Nine years after Adam Oates hung up his skates, the Hockey Hall of Fame has finally inducted the former Washington Capitals captain. In Toronto on Monday, in front of his mom, dad, wife Donna, George McPhee, and many others, Oates gave a stirring, eloquent, and totally unscripted speech, thanking the people who helped him in his career.

Hall of Famer Brett Hull, part of a video package about Oates aired before the introduction, called his former teammate “Gretzky-like” in his vision and passing skill. “Adam belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame because he’s one of the greatest players to play the game,” Hull said.

Oates made it through his most of his speech, which included personal thanks to Olie Kolzig and Calle Johansson, without getting emotional. But then he brought up his wife Donna and recalled his parents dedication and support throughout his childhood, and he couldn’t hold back the tears.

Oates has been compared to Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux a bunch these last few days, and while that’s a controversial claim, there is one thing that is not debatable: Adam Oates was one of the best playmakers of all-time. He made everyone on the ice a better player. With him, the Capitals would not have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 98 and so many of the other players we loved growing up would have been deprived. Shame on the HHOF for inducting this man six years later than they should have.

Oates’ speech and a full transcript of his remarks are below the jump.

Video

Full Transcript of Oates Speech

As most people know, last June there was a very special day for me. I got a call for George McPhee telling me I was going to be the head coach of the Washington Capitals and 15 minutes later I got a call telling me I was going to be in the Hall of Fame. As you can imagine, that was a pretty emotional day. Since that day, I spent a lot of time doing what almost every player that has been inducted has done: you reflect on your career. I spent a lot of time thinking about the people I played with, my memories of the game, and the people who helped me get there. And today is the day of all days that I should say thank you.

Growing up in Toronto, I moved north when I was 16 and I played hockey in Weston with a man named Mike Renzetti, who coached me, drove me and was like a big brother to me. My junior coach Ken Gibb, who when I said I wanted to get a scholarship did everything in his power to try and help me. My college coach, Mike Addesa, who recruited me, appealed my case, got my amateur status back and taught me so much about the game. And Paul Vincent, my skating coach who took me into his home for two years, no questions asked, to help me work on my game. To them I want to say thank you. I want to let you know that I haven’t forgotten that you helped me.

I can’t think of any better honor than being grouped with some of the people you think are special in the game that you try and raise your game to play against every single night, whether it’s a Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Mario Lemeiux or going into Colorado and trying to beat the Avalanche and try and play as good as Joe Sakic. Or go into Toronto, my hometown, trying to beat the Leafs and try and play as good as Mats Sundin. Or in Vancouver, how are we going to win? How are we going to shut down the Russian Rocket? And gentlemen, I’d like to say congratulations for the huge honor which I sincerely think you deserve.

In life you have relationships, they don’t always last, but you make a connection. Hockey is no different. Whether it’s coaches like Brian Sutter, Tom McVie, Tim Army, Mike Babcock, or players: Mike O’Connell, Doug Halward, Rick Zombo, Gino Cavallini, Kelly Chase, Sergio Momesso, Rick Tocchet, Don Sweeney, Olie Kolzig, Calle Johansson, Peter Sykora, Paul Kariya. To them and many others I want to say, thank you. I think we connected. You meant so much to me in my career.

I also had the privilege of playing with some special players. I was in Detroit when a young Steve Yzerman was named captain. I watched him turn into the superstar he became. I got traded to St. Louis and played with Scott Stevens, who was a fantastic player and went on to become the rock of the New Jersey Devils.

And I got to play with Brett Hull. Hully, I know you know how I feel about you. 71, 86, 50 in 50, it was an incredible time. You put me on the map. It was so, so special. My feelings for you, I’ve expressed so many times, you’re absolutely fantastic. I can’t believe it was only three years because it felt like forever.

I got traded to Boston and I got to play with Cam Neely and Ray Bourque. Cam, 50 goals in 42 games has to be one of the best seasons of all-time. I’m one of the few people that know what you had to do every night just to be able to play. It was an absolute privilege. I had the best seat. I wish it could’ve been longer. And Ray, six of the best years of my life, my man. My friend, my teammate, I got to watch you work every day, work with you, you challenged me, you made me better. You made me better as a player. You were so good. Thank you and thank you to those guys for all the memories I’m going to carry with me my whole life.

Lastly I’d like to thank my friends and family, my wife Donna. [Oates begins to choke up.] I love you very much. We met near the end of my career; I wish we could’ve met a little bit sooner so you could’ve seen me when I was a little bit of a better player. I’m happy that you’re hear today to experience this and see what we’re all about here in hockey. And thank you for supporting me in the next challenge in my life, coaching.

My sisters Laurel and Michelle and all my friends. You all had to watch so many games and support me and deal with my moods the next day. The best way I can say thank you to you and honor you is to remind you that I hope you know that… every single one of those games, a part of me was playing for you.

Mom and Dad, I don’t know how you took me to all those games. You supported me, encouraged me, helped me through the tough times, gave me the chance to live my dream. I know it’s not the easiest thing for our family, but I love you very much. Thank you. I’d never be here without you.

Thank you.

Photos

Oates’ plaque which sure looks like he’s in the old Capitals eagle jersey.

Capitals GM George McPhee looks on during Oates’ speech.

Oates’ parents and wife look on proudly.

Oates hugs his mom.

Oates kisses his wife.

By your powers combined… green hockey mullet! (Photo credit: Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

Busy weekend for Adam Oates. After co-coaching Hershey to a 2-1 loss to the Ice Caps on Saturday, the Washington Capitals head coach took the first plane out of Harrisburg to this year’s Hockey Hall of Fame ceremonies in Toronto. On Sunday, Oates received an “honored members (only) jacket” and then participated in the Legends Classic game at Air Canada Centre. Monday morning, after being read his Hall of Fame plaque by selection committee co-chair Pat Quinn, Oates received his HOF ring. ‘Grats, Adam!

Photo credit: Bruce Bennett

Video: Oates Recieves His HOF Jacket

Adrian Dater (file photo)

Photo credit: Brian Bahr

As I was rifling through a few stories this weekend, one in particular by Avs beat writer Adrian Dater, caught my eye.

This year’s Hall of Fame ballot is filled with shoo-ins and recognizable names such as Brendan Shanahan, Mats Sundin, and former Capital Olie Kolzig. Dater used his article to wax poetic about one of my favorite players back in the day, longtime captain of the Avalanche, Joe Sakic.

Dater writes:

Super Joe is on the ballot for HHOF inclusion, having retired after the 2008-09 season, and the 18-member HOF selection committee would have a hard time keeping him out I would guess.

Sakic and Brendan Shanahan are probably the two most likely players to be named in their first year of eligibility on a list that also includes guys like Mats Sundin, Jeremy Roenick and former Avs such as Claude Lemieux, Greg de Vries and Ken Klee (yes, those two former D-men are on the ballot).

Wait, what?

Ken Klee is on the ballot?! How did this happen?

While Klee played in the NHL for a long time, by most accounts he had a pedestrian career. A ninth round pick in 1990, the Indianapolis, Indiana-native was at best a top four defenseman for the Capitals in his prime. He never had more than 30 points or 10 goals in a season, and was not particularly productive in the playoffs, tallying just 2 goals and 2 assists in 51 games.

In total, Klee scored 55 goals, tallied 195 points, and went plus-30 in his 14 NHL seasons. His most note-worthy accomplishment? 13 of his 55 career goals were game-winners, the highest percentage in NHL history. Klee, now 41-years-old, played nine seasons in Washington and retired from hockey in 2008-09, while with the Phoenix Coyotes.

But how did a guy who never got his name on the Cup or nominated for a major award get his name on the Hall of Fame ballot? This seems counter-intuitive. Like how flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.

The Hockey Hall of Fame explains their eligibility list as such:

The [list includes] only first-year eligible goaltenders that have played a minimum 500 NHL regular season games and first-year eligible forwards and defensemen who have either played a minimum 700 NHL regular season games or recorded a minimum of 300 goals, 700 assists or 1,000 points.

While Klee never got close to accumulating 300 goals, 700 assists, or 1000 points, he did play in 934 career games –an amazing feat for someone drafted so late and from a non-hockey powerhouse such as Bowling Green.

Longevity are Ken Klee’s legacy. That kind of durability is a rare thing indeed.

So yeah, Ken Klee is on the hall of fame ballot. There you have it.

Pat Fay poses with a drawing of her late husband. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

Way back in 1995 when I started fervently supporting the Washington Capitals, I got my news on the team from two sources: The Washington Post and The Washington Times. While the Post cycled through beat writers such as Rachel Alexander (who can now be seen on ESPN), Jason La Canfora, and Tarik El Bashir, you always knew what the byline would read on any Caps stories printed by the Times.

Dave Fay.

Dave Fay was old school. A hard worker. A stickler for the details. Some would even call him a curmudgeon. Starting at the Times at its inception in 1982, the Massachusetts native worked there for 25 years until his death in 2007, spending all but two on the Caps beat.

“I never thought a guy who was so grumpy could be so loved,” Capitals General Manager George McPhee told the A.P. after his passing. “He had a crusty exterior but he was one lovable guy. … Irrespective of how much he beat us up in the paper the day before, we always looked forward to seeing him the next day.”

In a time when newspapers were the only medium to keep up to date with your team, Fay always delivered. Even if I read about a particular thing in the Post, I would always check out the Times for his story because Fay always made it insightful and interesting in his own way.

And I wasn’t the only one who thought that. In November of 2007, Fay was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, four months after his death. His wife, Pat, accepted the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award on his behalf.

I never had the chance to meet or talk to Dave Fay as a kid. But on Saturday, I had the opportunity to speak with Pat, the person who knew him best, after the charity hockey game at Kettler held in his memory. Below is the transcript of our conversation.

Ian Oland – How did the charity game start?

Pat Fay – Dave died in 2007 — in July of 2007, and right after Dave passed away, I got a call from Rob Keaton that said, “You know, hey, we want to do something — little pick-up game, no big deal. We raise funds monthly for Hockey Fights Cancer,” he said, “and we’d like to do our July game in honor of Dave.” So I said, “Hey, great, that’s perfect.” He said, “And we’d like to have you come.” So we showed up and this has what’s been born of it. Every year it gets a little better, every year we get more people involved, and it’s just a great time.

Ian Oland – How proud were you of his longevity?

Pat Fay – Dave was very old school. He came to work every day, he came to work prepared, and hockey was his life. He came here because he was taking an editorial job with the hopes that maybe he could get his foot back in to hockey and for a while he did editorial as well as hockey. After a while he said, “You know what, I don’t want to be behind a desk. This is where I want to be, this is what I love to do.” I said, “Not too many people get a chance to do that, so you do what you need to do.” And the hockey family has just embraced us. They’ve always been very supportive, and now it’s time for me to pay it back, pay it forward, and that’s what I do when I come here. I just love coming here. It makes this month so important because this was the month that Dave passed away. So for me, it uplifts me instead of making me sad.”

Ian Oland – How have you gotten so many former Caps to attend?

Pat Fay – [Rob Keaton]‘s been contacting them every time we’ve had a game and they’ve always been more than willing to come out and they’re always right there. Today when I was out on the ice, I think it was Yvon [Lebre] said, “You know, Dave was just great guy.” And it’s true. He loved them and they loved him back.

Ian Oland – Is your family still Caps fans?

Pat Fay – We are. We don’t get to go as much. You have to watch your budget, conserve your money. We still watch at home and I still hear from people. A lot of the fans have become close friends so I still hear from them. I try to stay in touch with the hockey community. Ted [Leonsis] has always been a great supporter, George [McPhee] too, and they’ve always helped us out with items and things like that. I’ll just keep coming back until they tell me not to come back any more.

Ian Oland – So Dave’s nickname was Dr. Puck? What’s the story behind that?

Pat Fay – When he first came [here], he wrote this column and nobody knew who wrote it and it said, Dr. Puck says, and he would do a lot of tongue and cheek stuff about the players, about different things going on in the hockey world. So after awhile, people would just call him — they didn’t know who it was and they said they had they’re suspicions it was Dave. And when he got his one car, he said, “You know what, I’m going to put Dr. Puck on my car and see who notices.” So he did. He’d show up and everybody would say, “Hey, Doc, how are you?” It just stuck. After he passed away, I still have his vehicle, I still have his plates — I cannot give them up. It’s a funny little story but it took a long time for people to find out who was writing it but once they realized the humor, they knew who it was.

Ian Oland – What was your favorite moment during his time on the beat?

Pat Fay – I’d have to say when [the Capitals] were in the ’98 Finals. I purchased my ticket and got to go to the game, and even though they didn’t make it, it’s one thing to be there and see your team lose, but it’s also another thing to sit there and just take it all in. See that when that puck comes out, see the camaraderie in those guys. One minute they’re out there working as hard as they can, trying to win the game and when it’s done they all shake hands.

And I actually got goose pimples. Even though we didn’t get it, to see the Cup in person being presented. And when Dave passed away and he got the award from the hockey Hall of Fame, I got to see the Cup again because I got to go in the Cup room and I said, “Dave, you’re not around the Cup, but you’re on a pole in with Cup.” He is, he’s in the room with the Cup so that makes me feel good.

I went and did the [Hockey Hall of Fame] speech for him — I’m not a speaker. We had discussed a little bit, because he knew before he died and I said, ‘What do you want me to say?’ He said, “You say whatever you want but just don’t forget to bring it home.” So that was my last line, “Honey, I’m here, I got it, and I’m taking it home.’ That was Dave in a nutshell. He was a character, he was a wonderful guy.

Additional reporting by Chris Gordon.