The Alaska Aces, who have won three ECHL crowns in 11 seasons on that minor-league circuit, today announced they will unveil the opening of a club Hall of Fame later this season.
Former players, coaches and others -- that's fans and staff, judging from the news release -- will be eligible to be honored.
It's a little provincial for my taste, frankly -- honorees will be nominated by season ticket-holders. I get that the Aces want to give dedicated long-time fans -- the people who buy season tickets and generate a lot of the club's revenue -- a nod for their ample support of the club. But limiting nominations to only season ticket-holders seems, well, limiting. Ownership, or whoever it hands the job to, will decide who makes the cut. Season ticket-holders have until the end of the calendar year to submit nominations.
All in all, though, pretty good idea. Yeah, it's only been 11 seasons for the club, but it has been a remarkable 11 seasons -- the Aces began this season with the highest winning percentage in league history and, remember, the current ownership took a franchise that was in bankruptcy and, in short order, turned it into not just a winner, but a viable, vibrant business. That's no small thing. And there should be no shortage of worthy nominees. Man, straight up, Gerald Coleman is an obvious pick -- back-stopped the club to two of its three Kelly Cups. Alas, a player must be retired for at least two seasons to make the cut, and this is Gerald's first season of retirement. Not to worry -- he's gonna be in the Hall of Fame the moment he's eligible.
The inaugural class will be inducted in a pregame ceremony during the Feb. 20-21 series against the Utah Grizzlies.
No word on where the actual Hall of Fame will call home -- whether there will be some area inside Sullivan Arena that recognizes inductees or if there will be something at the club's offices, or just what.
In any event, there are several criteria for nominations, and those criteria can be checked out here: http://bit.ly/11WnJXD.