gold in her first, and a silver in her second. She was the captain of the first ever Olympic women's hockey champions, she is the U.S. national teams all time women's hockey leading scorer, she is a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall Of Fame, the IIHF Hall Of Fame & now the Hockey Hall Of Fame. Granato was raised in a hockey family. Her brother Tony, went on to a long career in the NHL as a player & a coach, her other brothers & 2 other brothers played collegiate hockey. Like James however, Cammi had to develop her skill set in mens leagues at a younger age. She would play college hockey for Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. James would compete in organized "pro" women's league as well, but at the end of her career, as a member of the B.C. Breakers of the Western Women's Hockey League. Granato has not been out of the game for long, and only a couple years ago when I talked to her, she had a slight interest in possibly returning to playing after having a child with her husband, former NHLer Ray Ferraro. Eventually, those thought subsided & she is a full time mom now. Her mark, just like James, is all over the sport. Just like James, there is a multitude of Olympians who idolize her, she runs a hockey camp in Chicago every summer for girls, and she has even done a bit of TV work for NBC during the Olympics. Her list of accolades includes - U.S. Hockey Hall Of Fame 2008 - International Ice Hockey Federation Hall Of Fame 2008 1- World Championship & 8 Silvers 1- Olympic Championship & 1 Silver She Captained the first ever Olympic champions Cammi Granato seemed like a solid choice for the HHOF someday. That time is now. It wont be long till the HHOF is filled with the likes of Geraldine Heaney, Riikka Nieminen, Angela Ruggeiro, Shirley Cameron, Karen Bye, Danielle Goyette, Natalie Darwitz, Hayley Wickenheiser, Kim Martin and Jennifer Botterill. A lot of people have been opposed to this decision to include women, but the reality is, its been overdue for a few years. The mentality that there are more deserving NHL players is the most common excuse to suggest they not get in. But, what many seem to fail in seeing that say this is, this has NEVER been the NHLHOF, its the HHOF. Regardless what league you are in, you should have the same rights to get in as the NHL players. Maybe 15-20 years from now, arguments will be had about including players who "only played in the KHL" being inducted, someone will look back & reference the same debate was made about women being added at one time & with any luck, the women's game will be stronger & more recognized by then, and that rebuttal will be seen as a logical counterpoint. This year, women's hockey tames a huge step in a series of huge steps its continued to take. From having their first world championship, to having their first Olympics, to having their first draft for a major women's league this past summer, to having their first two members in the Hockey Hall Of Fame. The road has had lots of bumps along the way, but, with each hurdle cleared, the bumps seem to get a lot less bumpy. Just like it should be. Next stop, a paid pro league? Lets hope so.... oh, and maybe a team back in Vancouver? Afterall, we had a Hockey Hall Of Famer play her major women's hockey here once. Congratulations to Cammi Granato and Angela James on setting a goal for future women's players to reach for....and on making it into the Hockey Hall Of Fame. Who will, might and should get in. Wading thru the 2010 Hockey Hall Of Fame induction nominees.6/19/2010
This week, the class of the 2010 Hockey Hall Of Fame will be announced. On June 22nd, anywhere between 3 and 6 players will feel the thrill of having their names added to the elite list of hockeys best.
For the first time ever, women's players should be included, as the likes of Angela James, Cammi Granato, Cassie Campbell, Manon Rheaume, Dawn Mcguire, Riikka Niemenen, Katie King & France St. Louis might garner some attention. They will compete for 2 spaces alotted to womens players, with the 4 spaces allowed for NHL stars Joe Nieuwendyk, Phil Housley, Adam Oates, Eric Lindros, Pierre Turgeon, Dave Andreychuk, Alex Mogilny, Andy Moog, Doug Gilmour, Pavel Bure, Tom Barrasso & others. So who will get in? Who should get in? Who really doesnt have a lot of hope? Will get in In my opinion, theres really 3 pieces to this puzzle that should be a lock. First would be 2 womens players. I dont see just 1 getting in because frankly, it would seem cheesy to only bring 1 in, as well, there is little to split between the two top womens players that are eligible. American Cammi Granato, the Captain of the 1998 Inagural Olympic gold medal winning squad is first up. This superstar of the womens game will get in. She is already a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall Of Fame, The IIHF HOF, the HHOF seems like a reasonable step. If by some injust fluke they only take 1 female this year, she will probably be the one based on being more well known to fans & likely the committee as she still played till only a few years ago, being American, and having an Olympic Gold Medal. Canadian Angela James, the first major superstar of modern women's hockey is next up. At one time, the highest scoring women's hockey player of all time, James was one of the biggest names in women's hockey thru the late 80s & early 90s. She has 4 World Championships, 12 National Championships, 8 National Championship MVP titles. A member of the IIHF Hall Of Fame with Granato, a member of the Canadian Sports Hall Of Fame & has the unique honour of having the championship trophy of the most notable womens hockey league the CWHL named after her. Before there was Hayley Wickenheiser, there was Angela James. NHL star Joe Niewuendyk, will more than likely join the HHOF this year. With 3 Stanley Cups on 3 different teams, in 3 different decades. Joe shows that he had endurance & skill. Add in the Calder Trophy for leagues top Rookie that he won, an Olympic Gold medal, 4 NHL all-star appearances & the amazing NHL stats of 563 Goals & 1126 points & its hard to figure any way this Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1999 could be ignored. This top 20 all time career goals scorer is as close to a lock as there is this year for the men. Should get it?? This is a murkier pond to wade thru. Legitimately, a dozen or so names from the list above belong. But realistically, only at most 3 more names can go in, as there is a cap of 4 male members annually (2 female) Phil Housley- Although the all time points leader amongst U.S. born defensemen has no major awards or championships, it is hard to imagine the former career top scoring American (still 2nd to Mike Modano) not getting in... Especially when you realize he put these amazing numbers up during his 7 time All-star ladened career as a defenseman mostly. He is already a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall Of Fame. It would be a sizable surprise if he doesnt add the HHOF to his amazing resume. Adam Oates- If 16th on the career NHL points list doesnt wow you. How about 4 100 pt seasons, and 6th in career assists? Like Housley, Oates has no major awards or championships. What he ahs though is, consistancy over a 19 year career. With 12 seasons as a point per game or higher player, few have that level of regular production on their resumes. He also had 7 post-seasons where he was a PtPG or more player. In a word, amazing. This former 5 time NHL all-star should get in. Might get in?? Eric Lindros- Once believed to be the next big thing in hockey, The Big E enjoyed a decent, but not amazing career as some had hoped. Injuries plagued the former Hart Trophy winner. But in the time he did play, he was a force. Going to 7 NHL all-star games, winning an Olympic Gold & Silver medal, as well as a Canada Cup and 2 World Junior Championships, he has lots of championships on his limited resume. Statistically, he doesnt register a lot of awe. Not in the top 100 in career goals or points, its hard to think of him as a dominant player. But he was. His first 9 seasons in the NHL, he registered over a point per game, also doing the feat 3 times in the playoffs. His shortened career may hinder his decision in this years voting. But for the next couple seasons, his name will get consideration almost every time, as the stats he put up whe he was playing...were impressive. Pavel Bure- It seems silly to assume that a 3 time NHL top goal scorer wouldnt get into the HHOF. Yet, Bure is a bubble name to most. Once the most lethal scorer in the game, Pavel suffered continual injuries like Lindros. Forced to retire after 12 seasons, the last 2 only a combined 51 games, the Russian Rocket was cheated out of the chance to vault himself up into the career stats elites. Even with his shortened career, he still made it to 63rd in career goals. He has a World Championship, a World Junior Championship, 2 Russians Championships, 3 European Championships. A 6 time NHL all-star & the winner of the Calder Trophy, his resume certainly is full of success. Just not longevity. Doug Gilmour- Just behind Adam Oates on the career points list by 6 pts & 1 spot is the man known as Killer. Gilmour is 55th in career goals, and 17th in career points. The former Stanley Cup winner has an impressive resume to throw into the ring. A Selke trophy for top defensive forward is something you rarely expect to see from one of the top 20 career points leaders, yet he has 1. Once nominated for the Hart Trophy, Gilmour played a tough gritty game that helped him to 9 seasons of a ptPG or higher rate. His playoff career stats are just as amazing. 188 career playoff points, puts him 7th all time. More amazingly, he did it in only 182 games. A career playoff PtPG player, Gilmour tallied 4, 20+ pt playoffs, including a 35 pt campaign in 1993. What might hold him back is his off ice life has been clouded with controversies. Pierre Turgeon- A 500 goal scorer, and 30th on the all time points list. Turgeon has a decent resume statistically. Unfortunately, he doesnt have major awards or championships to pad the numbers. With 12 season of a ptPG or more, he will be considered. But the lack of major hardware will likely keep him watching the ceremonies at home. Alex Mogilny- A member of the Triple Gold Club (World Championship, Stanley Cup & Olympic Gold) also has a World Junior Championship to pad the trophy case with. Best known for his 76 goal, 132 pt campaign with Buffalo in 92-93, Mogilny finished 65th in career points, after an injury shortened career. His 473 career goals gets him into 49th on the all time goals list. Much like his former linemate Bure, injuries prevented him from placing higher in the career marks. His trophy case however gives him a lot of consideration & maybe, if the HHOF is looking to add some european flavour, he might get in. NO HOPE... this year Dave Andreychuk- 640 career goals, 13th all time. all time leader in PP goals. 28th in career points & has a Stanley Cup. But never really was at the level of "great" for too long. Spent most of his 23 year career as a "very good" player. Andy Moog- 4 time NHL all-star. With a Jennigs trophy. His 3 Stanley Cups with Edmonton gives him major championships. His 372 career wins puts him 14th all time in that stat, as well as his 68 career playoff wins puts him 10th on the all time list for that. Only thing missing from his resume that may hold him back, is major individual stats. Not in the top 20 in career GAVE, SPCT or SO will hinder his chances. Tom Barrasso- 2 Stanley Cups, 1 Vezina, 1 Calder, 1 Jennings, 3X All-star, member of U.S. Hockey HOF. 15th career wins. 13th career playoff wins. Not in the top 20 in GAVE, SPCT or SO though. Geraldine Heaney- The maximum 2 womens player quota is filled. But Heaney can start writing a speech for 2011 most likely. She was elected to the IIHF HOF along with James & Granato & is 1 of only 4 women in the IIHF hall to date. Riikka Niemenen- Regarded the top felame hockey player not from North America will get some consideration in the near future, but with James & Granato on the list for this year, she will have to wait it out. The only non North American female in the IIHF Hockey Hall Of Fame Cassie Campbell- the limit of 2 female players is reached with James & Granato. But Campbell will get her day someday...just not this time. Manon Rheaume- Maybe the most well known female hockey player to NHL fans because of her 1 exhibition appearance, she too will have to wait till Angela James & Cammi Granato have been chosen to see her chance. Dawn McGuire, Katie King, France St. Louis- they have to hope to get in very soon....before the next batch of names start coming thru like Danielle Goyette, Vicky Sunohara, Karen Bye or Katja Riipi. |
Canadagraphs Hockey BlogsFrom time to time I have something to say on hockey. Whether its the Vancouver Canucks, NHL in general, Womens Hockey or International Hockey...if I have something to post, it will be in here. Archives
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