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?
Although Emile “Butch” Bouchard was mostly a stay-at-home Defenceman, his well timed and accurate passing skills were often the catalyst for the Montreal Canadians expert offensive rushes. Bouchard brought a strong physical presence to the Habs defense which the squad desperately needed. His bodychecks became legendary in the NHL, and despite his immense strength and physical play, he rarely got into fights. Bouchard would help Montreal win…
Although Doug Gilmour was undersized, the man dubbed “Killer” became one of the most popular players in the National Hockey League due to his tenacious and feisty play. However, Gilmour was not just ferocious, as he was an effective playmaker who three times hit the 100 points mark in a season and was twice the runner up for the most assists. Gilmour was also a…
Considered one of best wingers in the early days of Hockey, Scotty Davidson was a star in the NHA, captaining the Toronto Blue Shirts to a Stanley Cup win in 1914. Davidson was a good goal scorer for Toronto with 42 goals in 40 games. The 23 year old Davidson enlisted into the Canadian Army and was killed shortly thereafter ending what should have been a…
Credited with bringing the hook check to Hockey, Jack Walker emerged from the lake region of Ontario to land three Stanley Cups with three different teams. Walker was a very good defensive forward who may never have been the best player on his team, but was someone who did the intangibles necessary to bring home championships. His skill set, despite the era, was one useful to…
James Dunn’s lifelong work in the world of Manitoba Hockey is what got him his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. A minor league hockey player himself, Dunn returned from World War I unable to play, but still was still involved in the minors in an administrative capacity. Later, he began working with the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association where he served as Secretary, Vice…
He wasn’t the fastest skater on the ice (a nickname of “Snowshoes” due to his plodding skating style attests to that) but Allan Stanley filled the role of a stay at home Defenceman very well, and was a three time Post Season All Star selection because of it.
You may not know this name, but this is actually one of our favorite inductions as it shows that the Hockey Hall of Fame was serious about inducting people to show that it really is an institution that recognizes International achievements.
When Elmer Lach retired from professional hockey in 1954, he was the leading scorer in NHL history. This feat was especially impressive considered how injury prone Lach was. The career long Montreal Canadian may have been known for getting injured, but he was revered in the league for his tenacious will to recover quickly from those trips to the hospital. Lach centered the Habs famed “Punch…
The first ever European born number one NHL Draft Pick did not disappoint in the professional ranks. The Swedish born superstar would become one of the greatest hockey players that his country ever produced, and he would become a hero in Sweden and a star in Toronto, the Mecca of the hockey world. Sadly, Mats Sundin was often the lone bright spot for another wise…
Arguably the top Defenceman in his era, Ray Bourque would finish his career as the highest scoring blueliner in NHL history. Bourque would be named to a staggering nineteen Post Season All Star Teams and would win the James Norris Trophy five times.
“The Killer” Brian Kilrea did not have much of a career as a player in the National Hockey League (though he does have the distinction of scoring the first ever goal for the Los Angeles Kings), but it was his role as a coach in the Ontario Hockey League that truly made him a name. Kilrea would spend most of his coaching career in Ottawa…
Although Steamer Maxwell (Another cool ass name in the early days of sports) never turned professional, it was not because he was not good enough. Fred “Steamer” Maxwell had the skills, but he chose to remain in the amateur ranks. With that said, did he have enough of career to justify his Hall Of Fame entry? We have looked up and down at his resume and we…
Considered one of the best all-around Canadian athletes in the turn of the century, Dan Bain excelled at everything he touched. Consider that he won the following: The Manitoba Roller Skating Championship at age 13The Manitoba Gymnastics Competition at age 17.Three Manitoba Cycling Championships.Canadian Trapshooting Champion in 1903
Al Arbour had a respectable career in the National Hockey League playing in over 600 games and winning three Stanley Cups. However, it was as a Head Coach that he entered the Hall of Fame. As soon as Arbour retired as a player with the St. Louis Blues, he was inserted as their Head Coach, but it was in Long Island where he found his…
Bud Poile had a successful run as a player in the National Hockey League, but his entry into the Hockey Hall of Fame is based on his ability as a Coach and General Manager. He won three championships as the Head Coach for the Edmonton Flyers in the Western Hockey League, and when the NHL expansion happened in 1967, he received the opportunity to become…
The former owner of the Boston Bruins, Charles Adams truly respected the game of Hockey, much like the other great owners in the game’s early days. It is because of men like Adams that the sport grew, and indirectly the sport in New England. Some franchise owners do not belong in their respective Halls of Fame, but that can NOT be said of Charles Adams.
There is so much that can be said about Mario Lemieux, that a fewparagraphs just don’t seem to cut it. Putting it simply, Mario Lemieux is one of the greatest scorers in the history of hockey who seemed to have infinite ways to fool goaltenders. As such, he was one of the most exciting players in the league and challenged Wayne Gretzky as the top…
A Detroit based entrepreneur, Mike Ilitch made his mark on the world as the founder of Little Caesar’s Pizza. Despite, the amount of jobs he created, the city of Detroit are probably happier that he bought the Detroit Red Wings. When he bought the team, the Original Six squad was referred to as the “Dead Things” Or “Dead Wings” and they were the dregs of…
A longtime goaltender in Vancouver’s early history of hockey, Hughie “Old Eagle Eyes” Lehman appeared in eight Stanley Cup championships, although he only won once. Regardless of his poor finals record, Hughie Lehman was a still a very good backstopper who is credited for being the first to rush outside of his net and move the puck forward in what was then an unconventional way. Lehman did…
The first President of the National Hockey League, Frank Calder navigated through the troubled times of the league’s early days and was one of the game’s first true visionaries. It was not easy, as he faced two World Wars, the Great Depression and of course NHL owners! Calder’s love of the game and dedication to it is honored annually with the awarding of the Calder Trophy…