Three players heading into Sask. Hockey Hall of Fame

A pair of Stanley Cup champions and an Olympic silver medallist headline this year’s inductees into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame.

Bob Bourne, Edward (Eddie) Litzenberger and Fiona Smith-Bell are among the nine honourees (including an association and two teams) to be recognized today at the North Battleford Civic Centre. The annual induction dinner takes place at a different location each year, with proceeds going to the local host community.

Bourne, who had his number retired by the Saskatoon Blades in 2005, played 14 seasons in the NHL with the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings. He finished with 582 points in 964 games, winning four Stanley Cups with the Islanders in the 1980s. Bourne was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

Edward (Eddie) Litzenberger, after starring for the Regina Pats, played 12 NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was named rookie of the year in 195455, played in six all-star games and won four Stanley Cups — one with Chicago and three with Toronto.

Fiona Smith-Bell was captain of the first Saskatchewan women’s hockey squad to play in the Canada Winter Games and competed in 13 national championships. SmithBell was a member of Team Canada at the 1998 Olympic Games, earning a silver medal. Smith-Bell was inducted into the North Battleford Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Other inductees this year include Stan Dunn and Graham Tuer in the builder category; Ken Wheler in the official category; Northwest Hockey Development Association in the grassroots category; and the 1983-84 Wilkie Outlaws and 200001 Lloydminster Border Kings in the team category.

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