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U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2011 Inducted

By U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, 12/12/11, 8:15AM MST

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The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2011 -- Chris Chelios, Mike Emrick, Ed Snider, Gary Suter and Keith Tkachuk -- was formally enshrined at an induction ceremony and dinner on Monday in Chicago. Nearly 500 people were on hand for the night's celebration. Photos  [2011 slide 1] The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2011 -- Chris Chelios, Mike Emrick, Ed Snider, Gary Suter and Keith Tkachuk -- was formally enshrined at an induction ceremony and dinner on Monday in Chicago. Nearly 500 people were on hand for the night's celebration.

CHICAGO, Ill. - The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2011 -- Chris Chelios, Mike Emrick, Ed Snider, Gary Suter and Keith Tkachuk -- was formally enshrined here tonight at an induction ceremony and dinner. Nearly 500 people were on hand for the night's celebration.

"What a class this is," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "It represents a terrific cross section of accomplishment in American hockey."

Quotes from the ceremony 

"I've always said that from the 30 years I've played the most enjoyment I've had is seeing my friends and family and going on these trips," said Chelios.

"I thank my wife Joyce for all of those years of loyalty and watching lots of hockey games," said Emrick.

"It's a real honor to be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame," said Snider. "I entered the league in 1966 when we were awarded the franchise (Philadelphia Flyers). The Hockey News voted us the least likely to suceed. I am really glad they were wrong."

"I'm proud to be part of an American hockey generation that went from being happy keeping scores close against top teams in the world, to being one of the best teams in the world," said Suter.

"I want to thank everyone for giving me and my family an experience this evening that I will treasure for the rest of my life," said Tkachuk. "It's now time to serve. I coach my sons."

Quotes from hockey dignitaries in attendance

"Hockey, at the grass roots level, helps develop enduring commitment and character, discipline, teamwork and all the things that are so good about our game. These are the attributes that are in abundance here tonight by the people being inducted ," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

"(Chris Chelios) has been an incredible player for our team and our league for a long, long time," said Ken Holland, general manager of the Detroit Red Wings. "He's a tremendous teammate and a great hockey player."

NOTES: With the Class of 2011, there are now 153 enshrined members in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame ... Steve Levy, longtime ESPN SportsCenter anchor and hockey broadcaster, served as the evening's Master of Ceremonies ... Since USA Hockey assumed responsibility for the event in 2007, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner has been held in Grand Forks, N.D. (2007), Denver (2008), Boston (2009) and Buffalo (2010) ... The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame was founded in 1973.