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 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…
Although there may have been other NHL players who have excelled at two different positions, perhaps nobody did it better than Red Kelly. Certainly, no other was as successful.
Angela James was considered to be the first great player in women’s hockey. She dominated every level she competed in and was easily the top female in the sport for years. Once the sport had a sanctioned tournament in the IIHF, James again was the dominant player, leading Canada to Gold in the first four World Championships; all of which were finals against the United…
Another one of the game’s early heroes, Harry Hyland was a very good scorer and had his best efforts with the Montreal Wanderers. Hyland was a very good goal scorer (he once scored eight goals in a game) and was one of the better players for the Montreal Wanderers, but was he a Hall of Famer? Frankly, we have our doubts.
The man nicknamed “Old Poison” (and isn’t that one of the coolest nicknames you ever heard), retired as the NHL’s leading goal scorer in 1940 and held that status for twelve years. Nels Stewart was not just a great scorer, but an overall talented tough guy who was a physical presence everywhere on the ice. Stewart won the Hart Trophy twice as the league’s Most Valuable…
Angus Daniel Campbell was the founder of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association which helped to grow the sport in the region. He would branch it with the Ontario Hockey Association and he would serve as an executive with both organizations. Many future hockey players from the Northern Ontario region owe a debt to Campbell.
More than anything, we get a kick out of an entry to the Hockey Hall of Fame being born in the West Indies. That selection, Jim Hendy also stands out in the Hall, as his Hockey related work did not happen on the ice, or behind a bench. It took place mostly with his pen and a calculator.
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…
Considered one of the game’s early promoters, Ambrose O’Brien was actually a decent player himself. With his playing days over, O’Brien did his best to get his beloved town of Renfrew into the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association. When that failed, he essentially started up a rival National Hockey Association which had an immediate impact. Perhaps more importantly, he founded the Montreal Canadians which would become…
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.
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.
The first player to be named to a post season All Star team in two positions (first as a Centre, then at Defence) Neil Colville just looked comfortable regardless of his position on the ice. He came up with the New York Rangers (where he would spend his entire pro career) and he would soon centre the “Bread Line” which was consisted of his brother Mac…
Considered a legend in coaching, it is forgotten just how good a Hockey player that Toe Blake was. He broke in with the Montreal Maroons, but after only playing a handful of games there, he joined the cross town Montreal Canadians and slowly worked his way up the ladder to stardom. Toe’s skills improved and he was rewarded with the Hart Trophy in 1939 and that…
A goal scoring machine (his 44 goals in 20 games remains the highest GPG average ever), Joe Malone would twice lead the National Hockey League in goals and points. As part of the powerful line with Newsy Lalonde and Didier Pitre, Malone was the goal scorer of the first great line of the National Hockey League. Overall, Malone would average well over a goal a game…
Named “Boom Boom” for his powerful shot and feisty temperament, Bernie Geoffrion, was a Hall of Fame Right Winger who always seemed to be in the shadow of others while playing for the Montreal Canadians. Nowhere could that statement be more accurate when looking at one of Geoffrion’s first scoring title, whereby his own fans booed him when he passed teammate Maurice “Rocket” Richard when…
An eight time Stanley Cup Champion with the Montreal Canadians, Jacques Lemaire was a Centre who may not have led his team in scoring, but was a vital part of the championships that his team accrued. Lemaire was a point per game player, and played in two All Star games, but he was always at his best in clutch situations and shone brightest during the NHL…
It seemed fitting that the year after Al Arbour got inducted, that the Head Coach of the next great dynasty would get in.
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…
An amazing all around athlete (he excelled in multiple sports); Jack Marshall was practically married to the Stanley Cup. He remains the only player in the history of the game to win the Cup with four different teams, and was a solid contributor to all of them. His consistent goal scoring was always valued and it is a little curious why he was not inducted a…
With only a 23 game NHL career as a player with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Frank Mathers may not have had a stellar career in the National Hockey League, but was a “Crash Davis” type of player in the AHL. Mathers was a five time All Star there and retired as the all-time leading AHL scorer for Defencemen. In total, Mathers won a total of…