The very first inductee of the SPHL Hall of Fame is Marc Siegel. The Commissoner and founder of the SPHL, was recognized for his hard work and commitment to the league. Siegel has lead the SPHL through stormy waters, General Manager resignations, team relocations and the most onimous four team expansion. Every piece of information that is diseminated through the SPHL is passed through him, and seems to get little reward for his duties. The induction of Marc Siegel is not only appropriate but deserving. Congratulations Marc!!

Marc continues to be active in the SHL since his induction, working as a player agent.

Rob Buisson joins the SPHL's Hall of Fame for his work throughout the SPHL and not exclusively for his team the Winnipeg Wildcats. Yes, his team was comptetive, but always fell short at times. No Rob Buisson's induction into the Hall was for what he did to improve the SPHL. His expertise was second to none in many fields and his experience imperative in the decisions made to bring the SPHL to the stable and enjoyable league it is today. Rob Buisson added to the SPHL with his legal expertise, his experience in the hockey world that grew to a respect for the individual around the SPHL community.

However, the number one reason was the manner in which he was able to show his point. He did it in a manner that was uplifting and enjoyable, in turn improving the SPHL with simply his presence every day he was involved. For that is primarily the reason that his fellow General Managers decided to return the favour and induct him into the SPHL Hall of Fame.

Rob made his return to the SHL in SPHL11, working as a player agent.

Mark Bylok is the most decorated participant (player or General Manager) to be inducted into the Hall. He has won four consecutive Siegel cups, 5 Harris titles, has had the best team in the regulart season, won the ATS award for General Manager of the year twice and has been a major influence in the developement and prosperity of the SPHL. Mark has alos won more games than any GM in SHL History. His records and accomplishements will, no doubt, stand the test of time. Congratulations to Mark Bylok he has placed himself amongst the all time best of the SPHL.

What does it take to be considered an SPHL Hall of Fame General Manager? Well if you can match the credentials of one Nick Lemieux than your a heck of a general manager. Nick Lemieux joined the SPHL as a relative unknown and took over, at the time, a Gator team in shambles. He was given no help from the league and slowly rebuilt the team into the best team in the SPHL. He knocked off the Wolves dynasty after they had won four consecutive SPHL titles. He later made the Gators into one of the strongest financial teams allowing him to go out and buy the missing pieces to the Gator puzzle, adding the likes of fellow HOFers Jon Rohloff and Richard Shmelik. His financial aptitude and trading prowess lead him to two championships in three seasons while having the best teams in the regular season in both the SPHL and SFHL two out of the last three years. Nick Lemieux's credentials are undeniably one of a hall of famer.

Games  Wins  Losses  Ties  Points  Win%  Titles    	
-----  ----  ------  ----  ------  ----  ------
672    366    243     63    795    .592    2

Mark Messier has the evidence to prove that he's worthy of joining the exclusive club of the SPHL Hall of Fame. Messier a long-time Ottawa Sniper has the true distinction of being the first SPHL player to be in the Hall of Fame. A worthy distinction considering that most players have been trying to catch up to the great center in most offensive catagories. His accomplishments are strong, his respect league wide: 2 MVP awards, multi 100 point seasons and a multi 50 goal scorer. Messier has been the benchmark for SPHL superstars, and now the logical extension developes as he becomes the benchmark for all future SPHL Hall of Famers.

For the first time in the history of the Hall of Fame a player has been inducted unanimously, Pat Lafontaine recieved all of a possible 20 votes to be inducted on his first attempt. Lafontaine made his career with the Ravens, with stops with the Tornadoes, Enforcers, and finally the Scorpions (now Spiders). But without question, his name became known with his first team the Houston Ravens. While with the Ravens, Lafontaine won a MVP award, had two 100 point seasons, and continues to lead the franchise with most points and goals. He ended his career with 700 points: 2nd in the SPHL all-time. Without question Pat Lafontaine had a hall of fame career, and will join his peers as the elite in the SPHL.

Ron Francis has finally recieved the recgonition that many in the SPHL believe he has deserved for a very long time. Francis, one of the first players to retire, retired with very strong numbers at the time, but the hands of time have reduced his numbers in comparison to other players that have enjoyed longer careers. However, the SPHL community have recognized that Francis's contributions while he played were worthy of the Hall of Fame. Francis had a ppg average of 1.09, and was considered in the company of other hall of famer's, Mark Messier and Pat Lafontiane. Comparisons were made numerous times to consider the strongest player and Francis was always amidst the three three players mentioned. Ron Francis played for the Ice Dogs, Penguins and Weasel Dogs (now Orcas)in his short career, and was a ground breaker in the financial framework of the SPHL signing the first 10 million dollar salary. It seems fitting to add Ron Francis to the Hall of Fame.

You may know Owen Nolan because if you were chearing for his team he won so many games for you, and if you were chearing against him then he broke your heart on so many occations. Owen Nolan has a number of great accomplishments in the SPHL: seven 30 goal seasons, 16th in all time assists and seventh in all-time points. But perhaps the most important stat of Nolan's career was the fact that when he retired he held the number one position for most game winning goals (53). So if he beat you in his career give Owen some credit and be happy to be there, at least it was a Hall Of Famer that did it. Now Owen Nolan is considered amongst the greatest players to ever play.

Games    Goals    Assists    Points      +/-      PPG
-------  -------  ---------  --------    -----    -----
 747      294       381       675        +182     0.90

One of the most elusive things for a player to obtain is consistency. Its so valuable that it can get you recognition of the highest order, and today we complement John Leclair for that very reason. John in his prime was a consistent performer that few have been able to match. John Leclair had 5 consecutive 30 goals seasons and 2 40 goal seasons in his career and finished 12th in overall scoring when he retired. A consistent warrrior that would never quit, and for that he has been recorgnized as a member of the Hall of Fame.

Games    Goals  Assists  Points  +/-   PPG
-----    -----  -------  ------  ----  -----
 742      299     299     598    +102  0.81

It seems that Peter Bondra only needed a change in scenery to take his game to the highest level. Bondra started his career out with Ravens where he played along side fellow Hall of Famer Pat Lafontaine. There, Bondra had strong seasons but was not given the credit he deserved. Once he was traded in a three way deal to the Gators, Bondra's career took off. It culminated in his first major award as MVP in SPHL10 and his second championship with the Gators. Bondra is an example of hard work and commitment to your team. He was the initial building block of what is now considered one of the best organizations in SPHL history.

Games  Goals  Assists  Points  +/-   PPG
-----  -----  -------  ------ -----  -----
 832    419     419     838   +197   1.03

When Jon Rohloff's career got started few new about him. He worked hard and as his career matured, his gamed got better and better. By the end of his career he became the highest scoring defencemen in SPHL history. Rohloff's career hit superstardome really when he joined his fellow inductees Peter Bondra and Nick Lemieux in Montreal. There he won two championships and showed that while his career started slow, he finished it on the ultimate high. He left a champion and the best defencemen of his time.

Games  Goals   Assists  Points    +/-    PPG
-----  ------  -------  ------   -----  ----
 809    128     538       666    +258   0.82

Around The SHL is the first publcation to be given this illustrous honour. ATS has been around the SPHL since its beginning, and over the seasons has become more than a mere publichation but has found itself a nitch in the fabric of the SPHL world. It has been a contributing factor in the development of the SPHL, constructing a character that many can use to familiarize themselves with the direction of the SPHL. The quality of ATS has always been a priority, and its philosophy to include all organizations that wish to pariticpate in its activites has been a major factor for its success. Around The SHL is no longer merely a publication, but it is now part of the Hall of Fame and recognized for its achievements and contributions to the betterment of the SPHL community. This Hall of Fame induction is a way for all to salute the ATS and its accomplishments.