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 Grant Fuhr was rarely in the hunt for the Goals Against Average title in the NHL, there was little doubt among Hockey pundits that he was amongst the best in the league. In the 1980’s, Fuhr was the Goaltender for the high powered Edmonton Oilers, who employed a devastating offensive attack. Defence was secondary for Edmonton, and Fuhr did always enjoy the same type…
Igor Larionov was one of the top players for the Soviet Union in the 1980’s and was the Centre for their top line; the famed “KLM Line”, alongside Vladimir Krutov and Sergei Makarov. They were the dominant force in International Hockey that decade, but Larionov longed to test his skills in the National Hockey League. He was an outspoken critic of the Soviet hockey regime…
You would think that it would be impressive enough that Alex Delvecchio played a little over twenty two seasons in the NHL for just one team; that being the Detroit Red Wings: but it was far more than that accomplishment that made him enter the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Delevecchio’s lengthy tenure in Motown was made more impressive by the fact…
Much like Bill Wirtz’ induction, we are guessing that Toronto fans felt the same way about the performance of Harold Ballard AFTER he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Ballard was a longtime supporter of Hockey on multiple levels and did a lot financially for amateur hockey teams in the Toronto area for years. In the early 60’s, along with Stafford Smythe and John…
One of the best two way players of all time, Bryan Trottier did not always get his due; despite winning six Stanley Cups as a player. Trottier was an offensively gifted playmaker who once won the Art Ross Trophy (he won the Hart the same year) was also a keen defensive strategist and became known throughout the National Hockey League as one of the most…
Standing at only five foot three, Roy Worters is not only the shortest player in the Hockey Hall of Fame, but is also the shortest to ever play in the National Hockey League. Worters is a forgotten player, though not because of his size, but due to the bad and (long since defunct) teams he played for.
Nicknamed the “Ottawa Fireman” (Again, where are these cool nicknames today?) Alec Connell was a star Goaltender whose legacy might be higher had any of the teams he played on remained in the NHL with their original names (we are not counting the Senators who was resurrected scores later with the same name). Connell would backstop two squads (Ottawa in 1927, and the Montreal Maroons in…
Scott Stevens was a hard hitting; punishing Defenceman whose lengthy tenure in the National Hockey League was best known for his leadership as a member of the New Jersey Devils where he helped to lead them to three Stanley Cups. Stevens was a very good two way player and he had over 900 points in his career. He may not have won the Norris Trophy,…
The best player in the famous Nordiques/Flyers Eric Lindros trade was not Lindros. Rather it was the Swedish born playmaker, Peter Forsberg, who would win the Hart Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy and two Olympic Gold Medals and two Colorado Avalanche. Not a bad career for what was perceived as a throwaway in that trade!
An accomplished Goalie in his own right, Joseph Cattarinich would become known not only for his business acumen while running the Montreal Canadians, but also for his kindness and generosity. Along with Leo Dandurand and Louis Letourneau, he bought the Habs in 1921 and though he did not get the same credit that Danduran received, was part of an ownership group that made the Montreal Canadians…
One of the top Left Wingers of the 1980’s, Michel Goulet brought excitement and hope to the hockey fans of Quebec City. It was not inaccurate to paint Goulet as a natural sniper, as for seven consecutive seasons he was able to net 40 goals and is a member of the elite group that has over 500 for his career. Goulet was capable on the…
Some people have called Bernie Federko one of the most underrated players in Hockey history and others have openly questioned this induction. Federko played all but one season in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues and had a career of over 1,100 points. He was called the “Magician” for his ability to expertly put the puck in the perfect position for his teammates to…
The owner of the most iconic mask in Hockey history (the one with the famed stiches showing where a puck would have hit his face), Gerry Cheevers had his greatest success in the net with the Boston Bruins when they won the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972. He was not the best Goalie in the NHL, but he was decent enough to give his…
The crown jewel of the 1961 Hockey Hall of Fame Class, Maurice “Rocket” Richard had the three year wait for HOF eligibility waived so that he could be enshrined right after he retired. Nobody should dispute that decision as the career of Richard was that important not just to Hockey but to the province of Quebec as well.
Rightfully called the “First Ranger” (as he was the first player signed by New York, and their first captain), Bill Cook was a three time goal scoring champion in the National Hockey League and a three time post season First Team All Star. More importantly, he brought the Stanley Cup to Broadway twice in his tenure there. As the leader of the “Bread Line” with his…
At the risk of breaking the illusion to many young donut fans, there really WAS a Tim Horton, and he was one hell of a Hockey player. Horton entered the NHL in the mid 50’s and immediately made an impact being named to the Second Team All Star squad in his second full season. A devastating collision with the New York Rangers’ Bill Gadsby slowed…
Mike Gartner is not be the most decorated player, as he holds the distinction of being the only player to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility without ever playing in a Stanley Cup Final, won a post season award or being named to an All Star team. That statement aside, Mike Gartner’s Hall of Fame induction is based on…
The winner of the 1959 Hart Trophy winner was one of the most complete forwards of his era, though had the misfortune of playing of having his peak while playing with below average New York Rangers squads. Bathgate was constantly in the top ten in scoring and did tie for the lead in 1962, losing out on the Art Ross to Bobby Hull who had…
Easily one of the top Defencemen in his day, Larry Robinson was the top dog in the Montreal Canadians “Big 3” blue line corps that was the best in the 1970’s. Robinson was part of six Stanley Cups and named to six Post Season All Star teams. The imposing Robinson (he was six foot four, well before many NHL players were this tall) was skilled…
When the Stastny brothers defected from Czechoslovakia to play in the National Hockey League it became one of the most important moments in the sport. He (along with his brothers, Anton and Marian) would take over the city of Quebec City and light up the stat sheet. Peter Stastny would hit the 100 point mark seven times and become one of the top stars in…