Two Laurentians honored at Legends of Appleton awards program
Hundreds of alumni and friends joined together to honor two Laurentians: Canton native Paul “PJ” Flanagan ’80 M’92 P’13, 1979-80 Saints captain, and former men’s assistant and women’s head coach; and Mike McShane, 1980-85 men’s head coach, as the newest inductees into the Legends of Appleton program.
While the Legends of Appleton award honors those who have made an important contribution to the men’s and women’s hockey programs, the Dec. 7 celebration also recognized the history, traditions, connections, and impact of both programs on the University and local community.
The weekend included the opportunity for former players to meet with the current team members, students, and the surrounding community before and after games. Events were designed to bridge all generations of Laurentians and strengthen connections of the St. Lawrence hockey community on and off the ice.
The Legends of Appleton is an awards program supported by St. Lawrence University and the Hockey Alumni Association and is led by co-chairs Scott Lasky ’05 and Tom O’Connor ’75 P’12. This year, former women’s players, including Sabrina Harbec ’08 and Carson Duggan ’09, the University’s women’s all-time leaders in points and goals respectively, were there to honor their former coach. Other alumni players in attendance include the National Hockey League’s Ray Shero ’84, vice president and general manager of the New Jersey Devils, Randy Sexton ’82, assistant general manager of the Buffalo Sabres, Paul Castron ’86, director of amateur scouting for the New Jersey Devils, Kyle Flanagan ’13, scout with the Ottawa Senators, and Mike McKenna ’05, who is now playing with the Ottawa Senators. Pierre McGuire, who coached with Mike McShane, and is now an internationally known television hockey analyst, was also on campus for the festivities.
