Voting opens for 2005 inductee into the Portland Pirate Hall of Fame

Published on August 26, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME- The Portland Pirates announced today that two players and a coach will be on the ballot for induction into the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame presented by UnumProvident. Forward Mike Boback, defenseman Todd Nelson and head coach Barry Trotz are all eligible for induction in 2005. Fans may vote for the nominee they think should be inducted into the Hall of Fame presented by UnumProvident at the Pirates web site, portlandpirates.com by clicking on the "Hall of Fame" section of the website.

"All of these former Pirates played a vital role in the organization during the time they spent in Portland," said Brian Petrovek, Pirates Managing Owner/CEO. "All three candidates were part of the Calder Cup Championship team in 1994 and achieved greatness during their stays in Portland."

The Nominees:

Mike Boback - (1993-95) GP 100, G 30, A 79, PTS 109

Mike Boback, an original Pirate, was an explosive forward who created scoring opportunities for his teammates. During Portland's inaugural season, Boback played a vital role in the post-season. He scored ten goals and tallied 17 assists for 27 points in 17 playoff games en route to the Pirates first Calder Cup Championship in 1994. In his final season with the Pirates the next year, he missed nearly half the season due to injury, but in only 32 games he tallied 36 assists and 50 points. Today, he still ranks 11th all time in the Portland organization for most assists (79), has a career points per game ratio of 1.09 and was voted an AHL All-Star during the 1994-95 season. At Providence College, Boback was a two-time First Team All Hockey East, both in 1989-90 and in 1991-92.

Todd Nelson - (1993-95) GP 155, G 21, A 69, PTS 90

Todd Nelson, an original Pirate, was an offensive threat on the blue line during his tenure with the Pirates. He finished his career with an average of .58 points per game and helped the Pirates win their first ever Calder Cup. In addition, he finished 8th on the team in scoring in the 1993-94 season as a defenseman. Nelson played in six games with the Capitals during the 1993-94 season, notching a goal in his time with Washington, which included four playoff games. He returned to the Pirates the following season and again posted strong numbers in 75 games with the team. He scored ten goals and registered 35 assists for a total of 45 points in his final season with the Pirates.

Nelson is currently the head coach of the Muskegon Fury of the UHL, where he coaches his brother and former Pirates great Jeff Nelson. In Nelson's first year as head coach of the Fury, he won the UHL Championship. In his first two years as head coach, he has posted records of 47-20 and 51-20 for a winning percentage of .628.

Barry Trotz - Head Coach (1993-97) W 158, L 120, T 42

Barry Trotz served as the Pirates head coach from 1993-97, compiling a record of 158-120-42 for a winning percentage of .557, which remains the highest winning percentage in Pirates history. In the Pirates inaugural season, Trotz led Portland to the Calder Cup Championship and was named the Louis A. R. Pieri Award winner as the league's Coach of the Year. The following year, his club opened the season with a North American pro hockey record 17-game unbeaten streak (14-0-3) and finished the season with a franchise record 46 wins and 104 points. That year he was selected to coach at the AHL All-Star Classic in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1996, after a sub-.500 regular season, the native of Dauphin, Manitoba again led the Pirates to the Calder Cup finals before falling to the Rochester Americans in seven games.

In his time in Portland, Trotz earned more regular season and playoff wins than any coach in franchise history. He currently serves at the head coach of the NHL's Nashville Predators, where he has coached all 492 regular season games since their inaugural season in 1997.

In order for a player, coach or individual to be eligible for the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame presented by UnumProvident, he must have taken part in at least 40 Pirates games, and at the time of his induction, be at least one year removed from playing with the Pirates and retired from playing the game of hockey (eligibility criteria revised July 1, 2004).

The deadline for Hall of Fame voting is October 24, 2005. The newest inductee into the Pirates Hall of Fame presented by UnumProvident will be announced and honored on February 26, 2006, Hall of Fame Night, presented by UnumProvident and WJAB 1440AM/95.5FM during the 2005-06 season.

Season ticket plans for the 2005-06 season are now on sale at the Pirates office, located at 531 Congress Street in Portland. Ticket plans start at just $50. The office is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fans can also purchase tickets over the phone by calling (207) 828-4665 or by e-mailing tickets@portlandpirates.com.

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