TORONTO, June 19 (UPI) -- Roger Neilson was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame Wednesday and will be joined in the class of 2002 by two-time Norris Trophy winner Rod Langway, four-time Stanley Cup winner Clark Gillies and 1,000-point scorer Bernie Federko.
The voting was announced at the annual meeting of the 18-member selection committee in Toronto.
Neilson, 67, battled a rare form of cancer two years ago and lost his job as coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. He was hired as an assistant by the Ottawa Senators in August 2000 and coached his 999th and 1,000th NHL games in the recently completed season when Jacques Martin stepped aside to allow his mentor to coach the final two games.
"It was very exciting and unexpected to receive a call today from Jim Gregory (Selection Committee chairman) telling me of the decision," Neilson said. "It is a great honor and I very much appreciate the recognition from the hockey community."
Nicknamed "Captain Video" early in his career for his extensive use of videotape as a teaching tool, Neilson coached eight NHL teams -- Toronto, Buffalo, Vancouver, Los Angeles, the New York Rangers, Florida, Philadelphia and Ottawa.
He owns a 460-381-159 record and led Vancouver to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1982, when he attained cult status in Vancouver after waving a towel in mock surrender to protest the officiating in a playoff game.
Neilson was runner-up for the Adams Award as the NHL's top coach in 1991-92 after helping the Rangers win the Presidents' Trophy.
Neilson was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in February 2000. He underwent chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant, but returned behind the bench as an assistant to Martin in August of that year.
Nicknamed "The Secretary of Defense" in the nation's capital, Langway served as captain of the Washington Capitals from 1982-93 and was one of the best defensive defenseman in the decade of the 1980s.
Langway earned a Stanley Cup title with the Montreal Canadiens in 1979. After he was traded to Washington in 1982, Langway won the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 1983 and 1984.
"As a player who didn't rack up offensive numbers during my NHL career, I am honored to be recognized by the Hall of Fame Selection Committe for my old school contributions, in the manner of Bill White or Doug Harvey," Langway said. "As a defensive specialist, I am particularly gratified for this recognition."
Gillies was a premier power forward at left wing on the New York Islanders' top line with Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy.
Gillies becomes the fifth player to make the Hall of Fame from the Islanders team that's that won four straight Stanley Cups beginning in 1980. He joins Trottier, Bossy, defenseman Denis Potvin and goaltender Billy Smith. Bill Torrey, the architect of the team, and coach Al Arbour are also in the Hall of Fame.
"I am very proud of my accomplishments as a New York Islander," said Gillies, who had his "No. 9" retired by the team in December 1996.
Federko starred at center for the St. Louis Blues for 13 seasons and became the 22nd player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-point plateau in March 1998.
"This is a tremendous surprise and a great honor," Federko said. "Every player dreams of winning a Stanley Cup and being recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame. I am thrilled that I am able to accomplish one of my lifetime goals."
The 2002 induction ceremony will be held Nov. 4.
