Justice4all
11-04-2003, 12:30 PM
TORONTO (AP) -- Pat LaFontaine was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday after starring for the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers in a career cut short by concussions.
He entered the shrine with Grant Fuhr, one of his Buffalo teammates and the first black player to enter the hall. Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch and amateur coach Brian Kilrea joined the hall in the builders' category.
"To be here with these three guys, I feel like the luckiest guy in the world," LaFontaine said after the four received rings and blazers.
LaFontaine scored 468 goals, getting 40 or more in six consecutive seasons, and assisted on 545. He was on the U.S. team that won the 1996 World Cup and played in the Olympics in 1984 and 1998. A head injury on March 16, 1998, ended his career.
"Guys who have gone through postconcussion syndrome will tell you it changes your perspective on life," LaFontaine said. "You don't have as much control as you think you do.
"You reflect and you learn to appreciate the little things . . . and truly embrace what you have."
I loved wtaching Pat play...he definately had style and finesse. It seems like players of his calibre are few and far between now.
He was as exciting as watching Gretzky most days. I hated him for being a ranger because I have alot of respect for him. I wished he could have made 500 goals. One more season and chancesd are he would have.
Hats off to you Pat...and welcome to Immortality!
<img src=http://home.ix.netcom.com/~camman/_uimages/Justice4All.gif>
Cheer up Red Sox fans.....Anyone can have a bad century!
He entered the shrine with Grant Fuhr, one of his Buffalo teammates and the first black player to enter the hall. Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch and amateur coach Brian Kilrea joined the hall in the builders' category.
"To be here with these three guys, I feel like the luckiest guy in the world," LaFontaine said after the four received rings and blazers.
LaFontaine scored 468 goals, getting 40 or more in six consecutive seasons, and assisted on 545. He was on the U.S. team that won the 1996 World Cup and played in the Olympics in 1984 and 1998. A head injury on March 16, 1998, ended his career.
"Guys who have gone through postconcussion syndrome will tell you it changes your perspective on life," LaFontaine said. "You don't have as much control as you think you do.
"You reflect and you learn to appreciate the little things . . . and truly embrace what you have."
I loved wtaching Pat play...he definately had style and finesse. It seems like players of his calibre are few and far between now.
He was as exciting as watching Gretzky most days. I hated him for being a ranger because I have alot of respect for him. I wished he could have made 500 goals. One more season and chancesd are he would have.
Hats off to you Pat...and welcome to Immortality!
<img src=http://home.ix.netcom.com/~camman/_uimages/Justice4All.gif>
Cheer up Red Sox fans.....Anyone can have a bad century!