IRALB

Most excellent, I forgot to post this, but Simon's Cam Neely thread sparked myself. I've been a fan of Fuhr's forever, and he really never got the recognition he deserved, what with playing on a team like the Oilers in an offensive era (reason for fairly bloated stats), and of course his off-ice battles. But man in addition to the hall induction, this is icing (no pun) on the cake.

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07/16/2003 - FUHR'S #31 RISES TO THE RAFTERS

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that Grant Fuhr will become the fourth player to have his number raised to the rafters by the team, joining Wayne Gretzky, Al Hamilton and Jari Kurri. The ceremony will take place prior to the Edmonton Oilers season opener on Thursday, October 9, 2003.

Fuhr, a Spruce Grove, Alberta, native, was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round (eighth overall) of the NHL Draft on June 10, 1981. Upon joining the team, Grant made an immediate impact and helped lead the Oilers to five Stanley Cup Championships. Along the way, Fuhr won numerous accolades, including the Vezina Trophy in 1987/88 as the NHL’s outstanding goaltender. Fuhr retired from hockey on September 6, 2000, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on June 11, 2003.

“I can’t think of a better way to kick off our 25th Anniversary season than by honoring one of the great goaltenders, and Edmonton Oilers, of all-time – Grant Fuhr,� said Patrick LaForge, President & CEO of the Edmonton Oilers. “The Oilers have had an enviable history of great goaltending with the likes of Tommy Salo, Curtis Joseph, Bill Ranford and Andy Moog. However, that storied chapter of our history all started with #31, Grant Fuhr.�

Kevin Lowe, General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers, adds, “I've said this many times before, but it bears repeating; as much as everyone felt we could win at will because of our incredible offensive skills, we wouldn’t have won any of those Stanley Cups without Grant. He was simply exceptional when it counted most, and I can assure you that all of his teammates were thankful that we could count on Grant to cover up any mistakes we made. I should also add that he played this vital role with humility and always felt any goal that got by him was his fault, no matter how obvious it may have been that it was the direct result of someone else's mistake.�

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Freak

Props to Mr. Fuhr, he was an elite goaltender for many years and gets no where near enough credit for the Oilers' run in the 1980s. Even though I was a huge Leafs fan at the time, I took a load of exception when Nick Kypreos ran Fuhr in the crease several years back.

DD

He will also be the only NHL of color in the hall of fame.

I may be wrong on this but I am pretty sure he was the first black player in the NHL.


He was always lights out when I was a kid. I used to really like his style of play.

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IRALB

[quote
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ost_uid0="Simon"]He will also be the only NHL of color in the hall of fame.

I may be wrong on this but I am pretty sure he was the first black player in the NHL.


He was always lights out when I was a kid. I used to really like his style of play.[/quote
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Yeah your wrong :
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Willie O'Ree was the first black player to play in the NHL, made his debut with the Boston Bruins in 1957, and played a handful of games with them before a long minor league career. One dude named Herb Carnegie was seen as the next superstar of the NHL, he had everything, but a pale complexion, and never made it.

Fuhr made his debut in 1981, and was the first black goaltender, as well as the first black to have his name enscribed on the cup, three years later in 1984.

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