Mike Gartner to replace Lanny McDonald as HHOF Chairman

Article content

A big change at the top is coming to the Hockey Hall of Fame. 

Article content

On Monday, the Hall announced chairman of the board Lanny McDonald will be replaced by Mike Garter at the end of McDonald’s 10-year term limit in June of 2025. Effective this Oct.1, Gartner will assume the role of chair-elect, in order to support the transition and serve on the search committee for the recruitment of a new president and CEO.

He has been chair of the Hall’s selection committee for the past three years after he joined that group in 2009.  

Gartner, who turns 65 next month, was Inducted into the Hall in 2001 after 19 seasons in the NHL accumulating 708 goals, 627 assists and 1,335 points. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 greatest NHL players in its 100-year history.  He also served as president of the NHL players association from 1996-98.

Article content

Article content

”I am thrilled to pass the torch to Mike, whose stature as an honoured member will bring continuity and strong leadership during this transitional period for the hall,” McDonald said in a release. “His experience and perspective in the business of hockey and longtime service on the selection committee will be a tremendous asset to the Board.” 

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

In paying tribute to McDonald, Gartner said “I look forward to continuing his excellent work carrying out the hall’s mission of both honouring individuals who have brought special distinction to the game while preserving and telling the story of hockey’s rich history.”

The hall is an immensely popular tourist attraction in Toronto and the annual November induction ceremony is a big deal. But Gartner will continue to encounter the same challenges that McDonald did as fans and media call for more transparency from the 18-member selection committee, whose secret-ballot process has led to both controversial picks and omissions through the years.

Article content

Both Gartner and McDonald played on the Maple Leafs during their career, McDonald later winning a Stanley Cup in Calgary. The 71-year-old McDonald survived a heart attack in February at Calgary’s airport after deplaning from a trip to Toronto for the NHL all-star game.

He was saved by two nurses and a policeman who happened to be in the area when he went into cardiac arrest. They began CPR, during which they had to break McDonald’s sternum.

McDonald would have died had the attack happened a few minutes earlier on the plane. He needed quadruple bypass surgery four days later and had a pacemaker put in. 

BOWMAN WON’T TRASH ARMSTRONG 

General manager Stan Bowman holds “no animosity” towards St. Louis counterpart Doug Armstrong after the latter submitted two offer sheets for Oilers restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway earlier this summer.

Article content

The cap-strapped Oilers didn‘t match the two-year deals for Broberg ($4.58 million US per year) and Holloway ($2.9 million). 

“I think things are fine,” Bowman told The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun. “I’ve known Doug a long time. He was trying to do what he could to make his team better. Once you get past the surprise of it all, you roll up your sleeves and get back to work. I don’t think there’s any value in holding a grudge. 

“You have to work with everybody in the league, even if you don’t like people, but that’s not the case with Doug, anyway. He’s a good person and I don’t have any animosity or issues with Doug.” 

NICK CAN’T NIX LEAFS

The Leafs are more than a week away from training camp and there continues to be many reported twists in the mindset of RFA Nick Robertson.

Article content

After word that the left winger would welcome a trade and much frustration at not getting more ice time last year to prove himself, now comes the realization he’s best off staying in Toronto under new coach Craig Berube. 

TSN’s Darren Dreger said Monday that during Berube’s summer discussions with all Leafs, he reiterated the opportunity awaiting Robertson if he comes to camp in a good frame of mind to win a spot on left wing behind Matthew Knies.

Robertson, who turns 23 on Wednesday, will be up against Bobby McMann, Max Domi (if he doesn‘t play centre), Pontus Holmberg, Connor Dewar and PTO Steven Lorentz, depending on what Berube and general manager Brad Treliving decide by the end of camp.  

“Berube has assured Robertson he’ll be given a chance,” Dreger reported. 

Article content

Robertson, who can’t be put on waivers, is said to have an interest in playing in the Western Conference, nearer to his family and brother Jason of the Dallas Stars, but also knows he doesn’t have a lot of leverage at present. Last year he stayed healthy, but played just 56 games and had 27 points.        

One rumour has the Leafs looking at offering 35-year-old left winger Max Pacioretty a PTO as well. 

ICE CHIPS 

While the Pittsburgh Penguins face uncertain times as they attempt to stave off a third straight year out of the playoffs, Sidney Crosby is easing fears he’s looking elsewhere to play after this season. During this week’s NHL media tour, he indicated a new deal is just a matter of time by the start of the regular season. “I’m pretty optimistic it’s going to get done. I don’t know what day specifically, but it’s been really positive. It hasn’t been a difficult process at all” … The Vegas Golden Knights held an outdoor hockey clinic and fan fest in Metepec, near Mexico City, on Sunday. Nearly 35% of the Vegas area population is Hispanic and there has been speculation the NHL will stage a game south of the U.S. border at some point, perhaps involving the Knights or even the Leafs, whose new captain, Auston Matthews, has a Mexican-born mother. The Arizona Coyotes were likely high on the list before moving to Utah … The summer renovations at Scotiabank Arena are on schedule and though they’ll continue into the regular season as previously announced, exhibition games and the Oct. 12 season opener are not affected … The Montreal Canadiens will unveil a bigger and better scoreboard this weekend at the Bell Centre when their rookies take on the Leafs in back-to-back games. At 2,900 square feet, the boxcar design will be enhanced by extra screens for fans at ice level, while the main board will have a resolution 2.5 times higher than its predecessor … The sports betting site PlayAlberta is the Oilers new sweater patch sponsor.    

[email protected] 

@sunhornby 

Article content