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?
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.…
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…
One of the best players of all time for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dave Keon was probably its classiest. The 1961 Calder Trophy winner brought an abundance of skill to the Leafs with his speed, deking ability and a diverse collection of shots. Keon was an expert penalty killer, and even more of an expert staying out of the penalty box himself as shown by…
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…
As the goal scoring machine for the New York Islanders dynasty, Mike Bossy won the Calder Trophy in 1978 and spent the next nine seasons lighting the red lamp on a frequent basis. Bossy would become the second player to net fifty goals in fifty games and would hit the half-century mark in his first nine NHL seasons. More importantly, Bossy would lead his Islanders…
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…
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…
Incredibly talented and double tough, Howard “Punch” Broadbent is a one of a select few who can claim to be the first true “Power Forward” of the game. Although he lost a few years due to military service in World War I, he came back with a vengeance helping the Ottawa Senators win three Stanley Cups. In the process, Punch Broadbent was the NHL’s leading scorer in…
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.
The foundation of what may have been hockey’s first dynasty, Frank McGee led the Ottawa Silver Seven to the Stanley Cup multiple times in the early 1900’s. McGee, who had only one eye, was a natural sniper and easily the best of his day. He was always the leading scorer for his squad, and one time scored eight goals in nine minutes in a game. McGee…
Arthur Wirtz’ entry to the Hockey Hall of Fame was based on the financial support he gave the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings, and he did legitimately make both franchises more viable. He formed a business partnership with James E. Norris to buy the Detroit Falcons (later renamed the Red Wings) and after helping to bring that team to prominence, he parted amicably with…
Another key part of the Montreal Canadians dynasty of the 60’s, Jacques Laperriere brought a stable presence on the Habs blue line. He was a player who rarely made mistakes and was able to position himself perfectly to stifle attackers and strip them of the puck. He was not a goal scorer, but had respectable assist totals and was the ignition for many counter attacks.…
As one of the big five of the Soviet Union’s National Team, Viachevslav Fetisov was the top Defenceman in International Hockey in the 1980’s. He was not just a defensive wizard, but he was the team leader of the Red Army.
A very good two way defenseman, Sylvio Mantha won a series of Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadians. Despite his reputation for offensive prowess, Mantha was a very capable defender and was an integral part of the Habs four Stanley Cups that he was a part of. A two time Second Team Post Season All Star, Sylvio Mantha is a legitimate member of the Hockey Hall…
Ken Reardon was out of the National Hockey League before the age of thirty due to injuries catching up to him. It is actually surprising that it did not happen sooner based on Reardon’s fearless style of play that was as punishing to his opponents as it was to himself.
Although many think of Mark Messier in reference to the 1994 New York Rangers team that brought the Stanley Cup back to Broadway after a length absence, it was Brian Leetch who was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner that year. Overall, Brian Leetch was considered one of the top two way Defenceman of the 1990’s and his strong play was rewarded by two Norris Trophies…
Unarguably one of the greatest Goaltenders in the history of professional Hockey, it should come as no surprise that Glenn Hall is one of the most decorated. Dubbed, “Mr. Goalie”, Hall was a consistent force between the pipes, raising the levels of teams (see the St. Louis Blues in the late 60’s) that may not have been a Cup contender without him.
Over a nineteen year career, Leo Boivin was known throughout the National Hockey League for his toughness. He was a traditional stay at home Defenceman who may have had significant offensive prowess, but rarely allowed attackers to get the best of him. Three times, Boivin would play in the All Star Game in the early 1960’s. His best seasons were with the Boston Bruins, of…
The final entrant in the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Veteran’s Category, Roy Conacher won the Art Ross Trophy in 1949. Conacher was seemingly born to score, as he led the NHL in goals in his rookie year, and would finish second four other times. He was part of two Stanley Cup wins in Boston and like so many others, had his prime taken away by…
A top forward in the WHA, Mark Howe (along with his father, Gordie) took the Houston Aeros to a pair of Avco Cup wins in the 1970’s. As he moved to New England, and later joined the NHL with the Whalers, Mark Howe emerged as one of the game’s top defenseman, who was a power play anchor and gifted two way player. It took him…