News – Page 10 – NH Legends of Hockey

NEC Hockey Alumni Weekend – Gendron, Key Note Speaker

September 7, 2017

New England College

The Legends will also recognize the history both the men’s team and women’s team at the ceremony this October 22. The first varsity men’s team began in 1969-70 and was coached by Leo Callahan. The women’s varsity team began in 2001-02 and was coached by Michele Selzer.

ALUMNI HOCKEY WEEKEND

To kick off the Alumni hockey weekend there will be a NEC varsity scrimmage at 10:00 am you can watch at the Lee Clement Arena with other campus activities and potential skate over the weekend. Contact Head Coach Tom Carroll tcarroll@nec.edu or John Lineberry john@lineberrytennis.com

Sign-up today for the golf outing and social on Saturday October 21 which is being held at the Beaver Meadow Golf Club in Concord beginning at 11:00 am with a high noon start. The cost is $100.00 per player and includes a steak-tip dinner which follows the action. Fees must be received by October 16th and can also be paid with PayPal. Make your own foursome or we can match you with other Pilgrims.

The New Hampshire Legends of Hockey (Legends) will host the Sixteenth Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Luncheon on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at the Grappone Conference Center, in Concord, New Hampshire. The Legends is a New Hampshire non-profit, 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to preserving New Hampshire ice hockey history, maintaining the state’s Hockey Hall of Fame, and promoting the sport to New Hampshire’s youth.

Red Gendron – Head Coach UMaine Black Bears (photo Peter Buehner)

The festivities begin with the social hour at 11:30 and Master of Ceremonies Bob Norton will kick off the induction and celebration at 12:30 pm. The program includes Dennis “Red” Gendron, a Berlin native, and twice had his name engraved on the Stanley Cup with the NJ Devils, as the keynote speaker. Gendron is a New England College alum of 1979, Legends Hall of Fame Class of 2007, and entering his fifth season as head coach at the University of Maine.

Tickets must be purchased by October 15th and can be done through PayPal below. We will take an alumni group photograph on stage after the event and hope to have well over 50 New England College alumni in attendance. Please pass this email to alumni friends who maybe didn’t receive and we’ll see you in October. Contact Executive Director Jim Hayes ’75 if you have any questions about the ceremony hayes743@comcast.net

All NEC alumni can purchase tickets for the reduced rate of $35.00 each.

Purchase now and please include your mailing address

Last fall former members of New England College Men’s Hockey team in attendance were: Front Row L to R: Jim Peabody; Duncan Matthews; Mark Sullivan; Coach Leo Callahan; Joe Massakowski; Bill Whittemore and Jake Mulligan. Back Row L to R: Bob Tappan; Jay Jones; Gerry Drypolcher; Marty White; Jim Hayes; Brian Stone; Travis Banga and David Higgins. Missing from photo, current Head Coach Tom Carroll.

This will be a great weekend of NEC camaraderie and fun! Please stay tuned for additional details on both NEC events.

To read inductee biographies click here.

The jersey above is similar to the jersey used the first season in 1969-70. Six of these these jerseys will be available to purchase the morning of the induction ceremony. A number of hockey alumni had already ordered with their number on the front and back – get one for yourself, child or grandchildren. Final price has not yet been determined, however estimate is less than $100.00 Contact Jim Hayes at hayes743@comast.net or 603-731-4168 before August 14th.

12th Annual Golf Classic Another Big Hit

August 3, 2017

Thank you to everyone that supported our Twelfth Annual Golf Classic, presented by Bauer. Our event was held July 14 at the Stonebridge Country Club in Goffstown.

Our event was kicked off with a message from John Normand, President of the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey (Legends). He gave special thanks and recognition to our Presenting Sponsor, Bauer (Global Headquarters) of Exeter, NH, our Title Sponsor, The Rinks at Exeter, our perennial Gold Sponsor, St. Paul’s School of Concord as well as Co-Title Putting Sponsors, Club National and Charles Schwab, both of Nashua.

“We are extremely grateful to all the players, sponsors, contributors (gifts in kind) and volunteers that help make this event one of the best in the state, each and every year”.

For perhaps the first time in twelve years, it was cooler, but that meant comfortable weather to spend time with our hockey family and friends. Again, we enjoyed another near-capacity field and with generous contributions this year’s Golf Classic was again one our most successful events.

Can you believe it? Shown above in center, Scott Citroni, reacts just after knocking in his ball for a Hole N One on the 4th Hole. Director Dave Beauchamp (green jacket) and others react. This was the first ever Hole N One in twelve years, and from this day forth will be called “The Scott Citroni 4th Hole.”

More than 500 photos from Matt Parker Photography can be viewed and or purchased for a nominal fee.

Listed below are our eleven Silver and nineteen Bronze Sponsors.

Silver Sponsors: Amoskeag Beverages, LLC – Bogacz Photography/Digital Media -Gamache Enterprises – Granite State Capital – Morgan Self Storage – New Hampshire Distributors, LLC – North Country Tractor – PretiFlaherty – Pro Ambitions – Rowley Insurance Agency – Triplet Computers, LLC

Bronze Sponsors: Ackerson State Farm Insurance Agency – Arcomm Communications – Banks Chevrolet-Cadillac-Buick-GMC – Beauchamp Estate Services – Capital City Paving – Christian Party Rental – Deco Limo of Boston – EVR Advertising – Fay’s Boat Yard – The Houston Family – Karr & Boucher PLLC – L. A. Brochu Inc. – Manchester 40+ Hockey League – Milford Lumber – Northway Bank – R & T Electric Inc. – Rene LeClerc Insurance Agency Inc. – Sleepnet – The Voice Library.net

Nearly 100 businesses and individuals donated gifts in kind for the tournament. To view complete list, click on Contributors (Gifts in Kind)

In addition, John acknowledged two names from the Class of 2017 who will be inducted October 22 at Concord’s Grappone Center at the Sixteenth Annual Legends of Hockey Induction Ceremony. With us today is Roger Letourneau who played for Berlin High School, the Berlin Maroons, the Concord Eastern Olympics and the Concord Budmen. In addition, Mark Thurston entered a foursome, his grandfather George “Fuzzy” Thurston was from Exeter and was a standout player for the Amesbury Maples senior team for decades, playing his last game in 1969 at the age of 66 for the Amesbury Alumni. He was invited to be part of a “Boston Olympic Team” that traveled to Europe in 1932 for a two-month hockey tour that saw them win 23 of 24 games against national teams across the continent.

The Legends will also pay tribute to the New England College men’s and women’s hockey programs.

Volunteers
Our volunteers worked very hard all-day long keeping the registration, raffle and on course contests running smoothly. Many thanks again: to Dave Beauchamp; Morgan Beauchamp; Dick Boucher; Monique Chauvette; Dave Elliott; Sarah Gilcoine; Jay High; Tom Mailhot; Aidan McKenzie; John McKenzie; Cory Philbrick; Wally Tafe; Dick Theriault; Bob Vachon and Kathy Vachon. In addition the following board members got a chance to play, but also volunteered many hours to help make this event a great success. Dave Corriveau; Jim Hayes; Lane Mabbett; Roland Martin; John Normand; Steve Mathieu and Dan Zapton.

Champions!
Congratulations to this year’s Champions. This year Lee Blossom, Ryan Sahr, JM Sahr and Scott Towle took home the title. They shot a 59 and bested the team of Greg McClary, Caleb Drouin, Ty Jordan and Colby Jordan on a match of cards.

2017 Champions: (L to R) Scott Towle; JM Sahr; Lee Blossom and Ryan Sahr.

All Champions
2017 – Lee Blossom, Ryan Sahr, JM Sahr, Scott Towle
2016 – Lee Blossom, Mark Placy, Ryan Sahr, JM Sahr
2015 – Rene LeClerc, Pete Ackerson, Steve Grzywacz, Dave Kuhman
2014 – Todd Philbrick, Tom Otto, Jim Corbett, Jerry Collins
2013 – Dick Dodds, John Dodds, Scott Peters, Dean Cashman
2012 – Chris Chisholm, Jim Hayes, Ray Martin, Pat McNicholas
2011 – Casey Kesselring, Jeff Graham, Mike Beliveau, Trevor Smith
2010 – Chris Chisholm, Jim Hayes, Ray Martin, Pat McNicholas
2009 – Mike Castagna, Paul Lemire, Doug Leppart, Doug Snyder
2008 – Chris Chisholm, Jim Hayes, Ray Martin, TJ Whitelaw
2007 – Mike Castagna, Mike Ladouceur, Johnna Lory, Rich Tombs
2006 – Ken Roberge, Mike McGinn, Glen Williams, Dwayne Robinson

On Course Contests
Longest Drive All # 2 – Brian Gould
Closest to the Line #1 – Mark Bozek
Closest to the Pin # 4 – Scott Citroni 0′.0″
Closest to the Pin # 6 – Ray Phelan 2’1″
Closest to the Pin # 13 – Lee Blossom 5’3″
Closest to the Pin # 16 – Bob Tappan 1’7″
Closest to the Pin #18 Second Shot – JM Sahr 9’6″
Putting Contest Champion – Lane Mabbett *
* In a putt-off against Scott Richard, Ken Collins and Mike Bayer – thus Lane was crowned Champion and took home $100 cash.

Shown above is keeper of the records, Dick Theriault (clipboard) and his assistant Wally Tafe far right with eventual champion Lane Mabbett (left) and Rich Mayara

Ray Phelan has the perfect follow-through as Laconia Laker player Aidan McKenzie watches. Aidan and his father John McKenzie were there on “The Scott Citroni 4th Hole” along with board member Dave Beauchamp and his son Morgan. Proceeds from the 4th and 6th holes will be used to purchase equipment for families of need for Laconia Youth Hockey. In addition, the Lakers sent a foursome (Greg McClary, Caleb Drouin, Ty Jordan and Colby Jordan).

Shown above is Roger Letourneau (L) keeping a close eye on Hall of Famer Bruce Parker and his putting stroke. John Normand (H of F) recognized all other Hall of Famers in attendance. Steve Arndt; Dana Barbin; Lee Blossom, Dick Boucher; Dick Dodds; Mark Evans; Rene LeClerc; Ken McKinnon; Steve Murphy; Bruce Parker; Wally Tafe and Dick Theriault.

2017 Golf Date
Next year’s Golf Classic is scheduled for Friday July, 13, 2018, so please mark your 2018 calendar, grab your players plan on joining us!

2017 Golf Photos
More than 500 terrific photographs were taken by Matt Parker Photography and are available to view and or purchase. Click here to view. If you have any questions contact Matt at mparker3011@gmail.com

2017 Induction Ceremony
NH Legends of Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon, honoring players, coaches, builders, and media representatives for their outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the sport of ice hockey in New Hampshire. If you’d like to join us and or sponsor this premier event, please contact Jim Hayes at hayes743@comcast.net

We also collect and display hockey-related artifacts in our on-line Museum of New Hampshire Hockey and we support the growth of the sport through various activities, including our youth hockey equipment donation program and our sponsorship and support of the NH High School Senior All-Star hockey games as well as All-State recognition for both New Hampshire high school and prep school teams.

We continue to search for artifacts and film from the old days. Anyone wishing to loan or donate artifacts is welcomed to do so.

Thank you in advance.

Golf Classic – One Week to Go

July 14, 2017

Annual Golf Classic July 14, 2017

We have another wonderful turnout of players, sponsors and volunteers – but with the announced deadline looming next Friday, June 23, we still have a few openings for foursomes and sponsorships.

So if you’re schedule has opened and you’d like to play, or you can help by sponsoring, please contact Executive Director Jim Hayes at hayes743@comcast.net or 603-731-4168.

Bauer is once again our Presenting Sponsor and each player will receive a (blue) Bauer performance golf shirt with our embroidered logo on the sleeve as their gift. Click here to view current list of sponsors.

Our mission is simple: “We honor, celebrate and preserve New Hampshire’s rich ice hockey history and support the development of hockey”.

Our 12th Annual Golf Classic will be held at the Stonebridge Country Club on Friday July 14, 2017. It’s a shotgun start which begins at 10:30 am, allowing you time to make an appearance at your office and join us for the beautiful weather, guaranteed!

Senior All-Star Doubleheader Results

April 6, 2017

Exeter, NH – On Sunday March 19th, at the Rinks of Exeter, the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey (“Legends”) hosted both Senior All-Star Classic Hockey games. The 12:30 pm game was for Division III players only while the 1:00 pm game featured the very best players from Division I and II.

Seniors had been selected by the New Hampshire High School Hockey Coaches Association. At the conclusion of each game, a reception hosted by the Legends took place in the lobby of the Rinks of Exeter for players and their families.

This year, BodyArmor Sport Drink was the Presenting Sponsor. Body Armor is distributed throughout a good portion of New Hampshire by New Hampshire Distributors of Concord.

Nate Bowler (14) of Bishop Brady, Nate Gariepy (13) of Lebanon and Matt Chorlian (4) of Concord in action during the 1:00 pm Division I – II game.

Action during the 12:30 Division III game are Ethan Becker (18) of Belmont Gilford and unidentified player in red.

At the conclusion of each game, all Senior players were announced individually by teams and received a certificate for their participation of the Senior All-Star Classic from John Normand President of the Legends.

A random drawing took place for each game for a Bauer composite stick of a standard stock pattern of their choice. Selected was Luca Haeufler (Conval-Conant) from the 12:30 game and Gabe Loud (Hanover) from the 1:00 pm game.

For the seventh straight year, the Legends provided framed certificates for each member of the various All-State teams. In addition, for each division, the Legends awards certificates to the Player-of-the-Year and Coach-of-the-Year. Those individuals were selected by the NH High School Hockey Coaches Association.

To view the complete list of this year’s All-State recipients Click Here. Certificates for those underclassmen and girls recipients not in attendance were taken by team mates or coaches in attendance for disbursement.

Shown below are Bow High School seniors Doug Champagne, Colin Tracy and Austin Beaudette.

Division III action

Many thanks to the following DI and DII coaches for their time and effort to help make this event a great one. Gary Smith – Lebanon; Jim Tufts – Exeter; Mark McGinn – Salem; Sean Dunn – Windham; Peter Bedford – Londonderry and Gary Bishop – Bishop Guertin.

In addition, many thanks to the following DIII coaches for their time and effort to help make this event a successful one: Dave Saball and Jason Parent – Belmont-Gilford;, Kevin Merrick – Sanborn:, Shane Maurice, Fred Strum and TJ Wrobleski – Somersworth and Denis Kolehmainen and Marc Bourque – John Stark-Hopkinton.

We apologize if any of the coaches were not recognized.

All-State Prep Teams Announced

March 27, 2017

Manchester, NH

The Prep School Hockey Coaches of NH announced their 2016-17 All-State selections for both the boys and girls divisions. The eight prep schools in New Hampshire are: Brewster Academy; Holderness School; Kimball Union Academy; New Hampton School; Phillips Exeter Academy; Proctor Academy; St. Paul’s School and Tilton School.

Mike Walsh, head coach of Proctor Academy said “we are pleased to continue our partnership with the NH Legends of Hockey”. The Legends have provided certificates signed by their President John Normand and Executive Director, Jim Hayes. The certificates should be mailed to the Athletic Directors next week.

Click here to view Boy’s and Girl’s All-State Teams

Tournament Results for NH Schools

Boy’s Hockey

Regular season records had Kimball Union (30-5-2), Phillips Exeter Academy (23-7-1), Proctor Academy (16-11-1), New Hampton School (18-13-1), Tilton School (17-12-1) and Holderness School (15-13-1) all advanced to NEPSAC post-season tournaments.

Proctor beat Tilton 7-3 in the Lakes Region championship and advanced to the NEPSAC quarterfinals, before losing to Avon Old Farms. Proctor ended their season with an overall record of 16-12-1.

Meanwhile, for the first time in 35 years, the Kimball Union Academy boys’ varsity hockey team captured the New England Prep School Championship Elite 8 Championship, courtesy of a 6-2 win over Rivers at St. Anselm College in Manchester. KUA won the inaugural NEPSAC Elite-8 Title back in 1982, and this victory marks the second time that the Wildcats have been crowned the best high school hockey team in New England.

Coach Tim Whitehead and his team ended their remarkable season with an overall record of 32-5-2.

All New England Team
East 1st Team
Casey Careau – Thayer Academy
Jay O’Brien – Thayer Academy
Michael Lombardi – Kimball Union
Jack Rathbone – Dexter School
Reilly Walsh – Proctor Academy
Logan Bateman – Holderness School

East 2nd Team
Christian O’Neill – Belmont Hill
Neil Shea – Lawrence Academy
Timmy Kent – Lawrence Academy
Eric Jeremiah – St. Sebastian’s School
Mike Young – Rivers School
Aidam Murphy – Dexter School

Girl’s Hockey

After beating KUA (2-1) in the Lakes Region playoffs, New Hampton ended as this year’s season and playoff Champions for the Fourth straight year. The Lakes Region final standings were: New Hampton; Kimball Union; Proctor; Vermont; Holderness, Tilton and Brewster.

NEPSAC DI Playoffs
#5 St. Paul’s traveled to #4 New Hampton for the New England Quarterfinal game. New Hampton won the game 2-1 in OT to advance to the semis.

New Hampton went on to beat Loomis (3-2) and Kent in the Finals (3-1) to win their first ever New England Championship. Also, the championship MVP went to New Hampton’s defensemen Cayla Barnes.

NEPSAC DII Playoffs
KUA #4 hosted Thayer #5 in the New England Quarterfinal game but ended up
losing 5-1.

2017 All-NEPSAC DI Teams
NEPSGIHA Div. I Player of the Year: Cayla Barnes – New Hampton School

All-NEPSAC First Team:
Gillis Frechette – St. Paul’s School
Cayla Barnes – New Hampton School

Div. I Honorable Mention Team:
Finley Frechette – St. Paul’s School
Savanah Norcross – New Hampton School

2017 All-NEPSGIHA Div. II Teams

All-NEPSAC First Team:
Greta Close – Kimball Union Academy

Honorable Mention Team:
Julia Surgenor – Kimball Union Academy
Haley Parker – Proctor Academy
AnnMargaret DiSciscio – Tilton School
Kiara Vazquez – Proctor Academy

2016-17 All-State Hockey Teams Announced

March 14, 2017

Manchester, NH

All-State Teams were selected by the New Hampshire High School Hockey Coaches Association and for the seventh year, the Legends provided framed certificates for each member of the various All-State teams.

In addition, for each division, the Legends awards certificates to the Player-of-the-Year and Coach-of-the-Year. Click here to view the list of this year’s All-State recipients for all four divisions, Girls, D I, D II and D III. Please note there are three pages.

Certificates will be distributed at the boy’s Senior All-Star Double Header this Sunday, March 19th at the Rinks of Exeter which are scheduled for 12:30 pm (D III) and 1:00 pm for (D I – II).

For those underclassmen and girls not in attendance, those will be taken to their schools by seniors or coaches in attendance for disbursement.

More About New Hampshire Legends of Hockey
“The Legends recognizes the important role high school hockey plays in the state’s rich ice hockey history,” said Jim Hayes, Legends Executive Director. “In addition to supporting high school hockey with various events, we have compiled and documented the results of all high school hockey championship games – and coaching records – dating back to the 1946-47 season.” To access this information, simply click on the High School Archives link at our website: www.nhlegendsofhockey.com.

The Legends actively solicits historical, hockey-related artifacts for preservation and display to the general public. The Legends online museum catalogs the state’s hockey history and heritage gathered from periodicals, game film, trophies, photos, uniforms, other clothing, etc. The museum is searchable by the number of fields such as team, player, jerseys etc. While there are several hundred photos currently available for viewing, new ones are added on an ongoing basis, so be sure to check back frequently. For more information on the Legends of Hockey, visit our web site at nhlegendsofhockey.com.

Nominations for Hall of Fame Now Open

January 2, 2017

The New Hampshire Legends of Hockey Nomination Review Committee are now accepting nominations of candidates for induction into the next New Hampshire Hockey Hall of Fame Class. At this time, the date has not been confirmed. We are looking at October 2017 or the following spring.

The Legends Hockey Hall of Fame was established to recognize and honor those men and women who have made significant contributions to sport of ice hockey in New Hampshire by their participation as Players, Coaches, Builders, Officials or as members of the Media. Through our first fourteen years, one hundred and fifteen deserving individuals have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

If you know of anyone you feel may be a qualified Hall of Fame candidate, the Legends committee encourages you research and submit a nomination form for consideration of this high honor in any one of the above categories.

NH Legends of Hockey Policies and Procedures for Nomination states, “It is important that any nominee be of high moral character and the Induction Committee and Board of Directors shall consider such matters when considering candidates for induction.”

ELIGIBILITY FOR INDUCTION

To be eligible for induction in the Player category, the individual must: a) have been born or raised in New Hampshire and played ice hockey at an exemplary level; or b) while an active player, have made a significant contribution to the sport of ice hockey in New Hampshire.

To be eligible for induction in non-player categories, the individual must: a) have made significant contributions to the sport of ice hockey in New Hampshire: or b) have made significant contributions to the sport of ice hockey while residing in New Hampshire.

In addition, each individual’s contribution may be different. Also to be considered will be the nominee’s ability, sportsmanship or character, or a combination of these qualities.

DOWNLOAD FORM

For nomination form click here. Nominations must be received prior to March 1, 2017. To view nomination page including sample form, click here.

If you are using Chrome, you may experience a problem. Please use alternate web browser.

Type your information into the form and save on your desktop. You should print a copy for your own records, then email Jim Hayes hayes743@comcast.net the completed form. In addition, click on Submit form on the top right.

Selected individuals will be recognized at the next annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

The Legends will also be honoring the New England College men’s and women’s hockey teams.

The men’s team officially began play as a varsity team in 1969-70. For more than 10 years – beginning in 1999-00 the Pilgrims competed in the most competitive league in the country. They twice won their league title and have participated in three NCAA tournaments, reaching the Final Four in 2005. Their players received All-American status on five occasions, one being a two time recipient.

Their storied hockey history had another major chapter written when the women’s hockey program began in 1999 as a club team. The first two years of its existence, this team was led by a volunteer coach and played against high school teams, college clubs, and adult women’s teams. In its third year of existence the team was granted varsity status as a Division III Independent and hired their first coach who had played at St. Lawrence University. At that time, the women’s team joined the ECAC East.

When the team was announced at last fall’s induction ceremony, 8 members of the original team were in attendance as well as 9 other former players and current coaches.

If you have questions or need assistance with the nomination process, please contact any one of the New Hampshire Legend’s board of directors who are listed on the web site. You may also call the Executive Director, Jim Hayes, at 603-731-4168.

Lastly, please visit our NH Legends of Hockey Facebook Page and “Like Us” to receive our upcoming Facebook posts.

Five New Members Join the Hall

October 28, 2016

Master of Ceremonies Bob Norton welcomes the crowd

Master of Ceremonies, Bob Norton, and the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey Board of Directors inducted five new members into the New Hampshire Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2016, in front of a crowd of 250 family members, friends, dignitaries and guests.

The Legends also paid tribute to Men’s and Women’s team from Saint Anselm College. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Luncheon was held on October 23, 2016 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord and marked the NH Legends’ fifteenth year hosting the event.

Jeff Giuliano, Assistant Coach of the Manchester Monarchs, was one of five individuals inducted into the hall. “It was an honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Giuliano said. “The New Hampshire Legends of Hockey is a great organization that should be commended for its efforts in preserving New Hampshire ice hockey history and really promoting the sport.”

Also inducted into the 2016 Hall of Fame class were coaches: Rand Pecknold, Gary Bishop and John Dodds; and Dr. Richard R. Roy was inducted posthumously as a builder. Additionally, The Legends honored the Saint Anselm men’s and women’s hockey programs. To view the entire induction program click here.

Rand Pecknold

About The Legends of New Hampshire Hockey
The Legends is a New Hampshire non-profit, 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to preserving New Hampshire ice hockey history, maintaining the state’s Hockey Hall of Fame, and promoting the sport to New Hampshire’s youth. Our Hall of Fame Induction event honors New Hampshire’s hockey elite — men and women who have made significant contributions in New Hampshire as players, coaches, officials, builders, or media representatives.

2016 Hall of Fame members L to R: Gary Bishop; Jeff Giuliano; John Dodds; Dan Roy and Rand Pecknold

President John Normand addresses the crowd

John Normand, current President of the Legends’ Board of Directors, welcomed the large audience and thanked them for supporting the 2016 Hall of Fame inductees and the Saint Anselm College men’s and women’s hockey programs. Normand offered special thanks to St. Paul’s School – the Luncheon Sponsor, the Co-Title Sponsors, Amoskeag Beverages, LLC and Hawk Hockey of Saint Anslem College. In addition, he thanked long standing Social Hour Sponsor New Hampshire Distributors, LLC and the New Hampshire Amateur Hockey Association, this year’s Inductee Ring Sponsor.

Normand also thanked the 30 other sponsors who helped make the Hall of Fame ceremony possible through their Gold, Silver, and Bronze-level sponsorships. Those sponsors are:

Gold Sponsors: Banks Chevrolet-Cadillac, Inc; Beauchamp Estate Services; Black Ice Pond Hockey Association; Christian Party Rental; Club National; Di Niro Construction; Family Dentistry of Milford; Fay’s Boat Yard; The Kraft Group; Rene LeClerc Insurance Agency; Speedy Printing & Copying and Vachon Clukay & Company PC.

Silver Sponsors: Bogacz Photography/Digital Media; Brine & Capital Sporting Goods; Capital City Paving; Law Offices of Roland E. Olivier; Milestone Engineering & Construction; Morgan Storage; Northway Bank; PretiFlaherty; Triplet Computers and TSR Hockey.

Bronze Sponsors: API of NH; Central Paper Products Co.; EVR Advertising; Granite State Glass; Label Tech, Inc.; L.A. Brochu, Inc; Legacy Financial Solutions and Town and Country Motor Inn.

Senator Lou D’Allesandro reads a letter from the Governor

State Senator Lou D’Alessandro, longtime Legends supporter and a former Legends Board member, delivered a letter from The Honorable Governor Maggie Hassan, State Senate Resolutions and State of New Hampshire Citations honoring the Hall of Fame Class of 201 and the Saint Anselm College hockey teams.

Current and former members of the Saint Anselm College hockey teams Front Row L to R: Dick Burke; Meghan Spurling; Alex Starzyk; Alison Butler; Alison Quinn; Martha Findley; Jackie Guy and Gary Smith. Back Row L to R: Kerstin Matthews; Larry Roche; Nick Leonard; Lonnie Taylor; Vin D’Amato; Peter Sikalis; Brendon Kerrigan; CJ Blaszka; Ed Seney and Ryan NolinThe jerseys shown above were auctioned at the ceremony. If you are interested in purchasing one, please email hayes743@comcast.net Currently, nine jerseys are available, and can be adorned with a number of your choice and nameplate. Each jersey can be purchased for $100.00.

Photographs of Induction Ceremony were taken by Matt Parker Photography and are posted on his website. Click here to view and or purchase photographs. If you have any questions you may contact Matt at mparker3011@gmail.com. To view and or purchase click here.

Concord Mayor, Jim Bouley, extended a welcome on behalf of the Capital City and briefly traced the history of ice hockey in the City of Concord, from the first hockey game played in 1883 at St. Paul’s School to the more recent Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship at White Park. Bouley remarked that the Black Ice event will be held at Concord’s White Park again this year in late January.

Key Note Speaker Jeff Eisenberg

The Key Note Speaker was Jeff Eisenberg. Jeff was the Monarchs first President and told his story of the road he traveled to get from Tennessee to Manchester (a place he still calls home – since 2001) and how the Legends of Hockey came to be.

All Hall of Fame members in attendance: Front Row L to R: John Normand; Jacques Rodrigue; Peter Maher; Dick Theriault; Rene LeClerc; Dick Boucher and Dick Roy. Back Row L to R: Pierre Belanger; Jeff Eisenberg; Gary Bishop; Jeff Giuliano; Dan Roy; Merrill Fay; Steve Murphy; Rand Pecknold; Paula Colgan Heath; Leo Gould; John Dodds; Bob Norton Brian Stone and Dick Dodds. Missing from photo, Ken Cail and Mark Evans.President John Normand announced the team that will be honored during the 2017 Hockey Hall of Fame Ceremony.

The New England College men’s and Women’s programs will be honored at the 16th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Former members of New England College Men’s Hockey team were: Front Row L to R: Jim Peabody; Duncan Matthews; Mark Sullivan; Coach Leo Callahan; Joe Massakowski; Bill Whittemore and Jake Mulligan. Back Row L to R: Bob Tappan; Jay Jones; Gerry Drypolcher; Marty White; Jim Hayes; Brian Stone; Travis Banga and David Higgins. Missing from photo, current Head Coach Tom Carroll.

Jeff Giuliano, Travis Banga & Mike Gould

John recognized Past-President Gregg Moffett for his Outstanding Leadership and Service as President from 2013-2015.

Greg Moffett and John Normand

Next year’s Induction Ceremony is tentatively slated for next October 22nd, so please mark your calendar for our Sixteenth Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. If you’d like to become a sponsor, please email hayes743@comcast.net or call Jim Hayes at 603-731-4168.

2017 Nominations can be submitted on-line beginning January 1 and continuing through the end of February.

Video of Induction Ceremony can be purchased by contacting Mark Johnson at MJohnson@JoyMark.com. A DVD set of the Induction Ceremony as well as Interviews may be purchased for $15.00 through JoyMark Photography and Video Production in Concord (www.JoyMark.com).

Legends to Induct Five

September 9, 2016

Jeff Giuliano in action for the LA Kings.

The New Hampshire Legends of Hockey is pleased to announce five inductees for its 2016 Hall of Fame class. Rand Pecknold, Gary Bishop and John Dodds are being inducted as coaches; Jeff Giuliano is being inducted as a player; and the late Richard R. Roy M.D is being inducted posthumously as a builder. Here is a look at the inductees:

Rand Pecknold – A native of Bedford, N.H., who played two seasons at Manchester West High School and two more at Lawrence Academy, Pecknold has made his name as one of the best college coaches in the country, leading Quinnipiac to the Division I Frozen Four in two of the past four seasons, including the national championship game this past April. A standout player at Division III Connecticut College, Pecknold recently completed his 22nd season as head coach at Quinnipiac, where he owns a career record of 446-264-83. In April, he was honored with the Spencer Penrose Award as Division I National Coach of the Year.

Gary Bishop – Only two men have coached boys high school teams to more New Hampshire Div. I championships than Bishop, who has been the coach at Bishop Guertin in Nashua since the 1991-92 season. As a player at Lowell Tech (now UMass-Lowell), he was the leading scorer on the team in three of his four years. He began coaching collegiately at Lehigh before returning to Massachusetts and starting the varsity program at Austin Prep. In 25 seasons at BG, his teams have won five Division I championships, a figure that trails only Barney Laroche (12 at Notre Dame) and current Concord coach Dunc Walsh (6). He owns a career record at BG of 342-130-13.

John Dodds – In 11 seasons as coach of the girls hockey team at Hanover High School, Dodds has built the state’s preeminent program. The Marauders have won the last seven NHIAA championships and eight of the last nine, and his record as head coach is 208-29-8. Several players have gone or, or are going on, to play Division I college hockey, including this season’s state MVP Matti Hartman, who is heading to Northeastern. A native of Philadelphia, Dodds has long been involved with youth hockey in the Upper Valley, starting with the Valley Mites of the Hanover Hockey Association in 1994.

Jeff Giuliano – A Nashua native, Giuliano went from his early years in the Nashua Youth Hockey League to the NHL, where he played 101 games for the Los Angeles Kings between 2005 and ’08. His standout career included winning stints at St. Paul’s School and Boston College, where he played a key role on BC’s national championship team in 2001 and captained the team his next year. He graduated with the third-most games played in BC history (166). He played parts of six seasons for the Manchester Monarchs in the AHL, scoring 30 goals and 88 points in 273 games, and an additional seven seasons in the KHL and in Germany.

Richard R. Roy M.D. – The late Dr. Roy grew up in Berlin, but it was the contributions he made to Rochester, where he moved in 1962, that still impact hockey in the state. He was one of the men responsible for the starting the Rochester Youth Hockey Association as a four-team league in the early 1970s, and he gave back to the community in ways that included, but were not limited to, fundraising for a new rink and inspiring others to donate their time. Roy was inducted into the Rochester Sports Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2015, seven years after the Rochester Ice Arena was renamed the Dr. Roy Ice Arena.

The Class of 2016 will be formally inducted during a luncheon ceremony at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord on Sunday, October 23, 2016. In addition, the hockey history of the Saint Anselm Hawks men’s and women’s teams will be recognized. Hall of Fame Induction tickets will be available to the general public on Sept. 1.

Around the Boards

August 27, 2016

Make A Wish – New Hampshire versus Vermont

Earlier this summer, the New Hampshire girls and boys hockey teams skated past Vermont. The two teams were selected by the NHIAA Coaches Association. The annual game which pits the best high school seniors was played at the Gutterson Fieldhouse, home of the UVM men’s and women’s hockey teams. Proceeds from the game benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Legends uniforms were provided for both the boy’s and girl’s games.

The Granite State teams earned a pair of one-goal wins in Saturday’s Vermont-New Hampshire All-Star Hockey Classic. The girls team prevailed, 3-2, while the boy’s team won, 2-1.

The girl’s were coached by Al Oliveira of Dover-St. Thomas and Meghan Colitti also from Dover-St Thomas in addition to Kelli Braley from Souhegan High. In that game, Hanover’s Matti Hartman scored New Hampshire’s first and last goals. Hartman, New Hampshire’s MVP, broke a 2-2 tie when she scored the game-winner with 5:20 remaining on a power play. Hanover teammate Kelly Brigham scored New Hampshire’s second goal in the second period to give her team a 2-1 lead going into the third.

For the girls, Matti Hartman of Hanover was MVP, and Jess Cloutier won the Sportsmanship award.

Team NH celebrates for a team photograph after their 3-2 victory of VT.

The boy’s were coached by Dover’s Steve Riker, Gary Smith of Lebanon and Matt Davis of Merrimack. In the boys’ game, Concord’s Bradley Murphy scored in the opening period and Bedford’s Alex Abad netted a goal in the third to propel the Granite Staters to victory. Bishop Guertin’s Justin Pearson assisted on Abad’s tally, which came with 12:46 remaining.

Team NH celebrates for a team photograph after their 2-1 victory of VT.

Ben Nelson, goalie from Concord, was MVP of the boy’s game, and goalie Nick Martinsen from Dover received the Sportsmanship award.

NH Ambassador Sam Caswell’s with goalie Nick Martinen of Dover High School.

Members of both the Boy’s and Girl’s teams pose for a team photo in Vermont.

Members of the girl’s team prior to their 3-2 victory over Vermont.

Legendary Coach turns 100

Family and friends gathered in early July to celebrate the 100th birthday of Barney “The Rocket” LaRoche.

The family thanked everyone who helped make his 100th Birthday Celebration a special one, saying the generosity shown by those attending his party, the gifts, kind words and warm memories shared with No. 9 will never be forgotten.

Notes from the NH Legends of Hockey. Albert “Barney” LaRoche was born in Berlin, New Hampshire, on July 10, 1916. Also known as the “Rocket,” he played 22 years for the various town teams, and in 1937, they became known as the Berlin Maroons. He won six team scoring titles as the Maroons won five (senior) New England AHA titles, in 1941, ’48, ’49, ’51 and again in ’54. They won their first of three (senior) National AHA Championships in 1953-54 over Housatonic, Conn. He finished his playing career in 1956.

Barney coached Notre Dame (Rams) High School for 13 seasons and during that time, their record was 161-79-17. During his tenure, the Rams never lost a single game to another New Hampshire high school. He won an unprecedented 13 NHIAA championships while outscoring their opponents 83-11. The Rams played in two New England championships, finishing as runner-up to Hamden, Conn., in 1954 before returning the favor to Hamden in 1957.

Barney also went on to coach the Maroons four seasons, beginning in 1964-65, ’65-66, ’66-67 and again in 1970-71. During those four years, Berlin’s record was 61-37-7. The Maroons won their second National AHA Championship in 1966-67 over Muskegon, Mich. Of note, the Maroons also won their third and final AHA championship the following season, besting Walpole Mass,, although LaRoche was not coaching.

Albert “Barney” LaRoche was inducted into the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey Hall of Fame on Feb. 17, 2002.

LaRoche also received an extra special birthday greeting from President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. In their letter they wished LaRoche a happy 100th birthday and thanked him for contributions.

“Dear Barney: Happy 100th birthday! We are delighted to send our warmest wishes as you celebrate this special occasion, and to thank you for your service and sacrifice. Your story is an integral part of the fabric of our Nation, and over the course of a century you have witnessed the kind of tremendous progress that is possible when we work together in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. We trust you take enormous pride in everything you have accomplished and in the ways your service has touched the lives of others. Again, happy birthday. We wish you the very best,” said the Obamas in their letter.

Legends Hall of Famers in attendance. Front Row L to R: Dick Boucher; Barney LaRoche and Omer Morin. Back Row L to R: Dick Roy, Dede Villeneuve and John Normand

In addition to the Presidents message, LaRoche received a Senate Resolution from the State of New Hampshire, a Declaration from the New Hampshire House of Representatives, a Citation from the Governor and a Congressional Record from Congressman Frank Guinta of Manchester.

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Induction Tickets Available

Tickets are now available for the Fifteenth Annual Induction Ceremony. The Induction Luncheon and Ceremony will be held on Sunday October 23, 2016 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. Tickets are $40 per person. Contact Jim Hayes for ticket information hayes743@comcast.net

To be inducted in the 2016 Hall of Fame class is as follows: Rand Pecknold; Gary Bishop and John Dodds are being inducted as coaches; Jeff Giuliano is being inducted as a player; and the late Dr. Richard R. Roy is being inducted posthumously as a builder. In addition, the Legends will honor the Saint Anselm men’s and women’s hockey programs.