TORONTO -- Craig Patrick had no chance to make it through his Hall of Fame acceptance speech last night without shedding a tear.
Not when he gazed around the Great Hall and saw so many hockey greats of the past and present.
Not when he glanced over toward his family.
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Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, from left, Mike Gartner, Dale Hawerchuk, Jarri Kurri, Viacheslav Fetisov and Craig Patrick show off their Hall of Fame rings during ceremonies in Toronto. (Frank Gunn, Associated Press) |
And, most assuredly, not when he was stunned to see that all of the Penguins' players, coaches and training staff made a surprise flight from New Jersey to honor his induction.
"What an incredible experience," Patrick said. "Just overwhelming."
Perhaps following the example set by their general manager, the Penguins had planned the trip in secret for several weeks.
It was the brainchild of Tracey Botsford, an executive assistant who works closely with Patrick. She knew the team would have a free day in New Jersey before the conclusion of a four-game road trip tonight against the Devils, so she approached center Mario Lemieux with an idea to have the whole team turn up in Toronto unannounced.
And because Lemieux has a little pull in the organization, everyone soon was on board. He and Botsford leased a charter plane for the trip and made sure all personnel knew to bring their U.S. passports before leaving Pittsburgh last week.
"I thought it would be a nice surprise for Craig," Lemieux said. "He's done so much for our organization and all the players over the years. ... I thought it was a no-brainer coming here tonight to celebrate with him."
"Seeing everybody here, doing it like this, that just shows what kind of guy Craig is," defenseman Ian Moran said. "I think it was a great idea. It was worth it."
There had been some doubt they would make it. After the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 in New York yesterday morning, all three major airports in that area were closed. The Penguins had been scheduled to take off from a small airfield in Teterboro, N.J., but they initially were informed they wouldn't be permitted to leave because of concerns about excessive air traffic once the New York airports re-opened.
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The Class
of 2001
Four former NHL players were inducted - along with Craig Patrick - into the Hockey Hall of Fame last night.
Slava Fetisov
NHL career began in 1989. Won two Stanley Cups with Detroit (1997, '98). NOw an assistant coach for New Jersey. Will be head coach for Russia at 2002.
Mike Gartner
NHL career began in 1979. Spent first 10 years with Washington. 708 goals, 627 assists, 1,335 points. Only player to score 20 or more goals in 15 consecutive seasons.
Dale Hawerchuk
NHL career began in 1981. Spent most of career with Winnipeg. 518 goals, 891 assists, 1,409 points. Ranks 13th all-time in points.
Jari Kurri
NHL career began in 1980. Won five Stanley Cups with Edmonton. Played on Wayne Gretzky's line. 601 goals, 797 assists, 1,398 points. Had four consecutive 50-goal seasons.
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That changed later in the afternoon, and the team left at 3 p.m., arriving at the Hall an hour before the start of the 7 p.m. ceremony. They were back in New Jersey by midnight.
"Safety's always a priority, but it certainly would have been disappointing not to come," Lemieux said. "Everybody's been looking forward to it."
Patrick, already overcome by emotion all weekend, was blown away when he saw the team enter the building. And that sentiment only multiplied when he saw that two former Penguins, center Ron Francis and goaltender Tom Barrasso, had left the Carolina Hurricanes for a day to take part.
"We have a big game tomorrow, and Mario brought the whole team here. That's amazing," Patrick said. "And it was nice to see Ron and Tom. ... I'm very grateful they showed up."
Patrick was inducted in the Hall's builders category, and he was joined by Slava Fetisov, Jari Kurri, Mike Gartner and Dale Hawerchuk in the players category. Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award earlier in the day at the nearby Westin Harbour Castle.
The inscription on Patrick's plaque reads: "After capturing two consecutive NCAA championships, Craig Patrick embarked upon a 10-year playing career that includes stints with the U.S. national team and four NHL teams. He then joined the U.S. Olympic team in 1980 as assistant general manager and assistant coach, capturing the gold medal before becoming the youngest general manager in New York Rangers history. Patrick then moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1989, leading them to the league's second-best record during the 1990s and two Stanley Cups."
Patrick's speech lasted 5 minutes, 25 seconds, a bit shorter than the other inductees. He trembled and moistened up at times, but he made it all the way through with only minor pauses to keep his composure.
Among the highlights:
"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all the great players we've had in Pittsburgh, especially Mario, Tom Barrasso, Rick Kehoe, Ulf Samuelsson, Rick Tocchet, Mark Recchi, John Cullen, Kevin Stevens and all the great players we've had over the years. With all the success we've had, I really appreciate the work you guys have done."
"I'd like to thank the Rangers for firing me in 1986. There is no better motivator."
"My uncle Muzz ... when I was 14, all I wanted to do was turn pro. And he demanded I go to Denver University. When the man is the heavyweight boxing champ of Canada, I thought I'd better listen."
"I'd like to say to the young people: Find something you really like to do, build your dreams around it, and it can happen in spades."
"I'm very blessed to have four great children. My sons, C.J. and Ryan, and my daughters, Erin and Taylor. Having you here tonight makes everything so special."
It was evident earlier in the day Patrick was going to have a rough night. During a one-on-one interview, when he began discussing his children, tears welled up and he said, "Look at me. I can't even get through this."
His brother Glenn, coach of the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre, had advised him to simply glare into the camera lights rather than into the crowd, but he seemed resigned to his brother's fate.
"He's going to break down," Glenn said. "But you know what? That's just part of his personality, part of why he's successful. He's a very emotional guy. He cares about the people he works with. He makes people want to work harder for him."
The one who worked hardest to get Patrick inducted was Lemieux, Patrick revealed yesterday, hours before his speech.
"I owe a lot to Mario. He was pushing for it, I think. He was working in the background, making some calls. ... He's a very special individual, and it's been a real honor to be associated with him for such a long time."
The Lemieux name carries plenty of weight in the hockey world but no more than the Patrick name.
Patrick became the fourth in his family to be enshrined. Grandfather Lester, great-uncle Frank and father Lynn all made significant contributions to the league in its early stages, prompting Jim Gregory, chairman of the Hall's selection committee, to yesterday refer to the Patricks as "hockey's royal family."
"It's not something I even dreamed about, well beyond my wildest dreams," Patrick said. "My grandfather, my great-uncle and my dad are all here, and there are so many other great people. I've been all about hockey, since I was 4 or 5, and being here to join them is just ... overwhelming."
Patrick's induction emotional with Penguins' surprise visit 
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