21. 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 up 834 NHL career points. Had he gone to the NHL right away, odds are he would have hit that four-digit plateau.

Should John Tonelli be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 92.2%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 2.7%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 2.1%

No opinion. - 0.4%

No way! - 2.7%

The Bullet Points

Country of Origin: Milton, Ontario, Canada
Eligible Since: Sunday, 01 January 1995
Position: Left Wing
Games Played: 1028 (224 in WHA)
Notable Statistics:
325 Goals (64 in WHA)
511 Assists (86 in WHA)
836 Points (150 in WHA)
+221 Plus/Minus (+38 in WHA)
911 PIM (278 in WHA)
N/A Blocked Shots*
N/A Hits*
N/A Takeaways*
N/A Giveaways*
58.8 Point Shares

172 Playoff Games
40 Goals (11 in WHA)
75 Assists (14 in WHA)
115 Points (25 in WHA)
+29 Plus/Minus (+3 in WHA)
200 PIM (28 in WHA)
N/A Blocked Shots*
N/A Hits*
N/A Takeaways*
N/A Giveaways*

*These stats were first implemented in the 2007/08 Season.
**Point Shares are not calculated in WHA Games.
Played For: Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Quebec Nordiques
Non-NHL Teams: Houston Aeros (WHA)
Team Canada (Canada Cup, 1984)
Major Accolades and Awards: Stanley Cup Rings (4) (New York Islanders 1980, 1981, 1982 & 1983)
Second Team All-Star (2) (1982 & 1985)
NHL All-Star (2) (1982 & 1985)
Canada Cup MVP (1984)
Canada Cup Gold Medal (1) (Canada, 1984)
Notable Top Ten Finishes: Top Ten Hart Trophy Finishes:
10th in 1983
Top Ten Frank J. Selke Trophy Finishes:
5th in 1982, 8th in 1983, 6th in 1984 & 3rd in 1985
2 Top Ten Plus/Minus Finishes
1 Top Ten Game-Winning Goal Finish
1 Top Ten Shooting Percentage Finish
3 Top Ten Offensive Point Shares Finishes
Rankings: 47. Shooting Percentage
59. Plus/Minus: 221

These rankings are as of the end of the 2024-25 Season.