U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2009 Unveiled

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The 1998 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, Tony Amonte, Tom Barrasso, John LeClair and Frank Zamboni will be enshrined into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame as the Class of 2009, it was announced today by USA Hockey.

“This is a truly magnificent class,” said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey. “Each member of the Class of 2009 has had an extraordinary impact on our sport and is most deserving to take their place among the hockey immortals in the United States.”

The 1998 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team had a powerful impact on the growth of girls’ and women’s hockey in the United States thanks to the success it enjoyed at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. The team twice defeated arch-rival Canada, including by a 3-1 count in the gold-medal game, en route to winning the first gold medal presented in women’s ice hockey at an Olympic Winter Games. Behind the guidance of Head Coach Ben Smith, Team USA finished the tournament undefeated (6-0-0) and outscored its opponents, 36-8.