Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award

The Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award is an accolade presented annually to a print newspaper columnist or reporter in recognition of their achievements covering the game of ice hockey.[1][2][3] The award is "to recognize distinguished members of the newspaper profession whose words have brought honor to journalism and to hockey."[1]

Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award
SportHockey
Awarded for"To recognize distinguished members of the newspaper profession whose words have brought honor to journalism and to hockey."
LocationHockey Hall of Fame
Presented byProfessional Hockey Writers' Association
History
First award1984
Most recentAl Morganti (2022)
WebsiteOfficial website

The Hockey Hall of Fame established the accolade in 1984 and named it after the Montreal-based Canadian newspaper sports journalist Elmer Ferguson.[2][3] Early in the year,[4] the recipient is chosen by a committee of members from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.[5] The winner receives the award from the Hockey Hall of Fame at a ceremony held at BCE Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[1][2] Each recipient receives a 12 by 12 feet (3.7 by 3.7 m) glass plaque that is put on display on two glass columns in the media section of the Hockey Hall of Fame.[6][7] The ceremony associated with the accolade takes place separately to the induction of players into the Hockey Hall of Fame as -- despite widespread confusion on the issue -- media honorees are not considered full inductees.[6][8]

During the 37 years the award has been active, there have been a total of 62 winners. The first 17 recipients -- Jacques Beauchamp, Jim Burchard, Red Burnett, Dink Carroll, Jim Coleman, Ted Damata, Marcel Desjardins, Jack Dulmage, Milt Dunnell, Ferguson, Tom Fitzgerald, Trent Frayne, Al Laney, Joe Nichols, Basil O'Meara, Jim Vipond and Lewis Walter -- were honored in 1984. At least two journalists were named winners each year until 1990. There was no winner in each of 1992, 1994, 1996 and 2021.[9][4]

Helene Elliott, a writer for the Los Angeles Times, became the first female recipient in 2005.[10][11] She was also the first woman to be honored in the media section of one of the Big Four team Sports Halls of Fame.[11] The award has been presented posthumously on eight occasions, seven of the initial 23 honourees over the first two classes (1984, 1985), and Dave Fay in 2007 (award ceremony held four months after his death). Journalists who have worked for the Toronto Star have been recognised seven times, followed by The Globe and Mail reporters with six and Le Journal de Montréal on five occasions.[9][4] Each of the 62 winners have been journalists from either Canada or the United States.[3]

Recipients edit

 
Red Burnett, the Toronto Star, reporter, was one of 17 inaugural winners in 1984
 
Red Fisher was one of six inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame when he was named an award recipient in 1985.
Key
Indicates posthumous award
Recipients of the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award[9][4]
Year Recipient Publication(s) Ref
1984 Jacques Beauchamp Montréal-Matin/Le Journal de Montréal [4]
Jim Burchard New York World-Telegram
Red Burnett Toronto Star
Dink Carroll Montreal Gazette
Jim Coleman Southam Newspapers
Ted Damata Chicago Tribune
Marcel Desjardins La Presse
Jack Dulmage Windsor Star
Milt Dunnell Toronto Star
Elmer Ferguson Montréal Herald/Montréal Star
Tom Fitzgerald The Boston Globe
Trent Frayne Toronto Telegram/The Globe and Mail/Toronto Sun
Al Laney New York Herald Tribune
Joe Nichols The New York Times
Basil O'Meara Montréal Star
Jim Vipond The Globe and Mail
Lewis Walter Detroit Times
1985 Charlie Barton Buffalo Courier-Express
Red Fisher Montréal Star/Montreal Gazette
George Gross Toronto Telegram/Toronto Sun
Zotique Lespérance Le Journal de Montréal/La Petit Journal
Charles Mayer Le Petit Journal/La Patrie
Andy O'Brien Weekend Magazine
1986 Dick Johnston The Buffalo News [12]
Leo Monahan Boston Daily Record/Record-American/Boston Herald American
Tim Moriarty UPI/Newsday
1987 Bill Brennan The Detroit News [13]
Rex MacLeod The Globe and Mail/Toronto Star
Ben Olan Associated Press
Francis Rosa The Boston Globe
1988 Jim Proudfoot Toronto Star [14]
Scott Young The Globe and Mail/Toronto Telegram
1989 Claude Larochelle Le Soleil [15]
Frank Orr Toronto Star [16]
1990 Bertrand Raymond Le Journal de Montréal [4]
1991 Hugh Delano New York Post [17]
1993 Al Strachan The Globe and Mail/Toronto Star [18]
1995 Jack Gatecliff St. Catharines Standard [4]
1997 Ken McKenzie The Hockey News
1998 Yvon Pedneault La Presse/Le Journal de Montréal
1999 Russ Conway The Eagle-Tribune [19]
2000 Jim Matheson Edmonton Journal [20]
2001 Eric Duhatschek Calgary Herald [21]
2002 Kevin Dupont The Boston Globe [22]
2003 Michael Farber Montreal Gazette/Sports Illustrated [23]
2004 Jim Kelley The Buffalo News [24]
2005 Helene Elliott Los Angeles Times [10]
2006 Scott Morrison Toronto Sun/Sportsnet [25]
2007 Dave Fay The Washington Times [26]
2008 Neil Stevens The Canadian Press [27]
2009 Dave Molinari Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [28]
2010 Marc de Foy Le Journal de Montréal/RueFrontenac.com [29]
2011 Terry Jones Edmonton Sun [30]
2012 Roy MacGregor The Globe and Mail/National Post/Ottawa Citizen/Toronto Star/Maclean's [31]
2013 Jay Greenberg Philadelphia Daily News [32]
2014 Kevin Allen USA Today [33]
2015 Bob McKenzie TSN/The Hockey News [34]
2016 Bob Verdi Chicago Tribune [35]
2017 Cam Cole Edmonton Journal/National Post/Vancouver Sun [36]
2018 Larry Brooks New York Post [37]
2019 Frank Brown Associated Press/New York Daily News [7]
2020 Tony Gallagher The Province [38]
2022 Al Morganti Philadelphia Inquirer, NBC Sports [39]

Statistics edit

Multiple award recipients by publication[9][4]
Name Awards
Toronto Star 7
The Globe and Mail 6
Le Journal de Montréal 5
Montreal Gazette 3
Montréal Star 3
The Boston Globe 3
Toronto Sun 3
Toronto Telegram 3
Associated Press 2
Chicago Tribune 2
Edmonton Journal 2
La Presse 2
National Post 2
New York Post 2
The Hockey News 2

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Afterberry, Tara; Sams, Amanda, eds. (2006). "Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award". Awards, honors & prizes: United States and Canada. Vol. 1 (25th ed.). Farmington Mills, Michigan: Thomson Gale. p. 536. ISBN 0-7876-7806-6. Retrieved May 29, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  2. ^ a b c Poulton, J. Alexander (2012). "Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award". Everything About Hockey. Canada: Overtime Books. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-897277-71-3. Retrieved May 29, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ a b c Carroll, M.R. (2001). "Journalism". In Eerkes-Medrano, John (ed.). The Concise Encyclopedia of Hockey. Vancouver, British Columbia: Greystone Books. p. 99. ISBN 1-55054-845-X. Retrieved May 29, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Elmer Ferguson Award". Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  5. ^ Hollander, Zander, ed. (1993). "Hockey Hall of Fame". The Complete Encyclopedia of Hockey (Fourth ed.). Detroit, Michigan: Visible Ink Press. p. 315. ISBN 0-8103-9419-7. Retrieved May 29, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ a b Elliott, Helene (November 9, 2009). "More from the center of the hockey universe on Hall of Fame day". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Rosen, Dan (November 13, 2019). "Brown thrilled to win Elmer Ferguson Award from Hockey Hall of Fame". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  8. ^ "Hockey Hall of Fame Announces Legends Classic Tour 2005 Featuring Canada Vs. Russia". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. September 7, 2005. Archived from the original on October 28, 2005. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  9. ^ a b c d "Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award". Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 8, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Hall needs woman's touch". Toronto Star. November 5, 2005. p. C03. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  11. ^ a b Howard, Johnette (November 12, 2005). "Around the horn". Newsday. Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  12. ^ "3 former writers named to Hockey's Hall of Fame". Houston Chronicle. July 22, 1986. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  13. ^ "Rosa, Wilson Elected". The Boston Globe. March 27, 1987. p. 48. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  14. ^ "Star columnist Jim Proudfoot enters Hockey Hall of Fame". Toronto Star. June 13, 1988. p. D3. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  15. ^ "Note". Calgary Herald. May 21, 1989. p. F4. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .
  16. ^ "Veteran Star writer Frank Orr named to Hockey Hall of Fame". Toronto Star. May 21, 1989. p. G4. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  17. ^ "Two honored". Ottawa Citizen. September 21, 1991. p. K3. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  18. ^ "Globe's Strachan in hall of fame". The Globe and Mail. April 3, 1993. p. A18. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via Gale In Context: Biography.
  19. ^ Arace, Michael (November 28, 1999). "Journalist's Revealing Series Writes Ticket Into Hall Conway's Work Exposed Eagleson, Modernized NHL". The Columbus Dispatch. p. 07E.
  20. ^ Spector, Mark (June 16, 2000). "Journal's Matheson makes Hall of Fame: Scribe honoured for 30 years of writing well about hockey, including Oilers' Stanley Cup years". Edmonton Journal. p. D1. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  21. ^ Richer, Shawna (May 29, 2001). "Hockey Hall of Fame honours Duhatschek". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  22. ^ Marrapese-Burrell, Nancy (June 16, 2002). "Hall Honor for Dupont". The Boston Globe. p. D15. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  23. ^ "Hall to honour journalists". National Post. May 29, 2003. p. S8. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  24. ^ Graham, Tim (November 9, 2004). "Kelley Joins Hockey's Best in Hall of Fame". The Buffalo News. p. D1.
  25. ^ Tait, Cam (May 26, 2006). "Morrison heads to Hall". Edmonton Journal. p. D4. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  26. ^ Vogel, Mike (November 13, 2007). "Fay Gets Ferguson Award From Hockey Hall". Washington Capitals. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  27. ^ "Retired Canadian Press reporter Stevens to be honoured by Hockey Hall of Fame". The Hockey News. The Canadian Press. May 29, 2008. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  28. ^ Kovacevic, Dejan (November 10, 2009). "Post-Gazette's Molinari enters Hockey Hall". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  29. ^ "Long-time hockey writer and broadcaster to receive Hall of Fame awards". The Hockey News. The Canadian Press. June 1, 2010. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  30. ^ Van Diest, Derek (November 15, 2011). "Hockey Hall of Fame induction ; Sherwood Park resident and Sun Media sports writer Terry Jones has been placed in the hall of fame after 40 years". Sherwood Park News. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  31. ^ "Hall of Fame Honoree". The Globe and Mail. June 9, 2012. p. S6. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  32. ^ Mastovich, Mike (November 26, 2013). "Johnstown native honored by Hall, releases book". The Tribune-Democrat. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  33. ^ Harris, Paul (June 25, 2014). "Michigan's Allen receives Hall of Fame writers' honor". Hockey Weekly. 40 (23): 5. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2014 – via ProQuest.
  34. ^ Dryden, Steve (June 4, 2015). "Bob McKenzie named Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award recipient". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  35. ^ Neveau, James (June 2, 2016). "Bob Verdi Named Elmer Ferguson Award Winner". WMAQ-TV. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  36. ^ Zeisberger, Mike (April 18, 2017). "Postmedia columnist going into hockey hall". Regina Leader-Post. p. C4. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via PressReader.
  37. ^ "Leafs broadcaster Bowen and hockey writer Brooks to be honoured by Hall". Brampton Guardian. The Canadian Press. June 5, 2018. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  38. ^ "Tony Gallagher Wins 2020 Elmer Ferguson Award". Professional Hockey Writers' Association. June 29, 2020. Archived from the original on August 25, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  39. ^ Hall, Jordan (June 15, 2022). "Humble and helpful, Morganti, Clement headed for Hockey Hall of Fame". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 2, 2022.

External links edit