Hockey Hall of Fame induction roundup
The Hockey Hall of Fame finally welcomed its class of 2020 on Monday night, as six new members received the highest honor in the sport. This induction ceremony was previously postponed due to the pandemic, and there won't be a 2021 class. Here's a look at the resumes of each inductee and various highlights from the festivities in Toronto.
Players
Marian Hossa
Position: Right wing
Career statistics: 525 goals and 609 assists in 1,309 games
Achievements: Three-time Stanley Cup winner (2010, 2013, 2015), first player in NHL history to play in three straight Cup Finals with three different teams (2008, 2009, 2010).
Teams: Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks
Hossa acknowledged his closest supporters and how much more instructive his defeats were than his victories.
"The losses taught me more than the wins," he said. "(I'd like to thank) the players and the coaches who taught me so much about success, (and) my family who provided so much support to get me here."
Jarome Iginla
Position: Right wing
Career statistics: 625 goals and 675 assists in 1,554 games
Achievements: One of only 20 players in NHL history to reach the 600-goal plateau. Winner of the "Rocket" Richard Trophy (2002, 2004), the Art Ross Trophy (2002), and the Lester B. Pearson Award (2002). Two-time Olympic gold medalist (2002, 2010).
Teams: Calgary Flames, Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings
Iginla expressed gratitude to trailblazing former players of color "for breaking racial barriers in hockey."
"Being a young Black hockey player, it was important for me to see other Black players in the NHL," Iginla said, adding, "I know it's thanks to guys like Grant (Fuhr) and Willie (O'Ree) who made me know that my dream of playing in the NHL was attainable."
Kevin Lowe
Position: Defenseman
Career statistics: 84 goals and 347 assists in 1,254 games
Achievements: Six-time Stanley Cup winner (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1994), only player in Edmonton Oilers history to play 1,000 regular-season contests with the team.
Teams: Oilers, New York Rangers
Lowe dropped the best zinger of the night. After mentioning that a slew of former Oilers joined the Rangers and ended the latter squad's 54-year championship drought in 1994, he skewered the team based in the same city as the Hall of Fame.
"Maybe the Leafs should get us," Lowe said with a grin before adding, "I just couldn't resist."
Kim St-Pierre
Position: Goaltender
Achievements: First female netminder inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Three-time Olympic gold medalist (2002, 2006, 2010), five-time World Championship gold medalist (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007) two-time Clarkson Cup winner (2009, 2011).
St-Pierre emphasized how honored she was to be joining the other seven women who are already enshrined.
"I feel really proud to be a part of this group that demonstrates that we as women continuously shatter the glass ceiling to be part of this history and impact the future," she said.
Doug Wilson
Position: Defenseman
Career statistics: 237 goals and 590 assists in 1,024 games
Achievements: Norris Trophy winner (1982), led all Blackhawks rearguards in scoring for 10 consecutive seasons (1980-81 to 1990-91), holds the fourth-highest single-season goal total by a blue-liner in NHL history (39).
Teams: Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks
Wilson was inducted by Hall of Fame honored member and legendary former Ottawa 67s bench boss Brian Kilrea, who coached Wilson before the defenseman starred in the NHL. Wilson heaped praise on Kilrea for his versatile tutelage while standing with him on stage.
"He was more than a coach. He was a teacher of life," Wilson said.
Builder
Ken Holland
Achievements: Four-time Stanley Cup winner as an executive - three as a general manager (1998, 2002, 2008) - and one of five GMs in NHL history to guide his teams to more than 1,000 regular-season wins.
Teams: Red Wings, Oilers
Holland offered a partially self-deprecating but clearly accurate observation about his success as an executive.
"Hockey has been very good to me after I stopped trying to play it," he said.