BY: Kelly Masse, Hockey Hall of Fame
TORONTO (November 19, 2019) – Lanny McDonald, Chairman of the Board of the Hockey Hall of Fame, announced today new appointments to the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee and Board of Directors as confirmed at the Directors’ meeting held yesterday in Toronto.
Mike Murphy will join the eighteen-member Selection Committee commencing with the 2020 nomination and election proceedings (replacing Colin Campbell who served his full term limit of 15 years) and Jason Farris will join the Board of Directors effective December 1, 2019 (replacing Murray Costello who is retiring from the Board after 39 years of service, the longest of any member of the Board, Selection Committee or staff).
Murphy played professional hockey in the National Hockey League for 13 years for the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings and has been Assistant and Head Coach in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers. He is presently the NHL’s Senior Vice President, Hockey Operations and as head of the “Situation Room” he has virtually watched every game every night for the past twenty years.
Farris served for seven seasons as Executive Vice-President (in dual roles as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer) for Dallas Sports & Entertainment LP and Alternate Governor for the Dallas Stars until August 2018. Prior to his tenure with the Stars’ organization, Farris held executive positions in the financial services and software industries. He also founded circa Now Media and under that label has authored and published five hockey books, including his most recent title “It Takes 23 To Win: Building and Being Part of Great Hockey Teams” released in October 2019.
“On top of his extensive playing and coaching experience, Mike has probably watched more NHL hockey than any other person in the world in his role as a League administrator which will certainly benefit the Selection Committee’s deliberations in recognition of excellence, and to complement the Board, Jason brings a depth of business expertise and passion for hockey to assist the Hall in its continued growth and development”, said McDonald. “I am very pleased to welcome Mike and Jason to the organization and at the same time express our appreciation and gratitude to Colie and Murray for their long-time distinguished service and outstanding contributions.”
In addition to these new appointments, Stewart Johnston was appointed to the office of Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Bob Clarke, John Davidson, Igor Larionov, David Poile and Luc Robitaille were re-appointed to the Selection Committee each for a further three-year term expiring December 31, 2022.
The Selection Committee will meet on June 16 & 17, 2020 to consider duly nominated candidates for election into Honored Membership. The announcement of the new inductees will be made on June 17, 2020 and the annual Induction Celebration will be held on Monday, November 16, 2020.
