Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs has officially been recognized by the NHL for his contributions to hockey after being awarded the 2015 Lester Patrick Trophy, along with legendary Rangers and Kings scout, Bob Crocker.
Owner of the Bruins and chairman of Delaware North for more than 40 years, Jacobs has served as Chairman of the NHL’s Board of Governors since 2007 and also sits on the League’s Executive Committee. A 2006 inductee into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, Jacobs and his family also have owned minor league baseball and hockey teams along with their ownership of the TD Garden, where both the Bruins and Celtics play their home games.
Jacobs has been a prominent figure in the NHL for decades as owner of one of the Original Six teams, and has also played major roles in each of the past two NHL lockouts that halted league action for the entire 2004-05 season as well as half of the 2012-13 season. The 2004-05 lockout was instrumental in introducing the salary cap to the NHL, and has been a necessary invention to help shepherd along the smaller market teams in the league.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has worked hand-in-hand with Jacobs on many of these major modern day moments in the NHL’s history, and had glowing words to describe the prestigious award heading Jacobs’ way.
“By honoring Jeremy Jacobs and Bob Crocker, the Lester Patrick Award selection committee has recognized the dedication and drive of two important contributors to hockey in the United States,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement released by the NHL. “Jeremy Jacobs – as owner for 41 years of the NHL’s first U.S.-based team and long-serving Chairman of our Board of Governors – has provided unparalleled vision, innovation and inspiration to the advancement of hockey and the NHL. As a coach, a scout and a hockey executive, Bob Crocker has devoted decades to the development of young American players. Congratulations to both on this long overdue recognition.”
The award, one of the most prestigious in hockey, was presented to the NHL by the New York Rangers in 1966. It honors the memory of Lester Patrick, who spent 50 years in hockey as a player, coach and general manager and was a pioneer in the sport’s development.
The recipients will be honored as part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 17, in Boston. Ticket information will be available in September at www.ushockeyhalloffame.com.