Kamloops This Week
Mark Recchi thanked everyone who helped him on his trek to the Hockey Hall of Fame at the 2017 induction ceremony in Toronto on Monday.
“I don’t think I would’ve made it if I didn’t get that opportunity to go back and play in Kamloops,” Recchi said during his induction speech, referring to the 1986-1987 and 1987-1988 seasons he spent playing with his hometown Kamloops Blazers.
“I thought I’d be lucky to play five or six years [in the NHL], never mind 22 years, and did it go quick. It was an amazing ride and it was an amazing run.”
Perhaps the most emotional part of his speech came near its end, when he thanked his family for their support.
Seven individuals joined the Hall on Monday, including five in the player category and two in the builder category.
Joining Recchi in the player category were Dave Andreychuk, Danielle Goyette, Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne.
Clare Drake and Jeremy Jacobs were inducted in the builder category.
Recchi racked up 1,533 points in 22 NHL seasons with seven teams. He ranks fifth all-time in games played (1,652) and 12th in points.
He won three Stanley Cups — in 1991 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2006 with the Carolina Hurricanes and 2011 with the Boston Bruins, ending his career by dispatching the hometown Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the final.
At 5-foot-9 and less than 200 pounds, Recchi faced an uphill climb, especially in the early days of his career.
For more on how he proved his doubters wrong, read this KTW story.
Recchi wrote a piece for the Players’ Tribune this week. Find that here.