Five new inductees will join the United States Hockey Hall of Fame as members of the class of 2022 this November. USA Hockey announced the cohort including Olympic gold medallists Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, paralympic star Steve Cash, NHL veteran Ryan Miller, and long-time USA Hockey executive and Olympian Jim Johannson.
“These five individuals have had a tremendously positive impact on hockey in America,” said Mike Trimboli, president of USA Hockey in a US Hockey Hall of Fame news release. “They have all made countless contributions to the game throughout their impressive careers and their impact will be felt for years to come.”
Johannson, who passed away unexpectedly in 2018 at age 53, was represented by his widow Abby Johannson at the announcement.
“I’m so proud of JJ and know he’d be so honored by his induction,” she said. “JJ was always a really great person…and had such a wonderful impact on so many.”
Dave Fischer, USA Hockey’s director of communications said Johannson’s “impact is still felt today” while touting Johannson’s career, a tenure which saw USA Hockey win 64 medals in major international competitions.
Had Fischer lived to see the 2018 Winter Olympics, his medal count would have grown again, including USA’s women’s team winning gold. It was a team that included sisters, and fellow US Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2022 inductees Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando.
While the Lamoureux sisters both acknowledged the honor of being inducted and representing USA while winning Olympic gold and six World Championship gold medals, the duo stated they were more satisfied being remembered as a part of great teams and for the impact those teams had on women’s hockey.
“We were fortunate to wear the red, white, and blue for many years,” said Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson. “What I’m most proud of is the teams I was a part of, the great teams I was a part of. It is not just the medals we won, but the change we made for women’s hockey.”
Her sister Monique echoed that sentiment calling the induction “truly an honor, but it’s really a reflection of all the people we had around us. To know how much the women’s game has elevated since we started…to hopefully have been a part of that push is really special.”
Steve Cash’s induction to the US Hockey Hall of Fame was historic in nature as he represents the first paralympic athlete to earn the honor. Dreaming of becoming a professional hockey player, Cash, who backstopped USA to four paralympic medals, didn’t even know what sled hockey was growing up, but now can’t imagine life without the sport.
“It exceeds my wildest dreams,” he said of his historic induction. “I can’t imagine what my life would be like without hockey, without sled hockey.”
The final inductee, goaltender Ryan Miller spent 19 seasons in the NHL and won the 2010 Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender. Miller also won an Olympic silver medal representing USA.
“I’m glad I could have my time with the national team and I cherish those moments,” Miller said recalling his chances to represent USA. While he spoke of his own experience, Miller also took the opportunity as the final inductee introduced to acknowledge the class he entered with, which included two women and for the first time, an athlete from USA’s paralympic team.
“I’m thankful I get to go in with such a unique, diverse and amazing class,” he said.
The US Hockey Hall of Fame will host their 50th-anniversary induction ceremony to enshrine the class of 2022 on Nov. 30 at RiverCentre in St. Paul, Minnesota.
