Hall of Fame ceremony featured an evening of New York hockey legends – Saratogian

FILE – In this Feb. 22, 1980, photo, the U.S. hockey team pounces on goalie Jim Craig after a 4-3 victory over the Soviet Union in a medal game at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. The United States defeated the mighty Soviets in a breathtaking, Cold War-era moment of tension. Four decades later, no one wants to stop talking about perhaps the greatest David-over-Goliath moment in the history of the sport. (AP Photo/File)

TROY, NY — Saratoga Springs native Rene LeRoux can still remember the moment Mike Eruzione of the 1980 U.S. hockey team scored the winning goal against the Soviet Union, even 44 years later.

He should, since he witnessed the ‘Miracle On Ice’ himself in Lake Placid.

“That was a tremendous accomplishment. Our country was in a time when the politics were a little uncertain, the Soviets had won four consecutive gold medals in Olympic hockey and we had a bunch of college kids going up against them,” LeRoux said in an interview with the Troy Record.

“An incredible sense of excitement, accomplishment, success, a sense of pride in being in America, pride in our country, and the team showed us that. That team led the car,” LeRoux added.

The then 24-year-old LeRoux sat next to the penalty box in the Olympic Center Rink during the gold medal match, when the U.S. defeated Finland to take the top spot on the podium.

LeRoux, now a “youthful 68,” said he longs for that memorable era last Saturday, when he inducted Eruzione into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class.

“I still have the same goosebumps and the same feeling of being there and watching them win the gold,” LeRoux said. “It’s really indescribable to explain what everyone felt and I was only 24. Saturday I was 24 again.”

Eruzione was one of 13 inductees at the third annual Hall of Fame ceremony, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy. LeRoux, as he had the previous two, curated the class and ceremony, bringing professional and academic icons, broadcasting luminaries and national heroes up close and personal with the local community.

“(Eruzione) also understands the importance of the event. He understands what it meant to him personally, and even though (Miracle) is still 44 years ago, it still burns brightly for him and for everyone,” LeRoux said. “Mike was so gracious to everyone. He signed autographs, took pictures and it was awesome.

“I’m glad I can keep that spirit alive a little bit,” LeRoux added. “When Mike would even sign autographs, he would write, ‘Always believe.’ It (feels) like it was yesterday.”

Included in the 13-person class of 2024: Courtney Burke, a native of Albany and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Bill Beaneyborn in Lake Placid and coach at Middlebury College in Vermont, Scott Montagnagraduated from Oswego, Frank Colabufothe head coach of the West Gennesee High School boys team, Lindsay Lasalagraduated from St. Lawrence University, Dennis Potvina former captain and four-time Stanley Cup winner with the New York Islanders, Sam Rosenthe longest-serving regular announcer for the New York Rangers, Steve Warra Clarkson graduate and former draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, Mark Taylorthe head coach of the Hobart and William Smith Colleges men’s team, Ed Westfallwho scored the first goal in New York Islanders history and won two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins, Don Kirnanborn in Binghamton and president of the Federal Prospects League, and Howard Dolgonowner of the Syracuse Crunch, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning and a member of the American Hockey League.

Ken Morrow, another member of the 1980 U.S. men’s Olympic team, was also scheduled to be in the 2024 class, but LeRoux said he was unable to attend due to flight issues from Kansas City. He hopes to attend next summer so he can actually be drafted in New York State.

Each inductee naturally carries a dazzling resume of personal accolades and team accomplishments, but for LeRoux, it’s their presence mixed with adoring local and traveling fans that makes Saturday’s event as special as it can be. LeRoux said there were 300 attendees at this year’s ceremony, making it a sellout.

“The guests really are the driving force behind the event. Guests who come to see a particular inductee or two, their presence helps make this event a success,” LeRoux said. “It’s just such a great atmosphere.

“I had a woman who was dying of cancer, and she had met Mike Eruzione before, because he was her wish, and she came from Binghamton to Albany on a bus and then took another cab to Troy, and I was so happy to see her,” he added. “I was so happy to meet her and that she made the effort to come. The great thing is that they can mingle with any of these insiders at the event. You can walk in, you can get an autograph, you can take a selfie; they’re all great at it.”

LeRoux, who also organizes the Upstate New York State Basketball and Baseball Hall of Fames, says the other heartwarming thing about the ceremonies for him, besides the star-studded list of honorees, is that he keeps bringing it back to his backyard in the Capital Region.

“I’ve been asked many times to move it south or west, and I like it here. We get a lot of support from the local community, and people love to come here from Manhattan or Long Island. It’s a nice drive, you can get out into the countryside, it’s beautiful, no traffic and it’s just a beautiful area,” LeRoux said.

“I just took Dennis Potvin back to the airport, and before that we went to Saratoga, and I showed him around town,” LeRoux continued. “We went to the spas, had lunch at a friend’s house; he’s one of the best NHL players and he wanted to hang out and check out the area. So that’s really cool, that people like it here so much.”