This is the fourth and final part in the series on my tour of the major sports' Halls of Fame.
After a week spent in foreign lands viewing Halls of Fame for less-known sports, going to the Hockey Hall of Fame was a sort of homecoming of sorts for me. While the other Halls of Fame were learning experiences, going to Toronto gave a purely emotional experience that flooded me with glorious memories.
I can only imagine how it would feel for somebody who has been living and breathing hockey since before the new milennium.
The Hall is an incredibly unique complex. It is housed in the figurative belly a futuristic, two-storey mall resplendent with glass arches, escalators, and stratospheric lights hanging from the ceiling. Yet, the actual Hall itself, from the outside, is the jewel inside an old, stone, rustic building. This seemingly acts as a way to combine the old guard of hockey with the new directions that the league is pushing in. This is also displayed in the Hall's exhibit on the evolution of the goalie mask that is shown outside the actual building.
The Hall itself doesn't have a predetermined path like the other Halls of Fame; rather, it is a massive complex that houses a wealth of treasures that lets you find your own way through the history of this great game of hockey. Below, I will describe my quixotic path through the mecca of hockey towards its holy grail, the Stanley Cup.
After entering, I passed through the line of exhibits showcasing artifacts used during the recording of certain milestones, such as the net that Wayne Gretzky scored his 802nd career goal in to tie Gordie Howe's all-time record and the puck that Detroit Red Wing Mud Bruneteau shot into the net in the sixth overtime of a Stanley Cup Finals game to end the longest game in history. I also saw boxes displaying skates, sticks, and other valuables belonging to other hockey legends, such as Red Wing Gordie Howe, and this year's Hall of Fame inductees (Ray Scapinello, Glenn Anderson, Ed Chynoweth, and Igor Larionov), before entering a large display room dedicated to honouring the greatest moments and players in the Montreal Canadiens' first 100 seasons. After the Habs room, I went into a mock dressing room featuring jerseys, sticks, and pads from a select group of Montreal's Hall of Famers, and soon walked through a room showing artifacts and details from the NHL's great dynasties (three cheers for the Red Wings of the early 1950's!), along with select facts from the NHL's first 100 years.
After, the Habs-mania, I walked through displays honouring the minor leagues of hockey, whether the AHL or the CJAHL, the league where my cousin plays. Located on either side of these exhibits are two theatres: the Esso Theatre and the Hartland Molson Theatre. The Esso Theatre runs continually throughout the day, showing various hockey-related short films (whether about a boy who loved the Canadiens in Leaf-land or the story behind Wayne Gretzky's last game), and is an excellent way to kill time in the heart of hockey. The Molson Theatre, meanwhile, shows one movie in different showings around the day, detailing hockey's road from its humble roots to today, and ended with a film on the most recent Stanley Cup Champions, the 2008 Detroit Red Wings. This movie truly encompassed the game and all it stands for, and the section on my Wings almost brought me to tears. Afterwards, I saw boxes heralding memorabilia from every NHL team and their minor-league affiliates, and a touch screen display showing minor league teams and NHL players from almost every Canadian city, and several American ones.
In the centre of the Hall is the interactive section, which allows visitors to save pucks shot out from a screen or virtually save through electronic wizardry. You could also test your shot against a virtual goaltender. Unfortunately, I was unable to partake in those activities, due to the insane long lines and my lack of time. I was, however, able to pretend to be Al Michaels and Sam Rosen by recording my take on their famous calls (I came nowhere near touching Al's legendary "Do you believe in miracles?" call), as well as play director by mixing camera angles on a goal to create my own highlight.
After the fun part, I walked through a collection of old hockey cards (stopping to take a picture whenever I saw a Red Wing), and walked across the whole Hall into an exhibit showcasing international hockey. I marvelled at some of the teams that play international hockey, struggled to pronounce the name of Mongolia's goaltender, and of course payed a visit to Team Canada's legendary Lucky Loonie, buried under the ice in Salt Lake City when Canada won gold for the first time in fifty years.
The next stop, though, was easily the most moving: the aptly named Great Hall. The Great Hall is a majestic structure that is steeped with history. The roof is made out of stained glass, which casts an almost holy effect on the room. At the front are the major NHL awards, at the back are the names, sketches, and biographies of every Hall inductee, and in the middle is the single biggest symbol of hockey: the Stanley Cup.
You can't appreciate the true meaning of the Stanley Cup unless you are a true hockey fan. When you look for your favourite players and favourite teams (in my case, the 2001-02 Red Wings), all kinds of memories come flooding you. I vividly remembered Ray Bourque crying as he lifted up the Cup for the first time (which was the first and only time I ever felt good for the Avalanche), smiling broadly when Dave Andreychuk finally got his turn with the Cup as a member of the lightning, and of course Steve Yzerman lifting the Cup over his head and shaking it. I also felt the memories that I can't remember, such as the Ottawa Silver Seven drop-kicking the Cup into the Rideau River, Ted Lindsay taking the first ever lap with the Cup, and Bobby Orr sweeping across the goalmouth to win the Stanley Cup for the Bruins. It is truly a transcendent experience, and one that isn't easily forgotten.
The Hockey Hall of Fame is a must-see spot for hockey and non-hockey fans, not just because of the priceless artifacts, the playful fun, and the powerful memories and feelings they stir up, but just to be there. There is nothing that makes you feel the power hockey has more than when you see grade-school kids running around, finding memorabilia belonging to their favourite players, and gaping in awe. It truly is the great game, and the Hockey Hall of Fame makes you feel it.
For lunch, make sure to eat at the nearby Richtree Market, a buffet-style restaurant that prides itself on its fresh ingredients and covers food ranging from French in style to Japanese, a microcosm of Toronto's beautiful multicultural spirit.
Tori Praver
Daniela Hantuchova
Sled Hockey
Cheerleader of the Week
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I have been to the NFL Hall Of Fame, but not to the NHL Hall Of Fame. I want to go someday, but right now it is not in the most important things to do list.
The history is amazing to go see. Glad to hear you had a good time there.
DetroitFan* BS: Next…
The Big House, MI
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"I was, however, able to pretend to be Al Michaels and Sam Rosen by recording my take on their famous calls"
That was my favorite part when I went. Although I like basketball a lot better, I enjoyed the Hockey HOF more than the Basketball HOF.
The Pitt Panther:…
Telford, PA
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The only Hall of Fame that I have been to, is the NFL Hall of Fame, and that was a great experience. I need to learn more about hockey in order to attend the NHL Hall of Fame, but once I do that, then I will attend. I still need to attend the MLB Hall of Fame, NBA Hall of Fame and then the NHL Hall of Fame.
Dyhard- Stop…
Germantown, WI
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Fan-tastic! I would likely have focused more on the 1950's. Just reading your description recalls the times I saw Gordie Howe and Maurice Richard on the ice together (Mr Hockey versus the Rocket). This is engraved more on my memory than seeing the Great One and Stevie Y on the same ice more recently.
I listened into the wee hours of the morning to the radio broadcast of that six hour playoff game. I saw the Wings put the Cup into the lap of wheelchair-bound Konstantinov. I was at the game in Detroit when Wings trainer "Lefty" Wilson replaced Gump Worsley in the nets halfway through a game, and was offered a contract by the Bruins. (He turned the offer down.)
Those were the days of the "original six," (although there was professional hockey long before then). Montreal and Detroit were the bitter contestants for regular season and Stanley Cup championships.
And because of your words, I actually felt these things again.
Thanks.
Appleseed
Detroit, MI
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This is awesome, RW. Every now and then when I don't have anything to do, I get on YouTube and watch the highlights of Games 6 and 7 of the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals. It still brings a tear to my eye when I see Ray Bourque lift the Cup. When they replay the game locally, it's even better. That was a fantastic Final, probably one of the best ever.
Although i was only 12 at the time, I was overcome with emotion watching the end of that game. As far as TV goes, that is the greatest sports memory of my life, far greater even than watching Uwe Krupp score on Vanbiesbrouck in the the 3rd overtime of Game 4 in 1996.
I do recall watching Gretzky's last game, and his subsequent sitting out of the remaining games that season. That was another great memory.
wtnelson = Big Chief
Fort Collins , CO
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I've been looking forward to this ever since you started your series, RW, and it doesn't disappoint. Another eloquent and descriptive piece which confirms the Hockey Hall of Fame's place in my top ten of "places to see before I die".
I saw the Stanley Cup in London when the Kings played the Ducks here last year and the sight of that most potent symbol of NHL hockey took my breath away. I can hardly wait to see it in its home in Toronto. One day ........
Oilers: NHI
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I hope that was after I did it...I don't want to have an uncontrollable urges the next time I go to the zoo.
FoosBall
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You're missing Dan Hinote, Shjon Podein, and Chris Dingman. O, and the incomparable Bob Hartley. Come on, BGM.
wtnelson = Big Chief
Fort Collins , CO
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Haha. I had beers with Dan Hinote a few times when I lived in Minneapolis. He grew up in Elk River, a tiny town of about 2000 people about an hour north of the Cities and he was good friends with one of my co-workers that grew up on his street.
The reason I put the Haha is because I'm impressed he made the list of players you remember from that year. He averages about 4 or 5 goals a year and constantly worried about getting sent back down to the minors.
He actually ended up marrying Jenny McCarthy's little sister last year. I can't remember her name but she was a Playboy playmate as well.
YODA
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Dan Hinote was the man. He'll always be one of my favorites. Cody McLeod reminds me a lot of him. He never showed up much on the stats sheet, but he was a gamer. He'd give his all night in and night out. You know he's tough as nails, he went to West Point.
wtnelson = Big Chief
Fort Collins , CO
Total Comments (3644)
He was at the start of the year, but he and Aaron Miller were traded at the deadline for Rob Blake and Steve Reinprecht. I was sad to see Deadmarsh go. That guy was a warrior, plain and simple. There was nobody better in front of the net. It brought Blake, though, so I can't complain. Reinprecht also played really well for the Avs.
wtnelson = Big Chief
Fort Collins , CO
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I'd love to have Tootoo on the Wings, too. He's a great player. Never quits. I put him on my ultimate team.
Redwing19: retired
Halifax, NS
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I hate Jordin Tootoo, even more after tonight. The Avs played in Nashville a couple of weeks ago. He took a run at 3 different guys, injuring Brian Willsie with a knee-on-knee hit. Willsie is an excellent 3rd-line guy. Lappy wanted to fight him, but Tootoo pussed out, and Lappy got a double-minor. Tonight, Tootoo took a run at Cody McLeod, but missed and ended up completely in the Avs' bench. He got back on the ice, and ran straight at Ruslan Salei. Instead of trying to fight him, Darcy Tucker just gave him a cross check, and got a double-minor for it. There should be a penalty for a guy that isn't willing to answer the call if he puts a cheap hit on someone.
wtnelson = Big Chief
Fort Collins , CO
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How can you hate an Eskimo?
YODA
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Is that against the rules? Guess I'm a criminal...
wtnelson = Big Chief
Fort Collins , CO
Total Comments (3644)
Be honest, you'd love him if he was on the Avalanche.
Redwing19: retired
Halifax, NS
Total Comments (35151)
Well, better late than never, eh? What a great tour guide you are Redwings. I was supposed to go to Toronto a couple of years ago for a conference but it was cancelled due to the SARS scare. I was very disappointed as I was looking forward to visiting the HOF. And I'm even more disappointed now after reading your evocative description. Mostly I want to see the Great Hall with it's stained glass roof. It truly sounds like the Cathedral of Hockey :)
You did a great job with these HOF blogs and I'm sorry I took so long to get to them.
Cheers, my friend!
Seabird 56
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