Chalk up another accolade for Scotty Bowman.
Hockey Canada has announced the distinguished honorees of the 2017 class of the Order of Hockey in Canada, recognized for their outstanding contributions to the growth and development of hockey in Canada.
Bowman, the legendary NHL coach, was among the honorees. He made his debut behind the bench with the St. Louis Blues in 1967, beginning a career that spanned five decades before his final season with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002.
He coached the Red Wings to three Stanley Cups and captured five more as bench boss of the Montreal Canadiens between 1972-79. His coaching career also included stints with the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins, leading the latter to a Stanley Cup in 1992.
Bowman's 1,244 wins rank first in NHL history. He currently serves as a senior advisor with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he has won another three Stanley Cup championships.
Murray Costello and Fran Rider were also among the distinguished honorees in the 2017 class.
Costello served as vice-president of the IIHF from 2008-12. He directed the merge of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and Hockey Canada in 1994. He is also regarded for his involvement in the creation of the Program of Excellence and Canada's national women's team.
Rider is the president and CEO of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association. Since 1982, she has chaired six international committees and two national women's under-18 championships. She was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame as the first female builder in 2015.
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