If you had asked us in 2006, we would have said there is no need for another individual hockey award.  We were wrong.

In the 2006/07 Season, five players were honored monthly as selected by the NHL based on qualifications, with Mark Messier deciding the recipient of the Mark Messier Leadership Award.  Those monthly winners were Brendan Shanahan (New York Rangers), Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim Ducks), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks).  The year after, it was changed to being a yearly award.

There is no better player to name this after than Messier.  He is the only player to lead two NHL teams (Edmonton and New York) to a Stanley Cup as their captain.

The results are as follows:

There are currently five former Mark Messier Leadership winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible, with four entering, yielding a percentage of 80.0. 

As this award has never been a repeat winner, the percentage by year remains the same.

The following are the past players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and have been enshrined.

2007:  Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings, Defense.  0 Goals, 11 Assists, 11 Points, +11, 3.3 Point Shares.

At age 45, Chelios had been a leader for decades, and despite his age, he was in the NHL for three more seasons.  The American Defenseman had won three Norris Trophies, was a five-time First Team All-Star, and won three Stanley Cups, one with Montreal and two with Detroit.  It is hard to debate that this award did not get off to a perfect start.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

2008:  Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  32 Goals, 46 Assists, 78 Points, +17, 9.8 Point Shares.

This was Sundin’s penultimate year in the NHL and his last with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  A Maple Leaf since 1994, Sundin was a leader on the ice since day one and was Toronto's best player for over a decade.  He had previously been a Second Team All-Star twice.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

2009:  Jarome Iginla:  Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  35 Goals, 54 Assists, 89 Points, -2, 9.5 Point Shares.

Iginla was not just Calgary's leader but had been the Flames best player for years.  This was his third First Team All-Star season, and seven years before, he was the winner of both the Art Ross and Lester B. Pearson Awards.  Iginla would later play for Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado, and Los Angeles.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

2013:  Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators, Right Wing.  10 Goals, 16 Assists, 26 Points, +1.  2.7 Point Shares.   

Alfredsson was in his 17^th and final year as an Ottawa Senator, and while he couldn't lead them to a Stanley Cup, he was the leader on many good Senator teams.  He played one more year in Detroit and scored 1157 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

The following are the players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

2012:  Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes, Right Wing.  22 Goals, 28 Assists, 50 Points, -8, 5.0 Point Shares.    

Since the franchise relocated from Winnipeg to Phoenix, Shane Doan was the franchise's best and most important player when they were in Arizona.  Doan led the Coyotes to a Conference Final this year, and he was with Phoenix for his entire 21-year career.

Eligible since 2020.  Ranked #58 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The following are the players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame:

2011:  Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins, Defense.  14 Goals, 30 Assists, 44 Points, +33, 10.0 Point Shares. 

A Second Team All-Star this year, Chara was the Norris Trophy winner two years previous, and he was a First Team All-Star and Second Team All-Star twice before.  Chara led by example, and the Bruins won the Stanley Cup this year, mainly on what the big man did.

Eligible in 2025.

2014:  Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings, Right Wing.  15 Goals, 12 Assists, 27 Points, +7, 3.1 Point Shares. 

Dustin Brown helped lead the Kings to a Stanley Cup in 2012 and did it again this season.  Brown was an All-Star in 2009.

Eligible in 2025.

2018:  Deryk Engelland, Vegas Golden Knights, Defense.  5 Goals, 18 Assists, 23 Points, +6, 4.5 Point Shares.

For the second year in a row, the Mark Messier Leadership Award winner also won the King Clancy.  Engelland was the first Golden Knight to win this trophy, but with all due respect to the former Defenseman, he is the least likely Mark Messier Award winner to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Eligible in 2023.

The following are the players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award and are still active.

2010:  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  51 Goals, 58 Assists, 109 Points, +15, 14.7 Point Shares

At age 23, it will be difficult to envision another Mark Messier Leadership Award winner to be younger than Sidney Crosby.  Crosby is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion.  This season, Crosby was in his fifth NHL season and was a Second Team All-Star and a Rocket Richard winner.  He was already a Hart Trophy winner and would be again four years later.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2015:  Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks, Center.  28 Goals, 38 Assists, 66 Points, +30, 9.4 Point Shares.

This season Toews led Chicago to their third (and his) Stanley Cup win of the decade.  The Center had previously been named a Second Team All-Star (2013), a Conn Smythe winner (2010), and a Frank J. Selke Trophy winner (2013).

35 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

2016:  Shea Weber, Nashville Predators, Defense.  20 Goals, 31 Assists, 51 Points, -7, 9.5 Point Shares.

Weber had been the core player in Nashville for years by this time, and before this Mark Messier Award, he was twice a First Team All-Star, twice a Second Team All-Star, and had five top-four finishes for the Norris Trophy.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Vegas Golden Knights.

2017:  Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets, Left Wing.  26 Goals, 25 Assists, 51 Points, -4, 5.9 Point Shares.

Foligno also won the King Clancy Award this year, marking the first time a Blue Jacket won.  

35 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.

2019:  Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators, Right Wing.  17 Goals, 13 Assists, 30 Points, -16, 1.9 Point Shares.

This is the first and, to date, only Mark Messier Leadership winner who split his award-winning season between two years.  Simmonds was dealt from Philadelphia to Nashville for their playoff run, primarily due to his overall contributions as a Flyer, though do not discount what he did as a Predator.

34 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2020:  Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames, Defense.  5 Goals, 26 Assists, 31 Points, +2, 5.4 Point Shares.

Giordano is a late bloomer, winning his first Norris Trophy at age 35 and setting personal statistical bests.   Giordano played most of his career with Calgary and was their leader for years.

39 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2021:  Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins, Center.  23 Goals, 25 Assists, 48 Points, +27, 6.9 Point Shares.

Bergeron is one of the best two-way players of his generation (if not the best) and was already a four-time Selke winner (he won a fifth a year after).  He won a Cup with the Bruins in 2011 and captured the King Clancy award in 2013.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.

2022:  Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings, Center.  19 Goals, 48 Assists, 67 Points, -6, 5.7 Point Shares.

Kopitar already anchored Los Angeles to two Stanley Cups (2012 & 2014), and the Slovenian Center added to his already ample trophy case (he had two Selkes and a Lady Byng) with the acquisition of the 2022 Mark Messier Leadership Award.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Kings.

The Mark Messier Leadership Award is not exclusive to superstars, but the character requirement is off the chart.   

The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy is similar to the Art Ross Trophy in that there is one fixed mathematical perimeter, and it could have existed (albeit under a different name) since the NHL was formed.

The Montreal Canadiens donated the award in honor of Richard, who was the first player to score 50 Goals in an NHL season (which he did in 50 Games) and the first to score 500 in a career.  It was first issued in 1999.

The results are as follows:

There are currently 7 former Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible, with 3 entering, yielding a percentage of 39.2.  

If we go by yearly winners, there is an increase to 9 eligible years, with 5 of them generating a Hockey Hall of Famer.  That is a 55.5 Percentage.

The following are the past players who have won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and have been enshrined.

1999:  Teemu Selanne, The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Right Wing.  47 Goals, 60 Assists, 107 Points, +18, 14.3 Point Shares.  

Had the Richard existed earlier, this would be Selanne's third win and a successful defense.  As it stands, this was.  Selanne's only Richard trophy, in a year where he finished fifth for the Hart, third in Byng voting, and was a Second Team All-Star.  Selanne's Hall of Fame career also includes a Calder, a Masterton, and a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007.   The "Finnish Flash" lit the lamp 684 times over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

2000:  Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers, Right Wing.  58 Goals, 36 Assists, 94 Points, -25, 13.5 Point Shares.  

The "Finnish Flash" gave way to the "Russian Rocket," who would have won the award in 1993/94 with 60 Goals.  This season, Bure was first in Even Strength Goals (45), Game-Winning Goals (14), and Shots (360), with a Second Team All-Star and a third-place finish in Hart balloting.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

2001 (2):  Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers, Right Wing.  59 Goals, 33 Assists, 92 Points, -25, 13.5 Point Shares.  

In the third year of the Richard Trophy, we have our first repeat winner in Bure, who was ninth in Hart voting.  This was his last monster year, as he was beset with injuries, and he last played in the NHL in 2003, netting 428 Goals over 12 seasons.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

2002:  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  52 Goals, 44 Assists, 96 Points, +27, 14.4 Point Shares.  

Iginla was on his way to becoming a superstar, but this was the year he accomplished it.  The Calgary Wing also won the Art Ross and the Lester B. Pearson while earning First Team All-Star honors.  The runner-up for the Hart was also first in Even Strength Goals (35).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

2004 Co-Winner (2):  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  41 Goals, 32 Assists, 73 Points, +21, 11.1 Point Shares.  

This was the first year where there were Rocket Richard had multiple winners, but with all due respect to Rick Nash and Ilya Kovalchuk, Iginla would be the one who historically stood out.  Iginla was again the Hart runner-up and the first Richard winner to win the King Clancy Award.  He scored 525 Goals over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

The following are the players who have won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

2003:  Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche, Right Wing.  50 Goals, 48 Assists, 98 Points, +52, 14.6 Point Shares. 

Hejduk played all 14 of his NHL seasons with Colorado, and though he helped take the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in 2001, this was his best year.  The Czech Wing not only led the NHL in Goals, but he was also number one in Even Strength Goals (32) and Plus/Minus (+52) and was a Second Team All-Star.  Hejduk scored 375 Goals over his career.

Eligible Since 2016.  Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2004 Co-Winner:  Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets, Left Wing.  41 Goals, 16 Assists, 57 Points, -35, 7.7 Point Shares.

Statistically, Nash is the most fascinating Richard winner to date, as the 2003/04 co-winner (with Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarome Iginla), and is the only one with a sub -30 Plus/Minus, though, to be fair, Columbus was horrible that the time.  This was also Nash's sophomore year, but his last major accolade in the NHL.  He did play until 2018, netting 437 Goals.

Eligible Since 2021.  Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2006:  Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks, Right Wing.  56 Goals, 37 Assists, 93 Points, +23, 12.7 Point Shares.

Cheechoo's season exploded when Joe Thornton was traded from Boston to the Sharks, and he became and remains the most unexpended Richard winner in award history.  He never had a season like that again and only had 170 Goals over his career.

Eligible Since 2018.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2007:  Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  52 Goals, 56 Assists, 108 Points, +2, 12.7 Point Shares.

Lecavalier was the first Center to win the Richard and was a Second Team All-Star.  A Stanley Cup Champion before, Lecavalier was fourth in Hart voting and won the King Clancy the season after.  He had 421 career Goals.

Eligible Since 2019.  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The following are the players who have won the NHL Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame: 

2004:  Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers, Left Wing.  41 Goals, 46 Losses, 87 Points, -10, 10.6 Point Shares.

Kovalchuk was one of three winners of the 2004 Rocket Richard award, and unless the Atlanta Thrashers are resurrected from the dead, this will be the only winner from Hotlanta.  The Russian star would later have two 50-Goal seasons and scored 328 Goals in the NHL.

Eligible in 2024.

The following are the past players who have won the NHL Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and are still active.

2008:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  65 Goals, 47 Assists, 112 Points, +28, 17.2 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was the first Richard winner (though far from the first player) to have a 60-plus Goal season, and he also won the Hart, Lester B. Pearson, and Art Ross and was a First Team All-Star.  He was also tops in Even Strength Goals (43), Power Play Goals (22), Game-Winning Goals (11), and Shots (446).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2009 (2):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  56 Goals, 54 Assists, 110 Points, +8, 14.5 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was a back-to-back Hart, Pearson, and First Team All-Star, and he was the league leader in Even Strength Goals (36) and Shots (528).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2010 Co-Winner:  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  51 Goals, 58 Assists, 109 Points, +15, 14.7 Point Shares.

Crosby was only in his early 20s, but before he won his first Richard, he was already a Stanley Cup winner, a Hart winner, and a Ted Lindsay Award winner.  He did not win the Hart or Lindsay this season (he was third for the Hart), but "Sid the Kid" won the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2010 Co-Winner:  Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  51 Goals, 54 Assists, 95 Points, -2, 12.8 Point Shares.

Stamkos won his first Richard Trophy and also led the NHL in Power Play Goals (24).  He was sixth in Hart voting.

32 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2011:  Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks, Right Wing.  50 Goals, 48 Assists, 98 Points, +9, 13.3 Point Shares.

Perry helped take the Ducks to a Stanley Cup win in 2007, and he not only won the Richard this season, but he was also the Hart Trophy winner.  He also topped the NHL in Even Strength Goals (32).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2012 (2):  Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  60 Goals, 37 Assists, 97 Points, +7, 14.6 Point Shares.

Stamkos joined the 60-Goal club, winning his second Richard in the process.  Earning Second Team All-Pro honors and finishing second in for the Hart, Stamkos would later lead the Lightning to two Stanley Cups (2020 & 2021).

32 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2013 (3):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  32 Goals, 24 Assists, 56 Points, +2, 8.0 Point Shares.

Ovechkin became the first man to win three Richard awards, and as he did in the first two, he was also the Hart Trophy winner.  He was again first in Even Strength Goals (16) and Shots (220).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2014 (4):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  51 Goals, 28 Assists, 79 Points, -35, 10.2 Point Shares.

Now the first four-time Richard winner, Ovechkin failed to win the Hart (he was only 23^rd), but he landed another first-place finish in Power Play Goals (24) and Shots (386).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2015 (5):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  53 Goals, 28 Assists, 81 Points, +10, 12.6 Point Shares.

Not only did Ovechkin win his fifth Richard Trophy, but he also became the first to win it three years in a row.  Ovechkin was also second for the Hart and was the league leader in Power Play Goals (25), Game Winning Goals (11), and Shots (395).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2016 (6):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  50 Goals, 21 Assists, 71 Points, +21, 11.7 Point Shares.

Ovechkin secured his sixth Richard and fourth straight Richard while finishing sixth for the Hart.  He also was first in Even Strength Goals (31), Power Play Goals (19), and Shots (398).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2017 (2):  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  44 Goals, 45 Assists, 89 Points, +17, 12.3 Point Shares.

Crosby was the runner-up for the Hart Trophy, but he captured a better one with his third Stanley Cup, a back-to-back win.  

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2018 (7):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  49 Goals, 38 Assists, 87 Points, +3, 11.2 Point Shares.

A new streak began in 2017/18 for Ovechkin, whose seventh Richard came with a much bigger prize.  Ovechkin led Washington to a Stanley Cup win this season while also winning the Conn Smythe.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2019 (8):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  51 Goals, 38 Assists, 89 Points, +7, 11.0 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was a First Team All-Star for the seventh time and was seventh in Hart voting.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2020 Co-winner:  David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins, Right Wing.  48 Goals, 47 Assists, 95 Points, 21, 13.2 Point Shares.

Pastrnak had his breakout campaign, winning the Richard and securing a First Team All-Star at Right Wing.  He was also fourth in Hart voting. 

26 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.

2020 (9) Co-winner:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  48 Goals, 19 Assists, 67 Points, -12, 8.7 Point Shares.

Ovechkin won the Richard for the ninth time, and we don't know if we will be alive to see that record fall.  We also didn't think that we would be alive to see Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record eclipsed, but that looks to be Ovechkin's in the future. 

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2021:  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  41 Goals, 25 Assists, 66 Points, +21, 9.5 Point Shares.

Matthews won the Calder in 2017, and five years later, he won his second major individual award in the Richard.  The Leafs Center also led the NHL in Even Strength Goals (31), Game-Winning Goals (12), and Shots (222) while finishing second in Hart voting. 

25 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2022 (2):  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  60 Goals, 46 Assists, 106 Points, +20, 13.8 Point Shares.

Matthews repeated as the Richard winner and became the first Maple Leaf to have a 60-Goal year.  He also won the Hart and Ted Lindsay Trophy and was first in Even Strength Goals (44) and Shots (348). 

25 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Like the Art Ross, the Maurice Richard Award is purely based on a statistic but an important one.  There might be some unique and surprise winners, but for the most part, this award generates Hall of Famers, and when Ovechkin is available, the winning percentage by year will skyrocket.

The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy is similar to the Art Ross Trophy in that there is one fixed mathematical perimeter, and it could have existed (albeit under a different name) since the NHL was formed.

The Montreal Canadiens donated the award in honor of Richard, who was the first player to score 50 Goals in an NHL season (which he did in 50 Games) and the first to score 500 in a career.  It was first issued in 1999.

The results are as follows:

There are currently 7 former Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible, with 3 entering, yielding a percentage of 39.2.  

If we go by yearly winners, there is an increase to 9 eligible years, with 5 of them generating a Hockey Hall of Famer.  That is a 55.5 Percentage.

The following are the past players who have won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and have been enshrined.

1999:  Teemu Selanne, The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Right Wing.  47 Goals, 60 Assists, 107 Points, +18, 14.3 Point Shares.  

Had the Richard existed earlier, this would be Selanne's third win and a successful defense.  As it stands, this was.  Selanne's only Richard trophy, in a year where he finished fifth for the Hart, third in Byng voting, and was a Second Team All-Star.  Selanne's Hall of Fame career also includes a Calder, a Masterton, and a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007.   The "Finnish Flash" lit the lamp 684 times over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

2000:  Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers, Right Wing.  58 Goals, 36 Assists, 94 Points, -25, 13.5 Point Shares.  

The "Finnish Flash" gave way to the "Russian Rocket," who would have won the award in 1993/94 with 60 Goals.  This season, Bure was first in Even Strength Goals (45), Game-Winning Goals (14), and Shots (360), with a Second Team All-Star and a third-place finish in Hart balloting.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

2001 (2):  Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers, Right Wing.  59 Goals, 33 Assists, 92 Points, -25, 13.5 Point Shares.  

In the third year of the Richard Trophy, we have our first repeat winner in Bure, who was ninth in Hart voting.  This was his last monster year, as he was beset with injuries, and he last played in the NHL in 2003, netting 428 Goals over 12 seasons.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

2002:  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  52 Goals, 44 Assists, 96 Points, +27, 14.4 Point Shares.  

Iginla was on his way to becoming a superstar, but this was the year he accomplished it.  The Calgary Wing also won the Art Ross and the Lester B. Pearson while earning First Team All-Star honors.  The runner-up for the Hart was also first in Even Strength Goals (35).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

2004 Co-Winner (2):  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  41 Goals, 32 Assists, 73 Points, +21, 11.1 Point Shares.  

This was the first year where there were Rocket Richard had multiple winners, but with all due respect to Rick Nash and Ilya Kovalchuk, Iginla would be the one who historically stood out.  Iginla was again the Hart runner-up and the first Richard winner to win the King Clancy Award.  He scored 525 Goals over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

The following are the players who have won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

2003:  Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche, Right Wing.  50 Goals, 48 Assists, 98 Points, +52, 14.6 Point Shares. 

Hejduk played all 14 of his NHL seasons with Colorado, and though he helped take the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in 2001, this was his best year.  The Czech Wing not only led the NHL in Goals, but he was also number one in Even Strength Goals (32) and Plus/Minus (+52) and was a Second Team All-Star.  Hejduk scored 375 Goals over his career.

Eligible Since 2016.  Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2004 Co-Winner:  Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets, Left Wing.  41 Goals, 16 Assists, 57 Points, -35, 7.7 Point Shares.

Statistically, Nash is the most fascinating Richard winner to date, as the 2003/04 co-winner (with Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarome Iginla), and is the only one with a sub -30 Plus/Minus, though, to be fair, Columbus was horrible that the time.  This was also Nash's sophomore year, but his last major accolade in the NHL.  He did play until 2018, netting 437 Goals.

Eligible Since 2021.  Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2006:  Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks, Right Wing.  56 Goals, 37 Assists, 93 Points, +23, 12.7 Point Shares.

Cheechoo's season exploded when Joe Thornton was traded from Boston to the Sharks, and he became and remains the most unexpended Richard winner in award history.  He never had a season like that again and only had 170 Goals over his career.

Eligible Since 2018.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2007:  Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  52 Goals, 56 Assists, 108 Points, +2, 12.7 Point Shares.

Lecavalier was the first Center to win the Richard and was a Second Team All-Star.  A Stanley Cup Champion before, Lecavalier was fourth in Hart voting and won the King Clancy the season after.  He had 421 career Goals.

Eligible Since 2019.  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The following are the players who have won the NHL Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame: 

2004:  Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers, Left Wing.  41 Goals, 46 Losses, 87 Points, -10, 10.6 Point Shares.

Kovalchuk was one of three winners of the 2004 Rocket Richard award, and unless the Atlanta Thrashers are resurrected from the dead, this will be the only winner from Hotlanta.  The Russian star would later have two 50-Goal seasons and scored 328 Goals in the NHL.

Eligible in 2024.

The following are the past players who have won the NHL Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and are still active.

2008:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  65 Goals, 47 Assists, 112 Points, +28, 17.2 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was the first Richard winner (though far from the first player) to have a 60-plus Goal season, and he also won the Hart, Lester B. Pearson, and Art Ross and was a First Team All-Star.  He was also tops in Even Strength Goals (43), Power Play Goals (22), Game-Winning Goals (11), and Shots (446).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2009 (2):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  56 Goals, 54 Assists, 110 Points, +8, 14.5 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was a back-to-back Hart, Pearson, and First Team All-Star, and he was the league leader in Even Strength Goals (36) and Shots (528).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2010 Co-Winner:  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  51 Goals, 58 Assists, 109 Points, +15, 14.7 Point Shares.

Crosby was only in his early 20s, but before he won his first Richard, he was already a Stanley Cup winner, a Hart winner, and a Ted Lindsay Award winner.  He did not win the Hart or Lindsay this season (he was third for the Hart), but "Sid the Kid" won the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2010 Co-Winner:  Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  51 Goals, 54 Assists, 95 Points, -2, 12.8 Point Shares.

Stamkos won his first Richard Trophy and also led the NHL in Power Play Goals (24).  He was sixth in Hart voting.

32 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2011:  Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks, Right Wing.  50 Goals, 48 Assists, 98 Points, +9, 13.3 Point Shares.

Perry helped take the Ducks to a Stanley Cup win in 2007, and he not only won the Richard this season, but he was also the Hart Trophy winner.  He also topped the NHL in Even Strength Goals (32).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2012 (2):  Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  60 Goals, 37 Assists, 97 Points, +7, 14.6 Point Shares.

Stamkos joined the 60-Goal club, winning his second Richard in the process.  Earning Second Team All-Pro honors and finishing second in for the Hart, Stamkos would later lead the Lightning to two Stanley Cups (2020 & 2021).

32 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2013 (3):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  32 Goals, 24 Assists, 56 Points, +2, 8.0 Point Shares.

Ovechkin became the first man to win three Richard awards, and as he did in the first two, he was also the Hart Trophy winner.  He was again first in Even Strength Goals (16) and Shots (220).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2014 (4):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  51 Goals, 28 Assists, 79 Points, -35, 10.2 Point Shares.

Now the first four-time Richard winner, Ovechkin failed to win the Hart (he was only 23^rd), but he landed another first-place finish in Power Play Goals (24) and Shots (386).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2015 (5):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  53 Goals, 28 Assists, 81 Points, +10, 12.6 Point Shares.

Not only did Ovechkin win his fifth Richard Trophy, but he also became the first to win it three years in a row.  Ovechkin was also second for the Hart and was the league leader in Power Play Goals (25), Game Winning Goals (11), and Shots (395).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2016 (6):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  50 Goals, 21 Assists, 71 Points, +21, 11.7 Point Shares.

Ovechkin secured his sixth Richard and fourth straight Richard while finishing sixth for the Hart.  He also was first in Even Strength Goals (31), Power Play Goals (19), and Shots (398).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2017 (2):  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  44 Goals, 45 Assists, 89 Points, +17, 12.3 Point Shares.

Crosby was the runner-up for the Hart Trophy, but he captured a better one with his third Stanley Cup, a back-to-back win.  

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2018 (7):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  49 Goals, 38 Assists, 87 Points, +3, 11.2 Point Shares.

A new streak began in 2017/18 for Ovechkin, whose seventh Richard came with a much bigger prize.  Ovechkin led Washington to a Stanley Cup win this season while also winning the Conn Smythe.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2019 (8):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  51 Goals, 38 Assists, 89 Points, +7, 11.0 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was a First Team All-Star for the seventh time and was seventh in Hart voting.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2020 Co-winner:  David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins, Right Wing.  48 Goals, 47 Assists, 95 Points, 21, 13.2 Point Shares.

Pastrnak had his breakout campaign, winning the Richard and securing a First Team All-Star at Right Wing.  He was also fourth in Hart voting. 

26 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.

2020 (9) Co-winner:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  48 Goals, 19 Assists, 67 Points, -12, 8.7 Point Shares.

Ovechkin won the Richard for the ninth time, and we don't know if we will be alive to see that record fall.  We also didn't think that we would be alive to see Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record eclipsed, but that looks to be Ovechkin's in the future. 

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2021:  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  41 Goals, 25 Assists, 66 Points, +21, 9.5 Point Shares.

Matthews won the Calder in 2017, and five years later, he won his second major individual award in the Richard.  The Leafs Center also led the NHL in Even Strength Goals (31), Game-Winning Goals (12), and Shots (222) while finishing second in Hart voting. 

25 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2022 (2):  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  60 Goals, 46 Assists, 106 Points, +20, 13.8 Point Shares.

Matthews repeated as the Richard winner and became the first Maple Leaf to have a 60-Goal year.  He also won the Hart and Ted Lindsay Trophy and was first in Even Strength Goals (44) and Shots (348). 

25 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Like the Art Ross, the Maurice Richard Award is purely based on a statistic but an important one.  There might be some unique and surprise winners, but for the most part, this award generates Hall of Famers, and when Ovechkin is available, the winning percentage by year will skyrocket.

First awarded in 1988, the King Clancy Memorial Award is given annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice who has also made significant contributions to his community.

The award is named after King Clancy, who played for the original Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs, was later a successful coach and executive, and was known for his philanthropy.

An award like this often is given to a player, usually a very good one, near the end of his career, though this should not be viewed as a “lifetime achievement award”, as players whit little to no philanthropic endeavors will not win.

The results are as follows:

There are currently 28 former Frank J. Selke Trophy winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible, with 11 entering, yielding a percentage of 39.2.  

If we go by yearly winners, there is a small increase to 29 eligible years with 12 of them generating a Hockey Hall of Famer.  That is a 41.4 Percentage.

The following are the past players who have won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

1988:  Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  10 Goals, 13 Assists, 23 Points, +2, 0.6 Point Shares.  

By this point, Lanny was still an effective leader but was not necessarily at a point where he was putting the puck in the net.  Still good in doing the unsung work of the game, McDonald only score 23 Points this season, but was a season away from retirement, but more importantly winning his first Stanley Cup.  Lanny won the inaugural award for his charitable work both in Calgary and Toronto, and is an excellent first choice for this award.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

1989:  Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders, Center.  17 Goals, 28 Assists, 45 Points, -7, 2.6 Point Shares.  

Like Lanny McDonald, Bryan Trottier was in clear decline at this point and was coming off his worst performance of the year, though he would have four more seasons in the NHL each of which would follow the pattern of being his worst offensive output.  Trottier was however a bona fide star earlier in his career with the Islanders Dynasty and was active in Special Olympics and Make-A-Wish Program.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1990:  Kevin Lowe, Edmonton Oilers, Defenseman.  7 Goals, 26 Assists, 33 Points, +18, 6.0 Point Shares. 

Lowe was in the second half of his career, but was already a proven winner with four Stanley Cups and a fifth one this year.  The Defenseman was active in the community with Christmas-related charities.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

1991:  Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins, Defense.  21 Goals, 60 Assists, 81 Points, +11, 11.2 Point Shares.  

This is the first King Clancy winner who had a solid career after winning this award.  Bourque was only 31 and was still a Norris Trophy Winner and Stanley Cup Champion after this accolade.  Bourque was a community leader in Boston, and this year he served as the Honourable Chairman for Boston’s Floating Hospital.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

1995:  Joe Nieuwendyk, Calgary Flames, Center.  21 Goals, 29 Assists, 50 Points, +11, 5.5 Point Shares.  

Joe Nieuwendyk was in the prime of his career at this point and would soon move on to the Dallas Stars and win the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe, a performance that might have put him over the Hall of Fame hump.  The Forward, who was the Flames captain at the time, spearheaded the team’s humanitarian efforts in the community.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

2002:  Ron Francis, Carolina Hurricanes, Center.  27 Goals, 50 Assists, 77 Points, +4, 8.7 Point Shares.  

Francis also won his third Lady Byng this season, and won the Clancy based on his work with Duke’s Children’s Hospital.  He is one of the fev players to have over 1,700 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

2003:  Brendan Shanahan, Detroit Red Wings, Left Wing.  30 Goals, 38 Assists, 68 Points, +5, 7.9 Point Shares.  

Shanahan’s charitable endeavors featured the creation of a program that assisted in the purchase and installation of smoke detectors in low-income homes.  The power forward won three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings and had 1,354 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

2004:  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  41 Goals, 32 Assists, 73 Points, +21, 11.1 Point Shares.  

Iginla was in the prime of his career, capturing his second Rocket Richard award as the game’s leading goal scorer, and he was also named a Second Team All-Star.  Within the community, Iginla was at the center of the Flames’ philanthropic endeavors and he personally donated 1,000 dollars for every goal he scored.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

2012:  Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators, Right Wing.  27 Goals, 32 Assists, 59 Points, +16, 7.5 Point Shares.  

Alfredsson won the Calder in 1996, and the Mark Messier Leadership Award the year after this King Clancy win.  While he was a Senator (15 year), Alfredsson was a pillar of the local Ottawa community and was constant in his charitable work.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

2016:  Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, Center.  11 Goals, 44 Assists, 55 Points, 0, 5.4 Point Shares.

The Canucks Captain, along with his brother, Daniel created the Sedin Foundation in 2014, and underwent plans for Clubhouse 36, an after-school program for at-risk kids.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

2018:  Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, Left Wing.  23 Goals, 32 Assists, 55 Points, -21, 5.4 Point Shares.

See below!  Daniel was involved in the same charities that Henrik was, and you have to wonder how he was not a co-winner with his twin two years earlier.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

2018 (2):  Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, Center.  3 Goals, 47 Assists, 50 Points, -22, 2.7 Point Shares.

Henrik was the co-winner with his twin brother, Daniel, and this is likely the only time that we will ever see a repeat winner.  The Sedins were in their final season, and their charitable donations across Vancouver and beyond made them legends.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

The following are the players who have won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

1991:  Dave Taylor, Los Angeles Kings, Right Wing.  23 Goals, 30 Assists, 53 Points, +27, 4.6 Point Shares. 

Dave Taylor, who played his entire career with the Los Angeles Kings, would win his only individual trophies this season as not only did he capture the Clancy, he was also awarded the Bill Masterton.  Taylor was 35 when he won this accolade and had his best years behind him.  Still, his charitable work in SoCal, especially involving those with speech impediments earned this award.  

Eligible Since 1997.  Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com.

1993:  Dave Poulin, Boston Bruins, Center.  16 Goals, 33 Assists, 49 Points, +29, 3.5 Point Shares.

Dave Poulin had a solid career and was one of the better defensive forwards in the game.  1993 was his last decent year and he would retire two years later.  In this season, Poulin was honored for his work as the Co-Chairman of the March of Dimes.

Eligible Since 1998.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.    

1994:  Adam Graves, New York Rangers, Left Wing.  52 Goals, 27 Assists, 79 Points, +27, 9.8 Point Shares.

To date, Adam Graves is the youngest winner of the King Clancy, and the 1993-94 Season was by far his most memorable.  This was the season where he would win in his second Stanley Cup, and was a major part of the win.  This is also the only season where he was named a post season All-Star.  Still, this was his peak, and a career worthy of Hall of Very Good, which should not detract from the work he did to win the Clancy.  Graves was the Celebrity Chairman of New York’s Dynamic Family Program, and he did other charitable work in NYC.

Eligible Since 2006.  Ranked #67 on Notinhalloffame.com.    

1996:  Kris King, Winnipeg Jets, Left Wing.  9 Goals, 11 Assists, 20 Points, -7, 0.0 Point Shares.  

The King Clancy Award would be the only NHL Award that fourteen-year NHL veteran, Kris King would win.  The rugged forward was a fan favorite but was never going to be considered a Hall of Famer, but he was to those he helped.  King was the Team Captain, and the man who spearheaded the Jets charities.

Eligible Since 2004.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.    

1997:  Trevor Linden, Vancouver Canucks, Center.  9 Goals, 31 Assists, 40 Points, -5, 3.3 Point Shares. 

Linden’s King Clancy win was the only major award that he won, but the ultra-popular player was one of the most beloved players in Vancouver’s history.  Linden won the Clancy by developing the “Captain’s Crew”, a program that brought underprivileged kids to his private suite to games.  

Eligible Since 2011.  Ranked #80 on Notinhalloffame.com.

1998:  Kelly Chase, St. Louis Blues, Right Wing.  4 Goals, 3 Assists, 7 Points, +10, -0.3 Point Shares. 

Not only is this the only NHL Award that Kelly Chase won, this is the only time he was remotely close.  Chase was a goon, who never had 100 career Points but off the ice, his charitable efforts made him a saint.  He was involved with the Gateway Project, which helped mentally challenged kids get involved with sports.

Eligible Since 2003.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.    

1999:  Rob Ray, Buffalo Sabres, Right Wing.  0 Goals, 4 Assists, 4 Points, -2, -0.3 Point Shares. 

Scoring only 4 Points in this campaign, like Kelly Chase, Rob Ray was a popular figure for his fisticuffs.  Ray, who would play a total of 900 NHL Games and would lead the NHL in Penalty Minutes twice, including his King Clancy Award winning season.  Despite his tough guy exterior, Ray’s charitable work included the March of Dimes, Walk America and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Eligible Since 2007.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.    

2000:  Curtis Joseph, Toronto Maple Leafs, Goalie.  36 Wins, 20 Losses, 7 Ties, 2.49 GAA, .915 Save Percentage, 13.4 Point Shares.

Joseph was the first Goalie to win the King Clancy, and this would be the only major award he won, though he was in the top ten for the Vezina six times, including a third-place finish this year.  He helped a lot of sick kids, starting “Cujo’s Kids”, placing ill children in luxury suites for Leafs home games, and he also developed a room at the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto that resembled the Leafs locker room.

Eligible Since 2012.  Ranked #16 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2001:  Shjon Podein, Colorado Avalabche, Right Wing.  15 Goals, 17 Assists, 32 Points, +7, 2.9 Point Shares.

Podein formed the Shjon Podein Children’s Foundation designed to help sick and underprivileged children.  The Avs would win the Stanley Cup this year

Eligible Since 2009.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2006:  Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals, Goalie.  20 Wins, 28 Losses, 11 Ties/Overtime Losses, 3.53 GAA, .896, 11.0 Point Shares.

Kolzig became the second Goalie to win the King Clancy, and the veteran won based on his co-founding of “Athletes against Autism”, which was generated by discovering his own son had the affliction.

Eligible Since 2012.  Ranked #132 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2007:  Saku Koivu, Montreal Canadiens, Center.  22 Goals, 53 Assists, 75 Points, -21, 6.9 Point Shares.

Koivu won the Bill Masterton Trophy win in 2002 after coming back from cancer, and he started his own cancer foundation, which by this time had raised over 2.5 million dollars.

Eligible Since 2017.  Ranked #131 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2008:  Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  40 Goals, 52 Assists, 92 Points, -17, 10.7 Point Shares.

Lecavalier was already a long time established offensive star for the Lightning, and was a Stanley Cup champ with the Bolts four years prior.  The Center had formed his own charitable foundation, which won him this award.

Eligible Since 2019.  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2009:  Ethan Moreau, Edmonton Oilers, Left Wing.  14 Goals, 12 Assists, 26 Points, +0, 1.9 Point Shares.

Moreau was in the 13^th of a 16-year career, 11 of which were as an Oiler.  The gritty player worked within the Edmonton’s inner city specifically with High Schools.

Eligible Since 2015.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2010:  Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes, Right Wing.  18 Goals, 37 Assists, 55 Points, +3, 5.5 Point Shares. 

Doan was with the Coyotes for all of his 21 seasons (20 when the franchise was in Arizona), and he spearheaded most of the team’s charitable endeavors.  He won the Mark Messier Leadership Award two years later and had 972 career Points.  

Eligible Since 2013.  Ranked #58 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2011:  Doug Weight, New York Islanders, Center.  2 Goals, 7 Assists, 9 Points, -3, 0.5 Point Shares. 

Weight won his final year of a 20-season run, and his charity and philanthropy spread across six teams. 

Eligible Since 2013.  Ranked #63 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2014:  Andrew Ference, Edmonton Oilers, Defense.  3 Goals, 15 Assists, 18 Points, -18, 2.4 Point Shares. 

Ference was then the Oilers Team Captain, and was in charge of the November Project, designed to increase community involvement.  This was his third last season of a 16-year career.  

Eligible Since 2019.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2015:  Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings, Left Wing.  17 Goals, 49 Assists, 66 Points, -6, 6.7 Point Shares. 

Zetterberg had long been active in the community of Detroit and was also raising money for relief efforts in Ethiopia, Guatemala and Nepal.  He played his entire career with Detroit, where he won a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe and scored 960 Points.

Eligible Since 2021.  Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The following are the players who have won the NHL King Clancy Trophy who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame: 

2021:  Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators, Goalie.  10 Wins, 12 Losses, 1 Tie/Overtime Loss, 2.84 GAA, .907 Save Percentage, 3.8 Point Shares.

Rinne was in his final season, where he established himself as one of the best players in the history of the young franchise of Nashville.  The Finnish Goalie won the Clancy for the co-creation (with Shea Weber) of the 365 Fund, raising money for cancer.  He also participated in the Predators’ “Feed the Frontline” initiative to supply meals to the frontline workers during COVID.

Eligible in 2024.

2022:  P.K. Subban, New Jersey Devils, Defense.  5 Goals, 17 Assists, 22 Points, -8, 3.4 Point Shares.

Subban concluded his NHL career this year, and while he was playing in New Jersey, his main work was in Montreal, where he raised $1 million is support of Le Spot, a mental health organization.  He also donated to Ukrainian relief, COVID relief and diversity and inclusion in hockey.

Eligible in 2025.

The following are the past players who have won the NHL King Clancy Trophy and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and are still active.

2013:  Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins, Center.  10 Goals, 22 Assists, 32 Points, +24, 12.6 Point Shares, 4.3 Defensive Point Shares.

Bergeron formed Patrice’s Pals, a charity that brings hospital patients and sick kids to watch Bruins games in luxury suites.  Bergeron won five Frank J. Selke trophies.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.

2017:  Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets, Left Wing.  26 Goals, 25 Assists, 51 Points, -4, 5.9 Point Shares.

Foligno donated over $1 million to children’s hospitals in the Columbus and Boston area, and created a foundation in honor of his mother in 2009.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.

2019:  Jason Zucker, Minnesota Wild, Left Wing.  21 Goals, 21 Assists, 42 Points, -9, 4.1 Point Shares.

Zucker began a foundation the year before that raised over $1 million for the Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.

30 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2020:  Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild, Defense.  6 Goals, 18 Assists, 24 Points, -7, 3.6 Point Shares.

Dumba was a founding member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, and he helped to spearhead the “Rebuild Minnesota” project to help business impacted by the George Floyd protests.  He also raised funds for COVID-19 relief.

28 Years Old, Playing for the Minnesota Wild.

The King Clancy Memorial Award can generate players of all skill level, but their class is always high.  This may not be the best Hall of Fame metric, but it does measure heart.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the Lester B. Peasrson, awarded annually to the top MVP as voted on by the players of the National Hockey League.  We stay on the ice with the newest award, the Mark Messier Leadership Award, which was first awarded in 2007-08.  Named after Hall of Famer, Mark Messier, it is designed to honor an individual who leads by positive example through on-ice performance, motivation of team members and a dedication to community activities and charitable causes.

So how many Mark Messier Leadership winners have made the Pro Hockey Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the Mark Messier Leadership Award who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings, Defense: 11 G, 11 A, 22 P, 3.3 PS  2007

At age 45, Chelios had literally been a leader for decades, and despite his age, he was in the NHL for three more seasons. The American Defenseman had won three Norris Trophies, was a five-time First Team All-Star, and won three Stanley Cups; one with Montreal and two with Detroit.  It is hard to debate that this award did not get off to a perfect start.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center: 32 G, 46 A, 78 P, 9.8 PS  2008

This was Sundin’s penultimate year in the NHL, and his last with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  A Maple Leaf since 1994, Sundin was a leader on the ice since day one, and was Toronto’s best player for over a decade.  He had previously been a Second Team All-Star twice.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Right Wing 35 G, 54 A, 89 P, 9.5 PS  2009

Iginla was not just Calgary’s leader, but had been the Flames best player for years.  This was his third First Team All-Star season, and seven years before he was the winner of both the Art Ross and Lester B. Pearson Award.  Iginla would later play for Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado and Los Angeles.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

 

The following are the players who have won the Mark Messier Leadership Award who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes, Right Wing: 22 G, 28 A, 50 P, 5.0 PS 2012   

Since the franchise relocated from Winnipeg to Phoenix, Shane Doan was the best and most important player for the franchise when they were in Arizona.  Doan led the Coyotes to a Conference Final this year, and he was with Phoenix for his entire 21-year career.

Eligible since 2020.  Ranked #56 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators, Right Wing: 10 G, 16 A, 26 P, 2.7 PS 2013   

Alfredsson was in his 17^thand final year as an Ottawa Senator, and while he couldn’t lead them to a Stanley Cup, he was the leader on many good Senator teams.  He played one more year in Detroit, and scored 1157 career Points.

Eligible since 2017.  Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?        

Award in Question	Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF	Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.
NBA MVP	100%	100%
NHL Art Ross	100%	100%
NHL Hart Trophy	93.6%	96.3%
NBA Finals MVP	91.3%	94.9%
NHL Norris	90.5%	96.4%
NHL Ted Lindsay Award	90.0%
NBA All-Star Game MVP	89.5%	91.7%
NHL Conn Smythe	74.2%	85.4%
NFL Bert Bell Award	73.7%	71.4%
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year	73.1%	79.4%
NFL AP MVP	68.3%	74.0%
NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year	66.7%	66.7%
NHL Lady Byng	63.8%	76.0%
NFL Defensive Player of the Year	60.8%	71.1%
NFL Super Bowl MVP	60.6%	64.9%
NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award	60.0%	60.0%
NBA Defensive Player of the Year	58.3%	56.5%
NHL Vezina	57.1%	66.3%
NBA Rookie of the Year	56.5%	56.5%
MLB MVP	55.0%	60.2%
NFL Pro Bowl MVP	52.3%	54.8%
MLB Lou Gehrig Award	51.9%	51.9%
MLB Roberto Clemente Award	47.4%	47.4%
NHL Calder Trophy	46.5%	46.5%
NBA J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award	46.0%	46.0%
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award	44.4%	55.4%
MLB Babe Ruth Award	37.0%	39.3%
NHL King Clancy Award	36.8%	36.8%
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy	33.3%	36.7%
MLB World Series MVP	33.3%	36.8%
MLB Hutch Award	33.1%	33.1%
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year	28.6%	28.6%
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	27.9%	27.9%
MLB Edgar Martinez Award	26.7%	17.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter)	25.0%	30.8%
MLB Comeback Player of the Year	25.0%	25.0%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop)	23.5%	52.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove	21.7%	36.8%
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year	20.6%	20.6%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)	20.0%	22.5%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base)	18.8%	39.8%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop)	18.2%	35.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher)	18.2%	20.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base)	16.7%	32.7%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield)	16.7%	30.1%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield)	15.7%	25.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base)	14.3%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base)	13.6%	14.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)	13.6%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year	13.3%	13.3%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher)	10.3%	15.2%
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year	5.3%	3.2%
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base)	3.8%	3.2%
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year	0.0%	0.0%

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the Mark Messier Leadership Award Trophy in the NHL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame:

None.

The following are the players who have won the Ted Lindsay who are still active.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 51 G, 58 A, 109 P, 14.7 PS, 2010

At age 23, it will be difficult to envision another Mark Messier Leadership Award winner to be younger than Sidney Crosby.  This season, Crosby was in his fifth NHL season, and was a Second Team All-Star and a Rocket Richard winner.  He was already a Hart Trophy winner, and would be again four years later.  Crosby is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion.

33 Years Old,Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins, Defense: 14 G, 30 A, 44 P, 10.0 PS 2011

A Second Team All-Star this year, Chara was the Norris Trophy winner two years previous, and he was a First Team All-Star and Second Team All-Star twice before.  Chara led by example, and the Bruins won the Stanley Cup this year, largely on what the big man did.

43 Years Old,Playing for the Boston Bruins.

Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings, Right Wing: 15 G, 12 A, 27 P, 3.1 PS 2014 

Dustin Brown helped lead the Kings to a Stanley Cup in 2012, and he did it again this season.  Brown was an All-Star in 2009.

36 Years Old,Playing for the Los Angeles Kings.

Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks, Center: 28 G, 38 A, 66 P, 9.4 PS 2015 

This season Toews led Chicago to their third (and his) Stanley Cup win of the decade.  The Center had previously been named a Second Team All-Star (2013), a Conn Smythe winner (2010) and Frank J. Selke Trophy winner (2013).

32 Years Old,Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Shea Weber, Nashville Predators, Defense: 20 G, 31 A, 51 P, 9.5 PS 2016

Weber had been the core player in Nashville for years by this time and prior to this Mark Messier Award, he was twice a First Team All-Star, twice a Second Team All-Star, and had five top-four finishes for the Norris Trophy.

35 Years Old,Playing for the Montreal Canadiens.

Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets, Left Wing: 26 G, 25 A, 51 P, 5.9 PS, 2017

Foligno also won the King Clancy Award this year, marking the first time that a Blue Jacket won either.  

33 Years Old,Playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Deryk Engelland, Vegas Golden Knights, Defense: 5 G, 18 A, 23 P, 4.5 PS, 2018

For the second year in a row, the winner of the Mark Messier Leadership Award also won the King Clancy.  Engelland was the first Golden Knight to win this trophy.

38 Years Old,Free Agent.

Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators, Right Wing: 17 G, 13 A, 30 P, 1.9 PS, 2019

This is the first and to date only Mark Messier Leadership winner who split his award-winning season between two years.  Simmonds was dealt from Philadelphia to Nashville for their playoff run, and this was mostly due to his overall contributions as a Flyer.

32 Years Old,Playing for the Buffalo Sabres.

Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames, Defense: 5 G, 26 A, 31 P, 5.4 PS, 2020

Giordano is a late-bloomer of sorts, winning his first Norris Trophy at age 35 and setting personal statistical bests.  To date, Giordano has played his entire career with Calgary, and has been their leader for years.

37 Years Old,Playing for the Calgary Flames.

Leadership in team sports is important, and as we see, they are often from players who could be considered the best player on the team.

So, what is up next?

We have one NHL Award left, the William M. Jennings, which is awarded annually to the team of Goalies that have the fewest Goals Against.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

The Chairman (Kirk Buchner) and Evan Nolan discuss the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2000 and the official retirement of Vince Carter.

One of our favorite days our here!

The Hockey Hall of Fame has announced the Class of 2020, which while it usually takes place in June of 2020, the Stanley Cup is always awarded by now!  Regardless, the National Hockey League is coming back, and here are the new Hall of Famers who will watch the 2019-20 season play out.

The Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2020 comprises six members and is headlined by Jarome Iginla, the one former player that everyone knew would be selected.  Iginla is joined by Marian Hossa, Kevin Lowe, Doug Wilson, Kim St- Pierre and Ken Holland who enters as a builder.

Iginla was a 20-year veteran of the NHL, playing the majority of his career with the Calgary Flames.  With Calgary, the native of Edmonton, Alberta, was a three-time First Team All-Star, a two-time Rocket Richard winner, and in 2001-02, he won the coveted Art Ross Trophy and the Lester B Pearson Award. Notably, no player who ever won the Art Ross has not been in enshrined in the Hockey Hall, and this trend continues today.  Professionally, Iginla also played for Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado and Los Angeles and upon retirement he amassed an even 1,300 Points in 1,554 Games.  On the International scene, the power forward won two Gold Medals at the Olympics (2002 & 2010) and the World Cup of Hockey (2004) for Canada. He was ranked #1 on our last Notinhalloffame.com list of those to consider for the Hockey Hall.  

Like Iginla, Hossa also enters the Hall in his first year of eligibility.  From Slovakia, Hossa came up through the Ottawa Senators organization, where he helped the Sens reach their first and only Stanley Cup Final in 2003. After a 100 Point year with the Atlanta Thrashers, and a one-year run each with Pittsburgh and Detroit, Hossa joined the Chicago Blackhawks in 2009 where he played until 2017 when a skin disorder forced him out of the game.  With the Blackhawks, Hossa was a huge cog in the machine that won three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013 & 2015).  Hossa’s NHL career would see him accrue 1,134 Points.  Representing Slovakia, Hossa competed for his country in three Olympics (2002, 2006 & 2010) and the World Cup of Hockey in 2004.  Hossa was ranked #10 on our last Notinhalloffame.com list.

Kevin Lowe.  Lowe was considered the best player from the Edmonton Oilers dynasty of five Stanley Cups (1984-90) that was yet to be in the Hall, and this ended today.  The Defenseman won five Cups with the Oilers and a sixth with the New York Rangers in 1994, and he was also the winner of the 1990 King Clancy Memorial Award.  Lowe has been eligible for the Hall since 2001, and he was ranked #37 on our latest list.

Doug Wilson.  Wilson’s induction takes off one of the few Norris Trophy winners off the yet-to-be enshrined list for the Hockey Hall. Playing most of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Wilson was an NHL All-Star seven times.  The Defenseman had 827 Points over 1,024 Games, and he was also a member of the 1984 Canada Cup winning team.  Was ranked #14 on our 2020 list.

Kim St-Pierre.  While Mike Richter, Curtis Joseph, Tom Barrasso and Mike Vernon did not get the call, one Goalie did in Kim St-Pierre.  The Canadian was a member of three Olympic Gold Medals and five World Championships for the Canadian Women’s Team.

Ken Holland is this year’s lone builder.  Holland was a decent hockey player in his own right, making it to the NFL for four games as a Goalie for Hartford and Detroit.  His biggest accomplishments was as the General Manger of the Red Wings, where he built teams that won the Stanley Cup three times.

Significant snubs in our eyes are Alexander Mogilny (#2), Theoren Fleury (#3), Daniel Alfredsson (#5), Pierre Turgeon (#6), Bernie Nicholls (#7), Jeremy Roenick (#8) and John LeClair (#9).

We will be revamping our Notinhalloffame.com hockey list shortly, that will reflect the deletion of the new entries, and the addition of those eligible in 2021. Rankings will also be altered based on your votes and comments.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate to newest members of the Hockey Hall of Fame,

The Chairman (Kirk Buchner) and Evan Nolan look at the Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2020, the passings of Claudell Washington, Bonnie Pointer and Ken Riley and a preview of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Hockey Hall of Fame recently had their most bizarre Hockey Hall of Fame Class as for the first time in any of our lists we had NOBODT from our top 25 were chosen for their respective Hall of Fame.  

Now before we unveil our new list, a couple of caveats about the impending Class of 2019 and our list in general:

At present, we don’t rank female players.  This is not because we do not respect the women that have been inducted but at this time there has not been a lot of call for us to do so and we have decided at this time not to merge eligible female players with our core list.  Had we done so, Hayley Wickenheiser, who was chosen this year would have likely been ranked #1 by us.

We also don’t rank builders as of yet.  We do have an exception with Don Cherry, but are looking to create a builders list and migrate him to that one.

As such, only two former players were removed from our list, Guy Carbonneau (#29) and Sergei Zubov (#44) and they are slated to join Wickenheiser as the Class of 2019.

Three new names enter our list, which is now at 131.  There will be a future expansion to 150, which will occur later this year.

Let’s look at our new top ten, and based on our new #1 we feel confident that there will not be a repeat of not having a top ten (let alone a top twenty-five) not make the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

Our new Notinhalloffame.com Hockey Top Ten is:

#1. Jarome Iginla:  Iginla is entering his first year of eligibility and point blank he is the reason why we feel confident that there will be a top ten entry entering the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020 as he should enter on his first ballot.  The six-time All-Star was named to the First Team All-Star post season squad three times and he is also a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist with Team Canada.

#2. Alexander Mogilny:  Mogilny drops one spot, as he was our top rank last year.  One of the last creations of the Red Army, Alexander Mogilny was the first Soviet player to defect to play in the NHL and he would have a legendary 76 Goal season for the Buffalo Sabres in 1992/93.  Eligible since 2009, Mogilny is a two-time Second Team All-Star.

#3. Theoren Fleury:  Fleury holds firm at #3.  The scrappy native of Saskatchewan went to seven All-Star Games and was a Second Team All-Star in 1994/95.  He is a Stanley Cup winner with the Calgary Flames (1989) and an Olympic Gold Medalist with Team Canada (2002).

#4. Don Cherry:  Cherry drops to his lowest ranking as we take your votes into consideration, and not all of them are kind to Canada’s favorite (or best known) blowhard.  As mentioned earlier, we are likely to take him out completely in favor of a contributors list.

#5. Daniel Alfredsson:  Alfredsson may have received the most concern regarding his snub this year on social media but that hasn’t translated to votes for him on our site.  As such, he has dropped one spot from #4 to #5, but the six-time All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist (Sweden in 2006) may have a better shot than those ahead of him, with the exception of Iginla.

#6. Pierre Turgeon:  Turgeon climbs up from #7 and remains the highest scoring player (1,327 Points) who is not in the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Turgeon is a former four-time All-Star.

#7. Bernie Nicholls:  Nicholls drops from #5.  He is one of seven players to have a 70 Goal Season and one of five to have a 150 Point Season.  He was chosen for three All-Star Games.

#8. Jeremy Roenick:  Roenick fell two spots to #8.  At present, he is our highest rated American and he is a nine-time All-Star. 

#9. John LeClair:  For a time, LeClair was the best power forward in the NHL and was a five-time post-season NHL All-Star.  That was a great stretch, but he was not close to that level over the rest of his career.

#10. Marian Hossa:  The second of our third new entries, Marian Hossa was a three-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks and a five-time NHL All-Star.  He is also a four-time Olympian with Slovakia.

The third new entry on this list is career Arizona Coyote, Shane Doan who debuts at #56.

The entire list can be found here.

As always, we here at Notinhalloffame.com encourage you to cast your vote, give us your opinion and we thank you for your support!

 

We have a major retirement to talk about in Hockey as Jarome Iginla has announced that he is retiring from the game after a very successful 20 year career.

After a very successful career in Junior Hockey where he was a two time Memorial Cup Champion with the Kamloops Blazers he joined the Calgary Flames where he was the 11th Draft Pick in 1995. Iginla made an instant impact for the Flames where he was the runner-up for the Calder Trophy and a few years later his offense exploded to where he was considered an elite player in the NHL.

In the 2001-02 season Iginla was the NHL’s leading scorer, while also leading the league in Goals. He would be name a First Team All Star and while he was the runner-up for the Hart Trophy, he did win the Lester B. Pearson Award, which is the MVP as awarded by the players of the National Hockey League. Two years later, Iginila would become the Flames Captain, which historically speaking made him the first black Captain in the NHL history. That season, Iginla took Calgary to the Stanley Cup Finals, though they would go down to defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Iginla would never see the Stanley Cup Finals again but he was still an elite player. In addition to the 2001-02 season where he was first a First Team All Star, he would receive that accolade two more times (2007-08 & 2008-09). He was also a Second Team All Star in the 2003-04 Season. Iginla would later play for Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado and Los Angeles.

While he never won a Stanley Cup, Iginla was a major force on the International scene where he was a two time Olympic Gold Medalist twice (2002 & 2010) and the World Cup (2004).

Iginla retires with an even 1,300 Points and is the leading score all-time in Flames history.

In our eyes and many others, Iginla is likely to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame on the first ballot and he is likely to be ranked number one on our Notinhalloffame.com list.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Jarome Iginla the best in his post-playing career.

The Hockey Hall of Fame works a little faster than other North American sports hall doesn’t it?

With only a three year waiting period after retirement from the game (playing in Europe still counts as being active), we have decided some time ago that active players over the age of thirty-five would be profiled and made available for your vote.

Rather than only mention the new entries, we are listing all of the “TBD” players who are currently in that section.

The players listed are as follows:


Alex Tanguay, a member of the 2001 Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche and an All Star in 2004.

Andrei Markov, a two time All Star and member of the 2011 Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Champions.

Brad Richards, a key member of the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup winners and past winner of the Conn Smythe and Lady Byng Trophies.

Brian Campbell, a member of Chicago’s 2010 Stanley Cup Champs and was once a Second Team All Star and Lady Byng winner.

Dan Boyle, a two time All Star Defenceman and member of the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Champions.

Eric Brewer, a traditional Defenceman who won Olympic and World Cup Gold with Canada.

Jarome Iginla, a former Art Ross Trophy Winner, two time Goal Scoring Champion, two time Olympic Gold Medalist and three time First Team All Star.

Jaromir Jagr, a scoring machine who has won two Stanley Cups, an Olympic Gold Medal, a Hart Trophy, and has appeared in nine All Star Games.

Joe Thornton, a former Hart Trophy winner and multi-time All Star with both the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks.

Lubomir Visnovsky, an All Star in 2007 and four time representative for Slovakia in the Olympics.

Marian Hossa, a three time Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks and one time Second Team All Star.

Mark Streit, a four time Olympian with Switzerland and one time NHL All Star.

Mike Ribeiro, a one time All Star known for his shooting accuracy.

Niklas Backstrom, a Finnish Goalie who has played his NHL career thus far with Minnesota Wild.

Olli Jokinen, a multi time Finnish Olympian who was an All Star in 2003.

Patrik Elias, a ling time player for the New Jersey Devils with two Stanley Cup Rings and three All Star nods. 

Patrick Marleau, a longtime San Jose Shark with two Olympic Gold Medals and three NHL All Star Games.

Pavel Datsyuk, a Russian who won two Stanley Cup Rings (Detroit), the Lady Byng four times and the Frank J. Selke Award three times.

Roberto Luongo, a two time Gold Medalist with Canada and three time NHL All Star.

Scott Gomez, the Alaska born forward who won two Stanley Cups with New Jersey and was the Calder Trophy Winner in 2000.

Sergei Gonchar, a smooth Russian who is a four time Al Star.

Shane Doan, who spent most of his career with the Coyotes and is a two time NHL All Star.

Shawn Horcoff, who was a one time NHL All Star. 

Simon Gagne, who is a former Olympic Gold Medalist and Stanley Cup Champion.

Stephane Robidas, a one time All Star Defenceman.

Vincent LeCavalier, a four time All Star, Stanley Cup Champion with Tampa Bay and a former Rocket Richard Award winner.

Zdeno Chara, a former Norris Trophy winner, six time post season All Star and Stanley Cup Champion with the Boston Bruins

I think you know what we are looking for you to do!

When your time permits, take a look at this group and let us know if their Hall of Fame inductions are justified!

One of the best and most resected power forwards in his era, Jarome Iginla emerged as a physical presence and a very consistent scorer. Currently, Iginla holds the record for the most Goals and Points in Calgary Flames history and has led the NHL in Goals twice and Points once. With three First Team All-Star selections under his belt, and the 1,000 Point plateau hit, Iginla has a resume that should get him inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.  It also needs to be discussed that Iginla won the Gold Medal with Canada at the World Hockey Championship, the World Cup and the Olympics twice.  Pretty impressive wouldn't you say?