New names likely to extend Hockey Hall of Fame wait time for others
Carey Price, Duncan Keith, Ryan Getzlaf and Joe Thornton are new names on the ballot.
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It could be a three, four or five Olympic-ring circus when the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame induction class is revealed on Tuesday.
The first-year eligible players include a number of former NHLers whose deeds under the Games’ flag could fast-track their chances.
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New names likely to extend Hockey Hall of Fame wait time for others Back to video
Which might mean disappointing news for the Hall’s ever-growing parking lot, already crowded with names such as Alex Mogilny, Henrik Zetterberg, Patrick Marleau, Curtis Joseph and Rob Brind’Amour, before a backlog of 1970s and Original Six hopefuls.
Yet it’s hard to argue that Canadians Carey Price, Duncan Keith, Ryan Getzlaf and Joe Thornton shouldn’t get due consideration after their three-year wait, long NHL careers capped by gold medals in either the 2010 and 2014 Games or the 2016 World Cup before best-on-best hockey was halted until this year.
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Price and Thornton didn’t get Stanley Cups, though both have Hart Trophys as MVP.
Jennifer Botterill, a favourite with American Meghan Duggan to join the Hall’s female list for a couple of years, also has a slew of Team Canada golds dating back to the ‘02 Olympics and world championships.
There also are two prominent internationals with Boston Bruin ties now in the Hall picture: Dominant defenceman Zdeno Chara and franchise wins goaltending leader Tuukka Rask.
“Call it a feast of new selections,” said an insider familiar with the process. “It’s going to be a great year for the Hall leading up to (the November induction). But you never know what can happen in the final voting.”
The 18-person selection committee began gathering in Toronto on Monday and will announce their choices Tuesday afternoon live on TSN. A maximum of four male and two females can be chosen, along with builders and on-ice officials.
While many fans would’ve elected 1972 Summit Series hero Paul Henderson or Don Cherry in the builder’s category by now, the Hall takes great care to recognize international contributions. The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reported earlier that Finnish and European scouting pioneer Goran Stubb will get consideration in that wing.
Hall voting remains decidedly non-transparent. One of the 18 puts forward a nomination, either their own or received by them through public submission, hoping for the necessary 75% approval. However, names that miss the cut and voting results are never revealed and the committee does not comment afterwards on close calls.
The committee, now chaired by Hall of Famer Ron Francis, has former general managers, owners, players and media members from both sides of the ocean. Ed Olczyk was appointed this year with Jarome Iginla, replacing Mike Gartner and David Branch, who both had served their 15-year term limits.
This year’s player favourites:
Carey Price
Montreal’s all-time wins leader (361) also owns a Hart Trophy, Vezina, 2007 world junior gold, 2014 Olympic gold and 2016 World Cup.
Zdeno Chara
The man-mountain defenceman played more games at the position than anyone. He captained Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup and won one Norris Trophy as a six-time finalist.
Duncan Keith
Three Cups as a Chicago Blackhawk in the 2010s, including a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2015. Also has two Norris Trophy nods and two Olympic golds.
Ryan Getzlaf
The life-long Anaheim Ducks centre holds several franchise records to go with their ‘07 Cup. Double Olympic gold medallist also won the World Cup and ‘05 world junior title.
Joe Thornton
One of six players to have made it through 1,700 career games, his 2006 Hart Trophy came in a rare split season with Boston and San Jose. Also won Olympic, World Cup and world junior gold.
More new eligible players
Tuukka Rask
The franchise wins leader in Boston, has a Cup as Tim Thomas’s backup. At .921 has the second-best save percentage of 66 goalies that played in at least 200 games from 2009-2022.
Dustin Brown
Playing out of the spotlight, the Los Angeles Kings left winger has two Cups and 1,296 career points.
Jason Spezza
Ottawa’s second all-time leading scorer behind Hall of Fame forward Daniel Alfredsson. Won gold with Canada at the 2015 world championship.
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