Kirk McLean Named to BC Hockey Hall of Fame

As a Vancouver Canucks fan it was great to see Kirk McLean named to the 2014 class of the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame.

McLean remains the favorite goalie of our generation of fans, even moreso than the immensely popular Roberto Luongo. McLean, now 47, led the 1994 Canucks to within one win of the Stanley Cup in 1994. One of the last great stand-up style goaltenders, McLean will forever be remembered around here for "The Save."


“Certainly it's a great honour,” said McLean, who was born in Toronto but continues to live in Vancouver in retirement.. “I am completely a part of this province's hockey heritage. I consider myself B.C.-born and bred, to be honest with you. I've lived more than half my life here so it is home and I am a proud Vancouverite. It really is quite an honour.”

McLean joins 1994 alum Greg Adams, Dave Babych, Geoff Courtnall, Pat Quinn, Trevor Linden and Cliff Ronning in the Hall.

Also named to the Hall for 2014 were Nelson native Pat Price, a former defenceman in both the NHL and WHA, and hockey executive Bill Ennos, a former UBC Thunderbird and Vancouver Nat junior. The 2003-04 Memorial Cup champion Kelowna Rockets, led by Shea Weber, were named to the Hall in the team category.

“It's special,” said Weber, now captain of the Nashville Predators and a member of Team Canada for the Sochi Olympics. “Obviously we were very fortunate that year to host the Mem Cup and win it. It was a lot of fun. It was something I had never seen in that building and in the city. It was an amazing time.”

The induction ceremonies will take place July 25 in Penticton.