The 2018 Fictitious Veteran Inductees

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26. John Tonelli

Possibly the best player of the New York Islanders dynasty not yet in the Hall of Fame, John Tonelli traveled where others feared to tread. Tonelli was a grinder and was one of the few players who were just as comfortable chasing an open puck as he was digging for it in the corner. Usually, players defined by grit were not known for their scoring touch but John Tonelli was able to rack 834 NHL career points. Had he gone to the NHL right away odds are he would have hit that four-digit plateau.

John Tonelli

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39. Andy Moog

It is hard to call someone with the skill set of Andy Moog unfortunate, but he did emerge as star goaltender around for the Edmonton Oilers around the same time as Grant Fuhr. As such, Moog did not receive as much playing time in Edmonton as he would have liked and despite being a valuable component to three Stanley Cups he would seek more responsibility elsewhere. He found it in Boston, where he enjoyed the best years of his career posting personal highs. Moog was known for his outstanding reflexes and despite being very well known he was a touch underrated. Moog finished off his career with an impressive 372 career wins, and though he played with some outstanding offensive teams he certainly did his part in between the pipes to earn them.

Andy Moog

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8. John LeClair

Some have said that John LeClair got off to a slow start in the NHL. There is certainly a level of truth to that as his stint with the Habs showed his defensive skill but not any real offensive proficiency. Upon becoming a Philadelphia Flyer, LeClair really began to use his size and mobility. He was placed on a line with Eric Lindros and Michael Renberg and the line dubbed the “Legion of Doom” became a highlight reel staple with their goals and bruising nature. LeClair became the first American to net 50 goals three seasons in a row. The question for the Hall is did John LeClair’s Broad Street tenure do enough to secure a spot.

John LeClair

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68. Dale Hunter

In the world of the National Hockey League, you wouldn’t normally think that any player who amassed over 3,000 career penalty minutes could potentially have over 1,000 points but the notorious Dale Hunter is currently the only player to have accomplished this feat. Hunter may not have led the league in scoring but he was able to score 70 or more points six times in his career and did achieve some level of consistency in that department. He was a tenacious player who you never wanted to face on the ice but would be glad to have on your side. He was a true leader and in many ways symbolic of many hockey players (one of the nicest guys you could meet off the ice and a real beast on it). His overall statistics may not show a Hall of Fame career, but Dale Hunter may have had just enough intangibles to receive a peek from the Hockey Hall of Fame committee.

Dale Hunter

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47. Neal Broten

Arguably the best player to come out of the hockey rich state of Minnesota, Neal Broten did not just come from the Gopher State; he played virtually his entire career there. Broten played his collegiate hockey for the University of Minnesota and played the bulk of his career for the Minnesota North Stars. The American Center was part of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team and although he never did get a Stanley Cup Ring in Minnesota, he did gain that accolade with the Devils in 1995. Although Broten failed to get 1,000 career points, he did get more than 60 assists four times in a season and with his Collegiate and International play, he has to be considered a wild card possibility to enter the Hall.

Neal Broten

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32. Kent Nilsson

Should someone compile a list of the best all time hockey players from Sweden, Kent Nilsson often gets left out. Nilsson was a largely forgotten international star whose professional path may have made him the forgotten man. After a few years lighting up the Swedish league, Nilsson joined the WHA and the Winnipeg Jets where he was instantly among that organization’s elite. Upon the merger of the WHA and NHL, Nilsson joined the Flames where in the 1980-81 season he had a career year of 131 points. This remains the record both a Swedish born player and Calgary Flame.

Kent Nilsson

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21. Peter Bondra

Although Peter Bondra was not born in Slovakia (he moved there when he was three), he is one of the best players to ever emerge from the Eastern European nation. After four years in the Czech league, Bondra joined the Washington Capitals and after a few years emerged as their best offensive threat. The Slovakian Sniper not only possessed deadly shot accuracy, but he was also blessed with amazing speed.

Peter Bondra

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52. Gary Suter

Gary Suter started off with a bang winning the Calder Trophy with the Calgary Flames. Suter continued to rack up points for the Flames and the star was able to hoist the Stanley Cup in 1989. Year after year, Gary Suter was among the league leaders in point by a defenseman. With a career garnering 844 points, he is among the elite and is in the conversation when discussing the best American born defenseman ever. Had he ever won a Norris trophy, he would have likely been seen his chances increase.

Gary Suter

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40. Bobby Smith

In the era of star centers, it is easy to forget about Bobby Smith. As a player who once scored more points than Wayne Gretzky to win the OMJHL scoring title, Smith entered the NHL with a bang winning the Calder Trophy with the Minnesota North Stars. Smith was a quiet star in the NHL who was leadership and passing skills seemed to go unnoticed expect during playoff runs in Minnesota and Montreal. Smith finished his career with over 1,000 points but he seemed to do so without a lot of people taking notice.

Bobby Smith

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29. Carl Brewer

If ever there was a hockey player who marched to his own tune, it would have to be Carl Brewer. A brilliant stay at home defenseman, Brewer would literally do whatever it took to stop any attacker. He was also the victim of rash decision making as his uncontrollable intensity often cost his team costly penalties. Brewer also left the game on multiple occasions (even during the peak of his career) due to off ice disagreements with other players, coaches, or management. Had Brewer stayed in the NHL consistently, his hockey accomplishment would be unquestionably larger but as such he will go down in history far more for his off ice activities than on.

Carl Brewer

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