U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2016 announced

By @MichaelCaples –

The Class of 2016 for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame has been announced, and a few Michigan natives will be entering the hall thanks to their participation on a famous international team.

The victorious U.S. team for the 1996 World Cup of Hockey will enter the U.S. Hockey Hall, it was announced tonight, which means the following Michigan names are now enshrined (if they weren’t already individually):

Darian Hatcher – Sterling Heights native

Kevin Hatcher – Detroit native

Mathieu Schneider – Red Wings alum

Chris Chelios – Red Wings alum

Bryan Smolinski – Michigan State alum

Mike Modano – Livonia native

Brett Hull – Red Wings alum

Pat LaFontaine – Waterford native

Doug Weight – Warren native

Brian Rolston – Flint native

Shawn Chambers – Royal Oak native

 

The team posted what is said to be the most impressive American hockey victory since the 1980 ‘Miracle’ team when they scored four goals in the final 3:18 of play to beat Canada in a winner-take-all Game 3 in 1996.

USA Hockey will be celebrating that team’s 20th anniversary this year.

The other inductees for the 2016 class:

Bill Belisle – Mount Saint Charles Academy (Rhode Island) high school hockey coach for 40+ seasons

Craig Janney – NHL alum, Hartford, Conn. native