Current Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees (383)
Outside of the province of Ontario, how many people are aware of the city of Kingston? Let’s take that a step further. How many outside of Canada know about this place? We will wager that it isn’t a lot, and those that answer that they heard of it, probably are thinking of the version in Jamaica instead. Now had this city on the Northeastern corner of Lake Ontario remained the home of the Hockey Hall of Fame would it have developed a bit of an international flair or enhanced reputation? Maybe it would have been more of a staple of “Canadiana”, as Kingston is the home of the First Canadian Prime Minister, and the unofficial band of Canada, The Tragically Hip. Stands to reason that it would have been a great fit for the unofficial sport of Canada (it is actually lacrosse) and the official passion of the country.With the launch of the Baseball Hall of Fame, the sport of hockey looked to follow suit. Its biggest league, The National Hockey League had a core of seven teams (which was pared down to six in 1942, when the New York Americans suspended operations) was a healthy organization, and though it was only relevant in cold weather climates, it was a sport that already had a long history, and the coveted Stanley Cup; which was then (and still is) the most impressive trophy in the entire sporting world.
The biggest proponent of an institution recognizing hockey excellence was a Canadian named James T. Sutherland. Born in 1870 (in Kingston naturally), Sutherland played as much hockey as he could and was a member of the Athletic Club of Kingston which was part of what was believed to be the first organized league the sport had. He would later form the Kingston Frontenacs, who would participate in the Ontario Hockey Association and would eventually become the Leagues president. Captain Sutherland (a rank he would achieve serving for Canada in World War I) would create the Memorial Cup; a trophy honoring those who fought in the Great War and to be given to the top Junior team in Canada. Incidentally, this is still the same trophy given to the team that wins the post season tournament in the Juniors in Canada.
Once the National Hockey League and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association agreed to mutually put together a Hall, Sutherland (who had also served as the President of the CAHA) fought for Kingston to be its home. It was not just because he was a native of the city, but because he legitimately believed that Kingston was the rightful birth of modern hockey (which is near impossible to prove). Regardless of where hockey began, Kingston was to be pegged as its home.
Although construction had yet to begin on the facility, the first class was selected in 1945 which inducted nine players. It also had a “Builders” category which honored those who helped develop the game. As we look at those who are inducted to this institution, we will do so chronologically. Let’s take a ride on Hockey’s highway shall we?
Dubbed “The Next One”, Eric Lindros never really lived up to the mammoth expectations heaped upon him. This isn’t to say that Eric Lindros didn’t have a good career, as he most certainly did. He won the prestigious Hart Trophy in 1995 and had 115 points the following year. Lindros did average well over a point a game in his career but the issue was…
If longevity and consistency is the key to the Hockey Hall of Fame, then sign up Dave Andreychuk to the Hall right now. Andreychuk is among career leaders in Games Played and Points Scored and in terms of scoring proficiency for a left winger, he has few peers. He excelled at the Power Play, where he maintains the career record for the most Power Play…
With his short stature, Paul Kariya did not look the part of the professional hockey player, but once he took to the ice, there was little doubt that he was among the elite. Kariya was a very intelligent player and displayed such amazing skill that he was often compared with the immortal Wayne Gretzky. Known for his gentlemanly play, he rarely made mistakes and had…
Martin Brodeur is going to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame on his first try.There should be no doubt about this, nor will there be any relevant debate on this subject.
Phil Housley may have played for eight NHL teams but pegging him as a journeyman is far from accurate. Housley would shatter well over 1,000 career points, an excellent number for a blueliner, but his multi-team status likely kept him out of the Hockey Hall of Fame for an extended period of time.
The “Finnish Flash” had one of the most spectacular rookie seasons in NHL history. Teemu Selanne scored a whopping 76 goals and 132 points for the Winnipeg Jets and became an instant sensation. Statistically, Selanne did not reach those heights again, although he would have three more seasons where he hit the century mark in points. Selanne remained a star into his 40’s and was…
In all likelihood the best goaltender of the 1970’s not yet in the Hall of Fame would have to be Rogie Vachon. The Quebec born net minder was a part of three (two of which he was the starting goalie) Stanley Cups for the fabled Montreal Canadians. Vachon’s star would actually rise in the mid 70’s, when he put up huge years for the Los…
If you go by just totals in the NHL, you wouldn’t think that a total of 384 points over seven seasons equates to a Hall of Fame career. However, in the case of Sergei Makarov his professional career did not start until he was thirty one years old. Prior to that, Makarov was one of the most dynamic forces for the Soviet Union; the nation…
A twenty two year veteran of the National Hockey League, Mark Recchi was one of the more productive players of the 1990’s, hitting the three digit figure in points three times. The gifted playmaker was also a three time Stanley Cup Champion, winning each ring with three different squads. As he is among the top twenty in every major offensive category in his career, it…
The best defenceman of his generation, Niklas Lidstrom would play his entire NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings and Motown is certainly glad he did! Lidstrom. The seven time Norris Trophy winner would anchor Detroit to four Stanley Cups and he is one of the rare blueliers to score over 1,000 Points.
29. Guy Carbonneau
Jan 11, 2015
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Guy Carbonneau seems to have a career of “threes”. On three occasions, he won the Stanley Cup and three times he won the Frank J. Selke Award as the NHL’s best defensive forward. Unlike other centers on this list, Carbonneau was not known for putting the puck in the net. Sure, he netted 260 goals over his career and was more than capable offensively, but it was his defensive prowess that made him an essential player. Whomever his team was playing against, you could count on Carbonneau being on the ice against that team’s best player. Guy Carbonneau was not a star for hat tricks he scored; he was a star for the hat tricks he prevented.
Some Hockey experts have referred to Terry Sawchuk as the greatest Goalie of all time. Those who don’t agree with that previous statement will at least agree that he deserves to be a part of the conversation.
A decent (though not necessarily spectacular) Goalie in his first nine years in the NHL and WHA, Bernie Parent’s game elevated to a new level upon returning to Philadelphia for a second stint for the Flyers.
Considering that he was undersized and undrafted, the fact that Martin St. Louis had a career in the NHL was a surprise. Considering that he became a superstar was an absolute shock.
As one of the top offensive defenseman of his era, Doug Wilson was a stalwart on the Chicago Black Hawks blue line for well over a decade. Wilson was capable of creating and capitalizing on many scoring chances while still being a more than capable defender. He won the Norris Trophy in 1982 and was on seven All Star squads. Wilson could not only play…
Though it appears that all of the key members of the 1980’s Oilers dynasty are in the Hall, there is a very strong case that one still remains. Kevin Lowe was a steady two way defenseman who was with the Oilers for the duration of Edmonton’s stellar run. He was overshadowed by his offensive juggernauts, but as he watched them slowly depart Alberta, he remained…
Possibly best known for his walrus like moustache more than anything he ever did on the ice, Lanny McDonald ended his professional career in about as perfect fashion as possible, by lifting up the Stanley Cup for the first time in his final game as a member of the Calgary Flames. Everywhere McDonald went, he proved to be productive player on the ice, and popular…
One of the flashiest players to ever be born in the Soviet Union, Sergei Fedorov, dazzled fans in Russia and in North America where he was a star with the Detroit Red Wings. Fedorov helped take the Detroit Red Wings to three Stanley Cups and is himself a former Hart Trophy Winner.
44. Sergei Zubov
Aug 31, 2012
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It is curious how a player who was often amongst the top points producers for defensemen and played for good big market teams flew under the radar, but outside of the teams he played for, most fans barely gave Sergei Zubov a second thought.
Chris Pronger is a former Hart Trophy and Norris Trophy winner and would twice lead the National Hockey League in Plus/Minus while he was a member of the St. Louis Blues. Pronger would become a four time post-season All Star, a Stanley Cup Champion with the Anaheim Ducks and was a Olympic Gold Medalist with Canada.