HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2023 ANNOUNCED
The New Hampshire Legends of Hockey is pleased to announce the five inductees who will make up its 21st Hall of Fame class:
Mick Mounsey will be inducted as a Player; Nelson Hutchings will be inducted as an Official and Dave Caron, Walter J. Nadeau will be inducted as Builders as is Paul Comeau, who is being inducted posthumously.
They will be formally enshrined during a ceremony on October 22, 2023. The ceremony will be held at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord.
The Hall of Fame Induction luncheon tickets will be available to the general public on September 1st. Please contact executive director Jim Hayes at hayes743@comcast.net or (603) 731-4168.
Here is a closer look at the inductees.
Mick Mounsey: A state champion at Concord High School playing with his big sister, future U.S. Olympic gold medalist Tara Mounsey, Mick went on to become one of the best defensemen in UNH history. He played four years for the Wildcats from 2000-04, winning two Hockey East championships and helping the team reach two Frozen Fours. His 157 games played rank among the most in program history, and he enjoyed a brief career in the ECHL, winning a Kelly Cup with the Idaho Steelheads.
Nelson Hutchings: Now 99 years young, Hutchings has spent the last 45 years as the scorekeeper and publicity agent for the Rochester Men’s Hockey League. Born in Portsmouth in 1923, he is set to turn 100 in July. It is estimated that Hutchings has been on hand for roughly 2,900 league contests, rarely missing a game. In addition to keeping the clock and the scoresheet, he would also report results and stats to local newspapers.
Dave Caron. A native of Biddeford, Maine, who now makes his home in Belmont, Caron is credited with spearheading the creation of the Belmont-Gilford cooperative team, bringing together a diverse network of people to garner community support and, ultimately, NHIAA approval. He also served as a coach and on the Board of Directors for the Lakes Region Lakers from 1982 to 2011, and as a USA Hockey official from 1989 to 2019.
Walter J. Nadeau: A native of Berlin, Nadeau’s more than 30 years of service to the Berlin and Coos County Historical Society has established him as the keeper of the hockey legend in Berlin, overseeing a permanent exhibit that celebrates the city’s long and successful hockey history. He served as a board member and secretary in that organization, and currently serves as vice president. He spent more than two years researching and editing biographies, and acquiring photos, of the 40 Legends of Hockey members from Berlin as part of that exhibit.
Paul Comeau: For nearly 30 years, Comeau was actively involved in youth hockey in both the state’s Seacoast region and also at the state level for USA Hockey. Paul also served as President of NHAHA for several years. Born in Everett, Mass., he grew up in Salisbury and served many years as the president of New Hampshire East youth hockey before later becoming the Director of Hockey for that organization. He also wore the hats of coach, official and game scheduler during his tenure, helping make the game accessible to scores of youth across the region.
