ECHL Toledo Walleye

Nominees Announced for 2019 HHOF Class

March 23, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye News Release


The fourth class of the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame will be inducted during the 2019 CCM/ECHL Hockey All-Star Weekend, presented by ProMedica, that will be held in Toledo from Friday, January 18 through Monday, January 21. It's only fitting to acknowledge the men who made their mark in Toledo hockey during this historic weekend.

Professional hockey has a proud and rich tradition in Toledo. Dating back to the 1940's, Toledo hockey fans have celebrated a total of 11 minor league championships.

Because pro hockey in Toledo is only possible with the tremendous support of its fans, the Toledo Walleye want you to be part of the selection process. A committee of former players, coaches, team historians and media determined a list of nominees for consideration.

Between Monday, March 26 and Friday, March 30, fans are encouraged to take part in the selection process, by voting for their top five choices on ToledoWalleye.com.

TOLEDO HOCKEY HALL OF FAME CANDIDATES 2019 (Up to 5 will be selected)

To be considered for induction into the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame, candidates must be retired from professional hockey as an active player for a period of three full seasons.

Maurice "Moe" Benoit (Blades) - The defenseman from Valleyfield, Quebec was Player-Head Coach of the 1963-64 Toledo Blades which captured the IHL Turner Cup. Also played for the Blades from 1964-66.

Rick Corriveau (Storm) - The defenseman from Welland, Ontario played four seasons with the Toledo Storm (1992-96), racking up 207 points in 191 games. A member of the back-to-back ECHL Riley Cup Championship teams in 1993 and 1994.

Gordie Cowan (Mercurys) - The left winger from Constance, Saskatchewan played six seasons with the Toledo Mercurys (1956-62), and one season with the Toledo Blades (1963-64). All-time leading scorer in Mercurys franchise history, with 138 goals and 274 assists in 304 regular season games.

Iain Duncan (Storm)- - The left winger from Toronto, Ontario played in four seasons with Winnipeg of the NHL (1986-91) before playing three seasons with the Storm (1992-95). Scored 147 points in 95 games and helped the Storm win two Riley Cups in 1993 and 94.

Mike Eruzione (Goaldiggers)- The left winger from Winthrop, Massachusetts played two seasons in Toledo (1977-79), and helped the Goaldiggers win the Turner Cup in 1978. Awarded the IHL Ken McKenzie Trophy in 1978 as outstanding rookie. Went on to captain the USA 1980 Olympic Gold Medal team and scored the famous game-winning goal against the Soviet Union.

Len Fontaine (Goaldiggers)- The forward from Quebec City, Quebec appeared in 46 games with Detroit Red Wings (1972-74) before playing four seasons with the Toledo Goaldiggers (1977-81). He is seventh on the all-time Goaldiggers scoring list (102 goals, 163 assists, 265 points in 236 games), and was a key player in the 1978 Turner Cup championship team.

John Gravel (Blades, Hornets) - The defenseman from Montreal, Quebec played seven seasons with the Toledo Blades (1963-64, 68-70) and Hornets (1970-74), and was a member of the Blades' 1964 Turner Cup Championship team. Won the IHL Governors' Trophy in 1970 as the league's top defenseman.

Alex Hicks (Storm)-The left winger from Calgary, Alberta played two seasons in Toledo: the back-to-back Riley Cup seasons (1992-94). Scored 140 points in 112 games. Went on to play 258 games in the NHL between 1995-2000 with Anaheim, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Florida.

Alexandre Jacques (Storm)- The right-winger from Laval, Quebec appeared in 183 games over the course of five seasons with the Toledo Storm (1997-98, 2000-2004). He's eighth on the all-time Storm scoring list (85 goals, 91 assists, 176 points).

Jack Kernahan (Mercurys, Buckeyes) - The right winger from Saint James, Manitoba played six seasons in Toledo (Mercurys 1947-49, 1950-52, Buckeyes 1949-50), with 213 points in 227 games. Member of the 1948 and 1951 Turner Cup Championship teams.

Ian MacPhee (Goaldiggers)- The right winger from Edmonton, Alberta played five seasons in Toledo (1974-79), helping the Goaldiggers win the 1975 and 1978 IHL Turner Cups. Scored 140 with 193 assists, while racking up 855 penalty minutes in 377 regular season games.

Roger Maisonneuve (Mercurys) - The left winger from Templeton, Quebec scored 161 goals for the Toledo Mercurys between 1957-62. Was a member of the U.S. National Team in 1966.

Dino Mascotto (Blades, Hornets) - The defenseman from Sioux Lookout, Ontario played three seasons in Toledo (Blades 1968-69, Hornets 1970-72). Scored 6 goals with 38 assists in 173 regular season games in Toledo.

Stan "Chook" Maxwell (Blades, Hornets) - The center from Truro, Nova Scotia played five seasons in Toledo (Blades 1966-70, Hornets 1970-71), helping the Blades to the 1967 Turner Cup title. Scored 140 goals with 194 assists in 307 regular season games in Toledo.

John McGrath (Mercurys, Buckeyes) - The defenseman from Hibbing, MN played with the Toledo Mercurys from 1947-53, a member of three Turner Cup Championship teams. Won the IHL James Gatschene Memorial Trophy in 1951 for outstanding sportsmanlike conduct.

Chris McSorley (Goaldiggers, Storm)- The Hamilton, Ontario native played two seasons with the Goaldiggers (1984-86) before becoming first coach of the Storm. Coached three seasons in Toledo (1991-94), including the back-to-back Riley Cup Championship teams in 1993 and 94.

Lorne Molleken (Goaldiggers)- The goalie from Regina, Saskatchewan backstopped back-to-back Turner Cup titles for the Goaldiggers (1982, 1983). Was awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1982 and 1983 for lowest goals against average in the IHL. After retiring as a player, he went on to become head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks (1998-2000).

Barney O'Connell (Mercurys, Buckeyes) - The center from Winnipeg, Manitoba played four seasons in Toledo) Mercurys 1947-49, 1950-51, Buckeyes 1949-50), helping the Mercurys win the 1951 IHL Turner Cup. Scored 92 goals with 118 assists in 181 regular season games.

Nick Parillo (Storm)- The left-winger from Schenectady, New York played four seasons with the Toledo Storm (2002-05, 2006-07). He is seventh on the all-time Storm scoring list (73 goals, 125 assists, 198 points), and sixth on the all-time penalty minutes list (494 PIM) in 262 games.

Dick Pontarollo (Mercurys) - The winger from Lethbridge, Alberta played four seasons with the Toledo Mercurys (1951-55), helping Toledo capture the 1952 IHL Turner Cup. Scored 110 goals with 123 assists in 187 regular season games.

Greg Puhalski (Storm) - The center from Fort William, Ontario played three seasons in Toledo (1991-94), helping the Storm capture ECHL Riley Cup titles in 1993 and 1994. Fourth on all-time Storm scoring list, with 225 points in 123 regular season games (70 goals, 155 assists). Was Storm head coach for four seasons (1994-98).

Terry Slater (Blades) - The center from Kirkland Lake, Ontario played two seasons with the Toledo Blades (1963-65), and was head coach of the Blades for three seasons (1966-69), helping Toledo capture IHL Turner Cup titles in 1964 and 1967. Scored 41 goals with 55 assists in 108 regular season games as a player in Toledo.

Rob Thorpe (Storm) - The winger from Hamilton, Ontario played six seasons with the Toledo Storm (1996-2002). Third on all-time Storm scoring list with 328 points in 364 regular season games (183 goals, 145 assists).

Nick Vitucci (Storm, Walleye) - The goalie from Welland, Ontario played three seasons with the Toledo Storm (1993-95, 1997-98), and was a member of the 1994 Riley Cup Championship team. Remains ECHL all-time leader for career goalie wins with 265. Took over as Storm head coach mid-way through the 2003-04 season and coached the team during its final three seasons. Winner of 2005 John Brophy Award as ECHL coach of the year. Named first head coach of the Toledo Walleye, and guided the team for five seasons (2009-14).

Don Westbrooke (Blades, Goaldiggers) - The winger from Collingwood, Ontario played seven seasons in Toledo (Blades 1963-67, Goaldiggers 1974-77), helping Toledo capture three IHL Turner Cup titles in 1964, 1967 and 1975. Winner of 1964 Garry F. Longman Memorial Trophy as IHL rookie of the year. 393 points in 359 regular season games in Toledo (173 goals, 220 assists).

The fan vote will be collected and the total cumulative votes will be counted as one vote at the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame committee meeting. Up to five people will be selected to the fourth class of the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame.

The 2019 Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in April.

FINatic Members can reserve their tickets now for the CCM/ECHL All-Star Weekend. Single game and Group ticket packages will go on sale at a later date. For ticket information visit the website at toledowalleye.com.

Check out the Toledo Walleye Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 23, 2018


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