Rochester To Induct Charron And Orlando Into Amerks Hall Of Fame
Published on February 28, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release
(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans announced today that Craig Charron and Gates Orlando will become the 43rd and 44th members of the Amerks Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 6th at The Blue Cross Arena.
"It is a great honor to be inducted into the Rochester Americans Hall of Fame. Since the first day I stepped into the Amerks' locker room, I could feel the aura of pride and tradition of all the great players and teams that played before me," said Charron. "As a player, I always wanted to uphold that tradition and play my best each and every night for the passionate hockey fans of Rochester. The great memories of playing with the Amerks and winning a Calder Cup will certainly last a lifetime."
"I am truly humbled and honored to be joining such a prestigious group," added Orlando. "I am very excited to be inducted into the Hall of Fame."
Charron made his first season with the Rochester Americans in 1995-96 a memorable one. He led the club with 43 goals, 52 assists and 95 points, earned team MVP honors and helped the Amerks defeat the Portland Pirates in dramatic fashion to win their sixth Calder Cup Championship. The former center went on to have a brilliant five-year career with the team and stands as one of the most decorated Amerks in team history.
"Sharky" played in 335 games and recorded 122 goals and 190 assists with the Amerks (1995-98, 2000-02). He was also a two-time winner of the team's MVP award, scoring title, McCulloch Trophy for community service, Fairand O'Neill Award for sportsmanship, and the Booster Club's Most Popular Player award.
Charron was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1988 out of Division I UMass-Lowell. His career lasted 12 seasons from 1990 to 2002, as he played in 726 professional games. His travels took him to teams in the American Hockey League, International Hockey League, ECHL and Europe. Charron was a two-time member of the US National Team and represented the United States in the World Championships in 1995 and 1998. His USA Hockey bloodlines run deep, as he is the nephew of famed "Miracle on Ice" goalie Jim Craig.
Charron spent the majority of his career in the American Hockey League, playing in 490 games for teams in Fredericton, Cornwall, Lowell, St. John's and Rochester. In eight full AHL seasons, he was named to three AHL All-Star Games and his teams made the playoffs each season. In 1997-98, he was also named the AHL's Fred T. Hunt Award winner, which is given annually to the player that best exemplifies sportsmanship, determination, and dedication to hockey.
"Sharky" retired from hockey in 2002 after completing his second stint with the Amerks and resides in Spencerport with his family. He currently serves as the head coach of the Spencerport High School hockey team and also coaches his son's youth hockey teams. He recently began a new career path as the General Manager for the ESL Sports Centre and recently was the Vice President of Target Promotions and Marketing.
He continues to give back to the community as an instructor at the Amerks Summer Hockey Camp and is instrumental in numerous charitable organizations helping to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis, the American Heart Association and the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.
Orlando enters the Hall of Fame after an impressive career locally and internationally. His career spanned parts of 15 seasons and included a Calder Cup championship and two trips to the Winter Olympics.
The Montreal native was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the eighth round (164th overall) of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. Orlando's journey began at Providence College and landed the first-year pro in Rochester in 1983-84. In the regular season, he recorded 15 points in 11 games and was clutch in the playoffs, notching 14 points in 18 games as Rochester advanced to the Calder Cup Finals.
It was a sign of things to come for Orlando, whose Rochester career covered five seasons (1983-1988). Along the way, the right wing amassed 64 goals and 92 assists for 156 points in 120 games. He also appeared in 45 playoff games and recorded a point per game, notching 15 goals and 30 assists. In 1986-87, he was a member of the Amerks' fifth Calder Cup. That season was also his best offensively, as he played in 44 games and recorded 22 goals and 42 assists during the regular season. In the Amerks' march to the Calder Cup, he recorded nine goals and 13 assists in 18 games.
While with the Amerks, Orlando was also often called up by Buffalo and played in 98 NHL games in his career. He would register 18 goals and 26 assists from 1984-87.
Following the 1986-87 season, Orlando began his international career. In 1987-88 he began the season in Italy before returning to finish the season with the Amerks. He would then spend the next 279 out of 280 regular season games playing overseas. His lone North American game was his last in 2003-04 with the Albany River Rats of the AHL.
Orlando starred in Italy (1987-94) with the HC Meran, Bolzano and the Milano Devils teams. Internationally he excelled for Italy at the "B" Pool World Championships. He was named the best forward at the 1990 tournament and selected to the all-star team when he led Italy to the "B" Pool title in 1991 and promotion to the "A" flight.
Between 1992 and 1998, Orlando represented Italy at seven consecutive "A" Pool World Championships. He also took part in the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics and the 1998 Nagano Games and was a domestic star for the Swiss team SC Bern.
Since his playing days ended, he has served as the head coach of the Adirondack IceHawks and as an assistant coach for the Albany River Rats. He currently works as a professional scout for the New Jersey Devils.
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