Frank Patrick

This is not to discount what he did in his playing days. He still holds the record for goals by a defenseman in a game (6) and helped his Vancouver Millionaires in 1915. However, Patrick’s induction is as a builder, and was credited with 22 rule changes that are still in the NHL rulebook. Among his innovations are allowing goaltenders to fall on the ice to make a save, the penalty shot, crediting assists, the blue line, the forward pass and a playoff system. Can you imagine where the sport would be without the man called the “The brains of modern hockey”?