Former Boston Bruins coach Robbie Ftorek (Needham, Mass.) and University of New Hampshire great Darren Haydar were both chosen for induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame last month.
The two will be joined in the Class of 2020 by Denis Hamel and Fred Thurier. They will be inducted during All-Star weekend in Ontario, Calif., at the league’s Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony on Jan. 27, 2020.
A veteran of nearly five decades in hockey as a player and coach, Ftorek successfully combined player development with winning during his tenure behind AHL benches. As a player, he totaled 141 points in 138 AHL games over 13 pro seasons before signing on to serve as head coach of the New Haven Nighthawks, in 1985.
Ftorek joined the New Jersey Devils organization in 1991 and won back-to-back Louis A.R. Pieri Awards as the league’s outstanding coach, first in 1994-95 as he led the Albany River Rats to a Calder Cup championship, and then in 1995-96 on the strength of a 54-win, 115-point regular season, one of the best campaigns in league history.