Petes Alumnus Colin Campbell Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
PHOTO: Dave Sanford/HHOF
On Monday, November 12, Peterborough Petes Alumnus Colin Campbell was officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Campbell joined Natalie Darwitz, Pavel Datsyuk, David Poile, Jeremy Roenick, Shea Weber, and Krissy Wendell as a part of the Class of 2024.
Playing three seasons with the Peterborough Petes from 1970-72, Campbell found great success in junior hockey, registering 95 points in 169 games played, being crowned an OHL champion in 1972.
Building on his achievements, Campbell was later selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round (27th overall) of the 1973 NHL Draft. Over 11 seasons from 1974-1985, Campbell appeared in 636 regular season games with the Penguins, Colorado Rockies, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings, tallying 128 points (25 goals, 103 assists) and 1,295 penalty minutes.
Following his retirement in 1985, Campbell became an assistant coach with the Red Wings, a stint that lasted until 1990. He then joined the Rangers as an associate coach for parts of three seasons — he was named coach of Binghamton of the AHL midway through the 1992-93 season — before being promoted to replace Mike Keenan as coach following New York’s Stanley Cup championship in 1994.
Shortly after he was let go by the Rangers during the 1997-98 season, Campbell joined the League, where he would spend the next quarter century making an impact in hockey operations, officiating and central scouting, leading him to his current position as the NHL’s Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations.
During his speech on Monday night, Campbell discussed his career, as well as the impact that former Petes Head Coach Roger Neilson had on on him.
“One special man in particular, Roger Neilson, he taught me and all of us who were fortunate enough to play for him so much about the game and life lessons that I still use today. Things like using the word we not I, and treating everyone with respect. Regardless of if they were a Junior A player, an NHL Star, or an eight year old kid at a summer hockey school, everyone was the same to Roger.”
Watch Campbell’s full induction speech by clicking here.
