It was the eve of the 41st anniversary of Ken Holland鈥檚 first NHL game Monday, Nov. 15.

Holland, from Vernon, told the capacity crowd at the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Toronto how he played goalie for the now-defunct Hartford Whalers Nov. 16, 1980 and how, at age 25, he felt like he had finally made it.

鈥淚 was in goal for Hartford against the New York Rangers in Madison Square Gardens, I was 25, the opportunity of a lifetime,鈥� said Holland, who turned 66 on Nov. 10. 鈥淎fter the first period, I felt, 鈥業鈥檓 here to stay.鈥� The second period, I gave up five goals, down 6-1 going into the third period and I鈥檓 sitting in the intermission thinking to myself, 鈥楰en, you鈥檙e never going to be in the National Hockey League ever again.鈥欌��

Holland did play three more games in the NHL with Hartford and the Detroit Red Wings. He went on to become one of hockey鈥檚 keenest executives, starting as a scout with Detroit then helping the Red Wings win four Stanley Cups as assistant general manager and team GM, and was part of the executive for Team Canada鈥檚 gold-medal victory at the 2010 Olympics in Holland鈥檚 home province of B.C.

On Monday, Holland 鈥� the current president of the NHL鈥檚 Edmonton Oilers 鈥� became an official member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, inducted as part of the class of 2020-21 with former players Kevin Lowe, Doug Wilson, Marian Hossa and Jarome Iginla, and former Team Canada women鈥檚 star goalie Kim St-Pierre. He was presented his Hall of Fame plaque by former Detroit captain Steve Yzerman.

鈥淲hat an honour to be presented my plaque by Stevie,鈥� said Holland. 鈥淗e and I were together with the Red Wings for 26 years.鈥�

He also credited former Red Wings boss Jim Devallano for kick-starting his post-playing career. Had he listened to his late mom, Lee, Holland would have sold vacuum cleaners for a living.

鈥淛immy D promoted me to chief amateur scout, then eventually to assistant general manager for three years,鈥� said Holland. 鈥淚 was working with Jimmy D and Scotty Bowman. That was like going to the Harvard of hockey for me. I learned so much in those three years about team building, dealing with players, making trades, negotiating contracts.

鈥楯immy D was my mentor. He believed in me, he guided me and taught me the business of pro hockey.鈥�

Holland grew up on 23rd Street of Vernon鈥檚 East Hill. He began skating at age six and put on his first pair of goalie pads two years later. Fresh on his mind as he was inducted were his late parents, Rienie and Lee.

鈥淥ur parents taught us the importance of work ethic, sacrifice, treating people with respect as that鈥檚 how they lived their lives. They鈥檙e both gone but with me tonight,鈥� said Holland, grateful for the love and support he鈥檚 received all his life from younger siblings Diane and Dennis who were in attendance in Toronto.

Joining Holland at the ceremony was his wife Cindi and four kids, Brad, Julie, Rachel and Greg.

鈥淢y wife is the rock and foundation of our family,鈥� said Holland. 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly blessed to have you at my side. Words cannot express how important you are to me.鈥�

roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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