AHL Rochester Americans

Hat Trick Of Inductees To Enter Amerks Hall Of Fame

January 13, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans' Hall of Fame Class stacks up against any from the past decade with the enshrining of two of the most popular and successful players, and one contributor that has been with the Amerks for 25 seasons. Randy Cunneyworth, Jim Wiemer and Kent Weisbeck all began their careers with the Amerks in the 1980s and have all hoisted the Calder Cup. It is only fitting then that they join the Amerks' prestigious club as the Class of 2010.

"I am very surprised, but extremely honored to be acknowledged this way with all the great players that were here before me, the ones that I played with and those who came after I played," said Wiemer about joining the elite class. "I am truly honored."

The 46th, 47th and 48th members of the Hall of Fame will be enshrined during a pregame ceremony on Sunday, February 21st at The Blue Cross Arena. The class will become permanent additions to the Amerks Hall of Fame display, which will open that night in the upper atrium bar area.

Cunneyworth and Wiemer spent four seasons together in Rochester, playing for the Amerks from 1981-85. Both Cunneyworth and Wiemer used Rochester as a launching pad for future careers in the National Hockey League. Cunneyworth also has the distinction of beginning and ending his playing career in Rochester, while also beginning his head coaching career. He is the only man to accomplish that feat in the 54-year history of the Amerks. In all, he spent 15 seasons with the Rochester Americans, seven as a player (1981-86, 1998-00) and eight as a head coach (2000-08). In 2004-05, he was named the winner of the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding coach. "It's an honor to be selected into such a great group of players, coaches and people," said Cunneyworth.

Wiemer joins his former Rochester teammate in the Hall of Fame. The rugged defenseman played parts of five seasons (1981-85, 1994-95) with the Amerks, totaling 167 points (48+119) in 218 games. Wiemer also still ranks tied for fifth all-time in points among team defenseman and sits third all-time with 34 playoff assists. The Amerks are also adding a longtime contributor to the Hall of Fame this season: Athletic Trainer Kent Weisbeck. Weisbeck will go into the Hall of Fame in his 25th season of service to the club. During his tenure, he has missed only seven contests and has worked over 1,700 games. In the past 24 years, he has earned two Calder Cup rings (1987 and 1996) and has worked in the Calder Cup Finals on five other occasions.

"It feels good to go in with 'Cunney' and 'Wiems'," added Weisbeck. "Cunney played for the love of the game and Wiems was a true veteran at heart. Throughout the years, I helped them both along and took care of them, so I only hope that in some small way I helped them both further their careers."

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