SPRINGFIELD, MA. — The American Hockey League on Thursday announced the 4 people selected for induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame as the Class of 2020.
Honored by the AHL Hall of Fame Selection Committee as the 15th group of enshrinees are Robbie Ftorek, Denis Hamel, Darren Haydar, and Fred Thurier.
“Since 1936, the history of the American Hockey League has been defined by the people who have helped build upon its foundation of excellence,” said David Andrews, AHL President and Chief Executive Officer. “Each of these four individuals performed at the highest levels throughout their careers, and the AHL Board of Governors unanimously endorses the Selection Committee’s recommendation for their induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame as the Class of 2020.”
The Class of 2020 will be honored as part of the festivities at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Ontario International Airport, hosted by the Ontario Reign. The American Hockey League Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2020.
Formed in 2006 to recognize, honor, and celebrate individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions in the American Hockey League, the AHL Hall of Fame is housed online at www.ahlhalloffame.com and is accessible to fans worldwide with the click of a mouse as part of the AHL Internet Network.
In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League serves as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives, broadcasters and staff of all 31 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 90 percent of NHL players each year are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent time in the AHL in their careers.
CLASS OF 2020: DENIS HAMEL
Denis Hamel was one of the American Hockey League’s most dangerous goal scorers over his 12 years on the circuit.
A native of Lachute, Quebec, Hamel broke into the pro ranks with the Rochester Americans in 1998 and helped the club reach back-to-back Calder Cup Finals, leading the team with 34 goals during the 1999-2000 season while also making the first of his three AHL All-Star Classic appearances.
Hamel also played 130 games with the Buffalo Sabres before signing with Ottawa in 2003, and his three years spent with the Binghamton Senators included a 91-point campaign in 2005-06 in which he also captured the Willie Marshall Award for leading the league with 56 goals.
NHL stints with Atlanta and Philadelphia followed before he returned to Binghamton in 2007; his first season back saw him selected to captain the Canadian AHL All-Star team at the event hosted by the Senators, and later earn the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award as AHL Man of the Year for his outstanding work in the Binghamton community.
Hamel completed his AHL tour with the Adirondack Phantoms, leading the team in goals in both 2010-11 and 2011-12.
Hamel ranks 11th in AHL history with 338 goals, topping the 20-goal mark in each of his last 10 seasons in the league, and totaled 651 points in 850 games.