gold star for USAHOF

Hockey

Established in 1943, and currently based in Toronto, the Hockey Hall of Fame is a quite simply a tribute to those who achieved excellence in hockey.  Criticized by some for their failure to recognize international stars, the WHA, women and the high amount of players inducted from the Original Six era, the Hockey Hall of Fame is still one of the most impressive facilities despite its lack of size.  The rich history of hockey is certainly well represented there.  For our list, we have focused on players as opposed to the builders and journalists categories; although we have included some people whom we felt could not be ignored.  Current enshrinement for players is based on receiving fourteen votes out of an eighteen member committee.  In terms of NHL players, it is based on being out of the league for three years.  We have selected one hundred figures of hockey (though honestly only a handful really has a reasonable shot) and again we encourage debate as to who you feel deserves enshrinement in Toronto.

 Until Then, keep your stick on the ice.

 Sincerely,

 The Not in Hall of Committee.

Before Tiger Woods jumped upon the golf world, the most famous sports feline was that of Dave “Tiger” Williams. The rugged enforcer set the career mark for most penalty minutes of all time, and chances are if you saw a game with Tiger in it, he would be watching the…
The Montreal Canadians are one of the most successful franchises in NHL history and Jean Guy Talbot is a significant part of that success.  Talbot was a member of seven Stanley Cup wins and would play in six All Star Games.  A somewhat forgotten member of those teams, Talbot was…
One of two players that won the Hart Trophy without being elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Al Rollins would win the Hart in 1954, a season in which he actually led the NHL in Losses.  Rollins then played for the Chicago Blackhawks, which were then the worst team…
While John Ross Roach may not have led the NHL in Goals Against Average he was a workhorse for years.  Roach played every game in the net for nine of his fourteen NHL seasons with a very good career GAA of 2.80.  Twice leading the league in Wins, Roach was…
A very potent offensive defenseman, Steve Duchesne went from undrafted to playing sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League.  That in itself was an impressive feat but Duchesne would be an NHL All-Star three times and would finish fifth in Norris Trophy voting twice.
Physical stay-at-home defenseman don’t get a lot of love outside of their home but home fans know the value they bring.  This is why there was never any issue in regards to limited offence that Terry Harper brought to the table.
Brad McCrimmon was an underappreciated Defenceman in terms of his overall performance in the NHL.  While he played for seven NHL teams, he is (or at least should be) be best known for his time in Calgary where he helped the Flames win the Stanley Cup and was the NHL…
Evgeni Nabokov took his time to enter North America after being a late-round draft pick by the San Jose Sharks in 1994.  Six years later, the Goalie would make his debut with the San Jose and is, without doubt, the best backstop in franchise history.
A very good power forward, Owen Nolan combined skill and strength to create a solid career in the National Hockey League. Nolan had over 400 goals (and 400 assists) and was a staple on many power play units in his career. As good as he was, Nolan often was not…
Garry Galley may not leap off of the page as someone who had a really good career in the NHL, but this was a player who had an even 600 Points, an excellent number for a blueliner.  Galley was a two-time All-Star who played well over 1,100 Games professionally.  The…
In the National Hockey League, Ziggy Palffy did not have the pleasure of playing for a lot of good teams as he was only in the playoffs for three of his twelve seasons in North America.  Still, in a career split with the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings…
Although he was shocked to find he was traded to Montreal, Kirk Muller did not dwell on it for long. Much like he did in New Jersey, Muller was a star, putting points in the stats column without missing much ice time. Muller was a six time all star and…
A three-time post season NHL All Star from the 1930’s, Cecil Dillon is a forgotten star from the era.  The first ever Ohio born player in the NHL helped the New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1933, and would lead he playoffs in scoring.  Dillon would also finish…
The NHL expansion sure was a friend to Bill White as at the age of 28 he found a spot with the Los Angeles Kings and would emerge as their top blueliner.  White’s skills would increase into his 30’s and a trade to the Chicago Blackhawks would see him make…
Born in South Africa but raised in Canada, Olaf Kolzig had a pretty good career in the National Hockey League where he played all but his final season with the Washington Capitals.  “Olie the Goalie” would get into a grove in his seventh season where he finished fifth in Vezina…
As one of the rare players in NHL history who has netted 60 Goals on a season, you would think that Dennis Maruk would have received more recognition in his career.  Actually, he still is.
Darryl Sydor was never going to be considered the top blueliner for your team but for years he was an upper echelon player for multiple National Hockey League teams.  Sydor was a two time All Star and assisted two teams (Dallas & Tampa Bay) win the Stanley Cup.  Over a…
Ron Ellis spent his entire professional career with the Toronto Maple Leafs where as one of the teams young guns he helped the Buds win the 1967 Stanley Cup.  Prior to that, Ellis established himself as the runner-up to the Calder Trophy in the 1964-65 season and he was known…
A good offensive defenseman, Dan Boyle came into his own late in his career. Boyle became a two time All Star (and a second team post season All Star selection) after he helped the Tampa Bay Lightning win a Stanley Cup in 2004. Had Boyle come into his own in…
Somehow, Ed Litzenberger has not been remembered for his accomplishments in hockey despite having a resume chocked full of accomplishments.  Traded from the loaded (or gifted depending on your point of view) Montreal Canadiens in his rookie season, Litzenberger would win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.