It's in the name: Ruggiero headed for the National Italian Sports Hall (and probably great induction dinner)

Surely, in her world travels, Angela Ruggiero knocked the puck around before in Italy.

Hopefully, that being part of her resume could have counted for something as the Simi Valley native, four-time U.S. women's hockey Olympic team member and current International Olympic Committee board member will be inducted into the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame.

The ceremony will be Oct. 22 in Chicago. Bring a big red checkered bib.

The 33rd induction class will include former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo, former baseball player/manager Ken Aspromonte and former baseball star Bob Aspromonte.

Previous inductees you may recognize with So Cal ties include (do we really need to guess on this?): Tommy Lasorda (who has his own wing, seriously, linked here), Mike Piazza, Louis Zamperini, Joe Torre, Mike Scioscia, Sonny Vaccaro, Bobby Valentine, Joey Amalfitano, Cami Granato (not Tony) ... you can figure out the other obvious ones.

What does it take to be elected into this Hall? The rules state:

A. A nominee must have either parent born of Italian heritage.
B. A nominee must have been an active participant in their sport, either professional or amateur, in the United States of America.
C. A nominee must have made an outstanding contribution to a given sport over a period of years and has shown good sportsmanship and character together with excellent achievements in his or her career.