Fuhr in Hall of Fame; Penguins Hire Olczyk

Goaltender Grant Fuhr, who helped Edmonton win Stanley Cups in 1984, ‘85, ‘87, ’88 and ‘90, was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Fuhr, the first black member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, was joined by forward Pat LaFontaine, Detroit Red Wing owner Mike Ilitch and junior team coach Brian Kilrea.

Fuhr also played with the Kings, Toronto, Buffalo, St Louis and Calgary in a 19-year career. He retired after the 1999 season.

LaFontaine had 468 goals and 545 assists in 865 games with the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and Rangers. He retired in 1998.

Ilitch purchased the Red Wings in 1982. They won Stanley Cups in 1997, ’98 and ’02.

Kilrea, 68, reached 1,000 victories this season with the Ottawa 67s. He just finished his 26th season coaching the team.

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Ed Olczyk was hired as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Olczyk, a Penguin broadcaster for three years, hasn’t coached at any organized level since ending his NHL playing career in 2000.

“People are going to doubt you and question what goes on, and that’s all right,” Olczyk said. “It doesn’t matter what other people think or say.”

At 36, Olczyk is the first coach in the history of the Penguins young enough to be born the same year the franchise came into existence.

“In a perfect world, I’d love to have some experience, but it’s not going to take me long,” Olczyk said.

Olczyk is convinced that the speed and quickness the Penguins acquired in their long succession of trades over the last two years can be harnessed into a hard-playing, quick-strike team that scores off turnovers.

“We’re going to be relentless, I can promise you that,” said Olczyk, who briefly played for the Kings.

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Eric Lindros has exercised his $3.3-million contract option for next season and will remain with the Rangers.

He could earn another $6 million in bonuses, unless his contract is restructured during talks this summer between General Manager Glen Sather and Carl Lindros, who is his son’s agent.

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The St. Louis Blues signed 10-year veteran Chris Osgood to a one-year deal for what team General Manager Larry Pleau said was a salary “well below the market rate for a goaltender with his record and experience.” Osgood helped lead Detroit to the Stanley Cup in 1998. ... Edmonton Coach Craig MacTavish signed a three-year contract extension.