ECHL Toledo Walleye

First Toledo Hockey HOF Class Announced

January 11, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye News Release


TOLEDO, OH -- The Toledo Walleye along with the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame Committee are pleased to announce the inductees to the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame inaugural class.

Virgil Gladieux - Owner, Toledo Mercurys/Buckeyes/Blades/ Hornets/Goaldiggers (1947-1986)

Glenn Ramsay - Goalie, Toledo Mercurys/Blades/Hornets (1958-1974)

Ted Garvin - Coach & GM, Toledo Goaldiggers (1974-1979, 1984-1985)

Rick Judson - Forward & Asst. Coach, Toledo Storm (1991-1998, 2003-2007)

Kyle Rogers - Forward, Toledo Walleye (2009-2015)

"Toledo hockey has a very long and rich history, due in large part, to the foundation these men laid down," says Neil Neukam, Toledo Walleye Executive Vice President and General Manager. "Virgil Gladieux brought hockey to Toledo with the IHL's first expansion outside the Detroit-Windsor area with the Mercurys in 1947. Glenn Ramsay played for three Toledo teams and won the IHL Norris Trophy for best goalie a record six times. Ted Garvin named the greatest coach in the history of the IHL by the league. Rick Judson, grew up in Lambertville, Michigan, played 10 seasons and is the all-time points and assists leader for the Storm, and Kyle Rogers retired holding Walleye records for goals, assists, and points. All five individuals made significant contributions to Toledo hockey and we are proud to have them inducted as the inaugural Hall of Fame class."

The Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame was created to honor those individuals who have excelled as athletes, as coaches, and those individuals or staff members who have been fervent supporters helping to shape Toledo's hockey heritage.

The nomination and subsequent selection of candidates were determined by the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame committee, made up of former coaches, players, team historians, and media, with input from Toledo hockey fans during the voting phase.

Virgil Gladieux - Owner

Toledo Mercurys, Toledo Buckeyes, Toledo Blades, Toledo Hornets, Toledo Goaldiggers

(1947-1986)

Inducted: 2016

The owner of the Berdan Avenue Ice Arena and several semi-pro teams in Toledo prior to and during World War II, Gladieux built the Toledo Sports Arena in 1947 with the belief that a great city like Toledo deserved a modern hockey palace. He was a part of pro hockey ownership groups in Toledo that won a minor league record nine playoff championships over five decades.

Virgil Gladieux was inducted as a member of the Toledo Mercurys.

Glenn Ramsay - Goalie

Toledo Mercurys, Toledo Blades, Toledo Hornets

(1958-1974)

Inducted: 2016

Ramsay, a goalie from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario played in Toledo for 12 seasons (Mercurys 1958-59, Blades 1963-70, Hornets 1970-74). He helped the Blades win the Turner Cup in 1964 and 1967 and he won the IHL Norris Trophy for best goalie a record six times. Ramsay was named the greatest goalie in the fifty-plus year history of the IHL by the league.

Glenn Ramsay was inducted as a member of the Toledo Blades.

Ted Garvin - Coach & General Manager

Toledo Goaldiggers

(1974-1979; 1984-1985)

Inducted: 2016

Named the greatest coach in the history of the IHL by the league, the Sarnia, Ontario, native won two Turner Cups in Port Huron and was Head Coach of the Detroit Red Wings in 1973-74 before becoming the Head Coach of the Goaldiggers for six seasons (1974-79 and 1984-85). Garvin, known for his physical brand of hockey, led the Goaldiggers to two Turner Cups: in 1975, the team dubbed the 'Miracle on Main Street', and again in 1978.

Ted Garvin was inducted as a member of the Toledo Goaldiggers.

Rick Judson - Forward/Assistant Coach

Toledo Storm

(1991-1998; 2003-2007)

Inducted: 2016

Judson, a left winger from Lambertville, Michigan, is the all-time Storm leader in games played (455), goals (197), assists (244) and points (441). Played 10 seasons in Toledo (1991-98, 2003-06), including the back-to-back Riley Cup Championship teams in 1993 and 94.

Rick Judson was inducted as a member of the Toledo Storm.

Kyle Rogers - Forward

Toledo Walleye

(2009-2015)

Inducted: 2016

Rogers, a forward from Erie, Pennsylvania, was, upon his retirement, the all-time Walleye leader in games played (319), goals (69), assists (108) and points (177). He played five seasons in Toledo (2009-15) and served as team captain for three seasons.

Kyle Rogers was inducted as a member of the Toledo Walleye.

The Toledo Walleye will hold a special induction luncheon and ceremony on Saturday, January 30, beginning at 12 p.m. Tickets for the event are $35 ($21 if you already have a game ticket). There will also be a special banner raising ceremony before the Walleye game beginning at 7:00 p.m. For more information or to order tickets call 419-725-9255 or go online at www.toledowalleye.com.




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