TORONTO (June 9, 2004) -- Jim Gregory, Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, announced today that three players who starred in the NHL on defense — Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey and Larry Murphy — have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Player Category. The vote was made today at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto.
"The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome Ray, Paul and Larry as Honoured Members," said Jim Gregory. "Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hall of Fame is richly deserved."
RAY BOURQUE
A native of Montréal, Quebec, Raymond Bourque starred in the QMJHL where he played as a 16-year-old with the Sorel Eperviers and continued with the team when it moved to Verdun the following season. His success in Junior was clearly recognized when the Boston Bruins made him their first round selection (8th overall) in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. Ray made an immediate impact in the NHL, winning the Calder Trophy in 1979-80 and was named to the NHL's First All-Star team — the only time the NHL has awarded this dual honour to either a defenceman or forward. Bourque was named to the NHL's First All-Star team 12 times during his 19-year playing career, and won five Norris Trophies. He capped his playing career in June 2001 when he won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Colorado Avalanche and then retired later that same month.
"I was hoping to get the call today, but when it came I was completely speechless," said Bourque. "When I started out playing in the NHL, my goal was simply to establish myself as a player and I never contemplated this type of honour."
PAUL COFFEY
Born in 1961 in Weston, Ontario, Paul Coffey was the first selection of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 1978 Midget draft. He played one and a half seasons in the Soo before being traded to the Kitchener Rangers, where he was playing when he was made a first round selection of the Edmonton Oilers (sixth overall) in the 1980 Entry Draft. During seven seasons with the Oilers, Coffey was a key component of three Stanley Cup teams and was a first team All-Star twice and second team All-Star on three occasions. He also won the Norris Trophy in 1985 and 1986. In 1987, he was traded to Pittsburgh and during his almost five seasons with the Penguins, Coffey again earned First and Second All-Star team member honours, and won his fourth Stanley Cup in 1991.
From Pittsburgh, Coffey spent a season in Los Angeles before being traded to Detroit in January of 1993. During his three and a half seasons in Detroit, Paul won his third Norris Trophy in 1995. When his 21-year playing career ended in 2001, Coffey retired second only to Ray Bourque in goals, assists and total points for an NHL defenceman.
"I had a chance to see Grant get elected to the Hall last year and it's a tremendous honour to join all of my Oilers teammates," said Coffey. "When we beat the Islanders to win our first Stanley Cup and later watched the stars from that team get into the Hall, it's amazing to receive the telephone call that Grant, Wayne, Jari and Slats got."
LARRY MURPHY
Hailing from Scarborough, Ontario, Larry Murphy played Junior hockey with the Peterborough Petes from 1978 to 1980, leading the team to the Memorial Cup in 1978-79. The Los Angles Kings first choice, fourth overall, in the 1980 Entry Draft, Larry set records for most assists (60) and points (76) in his first season in 1980-81. During his 21 NHL seasons, Larry played in 1,615 regular season games, scoring 287 goals, 929 assists and 1,216 points. A second team NHL All-Star in 1987, 1993 and 1995, Larry won four Stanley Cups — in 1991 and 1992 Pittsburgh and 1997 and 1998 with Detroit.
"This is something that, as a player, is the ultimate compliment," said Murphy. "It is a statement of appreciation and I am extremely thrilled to receive this honour."
CLIFF FLETCHER
In the Builder Category, Phoenix Coyotes executive Cliff Fletcher was elected.
Fletcher began his NHL career in 1966 as a scout for the Montreal Canadiens. From Montreal, he joined the expansion St. Louis Blues in 1967 where he later was named Assistant General Manager. Continuing on his expansion run, Cliff joined the Atlanta Flames in 1972 as General Manager when they joined the NHL. He stayed with the team when it moved to Calgary in 1980, building a respected and successful franchise whose highlight was a Stanley Cup win in 1989.
From Calgary Fletcher moved to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where his work restoring the franchise led to him being named The Hockey News Executive of the Year in 1993. After Toronto, Cliff served as a consultant to the Tampa Bay Lightning and then moved to Phoenix in 2001, where he first served as General Manager and now currently hold the role of Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations.
"This is a great honour and an unbelievable experience for me," said Fletcher. "I wasn't certain if my name had been put forward to the Committee, so I was completely taken aback by the phone call from Jim Gregory."
The 2004 Induction Celebration will be held on Monday, November 8th, at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Stay tuned for more information regarding the 2004 Induction Weekend/Celebration.
