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