One of the best players of all time for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dave Keon was probably its classiest. The 1961 Calder Trophy winner brought an abundance of skill to the Leafs with his speed, deking ability and a diverse collection of shots. Keon was an expert penalty killer, and even more of an expert staying out of the penalty box himself as shown by his two Lady Byng Trophies (and the two equivalents he won in the WHA).
Contrary to what you might think, the first Defenceman to hit 1,000 points was not Bobby Orr. That accolade goes to Denis Potvin who was the anchor behind the New York Islanders success. Potvin was the first overall pick by the Isles, who were a struggling expansion team. He won the Calder Trophy, and was a two way superstar throughout his career. Potvin would become a three time Norris Trophy and five time First Team All Star in his career, but the pinnacle was the four consecutive Stanley Cups that the Islanders captured in the early 1980’s. The Hall of Fame ceremony had to be an extra special one for Potvin, as the ceremony was in Ottawa, where he grew up, and his Class included longtime teammate, Mike Bossy.
A brilliant playmaking Centre, Denis Savard was an over a point per game player throughout his career. He had his best efforts while playing with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1980’s and would hit the 100 point mark on five occasions. The gifted forward would often find unique way to get the puck to his teammates, or put it in the net. Basically, this was a player made for the sports highlight reel. Savard would reach his pinnacle in his home province as he was able to raise the Stanley Cup as a member of the Montreal Canadians in 1993. The flashy French Canadian entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Dick Duff was a very good player who was on six Stanley Cup winning rosters, but for a forward his overall points total was decent but perhaps not Hall of Fame worthy based on his era. However, his points per game increased in the post season, and he was a key contributor on many of those Cups, and not just a bystander. It is not a terrible induction, but it was not exactly a snub had Dick Duff never been included.
When most hockey fans hear the name of Dick Irvin, they usually think of the legendary broadcaster. However, it was his father (who bore the same name) who was the on ice star.
Dubbed the “Little Man of Iron” due to his small stature and fierce tenacity, Dickie Boon was a two time star Stanley Cup winning defenceman for the Montreal Hockey Club. Boon historically is credited as the first player to use the poke check. After his playing days ended, he co-founded the Montreal Wanderers and managed them to four Stanley Cups. Boon’s induction is likely based on the combination of his management and playing as he may not have gotten in on just one or the other.
Dickie Moore was a big part of that loaded Montreal Canadians dynasty of the late 1950’s. On the same line with the Richard brothers (Maurice & Henri), Moore was not just along for the ride as he was a two time Art Ross Trophy winner for leading the National Hockey League in scoring. Moore was not just a goal scorer and a playmaker as he was a grinder in the corners whose nickname was “Digging Dickie”.
Called the “Cannonball” because of his powerful shot, Didier Pitre was one of the more versatile and durable players of his or any time. The speedy skater started off as a Rover, later a Forward and as his skills naturally declined he transferred to Defence where his Hockey IQ was still serviceable in the professional ranks. Despite playing for multiple teams, Pitre was with the Habs for twelve seasons and was an important piece of the franchise’s early history.
A four time All Star Game selection, Dino Ciccarelli was an excellent goal scorer with the Minnesota North Stars who proved many scouts wrong as he went undrafted in 1979. Minnesota was not always a great team, but Dino gave fans hope and a reason to come to the games. He was a feisty (though occasionally controversial) player who would finish his career with an even 1,200 points and over 600 goals. Ciccarelli was often used on the Power Play, and twice would finish second in the NHL in that category. He did however wait a bit before entering the Hockey Hall of Fame likely due to the controversy that surrounded him and the fact that his career plus/minus was a negative two. With that said, there were many who thought that the Hall waited far too long to induct Dino Ciccarelli.
Seriously, is there a cooler name in the hockey’s annals than Dit Clapper? Funky name aside, Clapper was the first player to last twenty seasons in professional hockey, and he did not just last; he thrived. He was an All Star at both Left Wing and Defense and was a vital part of three Stanley Cup wins for the Boston Bruins (where he spent his entire career). Clapper was so respected by the world of hockey that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame the year that he retired (1947). It was a well earned honor.
The best Goalie of his time, and a man with a case to say he was the best ever, Dominik Hasek had a spectacular run taking the Czech Republic to an unexpected Olympic Gold in 1998 and was a two time Hart Trophy Winner and six time Vezina Trophy Winner. If he had any real NHL talent in front of him, his fingers would be full of Stanley Cup Rings.
A wealthy Canadian who would become a Senator, Donat Raymond’s contribution to Hockey was the formation of the Canadian Arena Company which was responsible for constructing the legendary Montreal Forum. Basically, this is the main reason he got inducted in the Builders Category in the Hockey Hall of Fame. This might be one of the Hall’s weaker inductions.
Considered by his peers to be one of the most complete players in the NHL, Doug Bentley really was capable of it all. He could put the puck in the net, was an efficient passer, an excellent backchecker and a good guy to have in the locker room. Bentley would twice lead the league in goals (though this was during World War II when the NHL was decimated in talent), assists and once in scoring and played in five All Star Games. He had the honor of playing on the first complete forward line of brothers when both Max and Reg Bentley suited up for Chicago. Sadly for Doug Bentley, he was on many Chicago teams that were not that good, and despite his long professional career, he only played in 23 playoff games. Still, Bentley is a fine addition to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
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 top two way star, as he won the Frank J. Selke Award for the top Defensive Forward in the NHL in 1993. It was in those early 90’s that “Dougie” took over the hearts of Toronto Maple Leaf fans, nearly taking them to the Stanley Cup Finals and dazzling everyone with his complete style of play. He may never have made a Post Season All Star Team, but he was a Centre that every team coveted.
The unquestioned top Defenceman in his era (so why didn’t he get fast tracked to the Hall of Fame like others around this time? We’ll get to that in a bit) Doug Harvey won seven Norris Trophies to testify to that fact. His brilliant offensive rushes were equally matched by his defensive prowess and desire to stop offensive attackers at any cost. Harvey was the top defender in the Montreal Canadians dynasty of the 50’s, and it is likely that they would not have won five consecutive Stanley Cups without him.
Best known for becoming a First Team All Star in the five years of the Western Canadian Hockey League’s existence, Duke Keats was a gifted offensive player in his prime. Keats may have had his best season out West, but he did eventually make his way to the NHL and held his own. Keats induction to the Hall is predominantly based on his work in the WCHL which was certainly justified.
A rugged stay at home star at Defence, Earl Seibert was named to a post season All Star team ten consecutive years. Had it not been for Eddie Shore, Seibert would have possibly been considered the best Defensemen of his era, but the tough Shore had confessed that Seibert was one player he was not fond of fighting. Seibert would win the Stanley Cup twice (once for Chicago, the second with the Rangers) and was a big part of those wins. Seibert unfortunately also became known for shattering Howie Morenz’ leg in multiple places, when he crashed into the legend into the boards. Some fans may remember him mostly for that, but Earl Seibert’s career should be remembered for far more things.
A career skater for the Detroit franchise, Ebbie Goodfellow was another in the long list of Hockey stars to come out of Ottawa. Goodfellow was at his best when he moved from Centre to Defense and won the Hart Trophy as the League’s Most Valuable Player in 1940. As one of the top defenseman in the National Hockey League in his day, Goodfellow earned his way into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Frankly, he should be remembered in higher regard than he is currently.
Ed Belfour’s first full season in the National Hockey League was a stellar one as he won the Calder, the Vezina, the William M. Jennings and was a First Team All Star. From that point on, Belfour was considered one of the top Goalies in professional hockey, and though he may not have had a season as good as first, he would have a lot of very good ones winning more awards and putting his teams in Stanley Cup contention, eventually winning the grand prize with the Dallas Stars in 1999. Belfour would become a first ballot Hockey Hall of Fame entrant in 2011.
Ed Chynoweth worked his way up the administrative ranks in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey programs and would become the first President of the Western Hockey League. He did not just grow the sport in Western Canada, but forged a partnership with the OHL and QMJHL which led to the formation of the Canadian Hockey League. His role in growing Junior Hockey in Canada cannot be quantified.