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2017 Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees

By Mass Hockey , 05/16/17, 11:15AM EDT

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Five new members being inducted into the Hall of Fame

Massachusetts Hockey is pleased to announce the five newest members of the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame. The 2017 class will be joining a roster of past and current hockey greats recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the sport of ice hockey in Massachusetts. The members being inducted include: Joe Bertagna (All-Around), Paul Hurley (Player), Shawn McEachern (Player), Bernie Michals (Builder) and Paul Vincent (Coach).

The ceremony and dinner will be held the evening of Saturday, June 17, 2017 at hotel1620 in Plymouth, Mass., in conjunction with of the Massachusetts Hockey Annual Meeting.

Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna is the longest serving hockey commissioner in the NCAA and has been working as a college administrator for over 35 years. While bringing an increased media attention to collegiate hockey in Massachusetts with numerous media contracts, he has brought together incredible high-profile events like the Friendship Four Tournament, Frozen Fenway and the Women’s Hockey East Championship. This Arlington native is the Executive Director of the American Coaches Association and serves on the Board of Directors for USA hockey and the Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation. Plus, there are countless amounts of players who have been inspired by his many on-ice teachings and hockey reading materials he has written like The Hockey Coaching Bible.

Paul Michael Hurley was an offensive and defensive stand-out as a professional and Olympic hockey player. As a Boston College senior in 1969 Hurley was selected to the All-American, All-East and All-New England teams. Paul grew up playing for Melrose High School and Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. Also, he is inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club and Melrose High School Hall of Fame.

Shawn McEachern is a former professional hockey player with the National Hockey League (NHL) and also a member of Team USA in the 1992 Olympics. He spent 13 years in the NHL, amassing 254 goals and 317 assists, and winning the Stanley Cup in 1992 as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. While attending Boston University he was a Hobey Baker finalist and an All-American, where he tallied 186 points in three seasons. Shawn is a native of Waltham and played his high school hockey at Matignon High School, where he led them to two State Championships. Now, he serves as Assistant Director of Athletics, Admissions Office and Varsity Boys Ice Hockey Coach at The Rivers School and a youth hockey coach with the Boston Jr. Eagles program. He has served as an assistant coach at University of Massachusetts Lowell, Northeastern, Salem State and with the East Coast Wizards.

Bernard Michals helped form Massachusetts Hockey into what it is today. He is one of the founders in establishing the then Amateur Hockey Association Commonwealth of Massachusetts and serving the role of first vice president. He has left a lasting impact as a coach and hockey administrator. One of his many accomplishments includes leading the charge to implement and certify the wearing of masks at all levels of youth hockey.

Coach Paul Vincent has spent over 35 years working with youth, collegiate and professional ice hockey players. Paul has won a Stanley Cup Championship with the Chicago Blackhawks; an NCAA National Championship with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI); a Prep School Championship with Cushing Academy; and a High School Championship with St. John’s Prep. He has developed high end players like Patrick Sharp, Dustin Byfuglien, Adam Oates and Keith Yandle. This native of Beverly, spent 10 years as the skating and skills coach with Boston College from 1981-1991 and from 1981-1986 served as a consultant for RPI. He has also worked in a consultant role with Harvard University, Northeastern University, Providence, Brown, Dartmouth and the University of Massachusetts. He has worked with teams in the NHL, the American Hockey League, ECHL, NCAA, and preparatory schools, including the Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils.

Also, the 2017 Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee class will include four posthumous members of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

John Garrison grew up playing in Newton, where he went on to play for Harvard University. Then, he won a Silver (1932) and Bronze (1936) medal for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey team. His approach to hockey brought him to being head coach of the 1948 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey team. He was inducted into the 1973 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Bruce Mather led Dartmouth College Men’s Ice Hockey during an unbeaten streak in the 1940’s, after growing up playing at Belmont High School. In 1948 he was the leading scorer for the U.S. Olympic team and played on the 1949 U.S. National team. He was inducted into the 1998 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Fred Moseley was a Noble and Greenough graduate, who went on to play as an All-American at Harvard and John Tudor Memorial Cup winner. He was inducted into the 1975 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Alfred “Ralph” Winsor was a former Harvard player and coach from Brookline. His coaching record from 1902-1917 included 124 wins and 29 losses. He was innovator, who took part in the development of modern hockey sticks and skates. Plus, he developed the art of back checking and system of paring defense together. He was inducted into the 1973 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Inductees over the past 50 years have helped position Massachusetts as a leader of hockey in the United States. The list is full of Olympic and Paralympic heroes, college and NHL stars, female pioneers, high school and college coaches, referees and media icons, as well as dedicated, behind-the-scenes grassroots builders who have spent time furthering the development of the game. Inductees are chosen on the basis of accomplishments in the game of hockey, sportsmanship, character and contributions to his or her teams and programs.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets to attend, the cost is $60 per ticket or $1000 for a table of 10 seats. Please reach out to Massachusetts Hockey at info@mahockey.org to purchase additional tickets or for additional information about the event.


Full Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee List

Complete list prior to this incoming 2017 class.


2017 Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees:



Joe Bertagna


Paul Hurley


Shawn McEachern


Bernard Michals


Paul Vincent


2017 Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame Posthumous Inductees:



John B. Garrison


Bruce Mather


Fred Moseley


Alfred "Ralph" Winsor