It was an exciting evening for hockey fans in Humboldt.
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League held its Hall of Fame Induction banquet at Jubilee Hall in Humboldt on November 27.
About 200 people came out to see the festivities.
"It is a real honour for our team and community (to host this event)," said Humboldt Mayor Malcolm Eaton at the banquet.
The 2010 inductees to the Hall of Fame were NHL great Glenn Hall, referee Mick McGeough, builders Dr. Terry Henning and Dr. Gerry Rooney, player Bill McDougall and the 2002-03 Humboldt Broncos, who won the RBC Cup. All the inductees spent some time in Humboldt, through different roles in the SJHL.
McGeough, a former SJHL referee, was the first inductee to be presented with his award.
He may have started out an a linesman in the SJHL, but he soon moved up to referee at the NHL level.
McGeough was proud to be included with this year's Hall of Fame inductees.
"This doesn't happen very often," said McGeough about a referee being inducted into a Hall of Fame.
Frequently referees are not respected by the players, but this was not the case with McGeough.
Although many people made jokes at his expense, they all had great respect for him as a referee.
"(He) is one of the most respected refs... it's a pleasure being here with you tonight," said fellow inductee Bill McDougall.
McGeough has many great memories of refereeing.
"I thought about telling stories - I had so much fun, it's hard to pick one thing out," said McGeough.
Although he is retired from refereeing, his passion for hockey is still evident.
"The mind says I'd love to (still referee), but the body says no," said McGeough.
He still works in the NHL, but in a different capacity.
Inductees Rooney and Henning were both crucial to the development of the Humboldt Broncos back in the 1970s.
Rooney came to Humboldt in the late 1950s to practice optometry. He was asked to help start a Junior "A" franchise in 1970.
Although the team started with a donated $3,000 and second-hand sweaters, the Broncos soon proved they were a great team.
Throughout his time as general manager of the Humboldt Broncos, Rooney helped shape the SJHL into what it is today, bringing about many changes to the rules and regulations of the league.
He and his family were so dedicated to the Broncos, his wife used to wash the teams' jerseys at their home.
"If it weren't for the total dedication (of my family), I would not be standing here," said Rooney.
A few years after the team started, Henning was asked to coach the team and led them through some great, and some controversial years.
Both men have great memories of their time coaching together.
"(Rooney) was a great friend... he was always there to keep me on the straight and narrow," said Henning.
Coaching was an important part of Henning's life and "it wasn't just about hockey,"for him, he said - it was about helping young people become better athletes and individuals.
"Never give up on kids... they will always give something back," said Henning.
Although both Rooney and Henning moved away from Humboldt over a decade ago, the city still holds a special place in their hearts.
"It's been a thrill to be back and to see a number of people," said Henning. "I haven't been back in 11 years, which is 11 years too long."
The honour of being inducted into the Hall of Fame didn't affect Rooney until he was at the event.
"As the evening went on, I came to realize just what this thing means," said Rooney.
He was proud to have once been the general manager of the team that has lasted so long.
"Forty years in the lifetime of a franchise... is a long time," said Rooney.
They both felt very honoured to be included in the 2010 inductees.
"I'm very proud of the fact that I was asked to come back to Humboldt," said Henning.
Although inductee Bill McDougall only played one season in the SJHL for the Broncos, he made that season count. He was the top scorer of the season and helped the team make it to the Centennial Cup finals. The team lost that final game, and it's something McDougall admits still haunts him today.
McDougall later went on to play for the Edmonton Oilers and eventually played hockey internationally in Europe.
McDougall remembers when he first came to Humboldt in 1986.
"It was a totally different atmosphere than Toronto," said McDougall.
"Everybody was very friendly (and I) noticed the passion the town had for the team."
Although he has had an outstanding career, McDougall was still a little shocked about being inducted into the SJHL Hall of Fame.
"It's such an honour to be here... I still can't believe it," said McDougall.
The 2002-03 Broncos were inducted into the Hall of Fame for their extraordinary season which ended in the franchise's first ever national championship.
Dean Brockman, the current head coach and general manager of the team and the assistant coach and general manager of the 2002-03 team, said although they lost the bid to host the RBC Cup that year, they proved their worth by winning it instead.
"It was unbelievable... it will last a lifetime for me," said Brockman.
"We wanted to win for everyone else, but most importantly, we wanted to win for Elgar (Petersen)," said Brockman.
"His 40 years of dedication is why we are here today... he is the reason the 2002-03 Broncos team was inducted into the Hall of Fame."
The star of the evening was Mr. Goalie, Glenn Hall. Everyone had wonderful things to say about Hall and the other inductees were proud to be included in the Hall of Fame induction with him.
"I'm embarrassed by all the kind words everyone (has said about me)," said the always-modest Hall.
"(And) I am impressed by all the gentlemen before me."
Humboldt is Hall's hometown and he was glad to be back for the weekend.
Playing with the Humboldt Indians gave him many opportunities and great memories.
"The SJHL gave me the chance to get a foot in the door," said Hall.
Hall, nicknamed Mr. Goalie, went on to play in the NHL until he retired in 1971. His record of playing 502 straight NHL games still stands today.
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