By Western Hockey League

TORONTO, Ont. — Jim Gregory, Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, announced today that former NHL and WHL greats Bernie Federko and Clark Gillies along with Rod Langway have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Player Category.

BERNIE FEDERKO
A native of Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, Bernie Federko played for the Saskatoon Blades for three seasons, from 1973-74 to 1975-76 before starring for the St. Louis Blues for thirteen NHL seasons, beginning with the 1976-77 season. Federko was selected by the St.Louis Blues in the 1st round, 7th overall in the 1976 NHL Entry Draft.

During his Western Hockey League career, Federko recorded 133 goals, 211 assists and 344 points in 206 WHL regular season games. His best WHL season was in 1975-76 when he recorded 72 goals, 115 assists and 187 points in 72 regular season games. Both the 187 points and 115 assists in a regular season ranks sixth and seventh respectively all-time in the Western Hockey League. Federko is also 3rd all-time for most points in one playoff season with 45 points and 4th all-time for assists in one playoff season with 27 in the WHL.

In 1975-76, Federko was named the WHL Player of the Year, First Team All-Star and the WHL Top Scorer when he broke Bobby Clarke’s WHL League record for points with 72 goals and 115 assists.

In his stellar NHL career, Federko recorded four 100-point seasons and topped the 90-point mark during the NHL regular season seven times. He participated in two NHL All-Star games (1980, 1981). He was the leading scorer for the St. Louis Blues nine times. On March 19, 1988, the veteran forward became the 22nd player in League history to reach the 1,000-point plateau. First player in NHL history to record at least 50 assists in 10 consecutive seasons (1979 to 1988). In 1986-87, he scored his 293rd career goal for St. Louis to pass Garry Unger as the franchise’s all-time leader. Upon his retirement in 1990, he was the Blues’ career leader in goals, assists, points, games played, and seasons of service.

Federko recorded NHL regular season totals of 1000 games played, 369 goals, 761 assists, 1,130 points over 14 seasons. Recorded NHL playoff totals of 91 games played, 35 goals, 66 assists, 101 points. On March 16, 1991, his number “24” was retired by the St. Louis Blues.

Married to wife Bernadette and has three children, Jordan, Dustin and Drew. He currently works as a TV colour analyst for the St. Louis Blues.

CLARK GILLIES
A native of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Clark Gillies played for the Regina Pats for three seasons, from 1971-72 to 1973-74 before starring for the New York Islanders for twelve NHL seasons, beginning with the 1974-75 season. Gillies was selected by the New York Islanders in the 1st round, 4th overall in the 1976 NHL Entry Draft.

During his Western Hockey League career, Gillies recorded 117 goals, 166 assists and 283 points in 201 WHL regular season games. His best WHL season was in 1973-74 when he recorded 46 goals, 66 assists and 112 points in 65 regular season games. Gillies helped the Regina Pats capture the 1974 Memorial Cup championship.

In his outstanding 14 year NHL career, Gillies scored 30 or more regular season goals six times. He played in the 1978 NHL All-Star Game and was also named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1978 and 1979. Gillies was also Team Captain of the Islanders for two season as a 22-year old from 1976-77 to 1978-79. He also helped lead the New York Islanders to four Stanley Cup championships in a row from 1980 to 1983. Gillies played in Buffalo for his final two NHL seasons.

Gillies NHL regular season totals of 958 games played, 319 goals, 378 assists, 697 points. Recorded NHL playoff totals of 164 games played, 47 goals, 47 assists, 94 points. On December 7, 1996, his number “9” was retired by the New York Islanders.

Also in the Player Category is former NHL defenceman Rod Langway. Langway grew up in Randolph, Massachusetts and began his professional career as a member of the Birmingham Bulls in 1977. Claimed by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1979 Expansion Draft, Langway earned a Stanley Cup championship with Montreal during the 1979-80 NHL season. After a 1982 trade to the Washington Capitals, Langway went on to win the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman in 1983 and 1984. A member of the of the United States team in 1981, 1984 and 1987 Canada Cup tournaments, Langway served as the captain of the Washington Capitals from 1982 until 1993.

In the Builder Category, Roger Neilson was elected in recognition of his outstanding contributions to hockey. A career coach, Neilson is known for his innovation and dedication to the game. Neilson’s coaching career began in 1966 with the Peterborough Petes of the OHA. He began his career in the NHL ranks in 1977 with the Toronto Maple Leafs and went on to hold the title of head coach for eight NHL teams. Roger has also served as assistant coach for four NHL teams, a position he holds today with the Ottawa Senators.

In addition, Kevin Dupont from the Boston Globe was selected as the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award recipient for his contributions to print media, as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. Gilles Tremblay from La Soiree du Hockey in Montreal was selected as the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in recognition of his work on NHL broadcasts, by the NHL Professional Broadcasters’ Association

The 2002 Induction Celebration will be held on Monday, November 4th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. For more information regarding the 2002 Induction Weekend/Celebration, visit http://www.hhof.com.