The Hockey Maven speaks firsthand because I experienced those emotions on December 9, 2021, at my induction ceremony in Denver.

Congratulations to the 2023 Class of USA Hockey Hall of Fame!

Hail to the inductees. Congratulations...

To Dustin Brown

To Brian Burke

To Jamie Langenbrunner.

To Brian Murphy.

To Katie King Crowley.

I know how honored and pleased you are to enter America's Pantheon of Hockey -- The U.S.A Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Hockey Maven speaks firsthand because I experienced those emotions on December 9, 2021, at my induction ceremony in Denver.

Accompanying me were Dean Blais, Jenny Potter, Paul Holmgren, Lynn Olson, Jack Barzee, Jerry York, and my pal and broadcaster, the late Peter McNab.
That trip to The Mile High City was one of the high points of my life. And added to the joy was the fact that my older son, Ben, his wife, Kine, and my grandsons, Ezra and Niko, also attended.

As an added fillip, numerous friends jetted to Denver. Having pals such as David Kolb, Eli Polatoff and, Jessica Berman, Frank Brown-- among many others -- was icing on my cake.

That helps explain how tickled I am with the present slate; some of whom I've had many personal dealings.

READ MORE: Ralph Macchio on Being a Lifelong Islanders Fan

I've known Brian Burke in many of his hockey capacities, but especially when he was general manager of the Hartford Whalers. This was the summer of 1993, and my younger son, Simon -- then 15 -- was dying of cardiomyopathy, and heart failure, in Manhattan's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

Dear heart that he was -- and still is -- Brian dispatched goalie Sean Burke and defenseman Jim McKenzie all the way from Connecticut to give Simon a lift. And a lift it was because Simon eventually received a heart transplant and now is a father of three, married, and living in Israel.

My affection for Jamie Langenbrunner also is personal. As a Madison Square Garden Networks Broadcaster, I covered the New Jersey Devils during Jamie's superior years as a leader of a marvelous hockey club, but especially the 2003 Stanley Cup winners.

Time and again, Jamie dazzled me with his on-ice performances while also being a cooperative interview both post-game as well as after morning skates when we media types relished the cooperation of players such as Langenbrunner.

One who appreciated Jamie as much as The Maven was -- and is -- MSG Networks tech genius Leo Scaglione, Jr. Remembering the 2003 Cup triumph and Langenbrunner's role, Leo put it this way:

"We often say that Martin Brodeur should have won the Conn Smythe Trophy when the Devils won their third Cup in 2003. Three shutouts in the Final vs. Anaheim, including a donut in Game Seven. It's hard to argue with that one. However, Jamie was just as deserving. He was a clutch and prolific scorer throughout that playoff run, all the while never sacrificing the defensive side of his game.

"His two goals in Game Seven of the Eastern Final at Ottawa are almost an afterthought with Jeff Friesen's late winner seizing the headlines. But without Jamie, there's no Jeff. Jamie was passionate and exactly what the Devils needed at the time. He was soft-spoken, but one never could question his passion for winning."

Then, as an added fillip, Leo offers a Fun Fact:

"Jamie scored the last Devils game-winning goal at Continental Airlines Arena with his double-overtime tally in Game Two of the second round vs. Ottawa in 2007."