Modano, Lamoriello and Olczyk inducted to U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame has announced its 2012 inductees and, once again, it’s an impressive field.

The class is highlighted by Mike Modano, who over the course of 20 seasons in Minnesota, Dallas and Detroit became the highest-scoring American-born player in NHL history.

“He is one of the absolute all-time greats,” said USA Hockey Executive Director Dave Ogrean. “It is difficult to find a better American player.”

Modano routinely represented the U.S. internationally, winning a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics and gold at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

Speaking of that World Cup win, the GM of the American squad — New Jersey Devils CEO and president Lou Lamoriello — was also inducted into the U.S. HHOF. Lamoriello was recognized for his outstanding contributions to USA Hockey, most notably what he did in ’96.

Ogrean called Lamoriello “The architect of one of the most significant moments in USA Hockey history — 1996 World Cup of Hockey Championship.”

(For more on how LouLam constructed the team, check out this NHL.com profile.)

The third and final 2012 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee was NHL on NBC analyst Ed Olczyk.

The No. 3 overall pick in 1984 played for six different teams during his 15-year career, appearing in over 1,000 NHL contests and scoring nearly 800 points.

“To sit in that chair every night and talk about the game and pump up American players and the greatest game in the world is a thrill,” Olczyk said. “It’s a very proud day for me and my family. I’m humbled, honored and thankful to represent our game in the great United States.”