1995 Hockey Inductees
Led by the formidable Montreal Canadiens defensive standout Larry Robinson, the 1995 Hockey Hall of Fame Class was nothing short of eclectic. While Robinson's undeniable talent set the standard, he was joined by Bun Cook—a selection some deemed a 'bubble candidate'—an unsung but deserving IIHF administrator who quietly shaped international hockey, and the visionary Bill Torrey, the architect behind the Islanders dynasty. Though this class may be small in number, its diverse mix of personalities and contributions makes it one of the most intriguing and talked-about groups in Hall of Fame history.
Bill Torrey brought the expansion New York Islanders to prominence far faster than anyone would have thought. The former GM of the Oakland Seals, found a real home on Long Island and methodically built a team from the draft and acquired young talent who would grow into a dynasty. It is not a misrepresentation to say that Torrey built the team from scratch. He was…
Another Veteran’s Category inductee, Bun Cook was a star for most of his career with the New York Rangers where he helped bring the Stanley Cup to Broadway twice. Predominately, he was the Left Wing on the Rangers’ “Bread Line” with his brother Bill and Frank Boucher, which was among the most feared of its time. The innovator of the “Drop Pass”, Cook would be…
The first German born entry into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Gunther Sabetzki did a lot in his native country to help grow the sport. He would serve as the first German President of the IIHF, and worked diligently not just to grow Hockey in Germany, but throughout the world. Under his near two decade as the IIHF President, membership increased from 31 to 50…
Easily one of the top Defencemen in his day, Larry Robinson was the top dog in the Montreal Canadians “Big 3” blue line corps that was the best in the 1970’s. Robinson was part of six Stanley Cups and named to six Post Season All Star teams. The imposing Robinson (he was six foot four, well before many NHL players were this tall) was skilled…