Patrick Award for Devellano, Messier, and Richter

Jim Devellano, along with Mark Messier and Mike Richter, will be presented the Lester Patrick Award for their notable service in United States hockey. The seven-time Stanley Cup winner will be receiving this honor at New York City. Devellano is said to be honored in getting the award, along with Richter and Messier, naming the two as great Ranger icons. The Lester Patrick Award The Lester Patrick Award is in honor of Lester Patrick who was a hockey player, coach, and general manager for 50 years. He was also a pioneer in the development of the sport, making the Lester Award one of the most prestigious awards in the game. Jim Devellano’s achievements Devellano, the Detroit Red Wing’s 66-year old senior vice-president, is currently on his 28th season with the club. Prior to that, he spent 8 years as the team’s general manager. Under his term, Devellano managed to transform the Red Wings into a stellar team, winning four Stanley Cups as well as being constantly on top of the standing for around two decades. Prior to that, he helped establish the New York Islanders who have also accumulated four consecutive Stanley Cups. Helping Bill Torrey build the Islanders in 1972, Devellano now has 14 championship rings credited to his name. When questioned about the Lester Patrick award, Devellano answers that it is surely a nice accomplishment. He was also inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. He said the awards he got are rewards for handling three U.S. hockey clubs for such a long period of time. Devellano also commented that he was fortunate that the teams he handled had their fair share of awards and victories. NHL icons Joining Ted Lindsay who was also presented the Lester Patrick trophy just recently, Jim Devellano, along with Mike Richter and Mark Messier, will be the newest recipients of the Patrick Award. Mark Messier has belted five Stanley Cups and is thought of as one of the greatest leaders in sports. Messier ranks an all-time second to Wayne Gretzky with 1,887 points during a 25-season NHL career. With 1,756 games to his belt, he ranks all-time second to the 1,767 games of Gordie Howe. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 12, 2007. Prior to that, his jersey number was retired on January 12, 2006. Mike Richter is a three-time Olympian, winning the silver medal during 2002 with Team USA in Salt Lake City. He was instrumental in helping the Rangers win the 1994 Stanley Cup, as well as in bringing the US the World Cup of Hockey title two years since. His 301 victories as a goaltender broke records, placing him in the spotlight. On October 10, 2008, Richter was inducted to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.