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Quotes From 2015 Induction Ceremony

By Harry ThompsonEditor, USA Hockey Magazine, 12/17/15, 10:00PM MST

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Read what the stars of the show said in Boston.

Highlights from the speeches given by the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2015 along with recipients of the NHL's Lester Patrick Award and the Wayne Gretzky International Award.

"I stand before you tonight because of the work and effort of so many others who cared."

"Hockey is stronger when we work together for common goals."

-- Ron DeGregorio, USA Hockey co-chairman of the board

“When you look at all the players who are in the Hall that I looked up to and tried to emulate, players like [Chris] Chelios, [Bill] Guerin, [Keith] Tkachuk, [Brian] Leetch and [Tony] Amonte, and now to be in the Hall with them, I’m certainly grateful."

"I don't think I could ever pinpoint one favorite moment from my career. I was so fortunate to play on a lot of great teams and have a lot of great teammates. But winning four Beanpots I always thought was pretty cool and pretty unique."

-- Chris Drury, who won an NCAA title in 1995 and the Hobey Baker Award in 1998 at Boston University

"The USA jersey was my life for 15 years, and I'm honored to have worn it more than anyone else."

"I always knew that hockey was the center of my universe. It gave me a sense of purpose and taught me about myself.

-- Angela Ruggiero, four-time U.S. Olympian

"When I was a kid at Mount Saint Charles we'd skate for six or seven hours a day in the summer. Kids today can't do that because things are too structured and regiments. I think USA Hockey is trying to right some of the wrongs with the ADM."

"From the day we stepped on the ice in Providence we all felt like we were a team of destiny. It was a great group of guys and we all felt like we were doing something important."

-- Mathieu Schneider, a member of the 1996 World Cup of Hockey team

"The first time I went to the open air rink I asked the manager, 'What does a fellow have to do to skate here?' He said, 'Bring a nickel and bring yourself.' I said, 'I don't have a nickel.' So he said I could come down after school and shovel snow and I could skate as long as I wanted. After a year of doing that every night I'd pray, 'Dear Lord, please make it stop snowing.'"

-- Emile Francis, winner of the Wayne Gretzky International Award

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