The Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2025: Immortal Legends
The Hockey Hall of Fame announced the members of its Class of 2025, a group that includes iconic figures and players who have left an indelible mark on the history of this sport. Among the highlights are first-time eligible players such as Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, and Duncan Keith, as well as the expected induction of Alexander Mogilny. Adding to these names are Olympic gold medalists Jennifer Botterill (Canada) and Brianna Decker (United States). In addition, the Hall will honor two builders of the sport: Jack Parker, former coach of Boston University, and Daniele Sauvageau, current general manager of the Montreal Victoire of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), being the first woman to be recognized as a builder by the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame selection committee, composed of 18 members, including players, team executives, and journalists, selected the maximum number of members allowed in the men’s (4), women’s (2), and builders (2) categories. To be eligible, players must have been inactive for at least three full seasons.Zdeno Chara: A Monumental Defender
Zdeno Chara, with his 6 feet and 9 inches in height (and almost 7 feet on the ice), was one of the most imposing defensemen in hockey history. He played in the NHL for 24 years, wearing the colors of the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and briefly the Washington Capitals. Chara is the historical leader in games played by a defenseman, with 1,680 games, and accumulated 680 points throughout his career. As captain of the 2006-2020 Bruins, Chara led the team to victory in the Stanley Cup in 2011 and to two additional finals in 2013 and 2019. His wingspan and physique made him a dominant force in the defensive zone. He won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman in the 2008-09 season and was a finalist six times. Chara was known for having one of the most powerful slap-shots in NHL history, winning the hardest shot competition at the All-Star Game in five consecutive seasons, including a record of 108.8 mph in 2012. Internationally, the Slovak defenseman won two silver medals at the IIHF World Championships (2000 and 2012) and a silver medal with Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.“His leadership qualities were also continuously on display, particularly with regard to his renowned off-ice conditioning, which set a standard for all our players to follow. Simply put, Zdeno’s skill set is among the most unique in the history of more than a century of the National Hockey League, making him enormously worthy of inclusion in the Hockey Hall of Fame, where he will be remembered forever as one of the best players in our sport,” added Neely.“Throughout his exceptional 24-year career, Zdeno showed an unparalleled combination of size, strength, and skill every time he stepped onto the ice. He kept opponents on alert with his imposing physique and set the tone for his teammates with great defensive prowess, all while having the power at any moment to unleash one of the strongest shots ever recorded,” said Boston Bruins President Cam Neely.
Cam Neely
Joe Thornton: The Assist Master
Joe Thornton, known as “Jumbo”, was a dominant offensive player during his 24 years in the NHL. He ranks 14th on the all-time points list (1,539) and is one of 16 players in NHL history to surpass 1,500 points. Thornton, one of the best passers in league history, accumulated 1,109 assists, placing him seventh all-time and fifth among forwards. His 1,714 regular season games played put him in sixth place all-time. Thornton won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s scoring leader in the 2005-06 season, the same year he won the Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player. He played 15 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, with whom he reached his only Stanley Cup final in 2016. He spent his first 8 years with the Boston Bruins, the team that selected him first overall in 1997. Thornton finished his career playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers. Thornton won the Olympic gold medal in 2010 with Canada and the Hockey World Cup in 2004 and 2016. He also won a gold medal for Canada at the 1997 World Junior Championship.Duncan Keith: The Dynastic Defender
Duncan Keith was fundamental in the Chicago Blackhawks’ dynasty era, where they won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015. In 151 playoff games, Keith recorded 91 points, the second-most points for a defenseman in the postseason during his 17 seasons, with an average ice time of 27:07. Keith won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs in 2015. He was also awarded the Norris Trophy for the league’s best defenseman in 2010 and 2014. In 1,256 regular season games, Keith accumulated 646 points, the fourth-most points and the second-most games played among defensemen during his career. He won two Olympic gold medals with Canada in 2010 and 2014.Alexander Mogilny: The Wait is Over
After a 17-year wait, Alexander Mogilny will finally be recognized. His absence from the Hall, despite his impact on hockey history, was a source of controversy for many fans and media in recent years. Mogilny is a member of the Triple Gold Club, having won the Stanley Cup in 2000 with the New Jersey Devils, Olympic gold in 1988, and the IIHF World Championship in 1989 with the Soviet Union. Following those world championships in Sweden, Mogilny became the first Soviet player to defect to North America in 1989, making him one of the most important names in hockey history.Mogilny ranks 35th among inactive NHL players in points per game average (1.042), and almost everyone ahead of him on that list is in the Hall of Fame. He is 59th all-time in goals scored (473) and 58th in adjusted goals (480), which ties him with Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur. He is 38th all-time in goals per game average (0.478). He achieved all this while playing most of his games in the defensive trap era, where he still managed to stand out as an offensive superstar.
