Current Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees (383)
Outside of the province of Ontario, how many people are aware of the city of Kingston? Let’s take that a step further. How many outside of Canada know about this place? We will wager that it isn’t a lot, and those that answer that they heard of it, probably are thinking of the version in Jamaica instead. Now had this city on the Northeastern corner of Lake Ontario remained the home of the Hockey Hall of Fame would it have developed a bit of an international flair or enhanced reputation? Maybe it would have been more of a staple of “Canadiana”, as Kingston is the home of the First Canadian Prime Minister, and the unofficial band of Canada, The Tragically Hip. Stands to reason that it would have been a great fit for the unofficial sport of Canada (it is actually lacrosse) and the official passion of the country.With the launch of the Baseball Hall of Fame, the sport of hockey looked to follow suit. Its biggest league, The National Hockey League had a core of seven teams (which was pared down to six in 1942, when the New York Americans suspended operations) was a healthy organization, and though it was only relevant in cold weather climates, it was a sport that already had a long history, and the coveted Stanley Cup; which was then (and still is) the most impressive trophy in the entire sporting world.
The biggest proponent of an institution recognizing hockey excellence was a Canadian named James T. Sutherland. Born in 1870 (in Kingston naturally), Sutherland played as much hockey as he could and was a member of the Athletic Club of Kingston which was part of what was believed to be the first organized league the sport had. He would later form the Kingston Frontenacs, who would participate in the Ontario Hockey Association and would eventually become the Leagues president. Captain Sutherland (a rank he would achieve serving for Canada in World War I) would create the Memorial Cup; a trophy honoring those who fought in the Great War and to be given to the top Junior team in Canada. Incidentally, this is still the same trophy given to the team that wins the post season tournament in the Juniors in Canada.
Once the National Hockey League and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association agreed to mutually put together a Hall, Sutherland (who had also served as the President of the CAHA) fought for Kingston to be its home. It was not just because he was a native of the city, but because he legitimately believed that Kingston was the rightful birth of modern hockey (which is near impossible to prove). Regardless of where hockey began, Kingston was to be pegged as its home.
Although construction had yet to begin on the facility, the first class was selected in 1945 which inducted nine players. It also had a “Builders” category which honored those who helped develop the game. As we look at those who are inducted to this institution, we will do so chronologically. Let’s take a ride on Hockey’s highway shall we?
It may surprise the casual NHL fan (or even many of the die-hard fan) that Ron Francis is number two all-time in career assists. Actually it is easy to see why Francis is sometimes forgotten. Francis may be a member of the 500 goal club, but he never was in the top ten in goals. He also never played for Canada in the Olympics, the…
Playing his entire NHL career with the New York Rangers, Bryan Hextall would twice lead the league in goals and would also capture the scoring title in 1942. Hextall was very integral part of the Rangers 1940 Stanley Cup win, which would be the last on Broadway for over fifty years. The durable Hextall would also become the patriarch of a Hockey family, as his two…
An incredible athlete in the Ottawa area during the turn of the century (He was also an excellent Lacrosse Goaltender and he played Fullback for the Ottawa Rough Riders), Bouse Hutton was the Goalie of the legendary Ottawa Silver Seven and was part of their Stanley Cup dominance for a stretch. Hutton posted impressive Goals Against Averages in an era where a double digit scores were…
A career Centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Syl Apps won a large share of hardware for the Buds. Considered by his peers, his fans and his employers to be one of the classiest guys in the sport, Apps was also a very skilled player. He would twice lead the NHL in assists and retired with a point per game average. He won the first ever…
Although Gordie Drillon only played seven seasons in the National Hockey League, they were all productive ones for the Right Winger. Drillon played most of those campaigns in Toronto and he averaged nearly a point a game. Drillon won the NHL scoring title in 1938, which would also be the same year he won the Lady Byng Trophy. A two time First Team All Star, Drillon…
Pat LaFontaine arrived at the New York Islanders a year too late. He joined the Isles in 1984, the year their dynasty ended at the hands of another one (Edmonton) set to begin. Still, LaFontaine became the bright spot of an aging team and hit the 100 point mark (along with the 50 goal total) in the 1989-90 season. However it was a move to…
A member of the famed Ottawa Silver Seven, Billy Gilmour was a multiple time Stanley Cup winner. Gilmour averaged nearly a goal a game, but was he a Hall of Famer? In that era, a goal a game was impressive (but somewhat common) and may not have been worthy of HOF credentials when looking around the league. Many players in that era entered the Hall without…
We can’t say that we love any Hall of Fame inductee with the nickname of “Porky”, but the induction of Woody Dumart in the Veteran Players category is one that we really don’t have an issue with. Dumart was a solid two way player who played his entire career with the Boston Bruins. Three times he was a Second Team All Star and twice a…
Wayne Gretzky may have been the offensive star of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty, but for many it was Mark Messier who was the fan favorite of the team. He was easy to like as he still had offensive firepower that fans love and the defensive prowess that traditionalists respect. He could check, he was a leader, and was a proven winner. The best example of…
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…
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…
A major part of the Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup wins in 1997, 1998 and 2002, Brendan Shanahan was a prolific sniper who was known for his grit and determination. Shanahan would win the King Clancy Award in 2003 and was a three time Post Season NHL All Star Selection.
The winner of the Vezina Trophy in the first year of its existence, George Hainsworth became the workhorse for the Montreal Canadians between the pipes. He would lead the NHL in Goals Against Average twice posting an insane 0.92 in the 1928-29 campaign. Although passing changes opened up the game and prevented a similar statistical effort, Hainsworth was still among the better goalies and would backstop…
A very good, though not great Hockey player who starred in Western Canada, Barney Stanley was a part of the Vancouver Millionaires Stanley Cup win in 1915. Stanley would be a goal a game producer for various teams in the West, and his versatility to play multiple positions made him an asset on team’s benches. He would eventually make the NHL albeit for one game in…
A career player with the Montreal Victorias, Blair Russel was a star Left Wing who helped the Montreal Victorias defend the Stanley Cup at the turn of the century. Russel averaged multiple goals per game for the Victorias and was a stalwart for the team in an era where player movement was actually more common than today. Russel resisted all offers to turn professional, and retired…
Far more than just a long time referee (He refereed 2,400 hockey games; Fred Waghorne brought a lot of positive changes to the game. He brought in the whistle to initiate stoppage in play, which was previously sounded by a cowbell. He also was the first to drop the puck from a few feet above the ice instead of placing it on the surface and he…
Exceeding the 1,000 Point mark in the National Hockey League is a milestone that few can claim, but that is not necessarily an automatic induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Slovakian born forward, Marian Hossa has accomplished that and then some as he is a three time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks. His Hall of Fame candidacy will be very interesting as…
A very good Right Wing with the Calgary Tigers in the Western Canadian Hockey League, Harry Oliver was a solid goal scorer and a gentlemanly player (he never exceeded more than 25 PIM in any season). After the end of the WCHL, Oliver entered the NHL and became a decent player with the Boston Bruins and New York Americans. With that said, his induction to the…
With the very cool nickname of “Mr. Zero” Frank Brimsek was a two time Vezina Trophy winner and is one of the greatest American Goalies of all time. Brimsek was consistently named to Post Season All Star teams and was a two time Stanley Cup champion with the Boston Bruins. Fittingly, Brimsek was inducted into the first class of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame…
One of the smoothest playmakers of his day, Stan Mikita won the Art Ross Trophy four times and led the National Hockey League in assists three times. He was part of the Chicago Blackhawks rejuvenation of the 60’s, and though they only won the Cup once, they were a solid squad throughout the decade.