Committee Chairman

Saku Koivu Retired

Sep 13, 2014

One of the top players from the country of Finland has announced that he will not be returning to play another season of professional Hockey. Saku Koivu has called at a career at the age of 39 and having played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League.

Like most Finnish born Hockey players, Koivu began playing professionally in the Finnish SM-Liga, and would rapidly become the star player for TPS. In the 1994/95 season, Koivu would win the League’s scoring title and the Lasse Oksanen Trophy as the Finnish Leagues Most Valuable Player. More importantly he would also take TPS to win the Kanada-Malja Trophy; the Stanley Cup of Finland, and winning the Jari Kurri Trophy as the Playoff MVP.

Like all great young Scandanavian players, the National Hockey League came beckoning, and Koivu, who was drafted 21st overall by the Montreal Canadians in 1993 was ready to ply his trade in North America.

Koivu proved to be more than ready for the NHL, but his body was not always willing. He would play all 82 games in his rookie season, but in the four years after he would never make 70. Still, he would accumulate 270 Points in 344 Games, which was a more than respectable Points per Game average. Koivu also became a team leader and in 1999, he would become the first European born player to captain the storied Montreal Canadians.

As rough as his multiple leg injuries would be, Koivu was about to face a much bigger foe, Cancer.

Specifically, he was diagnosed on September 6, 2001 with Burkitt’s Lymphoma and was expected to sit out the entire 2001/02 season while he battle the disease. That was what was expected.

Koivu returned to the ice that season on April 9, 2002, the 80th game of the Habs’ season. It was a special moment in Montreal Hockey history as Koivu was showered with an eight minute standing ovation by the devoted fans of the Montreal Canadians. This was not just a comeback for the sake of a comeback. Koivu would be a big part of that season’s playoff push scoring 10 Points in 12 Games and proving that he was not only back, but better than ever. Justly, Koivu won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the player who exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to Hockey.

The Montreal Captain would go on to have his most productive offensive output the following season and would continue to develop as a very good two way Hockey Player. Koivu would win his second individual award, this time in 2009 as the recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy which is given to the player who shows the most leadership and humanitarian efforts.

He would play the last five seasons of his career wit the Anaheim Ducks and in total, Saku Koivu would tally 832 Points with .74 Points per Game Average and is a one time All Star Game participant.

Koivu would also have a great career with his native Finland in International play, the bulk of which saw him as the team’s captain. Koivu’s trophy case contains an Olympic Silver medal, and three Olympic Bronze Medals (winning a medal in all four Olympics he competed in), a Silver Medal in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, and a Gold, two Silvers and a Bronze in the World Championships.

As for post career accolades, as much as we respect Koivu’s NHL accomplishments, and his character, he probably will fall short for what the Hockey Hall of Fame is looking for and may fall in the 25 to 35 range once eligible for our list. Despite also tying Jen Beliveau for the longest tenure as a Montreal Canadians Captain, the organization has only retired numbers to date of those in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Still, we can see a spot for Koivu in the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame based on his accomplishments with the Finnish National Team, a spot he should probably get.

We would like to thank Saku Koivu for the memories on the ice and wish him the best in the next phase of his life.

Jabari Greer Retires

Sep 12, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

It was announced that Jabari Greer, the Cornerback, most recently with the New Orleans Saints has called it a career in the National Football League.

Greer was an undrafted Cornerback from the University of Tennessee in 2004 who latched on with the Buffalo Bills, eventually securing a starting role with the team. As his skills improved, Greer would sign with the New Orleans Saints and would not just be a starting Cornerback, but become a big part of the Saints defense.

As such, Greer would become a part of the Saints team that won Super Bowl XLIV, and would overall accumulate 13 Interceptions in his career and make ten seasons in the National Football League, a rare feat in Professional Football.

Although Greer is not a legitimate contender for the Football Hall of Fame, nor really someone who will be honored by the New Orleans Saints, we here at Notinhalloffame would like to congratulate Jabari Greer in his professional football career and wish him luck on the next stage of his career.

RIP: Mr. Larson

Sep 11, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

We don’t generally discuss the death of actors on this website, but with the launch of our Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame, we thought we would change our thought process to commemorate the passing of our “fictitious” heroes.

With that said, today we mourn the loss of Richard Kiel, the seven foot plus behemoth that was known mostly as James Bond super villain, Jaws. Kiel’s character had the rare distinction of appearing in two films opposing “007”, The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. However, when you are the size of Kiel, it can be expected that he would appear in some athletic films, two of which were nominees for our Hall of Fame.

Kiel played “Sampson” in Burt Reynolds’ 1974 film, the Longest Yard. Kiel’s role was of one of the prison inmates who were recruited to play Football against the Guards, and was granted a few memorable lines in the film.

Two decades later, Kiel played a brief but memorable supporting role in Happy Gilmore, as “Mr. Larsen”, Happy’s one time employer known specifically for having a large nail in his head. This character actually made the semi-final round for Contributors of our Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame. Kiel also had a role as a mechanic/driver in the Cannonball Run II.

We would like to extend our condolences to the friends of family of Richard Kiel and invite you to have a Richard Kiel film fest. It will be entertaining, we guarantee!

Poker HOF Nominees announced

Sep 11, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

While we may never get to doing a Notinhalloffame.com rank of those who should be in the Poker Hall of Fame, we have a lot of respect for the game and how much it has grown in popularity in the past two decades. As such, a brief synopsis of this year’s ten Finalists, which were announced today.

In the last three years two people were selected, and it is expected that this trend will continue this year. This year’s Finalists are:

Chris Bjorin: Considered one of the best European Poker players ever, and the most successful Swedish player, Chris Bjorin is a two time Gold Bracelet winner and is sixth all time on WSOP cash list.

Humberto Brenes: Currently third place all-time on WSOP cashes list, and is regarded in the game for his consistency. The Costa Rican born Brenes is credited with elevating Poker in Latin America.

Bruno Fitoussi: The French born Poker star has elevated the stature of the game in France and is credited with brining Texas Hold ‘Em to that country.

Ted Forrest: Six times a WSOP gold bracelet winner and is one of the most successful money winners in recent years.

Jen Harman: The first female to win multiple bracelets in open events and has appeared in 12 WSOP Final Events.

Bob Hooks: The oldest nominee at 85 Years Old, Bob Hooks played with the legends of Poker decades ago, and held his own with the best from generation to generation. He played competitively or six decades until he retired last year.

Mike Matusow: “The Mouth” is a four time bracelet winner and final tabled the WSOP Main Event twice.

Jack McClelland: A one time Semi-professional bowler, McClelland wound up directing the WSOP from 2002 to 2013.

Daniel Negreanu: At 40 years old, Negreanu is the youngest nominee on this year’s ballot and “Kid Poker” has won six gold bracelets, two WPT Titles, and is second all-time on the WPT money list and third all-time on the WSOP money list.

Huckleberry Seed: The tall Californian is a four time bracelet winner and one of the most recognizable figures in the game.

To qualify for the Poker Hall of Fame, the player has to meet the following criteria:

He or she must be at least 40 Years of Age

He or she must have played Poker against recognized high level of competition.

He or she must have played for high stakes.

He or she must have gained the respect of their peers.

He or she must stand the test of time.

Some of those are a little ambiguous wouldn’t you say?

The Poker Hall of Fame was first established in 1979 and was acquired by Caesar’s Entertainment along with the World Series of Poker. Although there is no physical Hall of Fame, the ceremony is heled in conjunction with the Final Table at the WSOP, which is held annually in November.