Maven's Memories: Celebrating John Tonelli at the NY Hockey Hall of Fame

To be honest with you, I don't make a habit of going around hugging hockey players.

But, on Sunday night -- at the Hilton Hotel in Troy, New York I made an exception to my long-standing rule.

I walked up to John Tonelli and -- instead of giving him a hearty handshake -- I hugged the husky Islanders icon as hard as I could.

"I've been waiting almost 40 years to do this," I told John, "and I think you know the reason why."

Well, one reason was that the Hamilton, Ontario native was being inducted into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame.

And the other reason was that The Maven was as well.

The way I figure it -- looking backward a couple of days -- this was as good a day-night as I've ever enjoyed in my life.

It wasn't just that Johnny T and I were being honored; it was more than that. Memories, that's what it was all about.

"People asked me what was the greatest thrill in hockey," Tonelli told the sold-out crowd. "It was the pass I made to Bobby Nystrom that enabled him to score the Cup-winning goal against Philadelphia.

"Mind you, it was our first of four in a row; but the fact that it was the first enabled us to go on to form the dynasty."

Not that I planned to top that, but I had to insert my favorites which included the two hard-fought goals John scored against Pittsburgh when the Isles looked like they were going to have the run-for-four torpedoed by a hot Pitt goalie named Michel Dion.

Oh, yeah, there were plenty more Tonelli heroics bruited about all night. I added the fact that in the 1984 legendary series with the Rangers, it was Tonelli who launched the series-winning goal along the left boards that eventually led to Ken Morrow's seeing eye shot that eluded goalie Glen Hanlon.

Just about any Tonelli goal was a product of perseverance and grim determination.

"I learned those work ethic traits from my father," J.T. recalled. "He worked in the Hamilton (Ontario) steel business and I could tell -- even as a kid - how much energy he put into his work."

John also learned from an uncle, Enio Sclicizzi, who was a Detroit Red Wings forward whose name also was shortened to Jim Enio for the reporters who wanted spellings made easy.

Tonelli: "Another guy who taught me a lot was Gordie Howe. Before I came to the Island, I played for the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. To be on the same team as Mister Hockey was a thrill and an education."

Among others who Johnny T lauded was his longtime teammate Nystrom.

"Bobby was as tough as they come," added Tonelli. "And whenever he'd see someone from the opposition try to mess with me, it was Ny who came to my rescue."

Tonelli couldn't summon enough laudable words for his Islanders coach Al (Radar) Arbour.

"Al was as good as a coach could be," John explained. "Every player -- not matter how superior he may have been -- was treated equally by Radar.

"And if we were on a winning streak, he'd get tough with us so that we didn't become cocky and lose our edge. If we were on a losing run, Al would loosen the reins and even kid around. You couldn't craft a better guy as a leader."

In his own tenacious way, Tonelli was a leader as well. He led by example whether he was on the first line -- with Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier -- or skating with Nystrom and Lorne Henning on the Cup-winning goal.

Former Kings ace, and award-winner, Dave Taylor, remembered when Tonelli was completing his career in Los Angeles.

"I remember," Taylor concluded, "that Johnny still had the goods. I don't remember anyone who ever played the boards -- and other aspects of the game -- better than Johnny!"

And, The Maven might add -- from personal experience -- that in my more than a half-century covering hockey -- there never was a more versatile player than our man John.

Which is just another reason why I gave Mister Tonelli one gigantic hug!