By Randy Schultz; Photos by Janet Schultz©
The 11th Annual Howell Motors Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held on Saturday, May 2 at the Cornerstone Arena in Lockport.
Three contributors, two coaches, six players and one team of distinction were inducted.
Mike Landers, chairman of the Howell Motors Hockey Hall of Fame, opened the ceremony with a welcoming to the crowd on hand. Hockey writer Randy Schultz was the Master of Ceremony.
Guest speaker at the ceremony was Sean McCrossan, who has had a variety of hockey-related experiences throughout his life. For over five decades McCrossan has been involved in different aspects of hockey from the collegiate level all the way to the NHL.
The first inductee in the contributor category was the Lockport Amateur Hockey Association. Formed in the latter stages of 1962, LAHA finally got officially off the ground in early January of 1963.
The league was originally formed for boys ages nine to 16 and would be made up of six teams. All games were scheduled to be played at Lockport’s Dolan Park Rink. The LAHA is the foundation on which today’s youth hockey in Lockport has been built upon.
Next on contributors was Jennifer and Larry Wallworth. They were recognized for their contributions to amateur hockey in Lockport.
Next up for contributors was Chris Rechin. Rechin has been involved in hockey for many years in the Niagara County area. He has been a coach, and in 1998 formed the Niagara County Coyotes Girls Hockey Program.
He owns and operates C&T Hockey Products in Sanborn. He has always taken care of the hockey community by donating his time, money and equipment to different hockey organizations in the area.
Next was the Coaches category with Brenton Granville being the first recognized. Coaching since 2020, Granville is a second generation hockey coach who was strongly influenced by his dad’s (Norman) coaching. He currently coaches in the Lockport Lock Monsters organization.
The second coach honored was Jim Neidrauer, who has coached youth hockey with several organizations in Western New York. He also coached the Lockport High School JV team and since the opening of the Cornerstone Arena over a decade ago has filled in when needed in different coaching positions for the Lockport Lock Monsters.
The next group to be honored were the players. The first honoree, Tom Hayden was presented and introduced by Joel Darling, executive producer for Hockey Night In Canada as well as a member of the Howell Motors Hockey Hall of Fame.
Hayden, a native of Lockport, began playing organized hockey at the age of nine. And he has been playing continually every since.
Although he lives in Albany, Hayden returns to Lockport frequently and plays in the over 60 age division hockey tournaments.
Next former player was Andy Currie. He played in three consecutive New York State High School Championship teams at Lockport High School in 1987, 1988 and 1989.
Looking back on his hockey life, Currie admits growing up in Lockport and the large hockey community it provided was like a dream for him.
Next was the late Mark Kilroy. His wife, Brooke, accepted in his honor. The former defenseman was not only remembered for his skill, but his character which included his infectious laugh, humor and his genuine care for those around him.
Next up was Chris Szczepanski, who was a goalie all his playing career. He got his dream come true when he made the Lockport High School hockey team. He was their starting netminder in his junior and senior seasons.
Unable to attend because of a prior commitment, Chris was represented by John Bernardi, another member of the Howell Motors Hockey Hall of Fame.
Mike Urtel was the next former player inducted. Unable to attend the ceremony, Mike was represented by his father, Don, another member of the Howell Motors Hockey Hall of Fame.
Now living in Orange County, California, Mike’s hockey career has stretched from his playing days at Lockport’s Kenan Arena to championship stages across North America hockey was woven itself into the fabric of Mike’s life for as long as he can remember. His contributions as a player, captain, coach, founder and father reflects a lifelong dedication to the game and to the communities it brings together.
The final player honored was Brian McEachon. Born and raised in Lockport, Brian played a great deal of hockey in his early years including the Lockport Tigers and Wheatfield Blades.
He would later play in the men’s leagues at Hockey Outlet, Niagara University, Northtown Arena and Cornerstone Arena.
In the final presentation of the evening, The Team of Distinction honored was the 1987-88 Lockport High School Hockey team. From the opening face-off of that campaign it was clear that the Lions Gold wee something special.
Their final record, 39 wins, 0 losses and a single tie, stands as a testament not only to their individual talent, but to their unity, discipline, and relentless will to compete.
All the players in attendance who played on that team, came forward to be recognized for the team’s accomplishments that season.