It was the eve of the 41st anniversary of Ken Holland害羞草研究所檚 first NHL game Monday, Nov. 15.

Holland, from Vernon, told the capacity crowd at the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Toronto how he played goalie for the now-defunct Hartford Whalers Nov. 16, 1980 and how, at age 25, he felt like he had finally made it.

害羞草研究所淚 was in goal for Hartford against the New York Rangers in Madison Square Gardens, I was 25, the opportunity of a lifetime,害羞草研究所� said Holland, who turned 66 on Nov. 10. 害羞草研究所淎fter the first period, I felt, 害羞草研究所業害羞草研究所檓 here to stay.害羞草研究所� The second period, I gave up five goals, down 6-1 going into the third period and I害羞草研究所檓 sitting in the intermission thinking to myself, 害羞草研究所楰en, you害羞草研究所檙e never going to be in the National Hockey League ever again.害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟

Holland did play three more games in the NHL with Hartford and the Detroit Red Wings. He went on to become one of hockey害羞草研究所檚 keenest executives, starting as a scout with Detroit then helping the Red Wings win four Stanley Cups as assistant general manager and team GM, and was part of the executive for Team Canada害羞草研究所檚 gold-medal victory at the 2010 Olympics in Holland害羞草研究所檚 home province of B.C.

On Monday, Holland 害羞草研究所� the current president of the NHL害羞草研究所檚 Edmonton Oilers 害羞草研究所� became an official member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, inducted as part of the class of 2020-21 with former players Kevin Lowe, Doug Wilson, Marian Hossa and Jarome Iginla, and former Team Canada women害羞草研究所檚 star goalie Kim St-Pierre. He was presented his Hall of Fame plaque by former Detroit captain Steve Yzerman.

害羞草研究所淲hat an honour to be presented my plaque by Stevie,害羞草研究所� said Holland. 害羞草研究所淗e and I were together with the Red Wings for 26 years.害羞草研究所�

He also credited former Red Wings boss Jim Devallano for kick-starting his post-playing career. Had he listened to his late mom, Lee, Holland would have sold vacuum cleaners for a living.

害羞草研究所淛immy D promoted me to chief amateur scout, then eventually to assistant general manager for three years,害羞草研究所� said Holland. 害羞草研究所淚 was working with Jimmy D and Scotty Bowman. That was like going to the Harvard of hockey for me. I learned so much in those three years about team building, dealing with players, making trades, negotiating contracts.

害羞草研究所楯immy D was my mentor. He believed in me, he guided me and taught me the business of pro hockey.害羞草研究所�

Holland grew up on 23rd Street of Vernon害羞草研究所檚 East Hill. He began skating at age six and put on his first pair of goalie pads two years later. Fresh on his mind as he was inducted were his late parents, Rienie and Lee.

害羞草研究所淥ur parents taught us the importance of work ethic, sacrifice, treating people with respect as that害羞草研究所檚 how they lived their lives. They害羞草研究所檙e both gone but with me tonight,害羞草研究所� said Holland, grateful for the love and support he害羞草研究所檚 received all his life from younger siblings Diane and Dennis who were in attendance in Toronto.

Joining Holland at the ceremony was his wife Cindi and four kids, Brad, Julie, Rachel and Greg.

害羞草研究所淢y wife is the rock and foundation of our family,害羞草研究所� said Holland. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 incredibly blessed to have you at my side. Words cannot express how important you are to me.害羞草研究所�

roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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