For the first time ever Hockey Canada has announced they will honor 5 hockey players with the Order of Hockey in Canada. The honourees are Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau, Wayne Gretzky, Gordon Renwick and Cassie Campbell-Pascall.
Gordie Howe who is often referred to as Mr. Hockey is a four-time Stanley Cup Champion. He played with the Detroit Red Wings from 1946-1971 and he finished his NHL career with the Hartford Whalers when he played his final season in 1979-80. Howe won the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy six times each throughout his career. He also lead the NHL in scoring in different seasons. He represented Canada in the 1974 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. The former Captain of the Detroit Red Wings still holds 14 NHL records. Howe just recently turned 84 years old.
Jean Beliveau is a household name in Montreal. He played hockey for the Montreal Canadiens from 1950-1971. He lead the Canadiens to an impressive 10 Stanley Cups. Beliveau won numerous awards including the Conn Smythe Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy. He is tied with Saku Koivu as the longest serving Montreal Canadiens’ Captain. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 and he was honored with the Companion of the Order of Canada in 1998. Beliveau who is 80 years old was named an honorary member of Team Canada and an honorary captain of the 2010 Men’s Olympic Team.
Wayne Gretzky who is better known as “the great one” is also being honored with the first ever Order of Hockey. Gretzky started his career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1978 and stayed with them until 1988. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Kings and played as a King from 1988-96. He spent 1 year with the St. Louis Blues before being traded to the New York Rangers. Gretzky played his final 3 seasons as a Ranger. He won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzsky set over 60 NHL records during his 20 year career and he has won numerous NHL awards. Like Beliveau Gretzky was award the Companion of the Order of Canada and he has been a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame since 1999. Gretzky represented Canada many times including four Canada Cups, Winter Olympics and World Championships.
Gordon Renwick is being honored with the Order of Hockey because he of his role in the establishment of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association(CAHA), which is now known as Hockey Canada. He was the President of CAHA from 1977-79 and he was also a board member for 20 years with the International Ice Hockey Federation(IIHF).
Last but certainly not least Hockey Canada will be honoring Cassie Campbell-Pascall with the Order of Hockey. Campbell-Pascall represented Canada as a member of the Canada’s National Women’s Team from 1994-2006. She is the longest serving Captain in Canadian hockey history. Campbell-Pascall lead Canada to two Olympic Gold Medals and she is the only player male or female to do that. She also became the first female to be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
This is absolutely fantastic. All are worthy of being part of the inaugural induction. Soooo, when do all the details of the ceremony get announced?
The ceremony will be held on June 25th at the Air Canada Center.