Talk about perfect timing.
Mitch Lamoureux returned to Hershey for 1996 All-Star Classic as a member of the Providence Bruins. Lamoureux was also named the captain of the USA AHL All-Star squad leading up to the game.
"I really miss it here," Lamoureux said of Hershey at the time in an interview with then-reporter John Curtis. "There's a lot of tradition here in Hershey. And I was lucky enough to be a part of it. And that's what makes coming back so special."
In 1987-88, Lamoureux led the Hershey Bears in scoring in both the regular season and the playoffs, helping the franchise to its first 50-win season, a perfect 12-0 postseason mark and the Calder Cup championship.
After a brief stint with the Maine Mariners and two seasons in Europe, Lamoureux returned to Hershey in 1993 and led the Bears with 45 goals, 60 assists and 105 points in 80 games. He also set an AHL record with 27 power-play goals on the year.
Lamoureux is one of four people selected for induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame in 2011. Harry Pidhirny, Maurice Podoloff and Larry Wilson are the other enshrinees.
The Class of 2011 will be honored as part of the festivities at the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Capital BlueCross in Hershey. The American Hockey League Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, January 31.
Lamoureux feasted on American Hockey League goaltenders during a 17-year professional career that saw him become one of the most prolific AHL scorers of his era.
"I don't think of myself as a Hall of Famer," said Lamoureux in an interview back in October with CBS 21 News Sports Director Jason Bristol. "I knew I played professional hockey for 17 years. I knew I was really competitive. I knew I could play the games against much bigger, faster guys and be able to compete."
"That's what I took pride in."
