One of the early stars of organized hockey, Cyclone Taylor was a prolific scorer and a great two way player. He would lead his respective league in scoring on multiple occasions and would twice be part of Stanley Cup winning teams. As such, Taylor was rewarded with an early induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1947.

A decent player in his youth, Claude Robinson’s induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame is essentially based on his groundwork of creating the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. Robinson also coached the Canadian Team to Olympic Gold in 1932. Robinson was one of a long list of builders inducted in 1947, though it can be argued (and we will) that his induction may not equate to that of the other builders of that class.

The 1934 Hart Trophy Winner, Aurele Joliat was a star for the Montreal Canadians for many years and was a popular star. The diminutive Joliat (he only stood five feet seven) was nicknamed the “Little Giant” and was a major part of four Stanley Cup runs by the legendary Montreal Canadians. The career Montreal Canadians Left Winger was rightfully inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1947.

Another early star of hockey, Tommy Phillips was a back checking superstar who may have been one of the first legitimate two way players in history. Phillips was involved in multiple Stanley Cup challenge series and was considered one of the best players in the country (Canada). Although, Phillips may not have been known when hockey really gained traction in North America, his pioneering efforts make him a legitimate inclusion to the first class in the Hockey Hall of Fame.