Rogie Vachon Inducted Into The Hockey Hall Of Fame
In addition, former Kings Head Coach Pat Quinn will be inducted posthumously into the HHOF and former Kings Equipment Manager Mark O'Neill will be recognized for his recent PHATS - SPHEM (Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society - Society of Professional Hockey Equipment Managers) Hall of Fame Induction. For more information regarding the 2016 Induction Weekend/Celebration -- also featuring Eric Lindros and Sergei Makarov -- visit hhof.com.
One of hockey's great goaltenders during his illustrious 16-year NHL career, Vachon became the first player to have his number retired by the Kings when he was honored on February 14, 1985. He spent seven seasons (1971-72 to 1977-78) with the Kings as a player, putting an indelible mark on the club's record book. He ranks second (to Jonathan Quick) all-time among Kings netminders in games played (389), wins (171) and shutouts (32). Perhaps his greatest season wearing the Forum purple and gold was 1974-75 as Vachon posted a 27-14-13 record (including six shutouts) and a 2.24 goals-against-average. The Hockey News rewarded Vachon by naming him the NHL Player of the Year. After Vachon ended his playing career during the 1981-82 season he returned to the Kings as an Assistant Coach. On January 30, 1984, Vachon was named General Manager of the Kings, a post he held for eight-plus seasons.
Among Vachon's many highlights (as compiled by the HHOF):
· Born on September 8, 1945 in Palmarolle, Quebec
· Played one season with Montreal Notre Dame de Grace Monarchs (1963-64)
· Played two seasons with Montreal Jr. Canadiens of OHA Junior 'A' (1963-65)
· Played two seasons with Thetford Mines Aces of QJHL (1964-66)
· Named to the QJHL 1st All-Star Team in 1965-66
· Played one season with the Quebec Aces of AHL (1965-66)
· Played one season with the Houston Apollos of CPHL (1966-67)
· First joined the Montreal Canadiens during 1966-67 & played six seasons (1966-71)
· Won three Stanley Cup Championships with Montreal Canadiens (1968, 1969, 1971)
· Shared Vezina Trophy with Gump Worsley in 1968
· Traded to Los Angeles Kings on November 4, 1971 & played seven seasons (1971-78)
· Named Los Angeles Kings' Inspirational Player of Year in 1973
· Runner-up for the Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL MVP in 1975
· Named Los Angeles Kings' Most Popular Player in 1977
· Named Los Angeles Kings' Most Valuable Player four times in eight seasons
· Set eight different Los Angeles Kings team records, including wins (171), shutouts (32) & lowest goals against average in one season (2.24)
· Played in three NHL All-Star Games (1973, 1975 1978)
· Named an NHL 2nd Team All-Star two times (1975, 1977)
· Signed as free agent & played two seasons with Detroit Red Wings (1978-80)
· Became only the 8th goaltender in NHL History to record 300 wins on November 16, 1979
· Traded to the Boston Bruins on July 15, 1980 & played two seasons (1980-82)
· Retired following the 1981-82 season at age 36
· Seventeenth all-time among goaltenders in NHL History with 355 wins
· One of only a few goalies to never allow a goal on a penalty shot
· Recorded career NHL regular season totals of 795 GP, 355-291-127, 51 SO, 2.99 GAA
· Recorded career NHL playoff totals of 48 GP, 23-23, 2 SO, 2.77 GAA
· Member of Team Canada, winning the 1976 Canada Cup
· Named Most Valuable Player & Tournament All-Star of 1976 Canada Cup
· Recorded career Canada Cup totals of 7 GP, 6-0-1, 2 SO, 1.39 GAA
· Goaltending Coach of Los Angeles Kings for two seasons (1982-84)
· General Manager of Los Angeles Kings for ten seasons (1984-93)
· Returned as Los Angeles Kings Executive after retiring as GM
· Served as Interim Head Coach of Los Angeles Kings three times (10 games)
· Number '30' officially retired by the Los Angeles Kings in 1985 - the first jersey number to be retired by the club
· Inducted into the Los Angeles Kings Hall of Fame in 1985
Vachon will be honored at STAPLES Center before the Kings-New Jersey game on November 19. Fans in attendance will receive a Rogie Vachon Collectible Figurine Giveaway presented by Mercury Insurance. O'Neill will be recognized during the Kings-Edmonton game on November 17, the club's next home game.
