Lou Lamoriello is one of three individuals to be enshrined into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2012.
“What a remarkable class,” said USA Hockey president Ron DeGregorio in a statement. “The positive impact this group has had on our sport is one that will be felt for decades to come.”
Mike Modano and Eddie Olczyk are the other two inductees this year.
Under the direction of Lamoriello, a Providence, R.I., native, the New Jersey Devils have appeared in the Stanley Cup finals five times and won the NHL’s ultimate prize in 1995, 2000 and 2003. The Devils have also qualified for the postseason in 21 of the past 23 seasons.
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009, the president, general manager and CEO of the Devils has been with the club since 1987 and has served as general manager for a single franchise longer than any other GM in the league.
Prior to his time with New Jersey, Lamoriello was the head coach at Providence from 1968 until he resigned in 1983 to focus on his duties as athletic director of the college. In his final season as head coach (1982-83), Lamoriello led the Friars to a best-in-the-nation 33-10-0 record and a berth in the Frozen Four for the first time since 1964.
Lamoriello played at Providence and still ranks 33rd on the PC scoring list with 58 goals and 60 assists for 118 points in 64 career games. Following graduation, Lamoriello served as assistant coach to Zellio Toppazzini before taking the head coaching job.
As athletic director, Lamoriello played a pivotal role in the formation of Hockey East and the establishment of an interlocking schedule with the WCHA. He was the first commissioner of Hockey East, a position he held from 1984-87 while also serving as PC’s athletic director. Lamoriello also helped establish the first-ever college hockey TV package.
In 1988, Hockey East named its conference championship trophy in his honor.
Lamoriello has also made his mark on the international stage, serving as general manager of gold medal-winning Team USA at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and for the U.S. entry in the 1998 Olympic Winter Games.
