Likely not part of the first induction class due to hard work that he did to make a Hockey Hall of Fame happen in the first place (Seriously, without Sutherland this would have taken years longer), James T. Sutherland was part of the glut of builders who were part of the 1947 Class.

The answer to the trivia question, “Who was the first player to win the Hart Trophy”, Frank Nighbor was also the recipient of many other awards. He was also the first ever Lady Byng Trophy winner. In fact, it was his sportsmanship that inspired Lady Byng to donate the award in the first place. Had there been the Frank J. Selke award back then (for the top defensive forward) he might have won a boatload of those too. His mastery of the poke check and ability to counter attack made him one of the most dangerous players in the League. Nighbor also led the Ottawa Senators to three Stanley Cups. Seems like a no brainer to enter the Hall of Fame to us.

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 given to NHL’s top Rookie.

One of the best defenseman of his (or any) era, Eddie Shore remains the blueliner with the most Hart Trophies (4) for his career. One of the toughest men in the league, he guarded his end of the ice as if it were his family and still managed to be effective on the offensive side of the game. The punishing bruiser was a seven time First Team All Star; though we imagine voters would be afraid not too elect him to any All Star squad or Hall of Fame. We know we would!