The Hall welcomed four new members -- Rod Langway, Bernie Federko, Clark Gillies and Roger Neilson -- whose formal entry capped a festive weekend of celebration at the Toronto-based shrine.
"I congratulate all of these men," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said during Monday night's induction ceremony.
"We all know how much these men have given to this game and tonight is a wonderful evening for us to give back to them."
Roger Neilson flashes his Hall of Fame ring on Monday morning.(CP Photo)
Langway, 45, is best remembered as a two-time Norris Trophy winner with the Washington Capitals, but captured his lone Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1979.
The Randolph, Mass., native was a rookie at the time, yet formed a formidable quartet with fellow Hall of Famers Guy Lapointe, Larry Robinson and Serge Savard.
"It was a blessing," Langway said. "You talk about three additional coaches on the ice --- Larry, Serge and Guy -- they made me work harder and learn quick."
Clark Gillies makes his induction speech at the Hockey Hall of Fame.(CP Photo)
Three years later, Langway was traded to Washington, whereupon he established himself as the premier blueliner in Capitals history.
A defensive-minded defenceman, he compiled 51 goals and 329 points with a remarkable plus-277 rating in 994 games over 15 NHL seasons.
"I still think if someone comes along and stops the great players, they're going to get the recognition too," Langway said. "I'm from the old school -- blocking shots and so on.
"There are certain players that do it out there today, but I guess they don't get the recognition. It's a flashy game these days -- move the puck and jump into the play."
To this day, Federko, 46, remains synonymous with the St. Louis Blues.
Drafted seventh overall by St. Louis in 1976, the native of Foam Lake, Sask., spent all but his final NHL season (1989-90) with the Blues.
"I was kind of disappointed when I was drafted seventh overall," Federko recalled. "I thought I was going to go higher than that.
"As I look back, that disappointment was not for very long because I was very fortunate to get to play for a man, Emile Francis, who wanted to win more than anybody. He moulded my career and, 13 years later, I was still there.
"It was a wonderful ride."
Federko posted 369 goals and 1,130 points in precisely 1,000 games over 14 NHL seasons with the Blues and Detroit Red Wings.
He became the 22nd NHLer to play 1,000 games on March 19, 1988.
"I was looked to as a guy who could carry the torch and I was proud to carry it for 13 years," Federko said. "As a player, you dream about winning a Stanley Cup.
"Unfortunately, we didn't get that, but it wasn't for lack of trying. I just tried to be the nucleus of that hockey club for as long as I could."
As a junior with the Saskatoon Blades, Federko shattered Bobby Clarke's WHL record for points with 187 (72 goals, 115 assists) in 1975-76.
"I didn't know where St. Louis was when I got drafted," Federko recounted. "I had to look at a map to find out where it was.
"Then, you go by yourself and you're 20 years old and you're afraid. It was a big city.
"I grew up in a town of 1,500. Saskatoon was 150,000 and it was big.
"Now I'm going to a city of a couple million people. I didn't know what to expect."
Gillies, 48, won four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders.
The native of Moose Jaw, Sask., wound up drafted fourth overall after capturing the 1974 Memorial Cup as a member of the Regina Pats.
Manning left wing alongside fellow Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy, Gillies tallied 319 goals and 697 points with 1,023 penalty minutes in 958 games over 14 NHL seasons.
"To be recognized as one of the great lines that was ever put together is very special," Gillies said.
Tough, yet talented, Gillies scored 30-plus goals six times and tied an NHL playoff record with three consecutive game-winning goals against the Buffalo Sabres in 1977.
"I told somebody the other day, 'I'd have scored 50 goals if Trots was right-handed.'" Gillies laughed. "But, nah, I knew my job on that line was pretty clear.
"The puck would come around the boards to me, I would throw it to Trots in the middle and he'd throw it to Boss and Boss would go in and score. That's not far from the truth."
Neilson, 68, sports a 460-381-159 record as an NHL head coach.
The Toronto native is one of 13 NHL coaches to scale the 400-win plateau, not to mention something of a revolutionary. Neilson was the first head coach to utilize videotape and has devised defensive schemes still popular today.
As he donned his Hall of Fame blazer over a well-worn grey tee-shirt, Neilson quipped: "I'd like to apologize for not wearing a tie, but I didn't read the fine print."
First hired as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1977, Neilson also coached the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers and, for two games last season, the Ottawa Senators.
Senators incumbent Jacques Martin insisted Neilson take the reins for Ottawa's final two regular-season games, Nos. 999 and 1,000 as an NHL head coach.
"They've proved to be a terrific organization," Neilson said. "They really take care of their people.
"It couldn't have been a better fit."
Though Neilson remains an assistant coach with the Senators, his health is a constant concern.
Neilson underwent a successful stem cell transplant after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer) in December 1999.
However, he was further diagnosed with malignant melanoma (skin cancer) in January 2001.
"Right now, the doctors are pretty happy," Neilson said. "They feel both are under control.
"I feel like I may live forever."
with files from CP Online
