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Boston, Massachusetts Fame is something Cam Neely tries to avoid but which follows him like his shadow. His very first visit to Hockey's Hall of Fame was just a year ago, when he slipped a rare gold ring with the sea blue stone on his finger and joined the fraternity of Howe, Hull, Gretsky and Orr. On the one-year anniversary of Cam Neely's induction into the Hall of Fame, the flashbacks come easy, with time distilling what counts most. "I remember being on the stage, just so humbled by the honor and having so many people to thank that I just couldn't thank them all," says Cam. He was on the golf course in June of 2005 when he got the call, informing him of his election into professional hockey's elite brotherhood. "In the months leading up to actual induction, I was just so anxious and overwhelmed by it. Honestly, playing the game and getting knocked around physically is easier." On the ice, Cam Neely defined the power forward. At 6 feet one and 215 explosive pounds, Neely was as punishing to opponents with his body checks as he was rewarding to his teammates with his goal scoring. He became the archetype of the ultimate power position. In NHL scouts' vernacular, a "Cam Neely" player meant tenacity, teamwork and pucks in the net, skates hard to fill – then and now.  A year has passed since Cam Neely's #8 went from the rafters of Boston Garden to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Success in the NHL did not come easily for the Como, Vancouver native. He was originally drafted by the Vancouver Canucks and barely finished three dismal seasons. The Canucks traded Neely and a draft pick to the Boston Bruins for Barry Pederson, a deal that was to become Boston's ten-year boon. In his first full season following the trade, Neely's 36 goals led the club. The five-time All-Star played an even decade for the Bruins, highlighted by three 50 or more goal seasons — including 50 goals in 44 games during the 1993-94 season — the third fastest tally of all-time for the coveted scoring benchmark. Only Wayne Gretsky made the grade of 50 in fewer contests. Neely's intense efforts to rebound time and again from his severe injuries were recognized with the Masterton Trophy after the 1993-94 season, but a nagging, degenerative hip condition forced him off the ice for good. "You learn a lot from injuries, about staying focused, about support from your team and family," he said. If on the ice Cam Neely was the definitive power forward, in his greater Boston community he has become the model of a power good citizen. In part by watching his own parents pass way from cancer, Cam is ever aware of families whose circumstances are less fortunate than his own. He is the president and co-founder of the Cam Neely Foundation, run in conjunction with the New England Medical Center. With the support of the foundation, cancer patients and their families are offered a host of services free of charge. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2003 from University of Massachusetts at Boston recognizing his work with cancer charities, an honor he cherishes as much as his Hockey HOF ring. Since its inception, the Cam Neely Foundation has raised more than $14 million from donations of all sizes, helped thousands of families and continues to dedicate itself to three words. "We're all about giving comfort, support and hope," says Cam. Something he took away from his opponents in the hockey arenas, he now gives passionately to anyone in need who simply asks. A Hall of Famer in the best sense, on and off the ice. To make a donation to the Cam Neely Foundation, go to www.camneelyfoundation.org John Budris is the editor of HOFMAG.com. He can be reached at
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