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?
Dick Duff was a very good player who was on six Stanley Cup winning rosters, but for a forward his overall points total was decent but perhaps not Hall of Fame worthy based on his era. However, his points per game increased in the post season, and he was a key contributor on many of those Cups, and not just a bystander. It is not…
One of the most consistent scorers of his day, Reg Noble may have never led the league in scoring, but was often in the hunt. Noble was also a tough player and a proven winner. On three occasions he raised the Stanley Cup over his head with three different teams. He may not have been the best player in his day, but up and down through…
Joe Nieuwendyk won three Stanley Cups with three different teams and though his role with each squad was different, he was a leader in all three. Nieuwendyk was an excellent goal scorer who was very good on the Power Play. His aggressive style caused him many injuries but also earned him a lot of respect throughout the NHL. His biggest moment was his 1999 Conn…
A three time Assists champion in the National Hockey League, Joe Primeau was also one the game’s most classy players. Primeau won the Lady Byng Award in 1932, which was also the same season he won the Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would spend his entire professional playing career in Toronto and “Gentleman” Joe was considered one of those great playmakers who made…
You would think that a five time First Team All Star would have won at least one Norris Trophy, but Brad Park had the misfortune of playing in the same era as Bobby Orr who dominated that award (and Denis Potvin later in his career). Park also had a lot of bridesmaid’s analogies with the Stanley Cup as despite playing for many good teams, he…
A somewhat dubious induction in our eyes to the Hockey Hall of Fame little seems to be known about Arthur Farrell (even on the Hockey HOF’s own website). Farrell was however a two time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Shamrocks and scored a good amount of goals in those series. Farrell did however go on to write three “How-to” books on how to play Hockey…
A bit of a bubble inductee in our eyes, Steve Shutt was a very good offensive star for the Montreal Canadians dynasty in the 1970’s. The Left Winger was on a line with Guy Lafleur for a large part of his Habs tenure, and as such was rewarded with numerous scoring opportunities. Shutt led the NHL in goals in the 1976-77 season and three times…
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.
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…
Marcel Pronovost was an excellent stay at home Defenceman who was a big part of the Detroit Red Wings multiple Stanley Cup wins in the early 50’s. He was known throughout the league for his rough style of play, delivering devastating hits to offensive attackers, and taking his own share of punishment for the benefit of the team. Pronovost would become a regular participant to the…
Clarence “Hap” Day may not have been the best scoring Defenseman in Hockey history, but he was part of dynamic tandem with King Clancy and was the Toronto Maple Leafs Captain for a decade. Hap Day’s natural leadership skills transferred well behind the bench and as the Leafs Head Coach he won five Stanley Cups. Despite being a demanding and detailed coach, he received the most from…
A consistent points producer, Marty Barry was one of the more durable players of his era. Barry only missed two games in a ten year span and often found himself in the top ten in scoring. Barry found himself in Motown and was a big part of consecutive Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup championship in 1936 and 1937.
The youngest member of the Norris hockey family, Bruce Norris assumed sole ownership of the Detroit Red Wings in 1955 (after inheriting with his sister upon the death of his father, James E. Norris in 1952). Although the Red Wings were no longer the dynasty it once was, Norris refurbished the arena and continued to make going to see a Hockey game in Detroit a worthwhile event.…
A former Norris Trophy winner with the Los Angeles Kings, Rob Blake was named a First Team All Star once and a Second Team All Star three times. Blake was a member of the Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Championship in 2001 as well as an Olympic Gold Medalist in 2002 for the Canadian National Team.
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…
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…
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…
After building the New York Rangers and developing a core that would become the Stanley Cup Champions, Conn Smythe bought the Toronto St. Pats and renamed them the Maple Leafs. The franchise would see their greatest success under Smythe’s ownership and he also financed Maple Leaf Gardens. It is likely that fans of the Buds probably wished that Smythe would have developed an elixir for immortality…
The dynasty of the late 1950’s Montreal Canadians had a plethora of scoring power, all of which felt comfortable to let it fly on the ice with the knowledge that Jacques Plante was in between the pipes. Plante is known for being the first goalie to regularly wear a protective mask, which seems to be what he is remembered mostly for. That may be an important…
The “Cowboy”, Bill Cowley was easily one of the top playmaking forward in his era. Cowley was a three time assists leader and a one time points leader who won the Hart Trophy twice; albeit in the World War II era whereby the talent in the league was reduced. Still, he did well in that era and good enough in the one that followed (and prior…