June 09, 2005
Neely, Kharlamov Elected To Hockey Hall Of Fame
Undoubtedly John Buccigross of ESPN is rejoicing today at the news that Cam Neely will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame along with Soviet great Valeri Kharlamov*.
But while my friend Chris Lynch thinks the honor is well deserved, others aren't so sure, and think the Hall is just too easy to get inducted (Bernie Federko anyone?).
As for the Knighthawk, he says there are seven players he would select ahead of Neely if he had a vote:
I really don't like this selection. Yes, he was an exciting player to watch and he showed up for every game. Yes, he scored fifty or more goals three times. Yes, he was a power forward who played hard and gritty. However, does he really belong in the Hall of Fame?
Here's James Mirtle:
Four entries a year is a fine number if the likes of Ray Bourque and Paul Coffey are up that year, but why have that same number each and every year, even in the lean ones. Four inductions a year will mean an additional 100 faces etched up on the Hall's wall over the next 25 years, far too great a number when matched against the numbers of the true superstars. Patrick Roy? Come right in, there's a seat over here. Mr. Anderson? You buy a ticket like everyone else, good sir.
I've said much the same before, and I know I'm not alone. And as much as I loved Neely as a player (his 50 goals in 49 games in 1993-94 while fighting off the injury that would eventually end his career stands as one of the most heroic season-long performances in the history of the league), I was right on the edge on whether or not he deserved entry into the Hall.
That he made it doesn't bother me, but if he didn't, I don't think I would have thrown up much of a fuss. If anything, I sort of see Neely as a Hall selection not unlike Gale Sayers -- an incredible talent who was taken from the game far too soon.
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* Last year in a guest post here at Off Wing, Joe Tasca wrote that Kharlamov's induction was long overdue. Now we need to start asking questions about Boris Mikhailov.
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For those who are on the fence about
(Overhead) Cam Neely's announced induction into the
Hockey Hall of Fame, please consider his kick ass performance as "Sea Bass" in "DUMB AND DUMBER".
This alone should put Cam over the top.
Jeff Grimshaw
Posted by:
at June 9, 2005 04:51 PM
Actually Neely scored 50 goals in his first 44 games played. He missed three games when his father died of colon cancer and scored goal 50 in the 47th game of the season if I remember correctly.
Posted by:
at June 9, 2005 05:13 PM
Ulf Samuelsson's hit took years off Cam's career and should not have had the further impact of blocking Cam from the Hall. Neely was the quintessential power forward and we shall not see his likes again!
Boris Mikhailov was the Soviet equivalent of Claude Lemieux,an absolutely obnoxious irritant of a player who liked to knock the stick out of goalie's hands and take dives. Gerry Cheevers once responded to this effrontery by spearing Boris and gained the respect of the Soviets. Don't admit Boris to the Hall until Claude Lemieux is also admitted then put both of their plaques in the basement out of public sight.
Posted by:
at June 11, 2005 02:49 PM
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