Hockey Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2024
The Hockey Hall of Fame has unveiled the distinguished individuals who will be inducted in the 2024 class. This year’s honorees include five players and two builders, all of whom have made significant contributions to the sport. The induction ceremony will be held on November 11, 2024.
Player Inductees
Leading the pack of players is Jeremy Roenick, a prolific scorer who spent 20 years in the NHL across five different franchises. Roenick netted an impressive 513 goals and 703 assists over 1,363 games. His scoring prowess places him fourth in goals and fifth in points among American-born players in NHL history, underscoring his enduring legacy in the sport.
Joining Roenick is Pavel Datsyuk, often celebrated for his defensive capabilities and offensive flair. Datsyuk played 14 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, where he was a consistent contender for the Selke Trophy, earning nominations 10 times. He clinched the Selke Trophy three consecutive times from 2008 to 2010. With 314 goals and 604 assists in 953 career games, Datsyuk also boasts two Stanley Cup championships, testifying to his all-around talent and success.
Shea Weber is another formidable inductee, having spent his career with the Nashville Predators and the Montreal Canadiens. Known for his powerful shot and solid defensive play, Weber scored 224 goals and 365 assists over 16 years. He was a three-time finalist for the Norris Trophy and was instrumental in leading the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020.
The inductee list is further enriched by two remarkable female players who have each left an indelible mark on women's hockey. Natalie Darwitz, who led the University of Minnesota to a national championship in 2005, scored the game-winning goal against Harvard that year. Darwitz’s international career includes earning two Olympic silver medals, a bronze, and a stunning collection of three golds and five silvers at the World Championships.
Krissy Wendell-Pohl, another standout in women's hockey, played 147 international games, scoring 106 goals. She earned a silver and a bronze Olympic medal and was pivotal in guiding Team USA to a gold medal at the World Championships in 2005, where she was named the tournament MVP.
Builder Inductees
The NHL's most successful general manager, David Poile, joins the hall in the builder category. Poile's career includes 1,533 regular-season victories, making him the winningest GM in NHL history. He was the only general manager in the Nashville Predators’ history until his retirement last year and played a crucial role in guiding the Predators to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2017.
Colin Campbell, the second builder to be inducted, also boasts a diverse and impactful career. Campbell spent 11 seasons as an NHL player and won the Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers in 1994. He later served four seasons as the Rangers' head coach and has been an Executive Vice President for the NHL over the past 25 years, shaping the league's direction and policies.
This impressive lineup of inductees for 2024 not only reflects the rich history and talent in hockey but also highlights the sport's evolving influence and the contributions of both players and builders. As the Hockey Hall of Fame prepares to honor these seven individuals, it is a moment to celebrate their exceptional careers and lasting impacts on the game.