It was the eve of the 41st anniversary of Ken Holland香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淚 was in goal for Hartford against the New York Rangers in Madison Square Gardens, I was 25, the opportunity of a lifetime,香蕉视频直播� said Holland, who turned 66 on Nov. 10. 香蕉视频直播淎fter the first period, I felt, 香蕉视频直播業香蕉视频直播檓 here to stay.香蕉视频直播� The second period, I gave up five goals, down 6-1 going into the third period and I香蕉视频直播檓 sitting in the intermission thinking to myself, 香蕉视频直播楰en, you香蕉视频直播檙e never going to be in the National Hockey League ever again.香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈��

Holland did play three more games in the NHL with Hartford and the Detroit Red Wings. He went on to become one of hockey香蕉视频直播檚 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香蕉视频直播檚 gold-medal victory at the 2010 Olympics in Holland香蕉视频直播檚 home province of B.C.

On Monday, Holland 香蕉视频直播� the current president of the NHL香蕉视频直播檚 Edmonton Oilers 香蕉视频直播� 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香蕉视频直播檚 star goalie Kim St-Pierre. He was presented his Hall of Fame plaque by former Detroit captain Steve Yzerman.

香蕉视频直播淲hat an honour to be presented my plaque by Stevie,香蕉视频直播� said Holland. 香蕉视频直播淗e and I were together with the Red Wings for 26 years.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淛immy D promoted me to chief amateur scout, then eventually to assistant general manager for three years,香蕉视频直播� said Holland. 香蕉视频直播淚 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.

香蕉视频直播楯immy D was my mentor. He believed in me, he guided me and taught me the business of pro hockey.香蕉视频直播�

Holland grew up on 23rd Street of Vernon香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淥ur parents taught us the importance of work ethic, sacrifice, treating people with respect as that香蕉视频直播檚 how they lived their lives. They香蕉视频直播檙e both gone but with me tonight,香蕉视频直播� said Holland, grateful for the love and support he香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淢y wife is the rock and foundation of our family,香蕉视频直播� said Holland. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 incredibly blessed to have you at my side. Words cannot express how important you are to me.香蕉视频直播�

roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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