5/20/2009 1:27:16 PM
Former CC hockey standout Doug Palazzari is among five individual inductees who will enter the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame this week as members of the HOF’s 10th Anniversary Class of 2009.
The induction list for Tuesday's annual ceremony at the World Arena also includes legendary high-school football coach Jim Hartman, Philadelphia Phillies and former Sky Sox manager Charlie Manuel, Air Academy soccer great Andrea Melde Hooks, track-and-field icon Jim Miller, and the Broadmoor Skating Club.
“It’s a great group,” said Palazzari, a two-time All-American and first-team All-WCHA selection in the early 1970s. “I’m very honored to be part of it.”
The Eveleth, Minn., native still ranks third among Colorado College’s all-time scoring leaders with 228 career points. He’s seventh with 95 goals and fifth with 133 assists.
He was inducted into the CC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.
After graduating in 1974, Palazzari went on to enjoy an illustrious playing career in the St. Louis Blues organization, mostly with the Salt Lake City Golden Eagles of the Central Hockey League. In 1997 he was honored as the CHL’s All-Time Greatest Player. He claimed two league scoring titles and twice was voted MVP. In 1974-75, one of four seasons in which he wore a uniform for St. Louis, he was named the NHL Blues’ Most Popular Player.
Palazzari won the WCHA scoring crown his sophomore year with the Tigers, finishing with 57 points (27g,30a) in 28 league games and 72 (32g,40a) in 32 outings overall. He skated for two United States National Teams, helping the Americans claim a silver medal at Graz, Austria, in 1973 and a gold medal at Ljubjiana, Yugoslavia, in 1974, both in pool B play.
Palazzari served as an assistant coach at Colorado College for six seasons (1985-91), as well as in various coaching capacities for USA Hockey at select camps and international competitions throughout the 1980s and 1990s before becoming executive director of the national governing body in 1999.
He and his wife, Sara, have two sons, Blake and Drew. Doug’s younger brother, Tony, also played hockey at Colorado College.