A very successful businessman in the Pacific Northwest, Frank Griffiths brought his business savvy to the National Hockey League in 1974 when he purchased the Vancouver Canucks. Although the Canucks never won a Cup, he made them profitable and competitive. Griffiths may not have sought the spotlight like other owners, but behind the scenes on the audit committee and other franchises to make them fiscally viable. He also served as Vice Chairman of the NHL for eight years, again in a way that was under the radar. Griffiths may not have been well known to the casual (or even many sophisticated NHL fans), but it was men like him that made the National Hockey League a far more valuable entity.  

Although Edgar Laprade had a solid career in the National Hockey League, this is another Veterans induction that we are not sure about. Laprade was the Calder Trophy winner in 1946 and was good enough to play in four consecutive All Star games. He was a very good Centre, but only once did he find himself in the top ten in any major offensive category. The 1950 Lady Byng Trophy winner was also only effective for seven campaigns, and just did not have the longevity to be considered a serious Hall of Fame entry.

Every dynasty needs a solid Goaltender, and the early 1980’s New York Islanders had Billy Smith. The man who is credited as being the first netiminder to score a goal (he did so in 1979), shared the duties in the pipes with Glenn Resch, but he took over the number one duties for the Isles, and he proved his worth over and over in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Billy Smith was at his best during crunch time, as his statistics, rings and 1983 Conn Smythe Trophy proved. Smith may not have been the most decorated during regular season play, but he was an All Star when it counted the most.  

We can’t say that we love any Hall of Fame inductee with the nickname of “Porky”, but the induction of Woody Dumart in the Veteran Players category is one that we really don’t have an issue with.   Dumart was a solid two way player who played his entire career with the Boston Bruins. Three times he was a Second Team All Star and twice a Stanley Cup winner. Dumart served in the Canadian military during World War II and lost three prime years of his career and probably could have dominated in that era had he remained in the NHL. Overall, Woody Dumart was a popular star in Boston and we don’t have any issue with this Veterans category induction.