The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Hockey greats Grant Fuhr and Pat LaFontaine have returned to a place they know well from their outstanding playing days Ñ the limelight. The men were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto yesterday, joining the game's legends in the sports shrine. Fuhr, who modestly stood between the pipes for 19 NHL seasons, is best remembered for his integral role with the Edmonton Oilers dynasty that captured five Stanley Cups from 1984 to 1990. "I am extremely excited to join some of my Oiler teammates in the Hockey Hall of Fame," Fuhr said in a statement. "After watching the Oilers as a kid play in the WHA in my hometown, I was extremely fortunate to join a very special group of hockey players on a team that had great success." Although Fuhr's career goals-against-average of 3.38 is high by today's standards, he is one of the game's winningest goaltenders. His 403 regular season victories rank sixth all-time, and he is second in playoff wins with 92. After ten seasons with the Oilers, Fuhr was traded to the Maple Leafs in 1991 and spent the next nine years in Toronto, Buffalo, L.A., St. Louis and Calgary. The goaltender joins Oiler legends Wayne Gretzky and Jarri Kurri in the Hall. At 5'10", LaFontaine was a small man by NHL standards; however, his numbers were anything but. The centreman entered the Hall after a distinguished 15-year career in which be became just the third American-born player to notch at least 1,000 points (1,013 in total). "I am truly thrilled to receive this tremendous honor," LaFontaine told NHL.com. "Growing up in St. Louis, I always played for the love of the game and never dreamed this could ever lead to my being a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame." LaFontaine wore three uniforms during his career but never left New York State for home games, spending eight seasons with the Islanders, six with Buffalo and his final year with the Rangers. Concussion problems prompted his retirement after the 1997-98 season. Also inducted to the Hall last night were Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch; Brian Kilrea, the successful coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67s; Michael Farber of Sports Illustrated; and Rod Phillips, the longtime radio voice of the Oilers.
