Connecticut Trio Has Laid Foundation For Future

From 1926 to 1987, only three players born in Connecticut reached the ranks of the National Hockey league; Moe Roberts, a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame despite playing just ten games in the NHL, Frank Beisler, who played two games with the New York Americans in the NHL along with a long IAHL and AHL career, and Richard Bittner, who received just a one game stint with Boston during the 1949-50 season. However, the late 1980’s would see two Connecticut players not only reach the NHL, but succeed there beyond anyone’s reasonable expectations. Brian Leetch, born in Texas but relocated to Cheshire, Conn. just three months later, broke into the NHL during the 1987-88 season with the New York Rangers.

Leetch had previously starred at Cheshire High School, Avon Old Farms and at Boston College before becoming the Rangers’ first selection (ninth overall) in the 1986 NHL Draft. Leetch, of course, went on to become one of the greatest defensemen of all-time and arguably the greatest Connecticut hockey player of all-time, winning a pair of Norris Trophies and helping the Rangers capture the Stanley Cup in the 1993-94 season on his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Joining Leetch in the NHL that same season would be his Boston College teammate and former Enfield High School star Craig Janney, who joined the Boston Bruins just four picks after Leetch in the 1986 Draft. Janney went on to play 12 seasons in the NHL, largely with the Bruins and the St. Louis Blues, totaling 751 points,second in Connecticut history only to Leetch (1,028).

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New Haven: Birthplace of Professional Hockey in Connecticut

While Hartford has received a great deal of credit for popularizing hockey in Connecticut, many fans may not realize that the Elm City also has had a rich history with the sport. The former New Haven Arena hosted an array of teams from the 1920's until the early 1970's, including one of the city's most popular franchises, the

New Haven Blades (1954-72) of the Eastern Hockey League.

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USA Hockey Feature on Julie Chu

Julie Chu and Brian Leetch at CT Hockey Hall of Fame NigBy Doug Williams

Special to USAHockey.com

Julie Chu didn’t have dreams of being an Olympian when she started playing hockey as a little girl in Connecticut.

Back then there was no such thing as women’s hockey in the Olympic Winter Games.

She wasn’t chasing a vision; she was just chasing the puck. Hockey was something fun to play, pure and simple.

“For me, I just kind of fell into the sport,” said Chu, who turned 30 last week. “And when I started playing, I loved it from the beginning.”

She had no idea the game would take her on the trip of a lifetime.

Today, Chu is a role model for girls all over the United States, a woman who has skated up the hockey ladder to heights she never imagined and opened doors along the way for others to follow.

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2012 Hall of Fame Banner at XL Center

2012 Hall of Fame Banner at XL Center

CT Hockey Hall of Fame Ebay Auctions Begin

Rare, one-of-a-kind merchandise from the March 10, 2012 CT Hockey HOF induction ceremony are now available only on these EBay auctions.

Item 1.  Pat Verbeek Hartford Whalers jersey worn at the induction.   Ebay listing is here

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2012 Induction Ceremony: Photo Gallery

2012 Induction Ceremony:  Photo Gallery

Hartford Courant: Six Inducted to CT Hockey Hall of Fame

Nobody knows exactly where hockey in our state is headed, yet as the six inductees into the Connecticut Hockey Hall of Fame stood there between periods Saturday night at the XL Center we could see where it has been.

Everywhere.

From the near-great to the great to, in Brian Leetch's case, arguably the greatest American hockey player in history, we could see how far Connecticut's sons and daughters, and its adopted sons and daughters, have traveled. From the AHL to the NHL all the way back to the WHA, from the Connecticut Polar Bears and Avon Old Farms to the Olympic medal podium, an inscription on the Stanley Cup to the Hockey Hall of Fame, yeah, Connecticut hockey has been around the rink a few times.

Pat Verbeek is the assistant general manager for the Tampa Bay Lightning now. Mike Liut, who went on to get his law degree and become a player representative, is now managing director of Octagon's Hockey Division. Ken Gernander is head coach of the Whale. Julie Chu, aiming for the 2014 Olympics, is assistant coach at Union College and plays for Montreal in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. Leetch is dabbling in broadcasting with MSG and NESN. Blaine Stoughton has settled into Cincinnati.

Read Full Article:  http://www.courant.com/sports/hockey/hc-jacobs-column-0311-20120311,0,3056046,full.column

Hartford Courant/Paul Doyle: Q&A with Mike Liut

Former Whalers goalie Mike Liut is returning to Hartford for induction in the Connecticut Hockey Hall of Fame. We caught up with Liut while he was traveling Friday and he answered some questions via email.

Our Q&A with the former goaltender:

Q: How and when did you hear about your induction into the Connecticut Hockey Hall of Fame, and were you surprised?

 A: I received an email from Mark Willand [of Whalers Sports & Entertainment inviting me to participate in the first induction class in 20 years.  I was surprised as the [Connecticut Hockey Hall of Fame] concept had been inactive for so long and as time passes athletes tend to move on.  Example, when people think they recognize me and ask if I played in the NHL; I say yes, but that was in another life time. 

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Hartford Courant/Paul Doyle: Gernander On Enshrinement

When the Rangers' AHL franchise relocated from Binghamton to Hartford in 1997, Ken Gernander was already a minor league veteran. He didn't figure Hartford would a long-term home, so he and his wife were reluctant to buy furniture for their apartment.

Fifteen years later, Gernander is still in Hartford. He played eight years for the Wolf Pack, spent two years as an assistant coach and has been head coach of the team since 2007.

And on Saturday, he'll be honored with induction into the Connecticut Hockey Hall of Fame. The class includes former Whalers (Mike Liut, Pat Verbeek, Blaine Stoughton, founder Bill Barnes), a few local products (Cheshire's Brian Leetch, Fairfield Julie Chu) and Gernander.

Gernander, a native of Minnesota, came to Hartford as a 28-year-old with no children. He and his wife Kerby now have three children and Connecticut has become home

"This is the longest I've lived anywhere," Gernander said. 

He's also carved a unique place in Connecticut hockey, first as a player and recently as a coach. He was captain of the Wolf Pack for eight season and won a Calder Cup. 

Now he's behind the bench and remains popular. The Hall of Fame honor, he said, is really about all of the people he's worked with in Hartford.

"Any time you're recognized in a positive light, it's something you take great pride in," Gernander said. "I feel pretty honored in that regard. In large part, it's a reflection of the all the quality, character people I've been able to work with and associate with all these years. From teammates and players who have played for me to the New York Rangers organization that does all they can to help us be successful here ... To me, it's an honor but also I hope I can represent all the good people I've been fortunate enough to work with."

Full article here:  http://www.courant.com/sports/hockey/blog/hc-gernander-on-hall-of-fame-enshrinement-20120309,0,2518810.story

Pat Verbeek Interviewed on WCCC Radio

Pat Verbeek Interviewed on WCCC Radio in Hartford