Does the Hockey Hall of Fame induct its members with a bust or a plaque?

The reason I ask is, I think it would be a nice gesture for the NHL to invite Ulf Samuelsson to this year’s ceremony. Heck, have him come right up on stage and stand with the Class of 2005 as they line up for their photo-ops with their bronze likenesses or whatever heavy objects they get to pose alongside.

Then let Cam Neely have one minute alone with him on stage.

The sight of Neely bringing a wrath of bronze down upon the skull of the quintessential pipsqueak would complete the holy sports trinity that I’ve longed to see in my lifetime –

Sox win the World Series.

Check.

Patriots gain respectability.

Check and then some.

Ulf Samuelsson is made to pay for one of the greatest crimes in hockey history.

I think this would cause me to weep all over my Adam Oates sweater.

Of course, No. 8 wouldn’t take advantage of his long-awaited opportunity for revenge. He has too much class, unlike the cheap-shot artist who brought a premature end to Neely’s career in the spring of 1991.

It’s worth noting that without Samuelsson kneeing Neely in the thigh in the Conference Finals, we would not have been witness to one of the great comeback seasons, when he scored 50 goals in 44 games in 1993-94. But there were so many more accomplishments that awaited the face of the Boston Bruins of the late 80s and early 90s.

Some, particularly those who aren’t Bruins fans (and especially Canadiens fans) are complaining that this is why Neely was elected to the Hall of Fame this past week. They think his ticket to the Hall is potential rather than accomplishment, that he doesn’t actually have a resume that is worthy of enshrinement.

They point out that he only played in 70 or more games five times in a career that spanned 13 years. They note that he scored more than 90 points just twice, 50 goals or more just three time, that he ranks 78th all-time in goals, behind such non-Hall of Famers as Brian Propp, John Ogrodnick and Rick Middleton (ouch), and isn’t even in the top 100 all-time in total points.

And they (meaning Canadiens fans) also like to point out that Neely never won a championship. Boy, it’s a good thing Ray Bourque went to the Avalanche, huh?

I think they’re all jealous (well, maybe not Canadiens fans). Yes, even casual Bruins fans such as myself have an irrational love for Cam Neely. I’ll acknowledge that. But non-Bruins fans recognize this affection, and only a few can say that, in their lifetime, they’ve had a player on their favorite team about whom they could feel the same way.

Really, who have the Toronto Maple Leafs had in the last 30 years who was good and as popular as Neely. Please don’t tell me Wendel Clark.

You were going to say Darryl Sittler, weren’t you?

Did Darryl Sittler redefine a position? Did Wendel Clark intimidate opponents with his fists and his wrists? Didn’t think so. Maple Leafs fans are dismissed.

I’d go team by team, but it’s easier to explain why Neely was so popular here in New England.

Neely was a man’s man on the ice, capable of bringing a defenseman to his knees in the slot with his muscle, then turning around and beating the goalie with a deft touch. He wasn’t afraid to get bloody to defend himself or his teammates. He suffered punks like Samuelsson and Claude Lemieux so that guys like Oates and Ken Linseman didn’t have to deal with them. And when it was all said and done, he still had the rugged good looks that would leave your girlfriend begging you to bring her to another Bruins game.

Neely was the prototypical power forward. He changed the way coaches, GMs and other players thought of the position the way Sammy Baugh changed playing quarterback, George Mikan changed playing center and Johnny Bench changed catching.

That in itself is Hall worthy.

The fact that Ulf Samuelsson might get what’s been coming to him for 14 years is just a bonus.

Randy Whitehouse is a staff writer. He can be reached at [email protected]