A former London Knight who captained the club to its first Memorial Cup Championship highlights the Don Brankley Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
On Wednesday, the Knights announced that Danny Syvret, Darryl Edestrand, Pat Riggin, Dave Simpson, Tom Kostopoulos, and former head coach Bill Long (builder category) will be the fourth class inducted into the hall, named after the team's long-time trainer.
“The pandemic has changed a lot of things, but our rich history and long list of successful alumni on and off the ice will always be apart of the London Knights," said General Manager Mark Hunter. “We are thrilled as an organization to continue on this great tradition and recognize six men who have made outstanding contributions to the London Knights.”
Alumni Foundation President Rick Doyle said Syvret, Edestrand, Riggin, Simpson, Kostopolis, and Long represented the London Knights well, and in Edestrand’s case, the London Nationals in London’s first ever Jr. A season as team captain.
“We are proud to announce along with the London Knights Hockey Club six outstanding alumni who will be inducted alongside other Knights greats and Don Brankley in this special way.”
A traditional in-game ceremony honouring the inductees will take place at a later date.
Syvret, 35, played three full seasons for the Knights starting in 2002, scoring 156 points over 246 games played. The defenceman was the Knights' captain during the franchise's first Memorial Cup Championship in 2005.
Edestrand played two seasons with the London Nationals in the early-to-mid 60s, scoring 69 points. The Strathroy-native died in 2017 at the age of 71.
Riggin, 61, spent three seasons in net for the Knights between 1975 and 1978. The Kincardine-native appeared in 145 games and won several awards, including being named to the OMJHL First All-Star Team in the 1976-77 season.
Simpson, 59, appeared in 207 games for London from 1977 to 1982. The centreman put up 325 points, and was the league's leading scorer during 1981-82 season with 155 points.
Kostopoulos, 42, spent three seasons with the Knights from 1996 to 1999. The winger scored 207 points over 237 games played.
Long was the Knights' head coach for eight seasons, spanning 1972 to 1980. Long, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 89, was named the league's coach of the year for the 1976-77 season.
The Don Brankley Hall of Fame was established in 2019 and honours outstanding alumni for their career accolades during their time with the London Knights.
