BOSTON BRUINS QUOTES HOCKEY HALL OF FAME INDUCTION Monday, June 26, 2017

BOSTON BRUINS OWNER JEREMY JACOBS Opening statement… Thank you very, very much. This was a total surprise. I am humbled and I am very appreciative because I know a lot of the people preceded me in here are good friends. Who comes to mind first is Harley Hodgson, who was somebody that I followed in the leadership of the NHL and it’s just a wonderful group. You flatter me very much by including me in it. With that, I thank you.

On being the owner of Boston and a native of Buffalo and how that has helped him during his time in the NHL… Well, I actually started in Buffalo with the Sabres when they first became a team back in, I think it was 1970-71. I got a lot of background with the Knox’s and … and those originators of the team. So, when I purchased the Bruins back in 1975, I had a background and a base to work with. So, it was very important. Plus, I continued to have the fan base that exists in these two cities. It’s incredible. I think Boston is definitely number one, but Buffalo is a close second to it. So, in my mind, it’s a great base to come from.

On what he sees as his legacy in the NHL… I think the length of my ownership perhaps plays a role in this. But, my continued participation in the league at the league level, it did come as unexpected. It happened today, I didn’t anticipate it. So, it was something that I truly enjoy probably more than anything I can say because it's a recognition with a class of people that I’ve known throughout my life going back to people … that I knew through history between my father and myself. My family was involved in hockey from the day I was born when they owned the old Buffalo Bison many, many years ago in the old minor leagues. So, it’s been part of my life and this type of recognition was unexpected but very, very much appreciated.

BOSTON BRUINS ALUMNI MARK RECCHI Opening statement… Thank you very much, Lanny [McDonald]. I really appreciate it. To all the other inductees, it’s a tremendous honor to be in with you. What a great day. I can’t thank my teammates, my family, in particular my mother and father, my wife and children, and countless teammates I had over the years. It’s just an amazing honor to be in here and to accept this and I look forward to November. It’s going to be a great time with these amazing people.

On having to wait a couple years and if it was difficult and how he stayed positive… Actually, it wasn’t difficult at all. It’s something where it had to play out its course and if I got in, wonderful. I did what I could on the ice and if it was good enough, it was good enough. I had a wonderful career, I had wonderful teammates, and I was fortunate enough to get in. This is the ultimate to finish it off. But, you can only do so much and you’ve got to let your numbers and your play dictate where it gets you. I wasn’t sure how it was going. I was working today as well. When I got the call from Lanny, I had to jump out of the middle of a meeting. Obviously, a tremendous honor to get that call from Lanny and the Hall of Fame today. So, it was just something where you hope it was good enough at some point, whether it was now or a couple years from now, whatever, 10 years from now. To get in is something that is the ultimate prize and it’s an amazing feeling.

On his highlights from his two stints in Philadelphia… Yeah, absolutely. I had two good runs there in Philadelphia. The organization was tremendous and everyone treated us first class. Some great teammates and great friends from there and obviously, being there twice. When you get to the semis and lose in a game seven of the semifinals, that’s tough. We thought we had an opportunity to go to the finals and do well. That stings still, but I have a lot of terrific memories from Philadelphia.

On if he paid attention to the previous Hall of Fame announcements… Yeah, you always knew when the date was and you always knew. So, it was whatever. Try and keep yourself busy and hope for the best. But, if it doesn’t happen, you move on and you hope that at some point, it’s good enough and you get enough votes and people appreciate what you’ve done. Like I said, it’s a special honor no matter when and how and how long it takes.

#06/26/17#