Hockey Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2024
The Hockey Hall of Fame has revealed the inductees for its 2024 class, with the ceremony set to take place on November 11, 2024. This year's class features seven remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport. The honored group includes five players and two builders, each having left an indelible mark on hockey.
Player Inductees
Leading the players' category is Jeremy Roenick, a veteran of 20 NHL seasons. Roenick's career saw him play for five different franchises, scoring an impressive 513 goals and providing 703 assists over 1,363 games. His prowess on the ice has earned him the status of fourth in goals and fifth in points among American-born players in NHL history.
Pavel Datsyuk, known for his dazzling skill set, is another distinguished player being inducted. Datsyuk spent his entire 14-season career with the Detroit Red Wings, where he was a perennial contender for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best defensive forward. Datsyuk won the Selke Trophy three consecutive times from 2008 to 2010 and finished his career with 314 goals, 604 assists, and two Stanley Cup championships.
Shea Weber, a formidable defenseman, also joins the Hall of Fame ranks. Over his 16-year career split between the Nashville Predators and the Montreal Canadiens, Weber accumulated 224 goals and 365 assists. He was a three-time Norris Trophy finalist and played a pivotal role in leading the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020.
Representing women's hockey, Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl are both being recognized for their outstanding contributions. Darwitz led the University of Minnesota to a national championship in 2005, where she scored the game-winning goal against Harvard. Her decorated career includes two Olympic silver medals, a bronze, three golds, and five silvers at the World Championships.
Wendell-Pohl's international career was equally stellar, with 106 goals in 147 games. She earned a silver and a bronze Olympic medal and was the tournament MVP at the 2005 World Championships, where she guided Team USA to a gold medal.
Builder Inductees
In the builders' category, David Poile and Colin Campbell are set to be honored. Poile is the winningest general manager in NHL history, with 1,533 regular season victories to his name. As the only GM in Nashville Predators' history until his recent retirement, Poile guided the team to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2017. His strategic acumen and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the Predators into a formidable franchise.
Colin Campbell's contributions to the NHL extend beyond his playing days. After an 11-season career as an NHL player, Campbell transitioned to coaching, winning the Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers in 1994. He later served four seasons as the Rangers' head coach before moving into a significant executive role. For the past 25 years, Campbell has been an Executive Vice President for the NHL, playing a crucial role in the league's operations and governance.
The 2024 inductees represent a diverse and accomplished group, each having made unique contributions to the sport of hockey. Their induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame is a testament to their exceptional skill, dedication, and impact on the game. The November 11 ceremony promises to be a memorable occasion, celebrating these individuals' remarkable careers and enduring legacies.