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The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Fans and supporters would like to see Stompin' Tom inducted into Hockey Hall

By: Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press

Posted: 03/7/2013 4:23 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 03/7/2013 4:56 PM

TORONTO - The Hockey Hall of Fame has a little bit of everything under its roof, from classic photos to vintage uniforms to old sticks and goalie masks.

Could there one day be room for a Stompin' Tom plaque, maybe a wooden stomping board or perhaps some lyric sheets to "The Hockey Song?"

It's possible.

Stompin' Tom Connors was on the minds of visitors to the hockey shrine Thursday, one day after word that the Canadian music legend had died at 77. Many fans said they would support his posthumous induction in the Hall's builder category, given that Connors created one of the country's most popular hockey anthems.

"Absolutely, he's a legend," said Barbara Bilko, a women's hockey coach who visited the Hall on Thursday.

One of her players, Kaylee Chanakos of the University of British Columbia, echoed her sentiments.

"The song is just everything for the game," she said.

It would not be difficult to get Connors on the initial list for consideration. The Hall accepts public submissions and the deadline is March 15.

"If it's a bonafide submission, then we will send it off to the selection committee and see what they do with it," said Kelly Masse, the Hall's director of corporate and media relations.

A selection committee official would then have to nominate the submission to the chairman of the board of directors by April 15. The annual election meeting is set for July 9 and a secret vote is to be held that day.

Candidates need to be approved by at least 75 per cent of the committee members for election. The annual induction ceremony is held in November.

There are three induction categories: player, referee/linesman and builder. The builder category covers coaches, managers, executives or others who have made a significant off-ice contribution to the game.

"The Hockey Song" is a standard at arenas around the country. The toe-tapping tune is known for its familiar refrain: "Oh, the good old hockey game, is the best game you can name. And the best game you can name, is the good old hockey game."

The Hockey Hall of Fame has not inducted anyone in the builder category over the last two years.

Daryl (Doc) Seaman, an original Calgary Flames owner, was inducted as a builder in 2010. A year earlier, New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello was inducted in the builder category.

At least one group on Facebook is pushing to have Connors inducted although the closed group has just over two dozen members. However, it would only take one submission to get things rolling.

It wasn't clear if Connors was on the Hall's list of submissions as the process is confidential.

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