SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The American Hockey League has announced the four people selected for induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024.
Honored by the AHL Hall of Fame Selection Committee as the latest group of enshrinees are Dennis Bonvie, Gordie Clark, Gerry Ehman, and Roy Sommer.
“Since 1936, the American Hockey League has been proud of its foundation of excellence both on and off the ice,” said Scott Howson, AHL President and Chief Executive Officer. “Each of these four individuals exemplified those principles at the highest levels throughout their careers, and the AHL Board of Governors unanimously endorses the Selection Committee’s recommendation for their induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024.”
Dennis Bonvie
Widely respected for his competitive spirit and toughness, Dennis Bonvie played 871 games in the American Hockey League over 15 professional seasons. The Nova Scotia native began his career with the Cape Breton Oilers in 1993 and was selected to participate in the AHL All-Star Game in 1995, scoring the first goal in the modern event’s history. After stops in Hamilton, Portland, and Philadelphia, Bonvie joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for their inaugural season in 1999 and quickly became a fan favorite, helping the team reach the Calder Cup Finals in 2001.
“No player is more synonymous with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey than Dennis Bonvie. Dennis was the heart and soul of the team during its early days, both on and off the ice. His style of play endeared him to his teammates and our fans.
“He was the perfect player and person to have as the face of a new franchise, and he’s still loved in the area to this day.”
Penguins CEO Jeff Barrett
He moved on to Providence, Binghamton, and Hershey before returning to Wilkes-Barre, where he retired in 2008 with 84 goals, 191 assists, and a pro hockey record 4,493 penalty minutes for his AHL career. Since his retirement, Bonvie has been a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, and Boston Bruins, for whom he has been director of professional scouting since 2022.
Gordie Clark
Born in Scotland and raised in New Brunswick, Gordie Clark spent most of his nine-year playing career in the American Hockey League with Rochester, Springfield, and Maine. Drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1972, Clark played at the University of New Hampshire before beginning his career with the Amerks, recording 64 points in 65 games as a rookie. He increased his goal production in his four seasons with Rochester and was twice voted a Second Team AHL All-Star.
After a brief stint in Springfield, Clark joined the Maine Mariners late in the 1978-79 season and helped them to a Calder Cup championship that spring. He led the league with 47 goals in 1979-80 and set career highs with 50 goals and 101 points in 1981-82, earning First Team AHL All-Star honors each season. Clark retired in 1983 with 267 goals and 332 assists for 599 points in 540 AHL games, and since 1987, he has served in several hockey operations and scouting capacities for the Bruins, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, and Montreal Canadiens.
Gerry Ehman
A prolific American Hockey League scorer during the 1950s and 1960s, Gerry Ehman played 19 seasons of professional hockey, including nearly 1,100 games combined between the AHL and NHL. Some of his early AHL years were spent in St. Louis, Springfield, and Hershey, but he is most remembered for his seven seasons with the Rochester Americans. This tenure included six 30-goal performances, a league-scoring title, and two Calder Cup championships.
Ehman, who served as captain of the Amerks from 1965 to 1967, was voted a First Team or Second Team AHL All-Star four times in his career and still ranks fourth on Rochester’s franchise scoring list. The Saskatchewan native, who also won a Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1964, totaled 311 goals and 365 assists for 676 points in 654 career AHL games. Ehman passed away in 2006 at the age of 73.
Roy Sommer
The winningest head coach in American Hockey League history, Roy Sommer spent a quarter of a century running AHL benches, including 24 years as coach of the San Jose Sharks’ affiliates in Kentucky (1998-2001), Cleveland (2001-06), Worcester (2006-15) and San Jose (2015-22) before guiding the San Diego Gulls in 2022-23. Over a career that saw more than 150 players graduate to the National Hockey League, Sommer won 828 games, surpassing Hockey Hall of Famer Fred “Bun” Cook with his 637th victory on February 10, 2016. He overtook another Hall of Famer, Frank Mathers when he coached his 1,257th game on March 26, 2014.
The native of Oakland, Calif., earned the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding coach in 2016-17, captured four division titles, and coached in three AHL All-Star Classics in his career. Sommer also played ten seasons of professional hockey after being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1977, winning a Calder Cup with the Maine Mariners in 1984.
Hall of Fame Induction
The induction of the Class of 2024 will take place as part of the festivities at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Tech CU, to be hosted by the San Jose Barracuda. The American Hockey League Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony is scheduled for February 5.
Formed in 2006 to recognize, honor, and celebrate individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions in the American Hockey League, the AHL Hall of Fame is housed online at ahlhalloffame.com and is accessible to fans worldwide with the click of a mouse as part of the AHL Internet Network.
In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League serves as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives, broadcasters, and staff of all 32 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 90 percent of NHL players each year are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent time in the AHL in their careers.
