A spectacular athlete in his own right (he is in the American College Football Hall of Fame), John Kilpatrick became a very successful businessman and ran the Madison Square Garden Corporation and oversaw the operations of the New York Rangers for 26 years. Like other builders who have been inducted into the Hall around this time, Kilpatrick’s early induction is very much warranted.

Credited with bringing the hook check to Hockey, Jack Walker emerged from the lake region of Ontario to land three Stanley Cups with three different teams. Walker was a very good defensive forward who may never have been the best player on his team, but was someone who did the intangibles necessary to bring home championships. His skill set, despite the era, was one useful to any team.

As the Assistant General Manager to Conn Smythe for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Frank J. Selke carved an instant reputation as executive genius in hockey. Considered more than capable of running the Leafs in Smythe’s absence (he went to serve in World War II) Selke ran the organization but a trade for Ted Kennedy (that Selke was not consulted on) served as the catalyst for Smythe to force Selke out of Toronto upon his return from the war.

The former owner of the Boston Bruins, Charles Adams truly respected the game of Hockey, much like the other great owners in the game’s early days. It is because of men like Adams that the sport grew, and indirectly the sport in New England. Some franchise owners do not belong in their respective Halls of Fame, but that can NOT be said of Charles Adams.