The BC Hockey Hall of Fame introduced 7 new members of BC Hockey Hall of Fame at Rogers Arena and the announcement was made by Bernie Pascall the chair of the selection committee.
The players category see’s Thomas Gradin, former Vancouver Canuck player who was born in Soleftea Sweden suited up in 677 NHL games in 8 seasons with the Canucks.
He managed to score 20 goals in his rookie year and followed that up with three 20 goal seasons.
He also was a member of the Canucks and played in the 1982 Stanley Cup Final against the New York Islanders scoring 19 points in 17 games in the playoffs.
He (Gradin) remains with the Canucks in a scouting capacity that began in 1990-91 named Associate Chief Amateur scout serving 15 years in that capacity.
Tony Tanti was drafted by Chicago but traded to the Canucks for Curt Fraser and managed to score 45 goals in his season in a Canuck Uniform – a record for the team.
During his career he scored 287 goals in 679 games as a member of the Canuck’s which included 10 hat tricks and 102 power play goals and 29 game winners all time team records.
Tanti represented Canada at the World Championships three times wearing the red maple leaf.
Builders Category
Dave Nonis former General Manager of the Canucks and former Toronto Maple GM from Burnaby also joins this year’s hall of fame class.
Played minor hockey in Burnaby and at 37 became the young GM in Vancouver history in in 2004 and also held the title of Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the Canucks.
Holding similar positions in Toronto with the Maple Leafs named GM on June 9th 2013 and Anaheim Ducks he currently a scout /consultant for the Anaheim.
NHL Linesman Brad Lazarowich was born in Vancouver and officiated in more than 200 games as a linesman and retired last season after a long a and distinguished and well respected career.
He (Brad) began in the minor hockey officiating career in North Delta, eventually moving up to officiate in the BC Junior Hockey League (now BCHL) and from there he advanced to officiate in the Western Hockey League, the AHL and signing with the NHL in 1986 – thus his number!
Highlights of Brad’s career include working three (3) Stanley Cup Finals two (2) World Cups and the 2014 Heritage Classic.
Tsawwassen resident and majority owner of the Vancouver Giants Ron Toigo who see’s his junior hockey dating back to 1990’s owning the Tri City Americans of the WHL.
In 2006 Ron Toigo and his assembled Giants staff hosted one of the more successful IIHF world Junior Hockey championships as well as hosting the Memorial Cup in 2007 won by the Giants in Vancouver.
Oliver BC’s John Shannon held the position of Executive Producer of Hockey Night in Canada before moving on to the role of president of Maple Leaf Sports TV overseeing the Raptors of the NBA and the Leafs hockey club.
John has worked five Olympics receiving an Emmy for his work with NBC at the 2002 Winter games he is currently an on air hockey commentator with Rogers SportsNet
The last member to be inducted in this year’s class in the team category is the selection of the 1996-97 Allan Cup Champion – Powell River Eagles.
The comprised of 17 Powell River born and raised players, 24 team members were born in BC
they had many championship teams over the years but the 96-97 team stood out and ranks as one of the best ever marking the 20th anniversary of the championship anniversary.
The BCHHF Induction will be held in Penticton on Friday July 28th at the South Okanagan Event Centre in Penticton BC.
Thanks to Bruce Nolte for covering the event for Sportswave.ca
Congratulation to the 2017 class!!
