Former Mighty Ducks coach elected into U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

Ron Wilson, coach of the expansion Mighty Ducks and of several U.S. national teams in international tournaments, was elected to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, the organization announced Monday.

Wilson, 62, coached Team USA to the World Cup title in 1996 and led the U.S. men’s Olympic team to a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games. He suffered a stroke late last year but was in rehabilitation and is recovering.

“This is certainly a humbling experience and couple of days for me,” he said during a conference call with the media. “I was caught off-guard. I thought last year I had been inducted [with the 1996 World Cup team]. It’s just been a pleasure to know I got inducted based on my accomplishments as a player and coach.”

Also elected were retired linesman Kevin Collins, who officiated in more than 2,000 NHL games; former Boston University coach Jack Parker, who won three national championships; former U.S. women’s Olympic coach and men’s Olympic assistant coach Ben Smith, who led the U.S. women to the gold medal in the first women’s Olympic tournament in 1998; and two-time Stanley Cup champion Scott Young, a forward who played for three U.S. Olympic teams and for the Ducks.

The date and location of the induction ceremony have not been determined. The Hall is located in Eveleth, Minn.