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?
The Centre of Boston’s famed “Kraut Line”, Milt Schmidt was a study in contrasts. His hardnosed play was combined with stellar playmaking and as such was the lynch pin to two Bruins Cup victories in 1939 and 1941. Schmidt would serve his country in World War II and lost three productive seasons of professional hockey, but would return as an effective force and won the coveted…
“Frank the Flash” Foyston was a natural sniper who was one of the first players (only ten ever have) to hoist the Stanley Cup with three different teams. A very capable goal scorer, Foyston was one of the first to net 200 goals in a professional career, and his versatility enabled him to be an asset for numerous squads. Although he may not be someone who…
A wealthy Canadian who would become a Senator, Donat Raymond’s contribution to Hockey was the formation of the Canadian Arena Company which was responsible for constructing the legendary Montreal Forum. Basically, this is the main reason he got inducted in the Builders Category in the Hockey Hall of Fame. This might be one of the Hall’s weaker inductions.
Contrary to what you might think, the first Defenceman to hit 1,000 points was not Bobby Orr. That accolade goes to Denis Potvin who was the anchor behind the New York Islanders success. Potvin was the first overall pick by the Isles, who were a struggling expansion team. He won the Calder Trophy, and was a two way superstar throughout his career. Potvin would become…
A career skater for the Detroit franchise, Ebbie Goodfellow was another in the long list of Hockey stars to come out of Ottawa. Goodfellow was at his best when he moved from Centre to Defense and won the Hart Trophy as the League’s Most Valuable Player in 1940. As one of the top defenseman in the National Hockey League in his day, Goodfellow earned his way…
Rod Langway was a bit of a throwback in his time as the NHL was becoming accustomed to Defencemen becoming scoring threats. Langway was not one to light the lamp, but he was traditional tough as nails blue liner who knew every trick to get the puck outside of his end and sacrifice every part of his body to accomplish it. He really came into…
Sprague Cleghorn was not just a talented skill player with the puck; he was a feared defender who some called the dirtiest of his era. Regardless, of what label he had, he was a Hall of Famer in every capacity. The punishing Cleghorn was a vital part of two Stanley Cup wins for the Ottawa Senators and later two for the Canadians. Cleghorn was a rough…
An integral part of the Montreal Canadians defensive squad of the 1970’s, Serge Savard brought a blended and intelligent game to the Habs’ blue line. Savard did not have the same offensive skills as his team mate, Larry Robinson, but his methodical hardnosed style of play was a perfect complement to the rest of Montreal’s stars. Savard was part of seven Stanley Cup victories (and…
We imagine that in the 1980’s that Dale Hawerchuk pretty much owned the Province of Manitoba in the 1980’s. Coming off a spectacular junior career, Hawerchuk was selected by the Winnipeg Jets and promptly won the Calder Trophy and set (since broken) the record for the youngest player to get 100 points. He would go on to hit that 100 point plateau five more times…
Seriously, is there a cooler name in the hockey’s annals than Dit Clapper? Funky name aside, Clapper was the first player to last twenty seasons in professional hockey, and he did not just last; he thrived. He was an All Star at both Left Wing and Defense and was a vital part of three Stanley Cup wins for the Boston Bruins (where he spent his…
What didn’t Scott Niedermayer win? He is a four time Stanley Cup Champion, a World Cup winner, a two-time Olympic Champion, a World Hockey Championship, a World Junior Champion and won the Norris Trophy and the Conn Smythe. That is one hell of a trophy case!
Harry “Rat” Westwick always seemed to win wherever he went. A tenacious and consistent player, Harry Westwick was a very good goal scorer for the Ottawa Silver Seven and was part of multiple Stanley Cup winners. As such, he was rewarded with a Hall of Fame induction the same of many of his Silver Seven teammates.
Although Larry Murphy is a four time Stanley Cup winner and one of only a handful of Defenceman with over 1,000 points (he actually has 1,216), he never seemed to get his due. It is not hard to understand why, as Murphy played at a time when Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque won multiple Norris Trophies and were scoring at a Bobby Orr like rate.…
When you look at the career numbers of Adam Oates, you wonder why it took so long for him to get into the Hockey Hall of Fame. With three Assists titles, and over 1,400 career points, Oates career numbers are easily Hall of Fame worthy. However Oates never played for a championship team, nor was he really associated with any one team as the longest…
A class act on and off the ice, Jean Ratelle was on many good teams (though never won the Stanley Cup) and was a two time recipient of the Lady Byng Trophy. He would twice top the 100 point mark and finished with a total of 1,267 career points. As good as he was at scoring and playmaking, he was also known for making very…
The top goal scoring Centre for the Rat Portage/Kenora Thistles, Billy McGimsie averaged nearly three goals a game for his small town club. He spent his entire six year career there and was a large part of the team winning their lone Stanley Cup in 1907. The Thistles story is a good one, and McGimsie was a top player there, but does this team have too…
With all due respect to George Armstrong, the Hockey Hall of Fame may not be the right place for him. It was not that Armstrong wasn’t a good player; he was a multi time All Star game participant who spend his long career as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs who won four Stanley Cups. Although he played in multiple All Star Games, the…
The youngest of the Bentley brothers, Max Bentley may have been the most fun to watch. He was one of the best skaters and stickhandlers of his era, and he would often make opponents look foolish with his “dipsy doodle” like play. Bentley would twice win the NHL scoring title twice while a member of the Chicago Blackhawks and won the Hart Trophy in 1943. Chicago…
We will openly question this Hall of Fame induction. Although we respect the career of Clark Gillies, his Hall resume looks a little weak. Granted he was a good part of four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders, and he was on a star line with Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier; however he was the third amigo on that line. Gillies was a decent…
Dubbed the “Pocket Rocket” due to being the younger (and shorter) brother of Maurice ‘Rocket” Richard, Henri Richard may have been in the shadow of his more famous brother, but he was one gifted hockey player in his own right.