THE CLASS OF 2015
Remembering the call from the Hall,
PHIL HOUSLEY
Spent 21 years in the NHL with eight teams, including one regular-season game and one playoff series with the Leafs . . . He leads American-born players with 894 assists, 1,232 points and 1,495 games. Where were you when you got the call? “I was down at Arizona State University trying to get my son settled in college . . . My wife said ‘Isn’t this the time of year for the Hall of Fame?’ Ten minutes later I got a call from a 416 number.” What do you miss most about playing? “The competition, being relied on to have an impact on your team. Just the camaraderie of the locker room. That’s the one thing people don’t see. Being there every day with the guys, sharing unique experiences.”
What do you miss least? “The concussions. I had five in the last three years and who knows how many before that.”
NICKLAS LIDSTROM
Played 20 years with Detroit, winning the Stanley Cup four times . . . Was the first European to win the Conn Smythe and Norris trophies, and the third player to be named top defenceman seven times . . . A member of the triple-gold club with Olympic and world championship gold medals for Sweden to go with his Cup wins. Where were you when you got the call? “I was in Detroit looking at the new arena. I was thrilled to take the call. I was honoured.” What do you miss most about playing? “I miss the camaraderie, being in the room, being around the players. I miss the competitive part, being in games when it really matters, when the game is on the line.”
What do you miss least? “All the long trips. In Detroit, we had a lot of long trips out west. The time change was hard to deal with.”
CHRIS PRONGER
Played for five teams over an 18year career, won 2007 Stanley Cup with the Ducks . . . A feared hitter who had 698 points in 1,167 games . . . Also won two Olympic gold medals and a world championship for Canada. Where were you when you got the call? “I was playing in a golf tournament for the deaf. And they were reading my lips. One guy walked up to me and said congratulations.” What do you miss most about playing? “The competitive nature of the game. Being able to compete against guys and say you won a round, or they get the best of you and you learn from it and go back at it next time. Being able to compete and have that win-at-all-costs mentality is hard to do in anything other than a sport.”
What do you miss least? “Waking up the morning after a game.”
SERGEI FEDOROV
First Russian to play 1,000 games and record 1,000 points . . . Retired as the highest-scoring Russian with 438 goals and 1,179 points . . . Won the Stanley Cup three times with the Red Wings. Where were you when you got the call? “I was at a friend’s house. We were having a few beers. The phone rang, it was a 416 area code. I didn’t really believe it. Then someone said: ‘Stay on the line, we’re going to have a national media conference call.’ ” What do you miss most about playing? “I know it’s not the correct answer. I can still do it. See kids play and know you’re better than them.”
What do you miss least? “Concussions, injuries, late flights, hotels.”
ANGELA RUGGIERO
The youngest member of Team USA’s 1998 Olympic gold medal team, she led Harvard to a national championship in 1999 . . . A fourtime Olympic medallist and 10-time world championship medallist, including five gold medals. Where were you when you got the
call? “I was not expecting it. I was travelling with the U.S. Olympic Committee. I got three calls in a row from a 416 number. I was like, ‘Leave a message, I’ll call you back.’ Then I got a text. ‘Would you call us back, it’s the Hall of Fame.’” What do you miss most about playing? “The camaraderie in the locker room, a great group of players with which you have a common goal.”
What do you miss least? “The training. When I stopped, I was happy to be able to relax a little. Not have to get up at a gawd-awful hour and go to the gym.”