St. Lawrence University and the St. Lawrence Hockey Alumni Association are pleased to announce the induction of four distinguished alumni into the Legends of Appleton. Michele Amidon '94, Pam Seaborn Mahoney '92, Tom O'Connor '75, and Ray Shero '84 will be honored for their outstanding contributions to the ice hockey programs, the sport of hockey, and their leadership within the Laurentian and North Country communities.

These four alumni join an esteemed group of Legends, including Brian McFarlane '55, the late Bill Torrey '57, former men's coach Mike McShane, former women's coach Paul Flanagan '80, Peter McGeough '88, Gina Kingsbury '04, and former coach Joe Marsh.

Amidon and Mahoney will be inducted during the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Women's Hockey at Reunion Weekend, May 29 – June 1, 2025. O'Connor and Shero will be inducted during Legends Weekend and the 100th Anniversary of Men's Hockey, November 14 – 16, 2025.  

Amidon is a true pioneer in women's ice hockey, leaving a lasting impact on the sport, St. Lawrence University, and the broader landscape of women's athletics. As both a "builder" of the game she loves and of the St. Lawrence women's ice hockey program, she played a crucial role in its growth and success, shaping the game and contributing to the University's storied hockey history. A 2021 recipient of the American Hockey Coaches Association's prestigious Women's Ice Hockey Founders Award, through her exceptional achievements as a player, coach, Hockey director and General Manager.  Amidon not only excelled on the ice but also helped lay a strong foundation for future generations of female athletes, ensuring the program's continued success and legacy.

As a standout athlete, Amidon represented the U.S. National Women's Hockey Team, showcasing her elite skill and dedication on the world stage. This experience not only elevated her personal career but also helped fuel the global growth and recognition of women's hockey. At St. Lawrence University, Amidon excelled as a student-athlete and served as an ambassador for the University and its ice hockey programs. As a three-year captain and MVP in both hockey and soccer, she displayed exceptional leadership and athleticism, guiding her teams to success and winning two consecutive ECAC Hockey Championships. Amidon was also named ECAC Rookie of the Year in her first season with the team. Amidon also helped Team USA to a silver medal at the 1992 IIHF Women's World Championships.

Beyond her playing career, Amidon spent 10 seasons coaching at Bowdoin College, including nine as the head coach, where she led her teams to four NCAA tournament appearances and two NESCAC championships, earning conference Coach of the Year honors twice and National Coach of the Year. She later accepted the role of USA Hockey's Director of Women's Hockey and General Manager of the USA Women's National and Olympic Teams, further demonstrating her ability to build and develop the sport. In this leadership position, Amidon was instrumental in the growth and promotion of women's hockey at all levels, ensuring future generations of players had the opportunities, resources, and recognition they deserved. A member of the Female Hockey Advisory Committee to the NHL and NHLPA, and a Female Ambassador to the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, her leadership has had a significant impact on the broader hockey community, particularly on the growth of women's hockey in the United States.

Amidon became the Executive Director of Hockey Operations for the Boulder Hockey Club in June of 2016, serving in the role for three years before joining Agility Hockey Systems in Denver. In the spring of 2022, Amidon began her work with South Suburban Parks and Recreation, an organization that she currently serves as the Director of Adult and Youth Hockey in Littleton, Colorado, the largest hockey association in the Rocky Mountain district. The organization has over 1,100 youth players, 1,200 adult players, and 1,000 children learning to play hockey on an annual basis, showcasing Amidon's continued effort to grow the sport for players of all ages.  

Mahoney's legacy at St. Lawrence runs deep within both the local and University communities, leaving an indelible mark through her athletic, academic, and personal dedication. Her multifaceted contributions have been felt across the University. 

As a dual-sport student-athlete and captain, Mahoney excelled in both hockey and soccer, playing an integral part in leading the Saints to three ECAC hockey titles and an NCAA appearance in soccer in 1989.  Her standout performances and unwavering commitment earned her numerous accolades, including St. Lawrence's Senior Female Athlete of the Year, Co-MVP for hockey across all Division III schools, and MVP of the 1992 Division III ECAC Championship.

Mahoney's dedication to athletic excellence went beyond her own playing career, as she later served in multiple coaching roles including head coach, associate head coach and assistant coach of women's hockey, as well as an assistant in soccer at her alma mater. Mahoney also served as an assistant coach for Princeton women's hockey for two years before earning a master's degree in Sport Pedagogy and Sport Psychology from the University of Ottawa. During her coaching tenure at St. Lawrence, she contributed to USA Hockey's 18U National Development Camp as an instructor and NYSAHA evaluator. She brought the Three Nations Cup to Appleton Arena in which St. Lawrence teammate M. Amidon played for Team USA versus Finland. Mahoney also helped instill a love of hockey in the youth of Canton. She ran Canton Minor Hockey's "Cub-Club" and coached many youth teams over the course of a decade.

Beyond coaching, Mahoney fully embraced the role of educator, teaching in the Sports and Leisure Studies department at St. Lawrence, and in the Sports Management program at SUNY Canton. Her passion for athletics, combined with her commitment to academic rigor, continues to leave a lasting impact on her students. Mahoney's dedication to the University community endures to this day. She remains active in gathering the history behind Saints women's sports and talent, acting as a valuable resource for athletics staff at the university. For her lasting contributions to the St. Lawrence community and prolific athletics career, Mahoney was inducted into the St. Lawrence Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020. As the parent of three Laurentian student-athletes and a loyal supporter of Saints Athletics, she remains actively engaged.
   

Throughout his highly accomplished career, Tom O'Connor has exemplified exceptional leadership and service. He has dedicated himself to building and strengthening both organizations and individuals, including St. Lawrence University and the players of its hockey programs. His visionary yet humble approach has set a powerful example for future generations of alumni, leaving a legacy destined to be legendary.

O'Connor's journey at St. Lawrence began in the crease, where he was a four-year goaltender for the Skating Saints alongside longtime NHL head coach Jacques Martin. Together, they created a formidable goaltending duo. During his junior season, he played a career-high 18 games with a 3.80 GAA and a .896 save percentage—a performance that was remarkable for college hockey in the 1970s.  He earned the deep respect of his former teammates and fellow alumni across generations and continues to be admired today for his lasting impact and meaningful contributions as an alumnus.

After graduating Cum Laude from St. Lawrence University with a degree in Government, O'Connor attended the Albany Law School of Union University and went on to establish himself as a distinguished litigator at Rogers & Wells and later at Hale and Dorr. O'Connor's legal career laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey, where he demonstrated leadership and vision in the financial services industry. In 2000, he co-founded Marathon Capital Group LLC, which he successfully sold in 2008.  Building on that success, O'Connor co-founded Baystate Wealth Management, which he sold in 2024. He served as President of the company and continues to serve as Managing Director, in addition to being general counsel for Baystate Financial Services. O'Connor also co-founded Catalyst Financial Partners, another investment advisory firm, in which he remains an owner.  O'Connor's professional achievements are matched by his commitment to giving back. He has been an active board member for the Baystate Financial Charitable Foundation, Friends of Special Olympics, the Tower School in Marblehead (Board Chair), the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter, and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. O'Connor's career demonstrates his unwavering commitment to building strong teams, putting others first, and creating meaningful impact across both business ventures and charitable endeavors.

Amidst all his professional success and family responsibilities, O'Connor remained committed to St. Lawrence University, especially its ice hockey programs. He co-founded the St. Lawrence Hockey Alumni Association (HAA) in 2016, which now serves as an important organization to supporting the university's men's and women's ice hockey programs.  During O'Connor's tenure as Board Co-Chair, the HAA successfully recruited and developed a Board of Directors composed of talented alumni spanning generations, backgrounds, and regions across the globe, all committed to advancing the organization and University's mission for the ice hockey programs. Over more than two decades of service, O'Connor played an active role in two separate University search committees for the Charles W. Appleton II Head Men's Hockey Coach, including the committee that brought Coach Brekke to the program. He also served on the Appleton Arena User Group Committee during the historic renovation of the rink. Additionally, O'Connor's contributions to supporting the University's growing digital media needs were recognized when he was awarded an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for Best Sports Feature/Segment for his work on the video "Legends of Appleton."  More importantly, O'Connor helped revitalize and foster a close-knit community of players, alumni, parents, and fans, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the University's sole Division I programs. His contributions as a mentor, philanthropist, volunteer, and dedicated leader will leave a lasting impact on the ice hockey programs, the University, and, most importantly, the lives of the student-athletes he has touched in meaningful ways.  

Ray Shero's professional success has always been matched by his unwavering commitment to St. Lawrence University. Shero made an immediate impact upon his arrival on campus, establishing himself as a leader and a catalyst for change. He played a pivotal role in helping new head coach Mike McShane transform a struggling program into a competitive force, reaching the ECAC Playoffs in three of his four seasons and competing in the ECAC Tournament at the Boston Garden.  Drafted by the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings, Shero's selection was a rare accomplishment for college players in the 1980s and brought significant visibility, prestige, and credibility to the St. Lawrence hockey program. At the time of his graduation, Shero ranked among the University's all-time leading scorers and served as co-captain during his senior year, further solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in the history of St. Lawrence hockey.

After graduating from St. Lawrence, Shero embarked on an extraordinary professional career that began as an NHL player agent. Over seven years, he built a successful agency representing numerous professional players and was among the first to represent college hockey players—a groundbreaking approach that significantly impacted the industry.  In 1993, Shero's expertise and reputation earned him a position with the Ottawa Senators as their first-ever Assistant General Manager. During his five seasons with the organization, he played a key role in transforming the team from its early days as an expansion team into a playoff contender.  Shero's career continued its upward trajectory as Assistant GM of the Nashville Predators, a role that prepared him to be named General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006. Under his leadership, the Penguins experienced a remarkable turnaround, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in just two seasons and winning the Stanley Cup in his third. Shero later served as General Manager of the New Jersey Devils, is also actively involved with USA Hockey, was a member of its National Team Advisory Board, and served as Associate General Manager for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games and now brings his extensive knowledge and experience as Senior Advisor to the General Manager of the Minnesota Wild.

Despite the extraordinary demands of being an NHL executive and a dedicated family man, Shero has consistently prioritized his service to St. Lawrence University and his connection to the Canton community. He remains deeply engaged with the University and its hockey programs, having been a founding board member of the St. Lawrence Hockey Alumni Association (HAA). Through his leadership, financial support, professional expertise, and mentorship, Shero has made a lasting impact as a builder of the program.  For over three decades, Shero has provided invaluable guidance and scouting assistance to coaches, including Coach Brent Brekke and former coaches Greg Carvel and Joe Marsh. He has served as a trusted mentor and resource to St. Lawrence families and students, exemplifying his unwavering dedication to the University's community. Shero's contributions include serving on the HAA's executive committee and playing a vital role on the University's search committee that brought Coach Brekke to the program. Under Brekke's leadership, the Saints have advanced to two ECAC Championship games, capturing the title in 2021.  In recognition of his outstanding service, Shero was honored with an Alumni Citation by the University's Alumni Executive Council in 2019. He continues to host alumni events and provided mentorship to numerous students as they transition from college to their professional careers, solidifying his legacy as a true champion of the St. Lawrence community.