Voting opens for inductees into the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame presented by Fleet

Published on August 10, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME – The Portland Pirates announced today that three former players and one former head coach will be on the ballot for induction into the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame presented by Fleet. Forward Mike Boback, Forward Ryan Mulhern, Defenseman Todd Nelson and Head Coach Barry Trotz are all eligible for induction in 2004. Fans may vote for the nominee they think should be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Pirates' web site, portlandpirates.com, by clicking on the "Hall of Fame" section of the website.

"All of this year's nominees are worthy of a spot in the Pirates Hall of Fame," said Brian Petrovek, Pirates' Managing Owner/CEO. "Each of them has played an important part in Pirates' history. We think the fans are going to enjoy the voting process this year and we look forward to the final results."

To be eligible for induction into the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame a player must have played at least 40 games with the Pirates and be at least one year removed from playing with the team. This is a change to the voting criteria, effective this year. Previously an individual must have participated in only 25 games with the Pirates and could still be an active player.

Since being established in 1999, five players who have made significant contributions to the Pirates have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Left wing Andrew Brunette and goalies Byron Dafoe and Olaf Kolzig were selected as charter members of the Hall in 1999. Right wing Kevin Kaminski followed them in 2000. Defenseman Steve Poapst was inducted in 2001. An original Pirate and former Captain, Kent Hulst was inducted in 2002. The most recent inductee was goaltender, Martin Brochu in 2003.

The deadline for Hall of Fame voting is October 12, 2004. The newest inductee into the Pirates Hall of Fame will be announced and honored during a Pirates' home game during the 2004-2005 season. Below are brief descriptions of each nominee.

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

Mike Boback, an original Pirate, was an explosive forward with a great ability to make plays happen. During Portland's inaugural season and run toward the Calder Cup, Boback played an intricate part in the playoffs. In the post season, Boback scored 10 goals, tallied 17 assists for 27 points in 17 post season games en route to the Calder Cup Championship in 1994. He also ranks 11th in the all-time record book for most assists (79) and is tied for 15th for most points all-time (109). Boback was also an AHL All-Star during the 1994-95 season.

Ryan Mulhern – (1996-98, 99-00) GP 182, G 64, A 71, PTS 135

Ryan Mulhern played for the Pirates in two separate stages of his career, first in 1996-98 and then again in the 1999-00 campaign. His accomplishments have left a strong imprint on the Pirates record book. In the 1997-98 season Mulhern was named as an AHL First Team All-Star and also the Portland Pirates Most Valuable Player. During that same season Mulhern played in three games with the Capitals. A year later he returned to the Pirates for the 1999-00 season in which he played in 73 games, scored 20 goals and registered 16 assists for a total of 36 points in his final season with the Pirates. When Mulhern left the Pirates he ranked 9th in the all-time record book for most goals (64) and ranked 12th all-time for power play goals (16). While with the Pirates he became tied for 12th all-time for most points (135) as well as ranking 14th all-time for most assists (71). Mulhern also had a special flare for the dramatic in his career by scoring 12 game winning goals which ties him for 4th all-time in that category.

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

Todd Nelson was an original Pirate and contributed a plethora of points from the blue line in 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 the 1994 season. In addition, he finished 8th on the team in scoring in the 1993-94 season as a defenseman. Nelson also played in six games with the Capitals in the 1993-94 season, notching one goal in his time there which included four playoff games. He returned to the Pirates the following season and in 1994-95 Nelson again posted strong numbers in 75 games with the team, scoring 10 goals and registering 35 assists for a total of 45 points in his final season with the Pirates.

Barry Trotz – (1993-1997) Head Coach

Barry Trotz served as the Portland Pirates Head Coach from 1993-1997, compiling a record of 158-120-42 for a winning percentage of .557. In 1993-94, the Pirates' inaugural season, Trotz lead Portland to the Calder Cup Championship and was presented with the Louis A. R. Pieri Award as the league's Coach of the Year. In 1994-95, 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 game in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1996, after a sub-.500 regular season, the Dauphin, Manitoba native 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.

The Pirates home opener is scheduled for Saturday, October 16, 2004, Hockey Night in Portland, at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

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