Highlights from Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023 speeches

Tom Barrasso: Reflecting on the Path to the Hockey Hall of Fame

Tom Barrasso, in his induction speech at the Hockey Hall of Fame, discussed the significant role that the people and opportunities in his life played in his journey to success.

“No one gets here alone,” emphasized the goalie. “You need love, you need support, and most importantly, you need opportunity from people along the way in your journey. And I’d like to share this night, and this honor, with people who supported me and gave me the opportunity to be here in this room with you all tonight.”

He began with heartfelt gratitude for his parents, Tom and Lucy, who adopted him, along with a brother and sister.

“They loved us and supported us in everything we did,” Barrasso expressed. “My parents knew nothing about hockey other than the arena seemed like a good place for the kids to be.”

When the arena went bankrupt, Barrasso’s parents became part-owners to keep it alive, showing their dedication to the sport and their children’s happiness.

“They became hockey people, they love being at the arena, seeing the joy brought to all who skated there,” the 53-year-old said. “I started working at that arena in the summer when I was 12 — sweeping floors, cleaning toilets. To this day, I have never worked any place else but a hockey arena.”

Barrasso expressed his gratitude towards the teammates he played with throughout his NHL career, acknowledging the camaraderie and shared experiences with each of them.

“I’d like to thank my teammates through the years, with whom we shared great success and failure,” he said “Epic card games, golf games. We have a bond that cannot be broken. And we shared a time in all of our lives that cannot be replicated. My thanks to all of you.”

Recognizing that opportunities played a crucial role in his success, Barrasso singled out three individuals, each a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Scotty Bowman, who drafted Barrasso as the No. 5 pick in the 1983 NHL Draft, was pivotal in launching his career with the Buffalo Sabres.

“My career was on my way,” Barrasso recounted with appreciation. In 1988, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Tony Esposito traded for Barrasso, leading to his two Stanley Cup wins with the team.

“Tony believed in me and believed that I would be a difference-maker,” he said. “Two years later, the Penguins were Stanley Cup champions. I’m forever grateful to Tony for the opportunity he provided for me. It truly changed my life.”

The final individual he mentioned was another general manager in Pittsburgh, Craig Patrick, who played a crucial role during a difficult time in Barrasso’s life.

“Being an Olympian is truly a highlight of my lifetime, and I put it right beside my two Stanley Cups,” Barrasso said. “These three men believed in me, they acted on it, and I am grateful to them for the opportunity that they presented to me.” – Shawn P. Roarke