Hockey Hall gives classy Francis his due
TORONTO — Perhaps because of where he played, perhaps because of how he played, perhaps because of who he played with, it's safe to say Ron Francis never quite got the recognition he deserved during his 23-year NHL career.
On Monday, the hockey world made up for lost time.
Francis, 44, a native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and current Carolina Hurricanes assistant general manager, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of one of its most heralded classes, along with Al MacInnis, Mark Messier, Scott Stevens and longtime league executive Jim Gregory.
"The wonderful journey that I took to tonight's honor took me through much of North America and involved the efforts of countless individuals," Francis said.
"It has been filled with an unforgettable group of characters and men and women of great character, people who shared of themselves unselfishly, who taught me by word and action what it takes to succeed in hockey and life, and who made it clear what really matters in both."
Messier in particular played to much more fanfare than Francis, who spent much of his career out of the hockey limelight in Hartford, Conn., in Greensboro and in Raleigh.
Francis won his two Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh, but in the considerable shadow of Mario Lemieux. He did his best work making the game easy for others, rather than doing the dazzling himself.
"He is living proof hockey is a team game," Hockey Hall of Fame chairman Bill Hay said.
But the statistics are impossible to ignore — second all-time in assists, third in games played, fourth in points — and on Monday, Francis duly was honored for a legacy of productivity and longevity that only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe can match.
"To look at a lot of the names in here, and spend the weekend with some of the honored members, to have the opportunity to be invited into this select group and be a part of it is really tough to describe," Francis said Monday morning after receiving his Hall of Fame ring, while standing among the portraits would soon include his own.
Given 20 tickets for the ceremony, Francis bought more than 30 extra. Almost 100 people were expected at a Francis family party later Monday night, a group that included former teammates, owners, general managers, family and friends.
Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos was among that group Monday.
"For the franchise to have traded him to Pittsburgh was an incredible misstep, and when he decided to come back, it was like taking back that mistake," Karmanos said. "He was a special player. We always knew he was going into the Hall of Fame."
Even a few fans made the trip to Toronto for the ceremony. Hurricanes season-ticket holder Mike Flanagan of Matthews proposed to his wife, Leigh, at the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004, and they made a return trip Monday to see Francis' induction speech.
"It's a pretty special place in our hearts," Flanagan said. "Just the fact that Ron is being inducted, he's brought so much joy and happiness to us. The least we could do (is) show our respects doing this."
Francis thanked his parents and brother Ricky early in his seven-minute speech. He saved his wife, Mary Lou, and three children for last, when his voice cracked.
"As you can see, my journey to the Hall has been guided by a host of loving, caring people who allowed me to achieve my dream," Francis said, concluding his speech. "I have always tried to live up to the standards they have set. ... So tonight, I honor them and thank them from the bottom of my heart."
