Hall of Fame Weekend

The Hockey Hall of Fame is welcoming four new inductees to their elite establishment this weekend.

Patrick Roy imposed his style on the game, and legions of hockey fans and goalies everywhere were grateful. It's not just that his method is effective, that the revolutionary quick drop-n-slide of a pad can stone the wickedest wrist shot. Roy's way is also fun, dramatic, cocky, marvelous, at times even beautiful. Far beyond the statistics, Patrick Roy entertained us and thrilled us while he emerged so dazzlingly as the best.

Many of hockey's historical experts will tell you that Patrick Roy is the greatest goaltender of all time. With all due respect to the likes of Terry Sawchuk, Jacques Plante, Glenn Hall and Dominik Hasek, the stats are convincing.

Roy retired in 2003 as the goaltending leader in regular season games played (1,029) and minutes played (60,235), career wins (551), and most career 30-win seasons (13). He won three Vezina trophies, five Jennings trophies, and six All Star nominations. He had a career .910 save percentage and 2.54 GAA, not to mention 66 career shutouts. He is the only goalie in NHL history to win over 200 regular season games with two different teams.

Full Patrick Roy Biography

Also see: Former teammates and rivals remember Roy (Globe and Mail)
Roy glad he doesn't have to choose (Globe and Mail)
The Real Patrick Roy (ESPN)
Roy a giant among game's greats (NHL.com)
Legend lives on beneath the mask (Denver Post)
Roy now riding the buses (Denver Post)
Patrick Roy on YouTube

Dick Duff was known as one of the best "money players" of all time. He tasted the sweet smell of Stanley Cup success six times during a 18-year NHL career. He always seemed to reach his peak in the playoffs where he earned his reputation as one of the greatest clutch playoff performers of all time.

That 1958-59 season really established Duff's reputation as a clutch player. The Leafs were struggling to make the playoffs that campaign, but Duff's strong finish seemingly willed the Leafs into the final playoff spot on the final night of the regular season, with Duff scoring the winning goal. The Leafs momentum led them to a Stanley Cup finals appearance against the dynastic Montreal Canadiens. Duff scored 7 pointed in 12 games, including an overtime winning goal against Jacques Plante in the finals.

Duff played a pivotal role in the Stanley Cup championship won by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1962, playing alongside fellow Hall of Famers George Armstrong, Johnny Bower, Tim Horton, Red Kelly, David Keon, Frank Mahovlich, Bert Olmstead, Bob Pulford and Allan Stanley. Although he missed more than a quarter of the regular season suffering from a broken ankle, Dick scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal on April 22, 1962, as Toronto edged Chicago 2-1 to win their first Stanley Cup since Bill Barilko and his teammates celebrated in 1951.

The Maple Leafs repeated their Stanley Cup celebration in 1963, with Dickie Duff setting an NHL record by scoring two goals in the first 1:08 of game one of the final on April 9, 1963. The Leafs beat the Red Wings 4-2 in that contest.

Full Dick Duff Biography

Also see: Dick Duff gets his due (National Post)
Dick Duff (tlmfans.ca blog)

Also inducted this weekend:

Herb Brooks - the late-coach was best remembered for orchestrating Team USA's Miracle On Ice in the 1980 Olympics.

Harley Hotchkiss - The part owner of the Calgary Flames has a lot of pull in the hockey world. He even has enough to get himself included in the annual "pat ourselves on the back" builder category.