IIHF Hall of Fame Induction 2019
IIHF Hall of Fame inducts new members
Recognition for USA Hockey Stalwart Jim Johannson, winner of this year’s Paul Loicq Award, was a celebration tinged with sadness. Universally known as ‘JJ’ throughout the game, and widely respected and admired by all who encountered him, his work as assistant executive director saw him develop the American junior program and turn the country’s U18s into a dominant force in that age group. His untimely death last year at the age of 53 robbed the hockey community of one of its best-loved and most respected members.
His wife Abby and young daughter Ellie were present at the ceremony in Bratislava, and Abby paid tribute to her husband.
“JJ loved every aspect to the game, in particular the lifelong relationships he developed through hockey,” she said. JJ dedicated his life to hockey as a player, as a coach and as an administrator.
“JJ used to say that team USA’s first game [at the World Championship] was his favourite day of the year and I truly believe it was. He loved putting a team on the ice and every time he did, that was his favourite day of the year. In truth, every day was JJ’s favourite day.
“For anyone who knew JJ, you knew almost as soon as you met him what a wonderful and selfless man he was. He had an uncanny ability to identify the good in people and find the positive in almost any situation.”
Another nominee from the USA, Mike Modano, also passed on his tribute to Johannson. Unable to attend the ceremony as he prepares to move to a new role with Minnesota, he asked former USA Hockey Executive Director Dave Ogrean to speak on his behalf.
“We spoke just yesterday and, most appropriately, he wanted to especially acknowledge and thank Jim Johannson for everything that he did for Mike and all the American players,” Ogrean said.
Modano’s career brought him Olympic silver and Stanley Cup glory but was indelibly associated with his uniquely smooth-skating style. Ogrean noted: “His GM at Dallas, Doug Armstrong, said that he looked like he was hovering just above the ice. Words like ‘great’ or ‘amazing’ just don’t do him justice.”
Modano was also instrumental in expanding the game into the southern USA, playing a key role when the North Stars moved from Minnesota to Dallas. “Mike catalysed an interest in the game that resulted in tens of thousands of youngsters across the southern half of the United States getting involved. It was part of the NHL’s southern expansion that led to more and more rinks as the game got bigger and bigger.”
Kazakhstan, recently promoted back to the top division, gained its first representative in the Hall of Fame with the induction of the late Boris Alexandrov. The former Soviet international was a key figure in the development of Kazakh hockey following the break-up of the USSR, serving his homeland as player and coach. Behind the bench, he lifted Kazakhstan to the top level of the World Championship and took the team to its first ever Winter Olympic hockey tournament in 1998. Sadly, Alexandrov was killed in a car accident in 2002 aged just 46. His son, Viktor, spoke at the Hall of Fame ceremony and said: “This is a special moment for my family. We are pleased that the IIHF has recognized my father’s love and passion for the game.”
The Bibi Torriani award, presented annually to a player who offered great service to a lesser hockey nation went to Bulgaria’s legendary goalie Konstantin Mihaylov. Of 52 Bulgarian World Championship campaigns, Mihaylov stood between the piping for 28 in a goaltending career that began when he stitched together his first goalie gloves from an old pair of hockey pants and trained on an outdoor rink in his hometown, Sofia. His World Championship debut came in 1985 in Megeve, France, and his final game was in 2014 at the age of 49.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more than to receive an award for something I have done with love and passion throughout my life,” he said.
His wife Abby and young daughter Ellie were present at the ceremony in Bratislava, and Abby paid tribute to her husband.
“JJ loved every aspect to the game, in particular the lifelong relationships he developed through hockey,” she said. JJ dedicated his life to hockey as a player, as a coach and as an administrator.
“JJ used to say that team USA’s first game [at the World Championship] was his favourite day of the year and I truly believe it was. He loved putting a team on the ice and every time he did, that was his favourite day of the year. In truth, every day was JJ’s favourite day.
“For anyone who knew JJ, you knew almost as soon as you met him what a wonderful and selfless man he was. He had an uncanny ability to identify the good in people and find the positive in almost any situation.”
Another nominee from the USA, Mike Modano, also passed on his tribute to Johannson. Unable to attend the ceremony as he prepares to move to a new role with Minnesota, he asked former USA Hockey Executive Director Dave Ogrean to speak on his behalf.
“We spoke just yesterday and, most appropriately, he wanted to especially acknowledge and thank Jim Johannson for everything that he did for Mike and all the American players,” Ogrean said.
Modano’s career brought him Olympic silver and Stanley Cup glory but was indelibly associated with his uniquely smooth-skating style. Ogrean noted: “His GM at Dallas, Doug Armstrong, said that he looked like he was hovering just above the ice. Words like ‘great’ or ‘amazing’ just don’t do him justice.”
Modano was also instrumental in expanding the game into the southern USA, playing a key role when the North Stars moved from Minnesota to Dallas. “Mike catalysed an interest in the game that resulted in tens of thousands of youngsters across the southern half of the United States getting involved. It was part of the NHL’s southern expansion that led to more and more rinks as the game got bigger and bigger.”
Kazakhstan, recently promoted back to the top division, gained its first representative in the Hall of Fame with the induction of the late Boris Alexandrov. The former Soviet international was a key figure in the development of Kazakh hockey following the break-up of the USSR, serving his homeland as player and coach. Behind the bench, he lifted Kazakhstan to the top level of the World Championship and took the team to its first ever Winter Olympic hockey tournament in 1998. Sadly, Alexandrov was killed in a car accident in 2002 aged just 46. His son, Viktor, spoke at the Hall of Fame ceremony and said: “This is a special moment for my family. We are pleased that the IIHF has recognized my father’s love and passion for the game.”
The Bibi Torriani award, presented annually to a player who offered great service to a lesser hockey nation went to Bulgaria’s legendary goalie Konstantin Mihaylov. Of 52 Bulgarian World Championship campaigns, Mihaylov stood between the piping for 28 in a goaltending career that began when he stitched together his first goalie gloves from an old pair of hockey pants and trained on an outdoor rink in his hometown, Sofia. His World Championship debut came in 1985 in Megeve, France, and his final game was in 2014 at the age of 49.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more than to receive an award for something I have done with love and passion throughout my life,” he said.