Before heading to the banquet, I wanted to head to the Hall of Fame. The part the memorabilia is housed in is very small. It’s basically a separate room inside the Eagle River Sports Arena. The ERSA, which I’ve written about before, is the oldest hockey arena in the state.

 

I was disappointed to find the lights for the rink were off and it didn’t appear that anyone was around. I was able to walk into the Hall of Fame, though.

 

The first thing you see when you open the door is the 1975-76 USHL Championship trophy which was won by the Admirals. There were pictures on the walls of several teams from the past, including the 1983-84 Admirals and the Milwaukee Clarks. There was also a photo of the first-ever Admirals team from 1970. I snapped a few pictures then headed to the banquet.

 

I didn’t count on knowing anyone at the event, even though I’ve been broadcasting hockey in this state for 15 years.

 

I got to the event at 6 pm. As I suspected, I didn’t recognize anyone that was there. As I paid my entrance fee, I quickly scanned the nametags in front of me. There was one name that stood out: “Dan Lecours”. Since I didn’t recognize anyone, and it was a social hour before the meal and induction, I headed to the bar.

 

I spied an empty seat and grabbed it. I then struck up a conversation with Andy Devine, a 2006 inductee. He was an assistant manager of the 1976 U.S. Olympic Hockey team under coach “Badger” Bob Johnson. He told me some great stories about his involvement with hockey over the years.

 

Soon, Dodie Suter, the grandmother of former Admirals defenseman Ryan, introduced herself and asked if I knew Ryan. Her husband, Marlowe, came over to join the conversation with Mr. Devine and I. The two of them have contributed so much to the sport in this state.

 

The meal was served at 7 pm. We entered the dining room. I ended up sitting with the Suters and Devines. We also shared a table with Tim Janoska and his wife. Janoska was the goalie on the first ever Admirals team in 1970. I showed him the picture I had taken of the 1970 team and he named nearly every person in the photo. He asked for help identifying a couple of players from a teammate of his on that team, Wisconsin Hall of Famer Jim Paull.

 

Each inductee had a presenter. John Galloway was presented by a son. Skip Semandel was presented by Danny Lecours and Kurt Steiner was presented by Bud Sheldon. Each presenter and inductee kept the speeches short and to the point.

 

Sitting in the audience and listening to the stories these men shared inspired me. These three honored Saturday night are just a sample of the men and women that have done so much to help the sport of hockey in Wisconsin. They’ve served as coaches, administrators, officials, parents, friends, travel agents, taxi services and promoters. They weren’t looking to be acknowledged, they were looking to keep kids active. They weren’t trying to help themselves and further their legacy, they were trying to grow a sport and make it easier for others to enjoy it, too. My parents fall into that category. My friends’ parents are there, too. Many of you are included.

 

Hockey in the state is better because of those in the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame. But I realized I don’t need to be a Hall of Famer to make a difference. Nor do you. In 2010-2011, make it a point to support hockey in the state. Whether it’s youth, high school, college, NAHL, USHL or the Admirals, let’s bring people out and turn them on to the best sport going.

 

Moving on…

 

NHL.com posted a list of the top 150 Fantasy Hockey players for the 2010-2011 season. The top Predator was defenseman Shea Weber at #44. Goalie Pekka Rinne was 58^th and forward Patric Hornqvist showed up at #101. Former Admirals goalies Tomas Vokoun was 62^nd and Chris Mason was 145^th, respectively. Alex Ovechkin was the top player with Sidney Crosby second.

 

There are only six players in the Nashville organization that are in their 30s. Steve Sullivan is the elder at 36.

 

I leave you with the Wagon Wheel Cardinals. Many of the men I spoke to Saturday at the Hall of Fame banquet said they played in Rockton, IL 50 years ago as it was the only place in the area that had indoor ice.