Although the bulk of the early era players are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, a case could be made for the talented Lorne Chabot. The Montreal native was successful everywhere he went, posting winning records and winning two Stanley Cups. Chabot’s career saw him get 201 over eleven seasons but as he played with six different teams he got labeled a journeyman despite the successful performances he showed.
Before his record was broken by Doug Jarvis, Garry Unger was considered the NHL’s Iron Man. Unger played in 914 consecutive games which was a phenomenal accomplishment, considering the rough nature of Professional Hockey. Unger did not just play in those games; he was a seven-time All-Star who was able to acquire 804 career points. Because Unger was dependable, he was not considered flashy. The latter might be what has caused people to forget about the first true “Iron Man” of the NHL.
Considering that Steve Thomas went undrafted, the fact that he made the NHL is an impressive feat. Throw in that he lasted 19 seasons and that feat is extraordinary. Steve Thomas became a solid goal scorer and a dependable player on both ends. He managed to get over 900 points in his long career and though he had a high career point total, he was never an All-Star. Without at least one major season to his credit, it may be difficult for Thomas to crack the Hall.
As a skill player for the Philadelphia Flyer,s the speedy and undersized Andre Lacroix was a star but not necessarily a superstar. Lacroix was one of the many who took the pay increase to join the WHA, and the more open game worked towards his style of play. Lacroix may have bounced around that struggling league but wherever he went he was scoring profusely. Lacroix would go down in history as the all-time leading scorer of the World Hockey Association finishing with 798 points and six consecutive seasons hitting the 100 point plateau. Likely, because all his great moments were in the WHA (and with teams that were struggling even by WHA standards) his contributions have gone largely unnoticed. Had there ever been a WHA specific Hall of Fam,e however, Andre Lacroix would be on the first ballot.
It is always impressive when a man plays 964 games in the National Hockey League. What made Doug Jarvis’ 964 games so special is that he played them in a row setting the “iron man” mark for consecutive games played. Jarvis didn’t just play in those games: he was a gritty defensive-minded forward who was the master of the penalty kill. He didn’t light up the lamps, but that was not what he was paid to do. Considering he is the “iron man” of Hockey, an induction is not impossible.
The forgotten third center of the Montreal Canadians, Ralph Backstrom was a forgotten grinder on the great Hans team of the 60’s. As he was primarily on a checking line (and not French Canadian), he was not necessarily the poster boy of Canadians Hockey. Still, Backstrom was a multi time All Star and a pivotal member of many Stanley Cup wins. Like many, Backstrom bolted for the WHA and was a force there. Similar to others on this list, Ralph Backstrom’s tenure in the World Hockey Association might be to his determent for Hall consideration.
Likely because he played the bulk (and peak) of his career with the Washington Capitals, a lot of hockey fans were not watching Kevin Hatcher. The durable defenseman was able to score a lot of points and netted 34 goals in the 1992-93 campaign. On four occasions, Hatcher was able to achieve at least 50 points and was able to get 677 for his career. The five-time All-Star may not make the Hall in Toronto, but he should be able to rightfully gain entry into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
A star for the Chicago Black Hawks and the United States National Team, Tony Amonte enjoyed a solid career. His career zenith was as a Black Hawk where the consistent American Right Winger enjoyed a five-year stretch where he did not miss a game and was among the best players in the Windy City. A five-time All-Star, Amonte was one of the better American born hockey players of All Time, but without that magical 1,000 points NHL plateau or a dominant season, he may have to settle for the American Hall of Fame instead.
Regardless of the era, scoring 50 goals in three consecutive seasons is an impressive statistic. Even though it was the wide-open early 80’s that saw Rick Vaive accomplish that feat, remember he did so for a brutal Harold Ballard organization that saw the worst of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Vaive had a killer slapshot and used that skill to net 441 career goals. Because Vaive played with so many bad teams, his career is often forgotten, but he was often to only bright light on many teams in the 1980s.
During the heyday of Pierre Larouche, there were few hockey players who had a more gifted scoring touch. Larouche was (at the time) the youngest player to net 50 goals per season and was the first to score 50 goals a season for two different teams. Scoring was never a problem for and he was able to help the Habs win two Stanley Cups. Larouche however was criticized for his lack of defensive play and although he finished his career with an over a point per game average, his lack of two way skills will hurt him with the Hall.