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The crowd was all smiles at the 2009 Hockey Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony recently. The night was a tribute to the first induction class in the UMass Lowell Hockey Hall of Honor.
“The intent of the Hall of Honor is to give proper recognition to the individuals who helped raise the hockey program from a club sport that competed on an outdoor skating rink behind Costello Gym to one that now competes in the finest college hockey conference in the nation: Hockey East,” says Athletic Director Dana Skinner.
The event was held to honor 10 former players: Paul Ames ’87, Gary Bishop ’71, Mike Carr ’83, Jeff Daw ’96, Tom Jacobs ’79, Dean Jenkins ’81, Paul Lohnes ’82, Craig MacTavish ’79, Jon Morris ’88 and Dwayne Roloson ’94. They were voted on by a committee of administrators, alumni and members of the media based on their achievements and contributions to the University and the sport of hockey.
“It illustrated how we can bring all the different eras of UMass Lowell hockey together as one,” says head coach Blaise MacDonald, “from the early ’70s and the beginning, to the powerhouse Division II days, to our Hockey East program of today.”
All inductees were there, as were many other alumni and family members who still support the UMass Lowell hockey program.
“[The inductees] were very grateful; they displayed a lot of pride to be recognized for their achievements, and most importantly they want to continue to support our future endeavors,” says MacDonald.
Inductee Lohnes was a member of three NCAA National Championship teams and earned All-American accolades three times. He was also named Division II National Player of the Year in 1982 and was a Division II Hockey Baker Finalist that same season. He set many records on and off the ice, and made three consecutive ECAC All-Tournament and All-ECAC teams between 1980 and 1982. The other inductees have similarly impressive resumes.
Roloson, now a goaltender with the New York Islanders, has been playing with the NHL since 1994. He played on the UMass Lowell hockey team from 1990-94 and holds a university record for playing 80 consecutive games between March 6, 1992 and March 27, 1994.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized for our achievements and for the legacy that we helped build at UMass Lowell,” says Lohnes. “It was a fantastic event and a great opportunity for me, and especially my family, to reconnect with many of my former teammates and supporters.”
The event was in conjunction with the Second Annual Riley Reunion Night; last year, Bill Riley, former UMass Lowell Hockey Coach, was inducted into the Hall of Honor.
“Bill Riley was introduced and received a warm and lengthy welcome from the group,” says Skinner. “Billy is a founding father of UMass Lowell Hockey, and the concept of the Hall of Honor grew from our discussions about the best way to recognize Billy's contributions.”
Riley’s uncle, Jim Riley, emceed the event, while Jenkins spoke on behalf of the induction class.
“Jim Riley is well-known by all of the inductees and a popular figure in college hockey circles, so he was an appropriate presenter,” says Skinner. “As for Dean Jenkins, his work ethic, commitment to excellence and intensity were all qualities that personified what was expected of Lowell hockey players through the years.”
After the ceremony, the alumni attended a catered dinner and the first home hockey game against Northeastern.
“The event attracted over 160 alums, friends and family members, and I thought it was an overwhelming success,” says Skinner.