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.

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 Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the top rookie of the year in the NHL.  This time we stayed with hockey, with the Hart Trophy, which is their version of the MVP.

So how many Hart Trophy winners have made the Pro Hockey Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

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

Frank Nighbor, Ottawa Senators, Center: 11 G, 6 A, 18 P, 3.3 PS 1924        

The first Hart Trophy goes to the Ottawa Senators with Frank Nighbor, who prior to the win had led the Sens to two Stanley Cup victories.  Nighbor would be a one-time winner of the prestigious Hart, but he won the Lady Byng Trophy the next two seasons, and was third in voting in 1925-26.  The following year, Nighbor hoisted the Cup again. The Center’s last NHL Game was in 1930 after finishing up with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he would have 237 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Billy Burch, Hamilton Tigers, Centre: 20 G, 6 A, 26 P, 5.9 PS 1925    

In what turned out to be the last year of existence for the Hamilton Tigers, Billy Burch won the only Hart Trophy in franchise existence following a 20 Goal year.  Burch and the rest of the Tigers were upset that year that they were not compensated for the expanded season (24 Games to 30), and they demanded $200 compensation or they would not participate in the playoffs.  They did not get it, and the Tigers were disqualified.  The team basically folded, but the players were sold to a New York group forming the Americans.  Burch was heavily marketed in NYC, as he was born in Yonkers (but was raised in Canada), and he won the Lady Byng in 1927.  Burch would later play for Boston and Chicago and scored 196 total Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Nels Stewart, Montreal Maroons, Centre: 34 G, 8 A, 42 P, 11.8 PS 1926      

Perhaps because the team in which he did this is now defunct (the Montreal Maroons) the rookie year of Nels Stewart is not nearly as celebrated as it should be.  Winning the Hart in his rookie year, Stewart became the first player to do so, and he also was atop the NHL leaderboard in Goals (34) and Points (26).  He capped off this spectacular regular season by leading the Maroons to the Stanley Cup that year.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1952.

Herb Gardiner, Montreal Canadiens, Defense: 6 G, 7 A, 13 P, 7.7 PS 1927   

The Montreal Canadiens first Hart Trophy winner also was the first Defenseman to win this award.  Gardiner was technically a rookie, as he was playing in the Western Canada Hockey League for many years with the Calgary Tigers, and at age 35, he is one of the oldest players to win the Hart.  Gardiner only played a few more years in the NHL before finishing his playing career in the American Hockey League.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1958.

Howie Morenz, Montreal Canadiens, Centre: 33 G, 18 A, 51 P, 15.9 PS 1928        

Morenz was in his fifth season in the NHL (all with the Habs), and he had already won the Stanley Cup as a rookie, and was the Hart runner-up in 1924-25.  This season, Morenz was also third in Lady Byng voting, and he was the NHL-leader in Goals (33), Assists (18), Points and (Point Shares (15.9).  Morenz’ 15.9 Point Shares was the most by any Hart winner until Bobby Orr in 1970.

Roy Worters, New York Americans, Goalie: 16-12-10 Record 1.15 GAA, 8.2 GPS 1929   

Roy Worters played his first three years in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he was one of many players that the soon to fold Pirates sold due to financial problems.  Worters, who was the runner-up for the Hart the year before, won the Hart in his first season as a New York American and would have a career-best 1.15 GAA.  Worters would later win a Vezina and was a two-time Second Team All-Star.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Nels Stewart, Montreal Maroons, Centre: 39 G, 16 A, 55 P, 10.1 PS 1930 (2)        

Following his rookie year and Hart win, Stewart remained a top NHL Center, but he was not posting the same type of numbers.  This was not the case in the 1929-30 season, where he had what was a career-high 39 Goals.  Stewart was fifth in Hart voting the year after.  Stewart was bever in Hart consideration again, but he did lead the NHL in Goals again in 1936-37, a season split between the Boston Bruins and New York Americans.  Stewart’s NHL career ended in 1940, and he had 515 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1952.

Howie Morenz, Montreal Canadiens, Centre: 28 G, 23 A, 51 P, 10.5 PS 1931 (2)   

In between his first and second Hart win, Morenz had a 40 Goal year (1929-30) and was seventh in Hart Voting.  Last season and this season, he led Montreal to a Stanley Cup Title, and he was named a First Team All-Star, the first time that this was awarded.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945.

Howie Morenz, Montreal Canadiens, Centre: 24 G, 25 A, 49 P, 8.2 PS 1932 (3)     

Morenz became the first man to win the Hart for the third time, and this would be his last.  Named a First Team All-Star this year, Morenz was a Second Team All-Star the year after, and he later played for Chicago and the New York Rangers before returning to Montreal in 1936.  He only played 30 Games in his return as he broke his leg, only to die from complications from blood clots.  Morenz scored 476 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945.

Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins, Defense: 8 G, 27 A, 35 P, 9.8 PS 1933    

A Stanley Cup Champion with the Bruins in 1929, Shore was third in Hart voting in both 1927-28 and 1928-29 and was second in 1930-31.  This season, Shore was a First Team All-Star for the third year in a row.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Aurele Joliat, Boston Bruins, Left Wing: 21 G, 15 A, 36 P, 6.5 PS 1934 

This was Joliat’s 12^thyear in the NHL, and he would play his entire 16 seasons with the Canadiens.  The Left Wing had previously won three Stanley Cups, and was a Second Team All-Star this season as he was two years before.  The season before that, he was a First Team All-Star for what would be the only time.  After his Hart win, Joliat was a Second Team All-Star and he was fifth in Hart voting.  Joliat played until 1938, and he finished his NHL career with 463 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins, Defense: 7 G, 26 A, 33 P, 7.7 PS 1935 (2)        

Shore was a First Team All-Star for the fourth time and he was a Second Team All-Star the season before.  This would mark the first time a Defenseman repeated as the Hart trophy winner.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins, Defense: 3 G, 16 A, 19 P, 6.8 PS 1936 (3)        

Shore became the first Defenseman to win three Harts, this was his first back-to-back win.  Shore was a First Team All-Star for the fifth time.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Babe Siebert, Montreal Canadiens, Left Wing/Defense: 8 G, 20 A, 28 P, 3.1 PS 1937 

This was the twelfth of fourteen NHL Seasons for the versatile Siebert, who was the first player to win the Hart playing two positions (Left Wing and Defense).  Siebert was a First Team All-Star as a Boston Bruin the year before, and this was his second of three straight such honors.  Siebert, who had previously won two Stanley Cups (one with the Montreal Maroons and the other with the Rangers), was the second runner-up for the Hart the season after.  Siebert had one more NHL season, and he totaled 294 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964.

Eddie Shore, Boston Bruins, Defense: 3 G, 14 A, 17 P, 6.3 PS 1936 (4)        

Shore’s win made him the first player to win the Hart Trophy, and this was the third season where he led the NHL in Defensive Point Shares.  Shore, who was a First Team All-Star for the sixth time, captured that honor again the following year where he was fifth in Hart voting and helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup.  Finishing his NHL career with a brief stint with the New York Americans, Shore had 284 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

Toe Blake, Montreal Canadiens, Left Wing: 24 G, 23 A, 47 P, 5.7 PS 1939   

The Montreal Canadiens became the first team to have five different Hart Trophy winners, with Toe Blake’s lone win in 1939. The Left Wing played his first year with the cross-town Maroons before joining the Canadiens in 1935-36.  In 1937-38, Blake was a Second Team All-Star, and he won the Hart the year after where he led the NHL in scoring (47) and earned the first of what would be three First Team All-Stars.  Blake would later earn another Second Team All-Star and won a Lady Byng the same year.  Blake’s NHL playing career ended in 1948, and he scored 529 Points and won three Stanley Cups as a player.  He would later become the Head Coach of the Habs where he led them to eight more Cups.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Ebbie Goodfellow, Detroit Red Wings, Defense: 11 G, 18 A, 29 P, 6.1 PS 1940      

Goodfellow became the first Red Wing to win the Hart, and the career-Red Wing accomplished this in his eleventh of what would be 14 NHL seasons.  The blueliner was a First Team All-Star for the second (and last) time, and he would score 326 career Points and win two Stanley Cups.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963.

Bill Cowley, Boston Bruins, Center: 17 G, 47 A, 64 P, 7.4 PS 1941      

Bill Cowley broke in with the St, Louis Eagles as a rookie, but that was the last year of existence for the Eagles, and Cowley was taken by the Boston Bruins in the Dispersal Draft.  Cowley’s skills improved as a Bruin and in 1938-39, he was a First Team All-Star, led the NHL in Assists, and led the Bruins to a Stanley Cup win.  This year, Cowley was a again a First Team All-Star, and was first in Assists (47) and Points (64).  Cowley again took Boston to a Championship this year.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968.

Bill Cowley, Boston Bruins, Center: 27 G, 48 A, 72 P, 6.3 PS 1943 (2)

World War II took away a lot of the NHL talent, but Cowley was not one of them.  This season, Cowley won his third Assists title, was a First Team All-Star for the third time and he led the NHL in Power Play (9) and Game-Winning (6) Goals.  Cowley was a First Team All-Star the next two seasons, with him finishing second in Hart voting (1943-44).  Cowley was in the NHL until 1947, finishing up with the Bruins and he had 549 career Points in the same amount of Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968.

Babe Pratt, Toronto Maple Leafs, Defense: 17 G, 41 A, 58 P 8.7 PS 1944     

Babe Pratt played his first seven years in the NHL with the New York Rangers, where the Defenseman won a Stanley Cup in 1940. Pratt was traded to the Maple Leafs during the 1942-43 season, and in the World War II depleted NHL, he had his best year ever winning the Hart and earning a First Team All-Star nod.  Pratt was a Second Team All-Star in 1945 and he helped anchor Toronto win the Stanley Cup.  He only played two more years in the NHL, the last as a Boston Bruin and he had 293 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Elmer Lach, Montreal Canadiens, Center: 26 G, 45 A, 80 P 7.7 PS 1945      

This was the fifth season of Lach’s 14-year career, all of which was as a Montreal Canadian.  Lach’s Hart Trophy coincide with him leading the NHL in Assists and Points, and the year was sandwiched in between Second Team All-Star and Stanley Cup wins.  Lach would win two more Assists Titles, an Art Ross, two First Team All-Stars and another Stanley Cup before he retired in 1954.  He would score 623 Points over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Max Bentley, Chicago Blackhawks, Center: 31 G, 30 A, 67 P 6.7 PS 1946    

It took until this year for a member of the Chicago Blackhawks to win the Hart, which certainly reflects the lack of success Chicago had up to this time.  Bentley was in his fourth NHL season, and he was coming off a Lady Byng win.  This season, Bentley led the NHL in scoring (61) and Power Play Goals (10), and he was a First Team All-Star for the first and only time.  Bentley was a Second Team the year after, and he would later win three Stanley Cups as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Maurice Richard, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 31 G, 30 A, 67 P 6.7 PS 1947

We have another Hab who won the Hart, but for many, this is THE HAB.  Richard practically owned the Province of Quebec and he had already set the 50 Goal in 50 Games mark in 1944-45, as the game’s first 50 Goal Scorer.  He had also already led Montreal to two Stanley Cups, and he was the runner-up for the Hart in that 1944-45 campaign.  This season, Richard led the NHL in Goals again (43), and was a First Team All-Star.  While Richard never won another Hart, from the 1943-44 Season to the 1956-57 Season, he was either a First Team or Second Team All-Star.  He was second in Hart voting twice, was third three times, and he was a four-time Goal Scoring leader.  Richard also won six more Stanley Cups, giving him eight in total and he amassed 544 Goals over his career, which was spent entirely with the Canadiens. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961.

Buddy O’Connor, New York Rangers, Center: 24 G, 36 A, 60 P 6.3 PS 1948

Buddy O’Connor played for Montreal in the six years before where he helped them win two Stanley Cups.  1947-48 was the first season for O’Connor in New York who was traded there in the summer, and he put forth the best year of his life.  He posted career highs in Goals (24), Assists (36) and Points (60), and O’Connor. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Sid Abel, Detroit Red Wings, Center: 28 G, 26 A, 54 P, 7.3 PS  1949   

Abel made his NHL debut in the 1938-39 and in 1941-42, he was named a Second Team All-Star.  The Center helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup the following season, and Abel missed the next two years due to World War II.  Abel returned in 1946, and in his Hart Trophy winning year, he was named a First Team All-Star while leading the NHL in Goals (28) and Power Play Goals (8).  Abel followed that with a second straight First Team All-Pro, a fourth place finish in Hart voting and helped Detroit win the Cup.  Abel won a third Cup in 1952, and played two final NHL seasons with Chicago, concluding a career with 472 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Chuck Rayner, New York Rangers, Goalie: 28-30-11, 12.3 PS  1950    

Chuck Rayner debuted for the New York Americans in 1940, and when the renamed Brooklyn Americans folded, Rayner left the NHL to serve Canada in World War II.  Rayner returned in 1945 as a New York Ranger, but like the Americans with whom he played before, the Rangers were not particularly good.  The Goalie had a three-year streak from 1948-49 to 1950-51, and his Hart win was in the center year of that run.  A knee injury ended his NHL run in 1953, and he while his record was a losing one (138-197-78), he kept many bad teams competitive.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.

Milt Schmidt, Boston Bruins, Center: 22 G, 39 A, 61 P, 7.0 PS  1951  

Playing his entire career with the Boston Bruins, Schmidt debuted in 1936, and would win the scoring title in 1939-40.  Before his Hart win, Schmidt was named a First Team All-Star twice (1940 & 1947) and won two Stanley Cups and had three top five Hart finishes.  In his Hart Trophy win, Schmidt was a First Team All-Star, which he followed by a Second Team All-Star with a fourth place Hart finish.  Schmidt played three more seasons in the NHL, and would have 575 career Points

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 47 G, 39 A, 86 P, 13.1 PS  1952     

This was the sixth NHL season for the legendary Gordie Howe, who had already won a Stanley Cup two years earlier. The Right Wing was a Second Team All-Star in both the 1948-49 and 1949-50 Seasons, the latter of which seeing him win his first Stanley Cup.  Howe was a First Team All-Star the year before, and this was his second one.  Howe was also on his second straight Art Ross Trophy win this year and would take Detroit to another Stanley Cup Title.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 49 G, 46 A, 95 P, 15.5 PS  1953 (2)

Following Howe’s first Hart Trophy win, the Right Wing won his third straight Art Ross, and in this year, Howe had a career high in Points with 95.  Howe was also on his third straight First Team All-Star and would win the scoring title the year after.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Ted Kennedy, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center: 10 G, 42 A, 52 P, 5.3 PS  1954

Playing his entire career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ted Kenendy was in his 13^thof what would be 14 NHL Seasons.  Prior to this year, Kennedy was a five-time Stanley Cup Champion, three-time Second Team All-Star, and he led the NHL in Assists in 1950-51.  Kennedy was a surprise winner for the Hart this year and with all due respect to Kennedy, this award was more the result of a “lifetime achievement award”, as statistically speaking there were better candidates.  Kennedy was also the first Hart winner in the era of post-season All-Star awards not to be named to either a First or Second Team.  He retired after the Hart win, but did briefly come back the year after only to retire again.  Kennedy left the sport with 560 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens, Center: 47 G, 41 A, 88 P, 13.0 PS  1956       

The year before, Jean Beliveau established himself as a star, winning a First Team All-Star spot.  This season, the Center did it again, also capturing the Art Ross Trophy with 88 Points and leading the NHL in Goals (47).  In Beliveau’s first Hart Trophy win, he would win the first of what would be ten Stanley Cups.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 44 G, 45 A, 89 P, 11.8 PS  1957 (3)

In between his second and third Hart Trophy, Howe led the Red Wings to two Stanley Cup Championships.  The man who was half-scorer and half/bruiser also had another First and Second Team All-Star in his resume, and this year he secured his fifth First Team All-Star.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 33 G, 44 A, 77 P, 8.8 PS  1958 (4)  

Howe made history in the NHL as the first player regardless of position to be a four-time Hart Trophy winner.  This also coincided with his sixth First Team All-Star Selection.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Andy Bathgate, New York Rangers, Right Wing: 40 G, 48 A, 88 P, 9.9 PS  1959    

Bathgate was in his seventh NHL campaign, which up until this time had all been with the New York Rangers.  Bathgate was a Second Team All-Star the year before and was also the runner-up for the Hart.  This season he was a First Team All-Star, and his 88 Points would be a career-high. Bathgate was again a First Team All-Star in 1962, and a Second Team All-Star in 1963, but he was traded the year after to Toronto where he won his first and only Stanley Cup.  Bathgate later played for Detroit and Pittsburgh, and a brief return in Vancouver of the WHA.  Overall, Bathgate scored 973 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 28 G, 45 A, 73 P, 7.4 PS  1960 (5)  

Who better than Gordie Howe to become the first Hart Trophy winner of the 1960s?  Howe was a Second Team All-Star in between his fourth and fifth Hart win, and he was the first player to be a five-time Hart Trophy winner.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 50 G, 45 A, 95 P, 11.6 PS  1961     

Bernie Geoffrion won the Calder Trophy in 1952, and he was a Second Team All-Star and Art Ross winner in 1954-55.  The Right Wing had to wait four more years before he was a post-season All-Star (Second Team in 1959-60), and this season he was finally a First Team All-Star, winning his second Art Ross and first and only Hart. Geoffrion also led the NHL in Goals (50), the second team he accomplished that feat.  A six-time Stanley Cup winner, Geoffrion played until 1968, with his last two years playing for the New York Rangers. Geoffrion scored 822 Points over 883 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Jacques Plante, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie: 42-12-14 Record, 2.37 GAA, 15.6 PS  1962       

Jacques Plante made history as the first Goalie in history to wear a facemask but this player was more than just a man who had a footnote in hockey history.  Plante was in his tenth season in Montreal where he won his sixth Vezina Trophy, and this was his third First Team All-Star win.  Already a six-time Stanley Cup Champion, Plante tied his career-high 42 Wins, and he won his sixth GAA Titles (2.37).  His 15.6 Goalie Point Shares, also tied his previous best. Plante played one more year with Montreal and two more with the Rangers for two years before he retired in 1965. Three years later, he came out of retirement with the St. Louis Blues where he won another Vezina.  He joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1971, where at age 42, he was a Second Team All-Star.  Plante finished off his career with stints with Boston and Edmonton in the WHA.  He had 437 career Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Right Wing: 38 G, 48 A, 86 P, 9.5 PS  1963 (6)  

In what would be the sixth and final Hart trophy win for Gordie Howe, the legend secured had a pair of Second Team All-Star Selections in between his fifth and sixth win.  Howe won the Art Ross for the final time in his career and he would later be named a First Team All Star four more times and a Second Team All-Star three more times.  Following his last Hart win, Howe had five more Hart Trophy top-five finishes.  He retired in 1971, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall the year after, but he would join his sons later in the World Hockey Association, where the HOFer was twice an WHA First Team All-Star.  Howe’s last year happened in 1980 when his Hartford Whalers were now in the NHL.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens, Center: 28 G, 50 A, 78 P, 8.7 PS  1964 (2)    

In between Beliveau’s first and second Hart win, the Center would be named to four more First Team All-Stars, a Second Team All-Star and would help lead Montreal to four more Stanley Cups.  This season, Beliveau was a Second Team All-Star (Stan Mikita was the First Team Center), and even though he was getting older (32), he had a lot left to offer.  He played until 1971, winning five more Stanley Cups, earning two more Second Team All-Star selections, and won the Conn Smythe in 1965.  Beliveau played his entire career with Montreal and scored 1,219 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, Left Wing: 39 G, 32 A, 71 P, 9.0 PS  1965         

The “Golden Jet” had better seasons before he won his first Hart Trophy, but this doesn’t take away from what was another good year by Bobby Hull.  Prior to this win, Hull led the NHL in Goals three times, won the Art Ross twice, and this was his fourth First Team All-Star Selection. Hill also won the Lady Byng this year for the first and only time in his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, Left Wing: 54 G, 43 A, 97 P, 10.6 PS  1966 (2) 

Hull went to back-to-back in Hart Trophy wins, and he would again lead the NHL in Goals (54) and won his third and final Art Ross with a 97 Point year.  Hull was a First Team All-Star again, and he would be a ten-time First Team All-Star overall.  Hull also finished in the top five in Hart voting five other times.  In 1972, Hull stunned the hockey world when he signed with the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association, and he was a three-time First Team All-Star in that league.  He was still with the Jets when they merged with the NHL, and he finished off that year with a brief stint as a Hartford Whaler.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, Center: 35 G, 62 A, 97 P, 10.2 PS  1967          

Stan Mikita helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961 and this was his ninth year of what would be a 22-year run in hockey. Mikita had already been a First Team All-Star four times, and an Art Ross winner twice, and he repeated both of those honors while adding the Lady Byng.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, Center: 40 G, 47 A, 87 P, 10.0 PS  1968 (2)     

Like he did the year before, Mikita won the Hart, Art Ross and Lady Byng, marking the first time that a player did that back-to-back.  This was the last season that Mikita was named a First Team All-Star, but he would be a Second Team All-Star in 1970.  Mikita played until 1980 in a career spent entirely with Chicago accumulating 1,467 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, Center: 49 G, 77 A, 126 P, 15.1 PS  1969      

Phil Esposito’s 1968-69 season gave fits to the Chicago Blackhawks.  Why? Because they traded away the first man to score 100 Points in the NHL two years before.  Esposito did not just become the first player to get three digits, he shattered it with 126 Points!  He set a then record in Assists (77), and he also led the NHL in Plus/Minus (55).  Esposito was a Second Team All-Star the year before, was a First Team All-Star this season, and he added the Art Ross to that trophy case.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Defense: 33 G, 87 A, 120 P, 19.5 PS  1970

There have been Defenseman who won the Hart before Bobby Orr, but none of them revolutionized the position.  We will go one step further.  Orr rewrote the game of hockey.  In his fourth pro year, Orr won his third Norris Trophy, and he was the first Defenseman to score 100 Points, and the first to win the Art Ross.  He would lead the Bruins to a Stanley Cup win, while also being named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoff MVP.  As spectacular as this year was, the best was yet to come.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Defense: 37 G, 102 A, 139 P, 22.8 PS  1971 (2)   

Bobby Orr and the Bruins did not repeat as Stanley Cup champions, nor did he win the Art Ross, despite having 139 Points, a career-high, and the all-time record for a Defenseman.  What he did do was become the first player to have over 100 Assists (102), and he remains one of two players to do so (the other is Wayne Gretzky). Orr also became the first player to have at least 100 in Plus/Minus, and his +124 is the best all-time.  He would also set another record with 22.8 Point Shares, again making him the first player to have 20 in that category and it is also a number that has yet to be matched.  The more we look at this year, the more our jaws drop to the floor.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Defense: 37 G, 80 A, 117 P, 20.1 PS  1972 (3)     

Orr pulled the “three-peat” with the Hart, and of course, he won the Norris Trophy. This was also the third year for Orr where he led the NHL in Assists, and he would do so again in 1973-74 and 1974-75. Orr led the Bruins to another Stanley Cup, where he also grabbed his second Conn Smythe.  Over the next three seasons, Orr won his sixth, seventh and eighth Norris Trophy, and he was third for the Hart in all of those years.  He would win his second Art Ross trophy in 1974-75, and to date he was the first, last and only blueliner to win that honor.  A knee injury derailed his career, and he only scored 55 Points over his final three years in hockey, the latter two being in a Blackhawks uniform.  He was fast-tracked into the Hall, and there will never be another Defenseman like him again.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers, Center: 37 G, 67 A, 104 P, 10.3 PS  1973        

For the first time, an expansion team had a player win the Hart when Bobby Clarke took it for the first of three times.  The Center, who had won the Bill Masterton Award the year before, was the Second Team All-Star behind Phil Esposito, but bested the Bruin as much of Philadelphia’s success this season was led by Clarke, but the best was coming for Philadelphia and the “Broad Street Bullies”

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, Center: 68 G, 77 A, 145 P, 17.0 PS  1974 (2)  

This was Esposito’s second Hart Trophy and had it not been for his teammate, Bobby Orr, he would have easily won at least another. In between his two Hart wins, Esposito won two Stanley Cups, three Art Ross Trophies and he set what seemed at the time to be an unreachable mark of 76 Goals in a season.  That year was arguably better than this year, where Esposito won his fifth Art Ross Trophy, was a First Team All-Star for the sixth time, and was also the winner of the Lester B. Pearson.  Esposito was also the NHL’s Goal leader for the sixth consecutive season, and this was also the fifth straight year a Bruin won the Hart.  The charismatic Center was a Second Team All-Star the year after, and he was then traded to the New York Rangers where he played until he retired in 1981.  Esposito accumulated 717 Goals and 1,590 Points over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers, Center: 27 G, 89 A, 116 P, 11.2 PS  1975 (2)   

In between Clarke’s first and second Hart win, Clarke was a Second Team All-Star, but more importantly his Philadelphia Flyers made history as the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup. Clarke would take them to a second Cup this year, while earning First Team All-Star accolades for the first time. The man with the most famous missing front teeth led the NHL in Assists for the first time with 89.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers, Center: 30 G, 89 A, 119 P, 11.7 PS  1976 (3)   

The Flyers did not win a third Stanley Cup, but Clarke repeated many of his regular season honors from the season before. The Center was a First Team All-Star, again led the NHL in Assists with 89, and he had a career-high in points with 119. Also, for the first time, he was first in the league in Plus/Minus with +83.  Clarke was the runner-up for the Hart the year after, and he played the entirety of his career with Philadelphia, retiring in 1984 with 1,210 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 56 G, 80 A, 136 P, 15.7 PS  1977  

The Montreal Canadiens were in year two of their four-year dynasty in winning Stanley Cups, and it was Gut Lafleur who was their offensive leader.  Lafleur, who also won his second straight Lester B. Pearson Award, captured his second Art Ross and third First Team All-Star Selection.  This would be the only season where he won the Conn Smythe as well as leading the league in Assists (80).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 60 G, 72 A, 132 P, 15.8 PS  1978 (2)      

Lafleur was named a First Team All-Star for the fourth of what would be six straight selections, and would also mark his third and final Art Ross and Lester B. Pearson Award.  The Right Wing played with Montreal until he was forced to retire in the 1984-85 Season.  After being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, he came out of retirement for three seasons, one with the New York Rangers and two with Quebec.  He would retire for good in 1991, leaving the NHL with 1,353 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders, Center: 47 G, 87 A, 134 P, 13.6 PS  1979      

Bryan Trottier became the first player in Islanders history to win the Hart Trophy, and you could say it was the siren of what was to come for the franchise.  Winning the Calder three years before, Trottier was a First Team All-Star for the second straight year, though this would be the last time he would be one. Nevertheless, Trottier would help lead the Islanders to the four Stanley Cups (1980-83) and was a Second Team All-Star twice.  Trottier would later aid the Pittsburgh Penguins win their first two Stanley Cups. He would have 1,425 career Points in the NHL.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 51 G, 86 A, 137 P, 12.6 PS  1980        

Buckle up.  This is going to take a while as we begin to look at the most prolific Hart Trophy winner ever, Wayne Gretzky.  Along with three other WHA teams, the Edmonton Oilers joined the NHL, and with them was Wayne Gretzky, who had only played one year of professional hockey but was already “The Great One”.  In his first NHL year, Gretzky led the NHL in Assists (86) and was a Second Team All-Star behind Marcel Dionne, who beat him for the Art Ross (they tied in Points, but Dionne had more Goals).  Gretzky also won the Lady Byng this year.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 51 G, 86 A, 137 P, 14.3 PS  1981 (2)   

Gretzky might have had stiff competition in Marcel Dionne for the Hart in 1980, but this year he erased all doubt.  The Center built on his numbers from the previous year, and he became the second player to accumulate over 100 Assists, with 109, a new record.  He missed out on the Art Ross last year, but not this season, winning his first, and along with it, his first First Team All-Star Selection.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 92 G, 120 A, 212 P, 19.7 PS  1982 (3)

92 Goals.  When Phil Esposito lit the lamp 76 times, that record seemed unbreakable, but this year, Gretzky had 92 Goals and hit the 50 Goal mark after only 39 Games! Not only the Gretzky set new records in Goal scoring, he broke his own Assists mark (120), and broke the 200 Point plain with his personal best 212.  Gretzky also for the first time was the NHL leader in Plus/Minus (+80).  This was Gretzky’s second Art Ross and First Team All-Star, but for the first time he won the Lester B. Pearson Award, meaning his peers could no longer deny his talent.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 71 G, 125 A, 196 P, 18.0 PS  1983 (4)

Gretzky was again an offensive juggernaut, and for the third year in a row, he broke the single-season Assists mark.  He repeated the awards he won last year, with an Art Ross, Lester B. Pearson and First Team All-Star, but this year he led the Oilers to their first Stanley Cup appearance.  They lost to the New York Islanders, but we knew was set to come.  Notably, Gretzky became the first player to win the Hart four years in a row.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 87 G, 118 A, 205 P, 19.6 PS  1984 (5)

Imagine having a season where you score 87 Goals, 118 Assists and 205 Points, and none of those are personal highs.  Gretzky was just that good.  This was Gretzky’s fifth straight Hart (becoming the first to do have five straight), and he also won his fourth Art Ross and First Team All-Star, and he captured his third Lester B. Pearson Award.  The coup de gras for Gretzky was leading Edmonton to their first Stanley Cup win.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 73 G, 135 A, 208 P, 19.6 PS  1985 (6)

Gretzky matched his idol’s (Gordie Howe) mark in Hart wins, but unlike Howe, Gretzky did it in six consecutive years.  This would be the fourth straight year the Gretzky led the NHL in Goals, and he also set a career-high in Plus/Minus with +100.  In regards to his trophy case, Gretzky repeated as the Art Ross winner, Lester B. Pearson winner and First Team All-Star, but this time he added a new award, the Conn Smythe Trophy, as the Oilers won their second Stanley Cup.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 52 G, 163 A, 215 P, 17.0 PS  1986 (7)

Seven straight years.  Seven Hart Trophies.  A new record for obtaining Hockey’s greatest individual honor.  As what was typical for Gretzky, he set another record this season with the most Assists and Points in a season, and does it look like this record has any chance of being broken. Gretzky once again was a First Team All-Star and won the Art Ross again.  Sadly, for the Oilers, they were upset along the way in the playoff by the Calgary Flames.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 62 G, 121 A, 183 P, 17.6 PS  1987 (8)

Gretzky did it again with an unprecedented eighth Hart Trophy, and he did so while collecting yet another First Team All-Star and Art Ross while leading the NHL in Goals for the fifth and final time.  Gretzky took the Oilers to their third Stanley Cup win, and he would also win the Lester B. Pearson for the fifth and final time.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 70 G, 98 A, 168 P, 16.2 PS  1988   

How do you break an eight-year streak of Hart Trophies by a legend?  By inserting a legend.  Mario Lemieux brought the Pittsburgh Penguins their first Hart Trophy winner, and playing at Center, he did the unthinkable by unseating Gretzky as the First Team All-Star.  Lemieux led the NHL in Goals for the first time, and this year he also notched his first Art Ross and Lester B. Pearson Award.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings, Center: 54 G, 114 A, 168 P, 14.1 PS  1989 (9)        

Gretzky did not win the Hart the year before, which turned out to be the last one in an oilers uniform.  He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, and this was his first year playing in California, where in his ninth (and final) Hart, he also became the first player to win the Hart for two different teams.  This season, Gretzky was a Second Team All-Star (behind Mario Lemieux).  Gretzky went on to win three more Art Ross Trophies, one more First Team All-Star, four more Second Team All-Stars and four Lady Byngs.  After a brief stint with St. Louis in 1996 and three final years with the Rangers, Gretzky retired as the all-time leader in Goals (894), Assists (1,963) and Points (2,857).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 45 G, 84 A, 129 P, 11.3 PS  1990  

The Edmonton Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings, which meant that Mark Messier would become the Oilers’ leader. Messier did what Gretzky couldn’t without the other…win the Stanley Cup.  Messier’s 129 Points were a career-high, and he was named a First Team All-Star this year.  What Messier this season should be celebrated a lot more than it is.

Brett Hull, St. Louis Blues, Right Wing: 86 G, 45 A, 131 P, 15.4 PS  1991   

Brett Hull led the NHL in Goals for three seasons in a row, and in all three of them, he had at least 70.  This was Hull’s highwater mark, and he would also secure the Lester B. Pearson Award.  A three-time First Team All-Star, Hull later won a Stanley Cup as a Dallas Star in 1999 and a Detroit Red Wing in 2002.  Retiring in 2006, Hull had 527 career Goals.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Mark Messier, New York Rangers, Center: 35 G, 72 A, 107 P, 9.9 PS  1992 (2)      

Messier followed his former teammate, Wayne Gretzky, as a Hart Trophy winner for two different teams.  Messier was now the leader of the Rangers, and he was also the winner of the Lester B. Pearson Award and a First Team All-Star.  Messier’s leadership would take the Rangers to a 1994 Stanley Cup, and he was so good at that role, that the National Hockey League would create a “Mark Messier Leadership Award”.   When he retired, Messier scored 1,887 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 69 G, 91 A, 160 P, 16.2 PS  1993 (2)        

Before we get to what Lemieux accomplished this season, Lemieux probably should have won the Hart in Gretzky’s last Hart win. The French Canadian was the First Team All-Star, and he was one Point shy of 200 with 85 Goals.  Nevertheless, Lemieux went on to win the 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup, and injuries prevented him from full seasons, which kept the Hart from his grabs.  This year, he only played 60 Games, but he won the Art Ross with 160 Points and led the NHL in Plus/Minus (+55).  Lemieux would also win the Lester B. Pearson, was a First Team All-Star and he was the Bill Masterton Award winner.  Why did he only play 60 Games?  Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, yet came back to finish the season.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Sergei Fedorov, Detroit Red Wings, Center: 56 G, 64 A, 120 P, 13.8 PS  1994      

Making history as the first non-Canadian and first European to win the Hart, Sergei Fedorov was in his fourth NHL season and this was best statistical season by far.  Fedorov was a First Team All-Star, Lester B. Pearson and Frank J. Selke winner this year, and he would later win three Stanley Cups for Detroit.  The Russian later won another Selke Trophy and he would later play for Anaheim, Columbus and Washington.  Fedorov scored 1,179 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Eric Lindros, Philadelphia Flyers, Center: 29 G, 41 A, 70 P, 8.8 PS  1995    

The Philadelphia Flyers gave an awful lot to get Eric Lindros, and while it might not have been worth it, it was still a Hart winner.  Lindros was a First Team All-Star this year as well as Lester B. Pearson Award winner in this strike-shortened year.  Lindros also won his only Art Ross this year, and he was a 1.14 PPG player over his 13 NHL Seasons.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 69 G, 91 A, 160 P, 16.2 PS  1996 (3)        

Before we get to what Lemieux accomplished this season, Lemieux probably should have won the Hart in Gretzky’s last Hart win. The French Canadian was the First Team All-Star, and he was one Point shy of 200 with 85 Goals.  Nevertheless, Lemieux went on to win the 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup, and injuries prevented him from full seasons, which kept the Hart from his grabs.  This year, he only played 60 Games, but he won the Art Ross with 160 Points and led the NHL in Plus/Minus (+55).  Lemieux would also win the Lester B. Pearson, was a First Team All-Star and he was the Bill Masterton Award winner.  Why did he only play 60 Games?  Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, yet came back to finish the season.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres, Goalie 37-20-10 Record P, 17.2 GPS  1997          

Dominik Hasek was already considered one of the best Goalies in Hockey, but this year he was elevated to the best player in the world. This season, Hasek won his third Vezina Trophy and earned his third First Team All-Star, and he was also named the Lester B. Pearson Award winner. Hasek was also first in Save Percentage for the fourth year in the row.  He also made history as the first Czech player to win the Hart.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres, Goalie 33-23-13 Record P, 18.6 GPS  1998 (2)     

In terms of accolades, Hasek repeated his efforts of 1997 with a Hart, Lester B. Pearson, a Vezina and a First Team All-Star, and he again led the NHL in Save Percentage.  Hasek would later win two more Vezina Trophies.  In 1999, Hasek took Buffalo on his back and carried them to a Stanley Cup Final.  The Czech Goalie grew frustrated and asked for a trade, which he got when he was sent to Detroit.  He would win two Stanley Cups with Detroit and then played in Europe, retiring in 2011.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Chris Pronger, St. Louis Blues, Defense 14 G, 48 A, 62 P, 14.8 PS  2000

Pronger debuted in the NHL with the Hartford Whalers in 1994, and two years later he was a St. Louis Blue and, on his way, to becoming a star.  A Second Team All-Star in 1997-98, and two years later he won the Hart and Norris and was a First Team All-Star for the first and only time.  Pronger was a Second Team All-Star again in 2003-04, and he joined the Edmonton Oilers as a Free Agent, but he was unhappy there and looked for a trade.  He was dealt to Anaheim and helped them win a Stanley Cup and was a Second Team All-Star in 2007.  Pronger played until 2012, with his last three years coming as a Flyer.  He would accumulate 698 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche, Center 54 G, 64 A, 118 P, 15.9 PS  2001

Sakic was the first Nordiques/Avalanche player to win the Hart, which he did in his 13^thseason.  Sakic had a career-high 54 Goals, was the NHL leader in Plus/Minus (+45) and he was also the winner of the Lady Byng and the Lester B. Pearson Award.  This year, Sakic and the Avs won the Stanley Cup, which was their second, having won it in 1996.  The Center was also named a First Team All-Star, and would be again in two of the next three years.  Sakic played his entire career with Quebec/Colorado, retiring in 2009 with 1,641 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche, Center 29 G, 77 A, 106 P, 13.6 PS  2003

A Calder winner in 1995, Forsberg had already won two Stanley Cups and was already twice a First Team All-Star.  This year, Forsberg was a First Team All-Star for the third and final time, and he was the league-leader in Assists (77), Points (106) and Plus/Minus (+52).  He would later play for Philadelphia, Nashville and Colorado before retiring in 2011 with 885 Points in 708 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning, Right Wing 38 G, 56 A, 94 P, 13.2 PS  2004

It was a breakout campaign for St. Louis who was in his sixth season, and fourth in Tampa Bay after playing for Calgary in seasons one and two.  St. Louis became the first Lightning player to win the Hart, and he also won the Art Ross, was a First Team All-Star and was the NHL leader in Plus/Minus (+35).  St. Louis led Tampa to the Stanley Cup that year. After this year, St. Louis was a Second Team All-Star four times, won another Art Ross and would also win three Lady Byng Trophies.  He played until 2015, after a year and a half with the Rangers.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

 

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

Tom Anderson, Brooklyn Americans, Defense: 12 G, 29 A, 41 P, 6.0 PS 1942       

The New York Americans were rebranded the Brooklyn Americans for the 1941-42 Season, and the team was on life support. This would be the final year of existence for the Americans, and they produced an unlikely Hart Trophy winner in Defenseman, Tom Anderson.  If Anderson’s numbers seem high for a blueliner, he was also playing at Left Wing. Anderson first made the NHL in 1934 with the Red Wings, but he was with the Americans since 1935.  Following the folding of the Americans, Anderson returned to Canada (Calgary) to play semi-pro.  Anderson is not only the first player to win the Hart who is not in the Hockey Hall of Fame (we feel safe to say that he won’t ever) but was the first to win the Hart who never played in the NHL in the year after he won it.

Eligible since 1946.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Al Rollins, Chicago Blackhawks, Goalie: 12-43-7 Record 3.21 GAA, 4.3 PS 1954   

Rollins was a Stanley Cup Champion with the Toronto Maple Leafs and he joined the Chicago Blackhawks in 1952.  The Goalie joined a bad team, and in this season, he led the NHL in Losses (47) but was the only reason that Chicago was even worse.

Eligible since 1956.  Ranked #103 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jose Theodore, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie: 30-24-10 Record 2.11 GAA, 17.4 PS 1954

This was easily Jose Theodore’s best year in hockey, as not only did the Goalie win the Hart and the Vezina, it was the only time over his career where he finished in the top ten for those awards.  Interesting enough, despite winning both the Vezina and Hart, he was a Second Team All-Star at Goalie behind Patrick Roy.  Theodore played until 2013, and he was also a member of Colorado, Washington, Minnesota and Florida.

Eligible since 2016.  Ranked #184 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%
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%
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 Hart 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:

Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, Center: 29 G, 83 A, 113 P, 13.5 PS, 2010

Along with his twin brother, Daniel, Henrik Sedin played his entire 17-year career with the Vancouver Canucks, with his best season coming right in the middle of it.  Sedin led the NHL in Assists (83) and won his first Art Ross Trophy while earning First Team All-Star honors.  Sedin was a First Team All-Star the year later, and he finished with 1,070 Points.

Eligible in 2021.

The following are the players who have won the Hart Trophy who are still active.

Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, Right Wing 44 G, 83 A, 127 P, 14.6 PS  1998

This was Jagr’s ninth season in the NHL, and they were all spent with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Winning his third Art Ross Trophy, Jagr had career highs in Assists (83) and Points (127), and he was also the Lester B. Pearson winner, an honor he won twice more.  The two-time Stanley Cup champion would later play for Washington, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey, Florida and Calgary.  Still playing in Europe, Jagr scored 1,921 Points in the NHL.

48 Years Old,Playing in Europe.

Joe Thornton, Boston Bruins & San Jose Sharks, Centre: 29 G, 96 A, 125 P, 13.3 PS 2006

In his seventh NHL Season, the Boston Bruins felt that Joe Thornton was not the leader they needed, and Thornton believed that the Bruins brass were not committed to winning.  23 Games into the 2005-06 season, Thronton was traded to San Jose, and he finished the season winning the Art Ross and leading the NHL in Assists.  Named a First Team All-Star this year, Thornton had two Second Team All-Star years after this one.

41 Years Old,Playing for the San Jose Sharks.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 36 G, 84 A, 120 P, 13.3 PS, 2007

“Sid the Kid” did not win the Calder, as that went to his longtime rival, Alex Ovechkin.  Crosby would however beat him to a Hart win, which he collected in his sophomore season. Crosby would also win his first Art Ross, was named a First Team All-Star, and his peers named him their MVP, when he won the Lester B. Pearson Award.  There was a lot more to come for Crosby.

33 Years Old,Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing: 65 G, 47 A, 112 P, 17.2 PS 2008

Ovechkin won his first Hart Trophy in his third season, which was also the first by a Washington Capital.  A First Team All-Star in all of his seasons to date, Ovechkin also won the Lester B. Pearson Award, the Art Ross Trophy, and the Rocket Richard Award for his 65 Goals.  

35 Years Old,Playing for the Washington Capitals.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing: 56 G, 54 A, 110 P, 14.5 PS 2009 (2)

The Russian Center repeated most of his honors in his back-to-back Hart win.  Ovechkin repeated as the Rocket Richard winner, and was a First Team All-Star for his fourth consecutive season.  He would also win the Lester B. Pearson Award.

35 Years Old,Playing for the Washington Capitals.

Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks, Right Wing: 50 G, 48 A, 98 P, 13.3 PS 2011

Perry won the Stanley Cup in his second season, and this, his sixth season in hockey was by far his best.  Perry won the Hart, was a First Team All-Star, the Rocket Richard winner, and the first ever Duck to win the MVP.  The Right Wing was a First Team All-Star again in 2014, and he played with the Ducks until 2019 where he joined the Dallas Stars afterward.

35 Years Old,Playing for the Dallas Stars.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 50 G, 59 A, 109 P, 13.4 PS 2012

The first three seasons for Evgeni Malkin was nothing short of stunning.  Malkin won the Calder in 2006-07, was a First Team All-Star in all three years, and was the Art Ross Winner in 2008-09, while winning the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe. Malkin’s two years after was riddled with injuries, but he made up for it in 2011-12 with a second Art Ross, and his first Hart.  Malkin was a First Team All-Star for the fourth time, and he also won the Ted Lindsay Award.  He would go on to win two more Cups with Pittsburgh.

34 Years Old,Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing: 32 G, 24 A, 56 P, 8.0 PS 2013 (3)

When Ovechkin won his second Hart Trophy in 2009, he was already established as the top goal scorer in hockey.  In his third Hart win for years later, nothing had changed.  Ovechkin led the NHL in Goals for the third time, and would over the next three years.  In 2018, he achieved the ultimate goal and led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup.

35 Years Old,Playing for the Washington Capitals.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center: 36 G, 84 A, 120 P, 13.3 PS, 2014 (2)

It was a seven-year gap between Crosby’s first and second Hart Trophy, but he accomplished a lot in that span.  Crosby won a Stanley Cup in 2009, and added another First Team All-Star (2013), a Second Team All-Star (2010), a Mark Messier Leadership Award (2010), a Rocket Richard Trophy (2009), and his second Lester B. Pearson (2013), which was now named the Ted Lindsay Award.  This season he collected another Art Ross, a Ted Lindsay, and a First Team All-Star Selection.  Crosby later won two more Stanley Cups with the Pens in 2016 and 2017.

33 Years Old,Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Corey Price, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie: 44-16-5 Record, 1.96 GAA, 16.2 PS, 2015

This was the eighth NHL season for Price, who as of this writing has only played for the Montreal Canadiens.  Price led the NHL in Wins (44), Save Percentage (.933) and Goals Against Average (1.96), and he not only won the Hart, he also captured the Vezina, William M. Jennings, Ted Lindsay Award, and he was also a First Team All-Star. This is the only year that Price was a post-season All-Star.

33 Years Old,Playing for the Montreal Canadiens.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing: 46 G, 60 A, 106 P, 15.0 PS, 2016

This was Kane’s ninth season in the NHL and the Chicago Blackhawk had already accomplished so much before his Hart win.  Kane won the Calder, and was already a two-time First Team All-Star, and a three-time Stanley Cup winner.  This season, Kane was a First Team All-Star for a third time, and also won his first Art Ross and Ted Lindsay Award.  Kane has been a First Team All-Star for a fourth time and earned a Second Team All-Star.  He is already a member of the 1,000 Point club.

31 Years Old,Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 30 G, 70 A, 100 P, 12.8 PS, 2017

McDavid was in his second season, where he not only won the Hart, but was the winner of the Art Ross and the Ted Lindsay.  This season also brought in the first of three First Team All-Stars and while he was not the Hart winner in 2017-18, he won the Ted Lindsay and Art Ross that year.

24 Years Old,Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils, Left Wing: 39 G, 54 A, 93 P, 12.2 PS, 2018

It could be argued that Hall’s Hart Trophy was a bit of a surprise as he while he was a very good player in his first seven seasons, a Hart was not pegged for him by many pundits.  This season he was also a First Team All-Star, and he brought the Devils their first Hart Trophy.

28 Years Old,Playing for the Arizona Coyotes.

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning, Right Wing: 41 G, 87 A, 128 P, 14.6 PS, 2019

Kucherov was in his sixth NHL season (all with Tampa) and he would win not only the Hart but his first Art Ross and Ted Lindsay Award.  Kucherov was a First Team All-Star for the Second straight time and the year after he was a Second Team All-Star and led the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2020.

27 Years Old,Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers, Center: 43 G, 67 A, 110 P, 12.8 PS, 2020

Draisaitl’s Hart Trophy win marked the first time that a German player won the most coveted individual award in Hockey.  Draisaitl was in his sixth season in hockey (all with Edmonton) and this year he also won the Ted Lindsay, Art Ross, and was a First Team All-Star.

25 Years Old,Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

For the most part, the Hart Trophy is a way to punch your ticket into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

So, what is up next?

We stay with the NHL and look at the trophy that means just as much as the Hart, and for some players, even more.  The Ted Lindsay Award, which is the MVP as voted by the players.

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

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 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in the NFL.  This time we went back to hockey, with the Calder Trophy, given annually to the NHL Rookie of the Year.

So how many Calder Trophy winners have made the Pro Hockey Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

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

Carl Voss, New York Rangers & Detroit Red Wings, Center: 8 G, 16 A, 24 P, 2.8 PS 1933       

You could argue that we are starting this one with an asterisk, as Voss was not inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player, but as a builder for his work as an Administrator in various minor leagues of hockey.  Having said that, don’t sleep on his career as the American born-Canadian raised player was a great athlete, who prior to his NHL career won the Grey Cup in 1924 with Queen’s College and in the minors was a leading scorer (IHL in 1932).  Voss had played for the Toronto Maple Leafs for 14 Games in the late 20s, but he finally became a regular on the roster of the New York Rangers for in 1932.  Ten Games into the season, he was sold to the Detroit Red Wings, where he proved his worth in the NHL, and was the first ever rookie of the year.  Voss later played for the Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Eagles, New York Americans, Montreal Maroons and Chicago Blackhawks, where in his final NHL game, he scored the Stanley Cup winning goal to seal the deal for the 1938 Title.  Forced to retire afterward due to a knee injury, Voss would begin his career as an administrator.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Sweeney Schriner, New York Americans, Left Wing: 18 G, 22 A, 40 P, 4.5 PS 1935        

Sweeney Schriner goes down in history as the only Calder Trophy winner in the history of the New York Americans.  The Left Wing would lead the NHL in scoring the next two seasons, where he was a First Team All-Star and Second Team All-Star respectively. Later in his career, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs where he won two Stanley Cups and was again a First Team All-Star.  Schriner played until 1946, retiring with 407 Points in 484 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.

Syl Apps, Toronto Maple Leafs, Centre: 16 G, 29 A, 45 P, 6.1 PS 1937         

Apps played all of his career with the Leafs and in his rookie year, he led the NHL in Assists.  He did that again as a sophomore, where he was a Second Team All-Star, an accolade he repeated twice more.  Apps was also a First Team All-Star twice, a Lady Byng winner, and he was second in Hart Trophy voting three times.  The Centre helped to lead Toronto to the Stanley Cup three times and he scored 432 Points in 423 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961.

Frank Brimsek, Boston Bruins, Goalie: 33-9-1 Record, 1.56 GAA, 11.3 GPS 1939

Frank Brimsek became the second American Goalie to win the Calder, but he shattered the overall success of his predecessor. The Minnesotan was the first player to win the Calder and the Vezina in the same year, and also the first to win the Calder and Stanley Cup in the same season.  He led all Goalies in Wins (33), GAA (1.56), Shutouts (10), and Point Shares (11.3), and he was named a First Team All-Star.  Brimsek would later win a second Vezina, was a First Team All-Star one more time, a Second Team, All-Star six times and won another Cup in 1941.  Brimsek would also play for the Blackhawks, and he retired with 252 Wins and a career 2.70 GAA.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961.

Edgar Laprade, New York Rangers, Center: 15 G, 19 A, 34 P, 2.9 PS 1946   

Laprade played the entirety of his NHL career with the New York Rangers, which would span ten seasons.  A clean player, Laprade would win the Lady Byng in 1949/50, and he was seventh in Hart Trophy voting that year.  He scored 280 Points, which may not seem like a lot but he was also a skilled defensive forward.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

Terry Sawchuk, Detroit Red Wings, Goalie: 44-12-13 Record, 1.97 GAA, 17.0 PS 1951  

The 1950/51 season began one of the most phenomenal half-decades that a Goalie ever had in the NHL.  Terry Sawchuk would not only win the Calder in his rookie year, he would also lead the NHL in Wins (44), Goalie Point Shares (17.0), and was a First Team All-Star.  Over the next four seasons, the Red Wings Goalie won three Stanley Cups, three Vezinas, two First Team All-Star Selections, two GAA Titles, and four more league-lead in Wins.  Following that incredible run, Sawchuk was still a very good Goalie, winning a Vezina in 1964/65, another Stanley Cup in 1967 with Toronto and two Second Team All-Star nods.  Over his career, Sawchuk also played for Boston, Los Angeles and New York, and he retired with 350 career Wins.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 30 G, 24 A, 54 P, 7.4 PS  1952       

Geoffrion led the NHL in Power Play Goals as a rookie (10), and he went on to have a long and prosperous career with the Canadiens. The French-Canadian went on to win six Stanley Cups, two Goal Scoring Titles, two Art Ross Trophies and the Hart Trophy in 1961.  Geoffrion scored 822 Points over a 883-Game career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gump Worsley, New York Rangers, Goalie: 44-12-13 Record, 1.97 GAA, 17.0 PS 1953   

Worsley did the best he could on a poor Rangers team, but the hockey world recognized that the “Gump” was a talented Goalie. Worsley played until the mid-70s, and he would win four Stanley Cups with Montreal where he was also a two-time Vezina Trophy winner.  Worlsey played into his mid-40s, where he the charismatic Goalie played for the Minnesota North Stars for his last four years.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

Glenn Hall, Detroit Red Wings, Goalie: 30-24-16 Record, 2.10 GAA, 14.5 PS 1956         

How do you replace a legend like Terry Sawchuk? With a legend like Glenn Hall.  As a rookie, Hall was a Second Team All-Star, and he led the NHL in Shutouts (12).  Hall was a First Team All-Star in his second season, but despite this he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks after the season.  Hall played for Chicago for a decade where he won two Vezinas, was a First Team All-Star five times, and backstopped the Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup win in 1961.  Hall joined the expansion St. Louis Blues in 1967 and immediately made them relevant, bringing them to three Stanley Cup appearances, and while they lost them all, Hall was the Conn Smythe winner in 1968.  He also won a third Vezina playing in St. Louis.  The Goalie played until 1971, and retired with a record of 279-229-107.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

Frank Mahovolich, Toronto Maple Leafs, Left Wing: 20 G, 16 A, 36 P, 4.9 PS 1958        

Nicknamed the “Big M”, Mahovolich had a decent rookie year, but would morph into one of the leaders of a powerful Toronto squad that won four Stanley Cups in the 1960s.  In this period, Mahovolich was a two-time First Team All-Star and four-time Second Team All-Star, and had two top-five finishes for the Hart. Following Toronto’s last Cup win in 1967, Mahovolich was traded to Detroit during the 1967/68 season, and he added a pair of Second Team All-Stars in Motown.  He later played for Montreal, where he won the Stanley Cup twice more with another First Team All-Star etched on his resume.  Mahovolich had 1,103 Points in the NHL, and he also had four pro seasons in the WHA where he scored 232 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.

Bill Hay, Chicago Blackhawks, Centre: 18 G, 37 A, 55 P, 4.9 PS: 1960         

Hay did well as a rookie, and played a significant role on the Chicago team that won the Stanley Cup the year after.  Hay eclipsed his 55 Point Rookie year three times and led the NHL in Assists per Game in 1961/62.  Hay played his entire NHL career with the Blackhawks, collecting 386 career Points.  We will count this as while Hay did not have a Hall of Fame career as a player, he was inducted as a builder for his work as the past President and CEO of the Calgary Flames and as the Hockey Hall of Fame Chairman.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015 as a Builder.

Dave Keon, Chicago Blackhawks, Centre: 20 G, 25 A, 45 P, 4.2 PS: 1961     

After Keon’s Calder winning season, he became a core part of the Maple Leafs squad that won four Stanley Cups, so much so that he won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1967 as the playoff MVP.  Keon would be a two-time Second Team All-Star, and he won the Lady Byng in consecutive seasons in 1962 and 1963.  Keon bolted for the WHA in 1975, playing for Minnesota, Indiana and New England, rejoining the NHL, when the Whalers were one of the four teams that merged with the senior hockey circuit.  Keon retired in 1982 with 986 NHL Points and 291 WHA Points..

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Jacques Laperriere, Montreal Canadiens, Defenseman:  2 G, 28 A, 30 P, 6.7 PS: 1964

Laperriere had a great rookie campaign as he not only won the Calder but was named a Second Team All-Star.  Playing all 12 years of his NHL career with the Habs, the Defenseman was a First Team All-Star the two years after his rookie season, and was the Norris Trophy winner in 1965/66.  Laperriere helped Montreal win five Stanley Cups, and was a one-time leader in Plus/Minus.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Defenseman:  13 G, 28 A, 30 P, 6.7 PS: 1964

Orr was a Second Team All-Star in his rookie season and was third in Norris Trophy voting.  It was a good year, but it did not accurately foreshadow what Orr would accomplish.  Over the next eight seasons, Orr was an annual First Team All-Star and Norris Trophy winner.  He won three straight Hart Trophies (1970-72), two Stanley Cups, and was the first Defenseman to lead the NHL in scoring; which he did twice!  Orr transformed what Defenseman could do, and some will argue that he is not just the greatest blueliner of all-time, but the best hockey player ever!  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Tony Esposito, Chicago Blackhawks, Goalie:  38-17-8 Record, 2.17 GAA, 14.7 GPS: 1970

Esposito played 13 Games the previous year with the Montreal Canadiens and the Blackhawks claimed him in the Intraleague Draft (basically, waivers).  Esposito had a monster rookie year where he led the NHL in Wins (38), Save Percentage (.932) and Shutouts (15) and he was a First Team All-Star and a Vezina Trophy win. Esposito played his entire career with Chicago and he went on to win two more Vezina, two First Team All-Stars and two Second Team All-Stars.  The Goalie would have 302 career Wins.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Gilbert Perreault, Buffalo Sabres, Centre:  38 G, 34 A, 72 P, 6.5 GPS: 1971

Perreault was the first Buffalo Sabre to win the Calder, and two years later he won the Lady Byng.  The French-Canadian played his entire career with Buffalo where he was a two-time Second Team All-Star and exceed the 100 Point mark twice. Perreault scored 1,326 Points over 1,191 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie:  39-8-15 Record, 2.24 GAA, 15.0 GPS: 1972

Dryden did this backwards, as he was already a legend BEFORE he completed his rookie year.  Late in the 1970/71 season, he replaced the injured Rogie Vachon, and he was astounding.  Dryden backstopped the Habs to a Stanley Cup win where he won the Conn Smythe, thus becoming the first player to win the Conn Smythe before the Calder.  In that Calder Trophy winning season, he was a Second Team All-Star, the runner-up for the Hart and the league-leader in Wins (39). Dryden played until 1979 where he led the NHL three more times in Wins, five First Team All-Stars, five Vezinas, and five more Stanley Cups.  Dryden was the top Goalie of the 1970s and he had a career record 258-57-74 with a 2.24 GAA.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Denis Potvin, New York Islanders, Defenseman:  17 G, 37 A, 54 P, 8.7 PS: 1974

Easily the best Defenseman in Islanders history, Potvin was the first player in Long Island to win the Calder and he was the first building block that would become the Islanders dynasty in the early 1980s. Potvin played all 15 years of his career with New York, was a First Team All-Star five times, two Second Team All-Stars and won three Norris Trophies.  He scored 1,052 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.

Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders, Centre:  32 G, 63 A, 95 P, 8.6 PS: 1976

Above was the first piece of the Islanders dynasty, Denis Potvin.  Here is the second one, Bryan Trottier.  The Centre set a then record for rookies with 95 Points, and he would become one of the top scorers in the NHL.  Trottier would win the Hart and Art Ross in 1978/79, and the year after he won the Conn Smythe in New York’s first of four straight Stanley Cups.  A two-time First Team and two-time Second Team All-Star, Trottier played the late stages of his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he won two Stanley Cups as an elder statesman.  Trottier scored 524 Goals and 1,425 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Mike Bossy, New York Islanders, Right Wing:  32 G, 63 A, 95 P, 8.6 PS: 1976

This of this for a second.  With the Calder win of Bossy, there were three Islander Calder winners in a five-year period, all of whom would enter the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Is it any wonder that this trio led the Islanders a four-Cup dynasty?  Bossy was the first Calder winner to net over 50 Goals, and was a Second Team All-Star.  Bossy went on to win two Goal-scoring titles, five First Team All-Stars, three Lady Byngs and a Conn Smyth.  Injuries forced him out at the age of 30, but he still retired with 573 Goals and 1,126 Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins, Defenseman:  32 G, 63 A, 95 P, 8.6 PS: 1980

Bourque was a First Team All-Star as a rookie, and he earned that honor 12 more times in his career.  Also, a three-time Second Team All-Star, Bourque won the Norris Trophy five times, and he NEVER had a year where he did not finish at least seventh in voting.  Bourque was Boston hockey for nearly two decades, but he never won the Stanley Cup as a Bruin.  In what would be his penultimate NHL season, Bourque was traded to Colorado to chase the Holy Grail of Hockey.  The season after that trade, Bourque and the Avalanche won the Cup, and as happy as Denver was, Boston fans were just as happy for their beloved former star.  In a 21-year career, the Montreal native scored 1,579 Points, the most ever by a Defenseman.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Peter Stastny, Quebec Nordiques, Centre:  39 G, 70 A, 109 P, 8.6 PS: 1981

This was a groundbreaking Calder Trophy win. Peter Stastny was the first Quebec Nordique/Colorado Avalanche to win, the first from a former WHA team to win, the first to score over 100 Points, but most importantly, he was the first European to win the Calder.  Stastny was a superstar for the Czechoslovakian National Team and he defected to Canada to play for the Nordiques.  Stastny had six more 100 Point years (all with Quebec) and had 1,239 over his 15 NHL seasons.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

Dale Hawerchuk, Winnipeg Jets, Centre:  45 G, 58 A, 103 P, 8.6 PS: 1981

From one former WHA team to another we go from Quebec City to Winnipeg, with Dale Hawerchuk, the first superstar for the team in their NHL era.  Hawerchuk had 103 Points as a rookie, and hit the three-digit Point mark five more times, all as a Jet.  Hawerchuk was a Second Team All-Star in 1984/85 and he was second behind Wayne Gretzky for the Hart.  Also playing for Buffalo, St. Louis and Philadelphia, Hawerchuk scored 1,409 Points in 1,188 Games.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Centre:  43 G, 57 A, 100 P, 7.5 PS: 1985

Mario Lemieux is a player who saved an NHL franchise twice.  The first was in his Calder season where he instantly lived up to the hype, and became at one time the best player in the league.  Remember, this was no small task, as it was Wayne Gretzky who he had to dethrone.  Lemieux captured the Hart Trophy three times, the Art Ross six times, and was a First Team All-Star five times.  Lemieux took the Pens to two Stanley Cup wins, he overcame cancer, and then he saves the team again.  With the Penguins in financial despair, he worked out the remaining money owed to him and worked out a deal to buy the team.  He played again, becoming the first owner/player in the modern era, and as an owner he won three more Cups.  Lemieux scored 1,723 Points in 915 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Luc Robitaille, Los Angeles Kings, Left Wing:  45 G, 39 A, 84 P, 6.8 PS: 1985

Robitaille was a Second Team All-Star as a rookie, and he would be a First Team All-Star five of the next six seasons.  The Left Wing exceeded the 100 Point plateau four times and while he played most of his career with Los Angeles, he won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002.  Robitaille also played for the Penguins and the Rangers, and he scored 1,394 career Points, 1,154 of which as a King.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Joe Niewendyk, Calgary Flames, Centre:  51 G, 41 A, 92 P, 8.7 PS: 1988

It is possible to claim that Nieuwendyk’s Calder winning season was his best regular season in hockey.  He scored 51 Goals, his career-best and he tied that mark as a sophomore.  Nieuwendyk also was first in Power Play Goals as a rookie.  If it is in fact the case that Nieuwendyk never matched his skill level in his first two years like other Calder winners, the Centre did however remain at a high tier for years and he amassed a long career where he scored 1,126 Points.  Niewendyk helped take Calgary to a Stanley Cup win in 1989 and later in a renaissance performance in 1999, he won the cup again as a Dallas Star where he won the Conn Smythe.  He also played for New Jersey, Toronto and Florida.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Brian Leetch, New York Rangers, Defense:  23 G, 48 A, 71 P, 9.0 PS: 1989

One of the best American Defenseman in hockey history, Leetch was also the best blueliner in the team history of the New York Rangers.  With New York, Leetch was a two-time Norris Trophy winner, was a two-time First Team All-Star and a three-time Second Team All-Star.  These were great things to put in a trophy case, but it was the Conn Smythe Trophy he won when he anchored that Rangers to the 1994 Stanley Cup. Leetch would play until 2006 and scored 1,028 Points, 981 of which were as a Ranger.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Sergei Makarov, Calgary Flames, Right Wing:  24 G, 62 A, 86 P, 6.8 PS: 1990

It was not that Sergei Makarov did not deserve the Calder.  Statistically speaking, he did.  The backlash was that he as 31 Years Old, and a top flight player from the Soviet Red Army, so his experience level was through the roof.  Makarov is the only player to win the Calder Trophy, who did so AFTER his peak.  He played in the NHL until 1997 with 384 career Points.  Makarov entered the Hockey Hall but it was mostly for his work in the former Soviet Union.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Ed Belfour, Chicago Blackhawks, Goalie:  43-19-7 Record, 2.47 GAA, 14.0 GPS: 1991

Belfour’s rookie season would not just see him win the Calder, as he was also the Vezina Trophy winner, William M. Jennings winner, and a First Team All-Star.  Belfour led all the Goalies in Wins (43), Saves (1,713), Save Percentage (.910) and Goals Against Average (2.47).  Belfour went on to win another Vezina, three more Jennings, a First Team All-Star, a Second Team All-Star and a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars.  The Goalie also played for San Jose, Toronto and Florida.  Belfour had a career record of 484-320-126.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Pavel Bure, Vancouver Canucks, Right Wing:  34 G, 26 A, 60 P, 5.7 PS: 1992

After a good rookie year, Bure but up back-to-back 60 Goal years, the second one being good enough to lead the NHL, and land him a First Team All-Star nod.  Bure later played for Florida, where he had two more league-leading seasons in Goals, both of which were Second Team All-Star worthy.  Bure finished his NHL career in 2003, and he had 779 Points in only 702 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

Teemu Selanne, Winnipeg Jets, Right Wing:  76 G, 56 A, 132 P, 13.4 PS: 1993

A case can be made that Teemu Selanne’s debut season was the best ever by a non-Gaolie.  Selanne set a rookie record with 76 Goals, and he was a First Team All-Star.  Selanne never matched that total, but he had a long and fruitful career, where he led the NHL twice more in Goals, was a First Team All-Star a second time, was a two-time Second Team All-Star, and a Stanley Cup Champion with the Ducks. Selanne also played for San Jose and Colorado, and would score 1,457 Points over his 21-year career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils, Goalie:  27-11-8 Record, 8.9 GPS: 1994

The career of Martin Brodeur is nothing short of outstanding.  Following his Calder win, he captured three Stanley Cups, four Vezina Trophies, five William M. Jennings Trophies, and was a three-time First Team and Second Team All-Star.  Brodeur led the NHL in Wins nine times, and was the league-leader in GAA once.  When Brodeur retired, he had the “W” 691 times, more than anyone Goalie. And he is also the all-time leader in Saves (28,928), Shutouts (125) and Minutes Played (74,439).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Peter Forsberg, Quebec Nordiques, Centre:  15 G, 35 A, 50 P, 5.0 GPS: 1995

Eric Lindros refused to play for the Quebec Nordiques when they drafted him and after sitting out a year, Quebec traded him to Philadelphia for a glut of picks, players and the rights to a Swedish Center named Peter Forsberg.  We can argue that Forsberg was the best player in the transaction.  Forsberg went on to help Colorado (Quebec relocated) win two Stanley Cups and individually he won the Hart and Art Ross Trophy in 2002/03. He was also a three-time First Team All-Star and he retired with 885 Points in only 708 Games.  Forsberg also played for Philadelphia and Nashville.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

 

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

Russ Blinco, Montreal Maroons, Center: 14 G, 9 A, 23 P, 4.1 PS 1934

Unless the Montreal Maroons are suddenly resurrected, Russ Blinco will be the only member of this long defunct franchise to win the Calder.  Blinco would help the Maroons win the Stanley Cup the following year, where he was also the runner-up for the Lady Byng.  He played for Montreal three more years, and had one more season with the Chicago Blackhawks before he retired.  Blinco had 125 Points over his six-year career.

Eligible since 1942.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mike Karakas, Chicago Blackhawks, Goalie: 21-19-8 Record, 1.85 GAA, 9.5 GPS 1936  

Karakas made history as the first American born and raised to win the Calder, and he was also the first Goalie to win the award. For that matter, he was also the first American born and raised Goalie in the NHL.  Karakas would play until 1946, with all but five of his games played in a Chicago uniform.  He won a Stanley Cup in 1938.

Eligible since 1949.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Cully Dahlstrom, Chicago Blackhawks, Centre: 10 G, 9 A, 19 P, 1.3 PS 1938        

Dahlstrom made it back-to-back for American born Calder winners, and the Centre would play his entire eight-year career with the Blackhawks.  The Calder would be the only individual honor that Dahlstrom would win on the professional level, but his name was etched on the Stanley Cup when Chicago won it all in 1938.  Dahlstrom scored 206 Points in 345 career Games.

Eligible since 1948.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kilby MacDonald, New York Rangers, Centre: 15 G, 13 A, 28 P, 3.8 PS 1938        

The sky might have seemed to be the limit for Kilby MacDonald, as he not only won the Calder Trophy, he also hoisted the Stanley Cup over his head in his rookie season.  That would not be the case for MacDonald, who never matched his rookie year, and was sent down to the minors shortly after before joining the Canadian Army. He made it back to the Rangers in 1943, playing two more years before going back to the minors.  MacDonald only had 79 career Points.

Eligible since 1948.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Quilty, Montreal Canadiens, Centre: 18 G, 16 A, 34 P, 3.9 PS 1941    

Quilty’s rookie year was by far his best, as he never came close to these numbers again.  World War II would see Quilty leave the NHL for the Canadian Army, and he missed several years, returning for three Games in 1946-47.  He played only one more year in the NHL, splitting time between Montreal and Boston, but he was not playing at an NHL worthy level. A compound fracture of his leg resulted in his retirement, and Quilty would only have 70 career Points.

Eligible since 1951.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Grant Warwick, New York Rangers, Right Wing: 16 G, 17 A, 33 P, 3.0 PS 1942     

Like the previous two Calder winners, Grant Warwick likely won’t get into the Hockey Hall of Fame, however unlike those two individuals, Warwick did not peak as a rookie.  The Saskatchewan native would not miss time due to World War II, and he exceeded his rookie Point total six times.  Warwick would also play for Boston and Montreal in his career, and in 1955, he was the player/coach on the Canadian Team that won the World Hockey Championship.  The Right Wing scored 289 career Points.

Eligible since 1953.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gaye Stewart, Toronto Maple Leafs, Left Wing: 24 G, 23 A, 47 P, 4.0 PS 1943      

After Gaye Stewart won the Calder (and the Stanley Cup), he went into the Canadian Military to serve in World War II.  The Left Winger came back for the 1945/46 Season and promptly built on his rookie year as if he never left, leading the NHL in Goals (37) was a First Team All-Star, and was the runner-up for the Hart. Stewart’s production dipped the following year, but he helped Toronto win another Stanley Cup.  After a poor start in 1947/48 he was traded to Chicago and rebounded with a Second Team-All-Star nod, which was the last one he had.  He would later play for Detroit, New York and Montreal, and had 344 Points in his nine-year career.

Eligible since 1956.  Ranked #145 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gus Bodnar, Toronto Maple Leafs, Centre: 22 G, 40 A, 62 P, 4.5 PS 1944    

Bodnar likely got an early opportunity to earn an NHL spot due to the World War II depletion of talent.  That might be why he never eclipsed his rookie totals, but he had a long 12-year career and won two Stanley Cup Rings (1945 & 1947) with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Bodnar also played for Chicago and Boston, and he would accumulate 397 Points.

Eligible since 1958.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Frank McCool, Toronto Maple Leafs, Goalie: 24-22-4, 3.22 GAA, 10.1 GPS 1945   

There may never be another player who won the Calder Trophy who had a career as brief as Frank McCool.  Playing at Goalie, McCool was the third straight Maple Leaf to win the Calder, and this year he backstopped Toronto to a Stanley Cup win. He played only 22 Games the following year, only to retire abruptly due to severe ulcers.  We can’t imagine another Calder winner with only 72 Games Played in his career.

Eligible since 1949.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Howie Meeker, Toronto Maple Leafs, Right Wing: 27 G, 18 A, 45 P, 5.3 GPS: 1947        

Meeker was the fourth Maple Leaf in five years to win the Calder, and his 45 Point year turned out to be the best of his career. Meeker would win the Stanley Cup as a rookie, and twice again in 1948 and 1951.  Meeker would go onto greater fame as a broadcaster in Hockey night in Canada as an analyst for over twenty-five years.  He would score 185 Points over 346 Games.

Eligible since 1958.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jim McFadden, Detroit Red Wings, Centre: 24 G, 24 A, 48 P, 5.7 GPS: 1948        

McFadden became the first Detroit Red Wing to win the Calder, and like so many before him, the Centre set personal bests in scoring (48) as a rookie.  McFadden won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 1950, and he would also play for the Blackhawks.  His NHL career ended in 1954, and he would score 226 Points over seven seasons.

Eligible since 1957.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Pentti Lund, New York Rangers, Right Wing: 14 G, 16 A, 30 P, 2.6 PS: 1949         

Here is something you wouldn’t think was true. The first Scandinavian born player to win a major individual award took place before 1950.  Granted, that player was Finnish-born Pentti Lund, who immigrated to Canada as a six-year-old, so it doesn’t count for the most part, but he was the first nevertheless.  Lund never won another accolade in the NHL, and he lasted a total of five seasons, three with New York and two with Boston.  He would score 77 Points in his career.

Eligible since 1956.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jack Gelineau, Boston Bruins, Goalie: 22-30-15, 3.28 GAA, 7.3 GPS: 1950  

Gelineau played four games for the Bruins in 1948/49 and took over as the top netminder for the Boston Bruins the following year, where despite the losing record, he had a good rookie year keeping the Bruins competitive.  Gelineau had an even better sophomore year, but when he sought a raise from Bruins ownership he was rebuffed.  Rather than stay in Boston, he returned to his native province of Quebec, where he played a few years in the provincial league for a few seasons, save for two games in 1954 with Chicago.

Eligible since 1956.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Camille Henry, New York Rangers, Centre: 24 G, 15 A, 39 P, 5.4 PS: 1954  

20 of Henry’s 24 Goals were on the power play, and it was enough to lead the NHL.  Henry struggled the next two seasons, and was demoted to the minors.  He returned to again lead the NHL in Power Play Goals twice, and in 1957/58 he was a Second Team All-Star and Lady Bing winner. Henry played most of his career with New York, finishing his professional run with Chicago and St. Louis. He would have 478 Points.

Eligible since 1973.  Ranked #201 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ed Litzenberger, Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks, Centre: 23 G, 28 A, 51 P, 5.8 PS: 1955   

It was a unique rookie year for Litzenberger, who began the year as a Montreal Canadian, but was donated early in the season to the Chicago Blackhawks in an effort to help save the team from folding. Litzenberger played 29 Games that year in Montreal, scoring 11 Points, but he went on to have 40 Points in 44 Games to conclude the season in Chicago.  Litzenberger went on to have three 60-plus years with the Blackhawks, and would win four Stanley Cups; one with Chicago and three with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  He retired with 416 career Points.

Eligible since 1967.  Ranked #190 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ralph Backstrom, Montreal Canadiens, Centre: 18 G, 22 A, 40 P, 3.8 PS: 1959    

In Backstrom’s Calder Trophy winning year with the Montreal Canadiens, he was a member of the Stanley Cup Championship Team. Providing good two-way hockey for years, Backstrom won five more Cup with the Habs.  He would later play for Los Angeles and Chicago, before moving to the WHA with stints with Chicago, Denver, Ottawa and New England. Backstrom had 639 NHL Points and 253 WHA Points. 

Eligible since 1980.  Ranked #33 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bobby Rousseau, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing: 21 G, 24 A, 45 P, 4.5 PS: 1962        

In his rookie year, Bobby Rousseau had four Short-Handed Goals, which was enough to lead the NHL.  Rousseau did not do that again, but he found a niche in the powerful Montreal Canadiens team that won four Stanley Cups in the 1960s. During his stint in Montreal, Rousseau was a Second Team All-Star and league-leader in Assists in 1965/66. When the decade ended, Rousseau was a Minnesota North Star for one season and a New York Ranger for four before retiring in 1975.  Bobby Rousseau Rousseau scored 703 Points over a 942-Game career.

Eligible since 1978.  Ranked #158 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kent Douglas, Toronto Maple Leafs, Defenseman: 7 G, 15 A, 22 P, 6.6 PS: 1963   

It took 30 years for the Calder Trophy to be awarded to a Defenseman, and again it went to a Toronto Maple Leaf.  A relatively late arrival to the NHL (he was 26), Douglas led the NHL in Defensive Point Shares as a rookie (5.1), but it would be the only time he would do so.  Douglas won the Stanley Cup as a rookie, and technically did two more times, but he was not on those post-season rosters, which reflects that his best season was as a rookie.  He would also play for Oakland, Detroit and the New York Raiders of the WHA.  

Eligible since 1976.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Roger Crozier, Detroit Red Wings, Goalie: 40-22-7 Record, 2.42 GAA, 14.4 PS: 1965     

Roger Crozier did not just win the Calder, as he was a First Team All-Star, and the NHL leader in Wins (40), Shutouts (6) and Goalie Point Shares (14.4).  The Red Wings Goalie would take the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup Finals the next season against the heavily favored Montreal Canadiens.  Montreal won, but Crozier was spectacular and he became the first Conn Smythe winner on a losing team.  Crozier’s career went downhill after, but he played until 1977 with stints in Buffalo and Washington.  He had a career record of 206-194-72.

Eligible since 1980.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Brit Selby, Toronto Maple Leafs, Left Wing: 14 G, 13 A, 27 P, 2.0 PS: 1966

While there were many Calder winners who had much shorter careers than Brit Selby, it is hard to argue that he was the worst player to win the award.  With only 2.0 Point Shares in his Calder year (nearly half of his career 4.3), Selby was sent back to the minors and was not a member of the Leafs 1967 Stanley Cup win. The next year, he was a member of the expansion Philadelphia Flyers, and he would later play again for Toronto, St. Louis and the WHA’s Quebec Nordiques, New England Whalers and Toronto Toros.  He would have 117 career NHL Points and 74 Points in the WHA.

Eligible since 1978.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Derek Sanderson, Boston Bruins, Centre: 24 G, 25 A, 49 P, 4.8 PS: 1968     

After his good Calder year, Sanderson would have a long career (mostly with the Boston Bruins), and while he was a good player, the tough guy’s good looks and fame were much higher than his on-ice skill. He would help Boston win two Stanley Cups.  His hard-partying lifestyle held his career back, but he did score 452 Points in a career that also saw Sanderson play for the New York Rangers, St. Louis, Vancouver and Pittsburgh.  

Eligible since 1981.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Danny Grant, Minnesota North Stars, Left Wing: 34 G, 31 A, 65 P, 5.6 PS: 1969   

Grant played 22 Games the year before with Montreal, where he was a member of the Canadiens’ Stanley Cup Championship Team. He did not exceed rookie limits, thus was able for the Calder in 1969, though he was now a Minnesota North Star, as the Hans had traded him.  With this Calder win, Grant was the first Calder winner from an Expansion Team. Grant would go on to play in three All-Star Games, scoring 536 Points in a career that also extended to Detroit and Los Angeles.  

Eligible since 1982.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Vickers, New York Rangers, Left Wing: 30 G, 23 A, 53 P, 5.9 PS: 1973        

Vickers played his entire NHL career with the New York Rangers, and had at least 30 Goals in his first four seasons.  Two seasons after his Calder Trophy win, Vickers was a Second Team All-Star, and would score 586 career Points over a ten-year career.  

Eligible since 1985.  Ranked #247 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Eric Vail, Atlanta Flames, Left Wing: 39 G, 21 A, 60 P, 6.1 PS: 1975   

In between the Calder wins of Hall of Famers, Denis Potvin and Bryan Trottier was Eric Vail, the first of two Calder winners when the Flames were located in Atlanta.  Vail had a decent career with three 60-plus Point years in his career that generated 476 Points.    

Eligible since 1985.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Willi Plett, Atlanta Flames, Right Wing: 33 G, 23 A, 66 P, 4.8 PS: 1977       

Plett became the second Atlanta Flame, and also the second Flame to earn the Calder in between future Islanders Hall of Famers (Trottier and Mike Bossy).  While Plett went on to score a respectable 437 Points in the NHL, he would be known more for his pugilistic skills, amassing 2,570 Penalty Minutes.    

Eligible since 1991.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bobby Smith, Minnesota North Stars, Centre: 30 G, 44 A, 74 P, 5.0 PS: 1979       

A four-time All-Star, Smith had a good career, peaking with a 114-Point year in 1981-82.  The Centre had nine 70-plus years and would have a Stanley Cup win with the Montreal Canadiens in 1996.  Smith had 1,036 career Points in 1,077 Games.    

Eligible since 1985.  Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Larmer, Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing: 43 G, 47 A, 90 P, 8.4 PS: 1983   

Larmer was with Chicago for all but his last two seasons, and the Right Wing would tie or exceed his 90 Point rookie year total tice more and from 1982/83 to 1992/93 he would also have at least 70 Points. Larmer accumulated 1,012 Points.

Eligible since 1998.  Ranked #32 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tom Barrasso, Buffalo Sabres, Goalie: 26-12-3 Record, 7.5 PS: 1984   

Barrasso had a phenomenal rookie campaign where he not only won the Calder, he was a Vezina winner and First Team All-Star. The American Goalie was a Second Team All-Star and a William M. Jennings winner in his second season, and he was only 20!   Barrasso had a long career afterward, though he was never again won a Vezina. Barrasso would win two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, and he was also a Second Team All-Star there.  The Goalie also played for Ottawa, Carolina, Toronto and St. Louis and he had a career record of 369-277-86.   

Eligible since 2006.  Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gary Suter, Calgary Flames, Defense: 18 G, 50 A, 68 P, 8.0 PS: 1986  

Gary Suter was the first of two Calgary Flames to win the Calder in the 1980s (the other being Joe Nieuwendyk) and he was the first American blueliner to win the trophy.  Suter helped Calgary win the Stanley Cup in 1989, and the year before he was a Second Team All-Star.  Suter also played with Chicago and San Jose, and he would have 844 Points over his 17 NHL seasons.

Eligible since 2005.  Ranked #35 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators, Right Wing: 26 G, 35 A, 61 P, 5.3 PS: 1996  

Daniel Alfredsson was the first Calder winner for the Ottawa Senators, and is safe to say that he was the best player in the team’s resurrection.  Alfredsson was a Second Team All-Star in 2005/06, and he would also win the King Clancy and Mark Messier Leadership Award.  With the exception of his final season in Detroit, Alfredsson was a career Senator and he scored 1,157 Points in his career.

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

Bryan Berard, New York Islanders, Defense: 8 G, 40 A, 48 P, 7.6 PS: 1997   

Berard played ten years in the NHL, which was incredible considering he almost lost an eye early in his career.  That injury occurred early in his career, and impeded what could have been a great career.  Still, the Defenseman had 323 career Points and won the Bill Masterton Award in 2004.

Eligible since 2011.   Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Sergei Samsonov, Boston Bruins, Left Wing: 22 G, 25 A, 47 P, 5.5 PS: 1998         

From Moscow, Samsonov never ascended to superstar status, but this was a really good player for a long time.  The Left Wing played for Boston, Edmonton, Montreal. Chicago, Carolina and Florida and scored a respectable 571 career Points.

Eligible since 2014.  Ranked #282 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Drury, Colorado Avalanche, Centre: 20 G, 24 A, 44 P, 5.0 PS: 1999    

Two years after he won the Calder, Drury helped the Avalanche win their second NBA Title.  Drury was a good two-way player, and he also played for Buffalo and the New York Rangers over a 615-Point career.

Eligible since 2014.  Ranked #296 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Scott Gomez, New Jersey Devils, Centre: 19 G, 51 A, 70 P, 7.3 PS: 2000     

Gomez would win the Stanley Cup as a rookie, and again in 2003, both of which with the New Jersey Devils.  The Alaskan would also play for the Rangers, Montreal, San Jose, Florida, St. Louis and Ottawa with 655 career Points.

Eligible since 2019.  Ranked #249 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Evegeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks, Goalie: 32-21-7 Record, 11.7 PS: 2001

Nabokov became the first San Jose Shark and the first Russian Goalie to win the Calder.  Nabokov was a First Team All-Star in 2008, and would have a career record of 353-227-86 in a career mostly with San Jose.

Eligible since 2018.  Ranked #122 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dany Heatley, Atlanta Thrashers, Right Wing: 26 G, 41 A, 67 P, 6.8 PS: 2002      

Heatley will go down in history as the only Atlanta Thrasher to win the Calder.  He was the driver in an accident that killed his teammate, and needing a change of scenery, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators where he a one-time First Team and Second Team All-Star.  Heatley also played for San Jose, Minnesota and Anaheim and had 791 Points.

Eligible since 2018.  Ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Barrett Jackman, St. Louis Blues, Defense: 3 G, 16 A, 19 P, 5.4 PS: 2003    

The Calder Trophy would be the only award that Jackman would win, or even receive a vote for, but this was stay-at-home defenseman who knew his role and did it well.  The Defenseman played 13 years with the Blues, and one final one with Nashville.

Eligible since 2019.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins, Goalie: 29-18-9 Record, 2.05 GAA, 12.6 PS: 2004      

This was the best season of Raycroft’s career, and he only ever had one good year again, which was when he was with Toronto. Raycroft also played for Colorado, Vancouver and Dallas, and had a record of 113-114-27 upon retirement.

Eligible since 2015.  Unrankedon 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%
NBA Finals MVP	91.3%	94.9%
NHL Norris	90.5%	96.4%
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%
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 Calder 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:

Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets, 33-20-7 Record, 2.29 GAA, 11.2 GPS, 2009

In his rookie season, Mason was a Second Team All-Star, was the runner-up for the Vezina and was fourth in Hart voting. Mason never replicated that year, but did have a ten-year run where he also played for Philadelphia and Winnipeg. He retired with a career record of 205-183-64.

Eligible in 2021.

The following are the players who have won the Calder Trophy who are still active.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Centre: 52 G, 54 A, 106 P, 12.7 PS 2006

The Russian is easily the best European star of his generation and he was a First Team All-Star as a rookie.  Since that time, he has been a First Team All-Star five times and won the Hart three times.  The future Hall of Famer took the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup in 2018.

34 Years Old,Playing for the Washington Capitals.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, Centre: 52 G, 54 A, 106 P, 12.7 PS 2007

Malkin was the second Russian Centre to win the Calder in a row, and how fitting is that Malkin played for Pittsburgh, a rival of Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals.  Since his Calder win, Malkin has won three Stanley Cups, a Hart and two Art Ross Trophies.  He is already a member of the 1,000 Point club.

33 Years Old,Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing: 21 G, 51 A, 72 P, 7.2 PS, 2008

Since his Calder win, Kane won the Hart Trophy and led Chicago to three Stanley Cups.  Kane is already a member of the 1,000 Point Club, has three First Team All-Stars, and an Art Ross Trophy on his mantle.

32 Years Old,Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres, Defense: 11 G, 37 A, 48 P, 9.8 PS, 2010

After that good rookie year, Myers has yet to replicate that success and his 48 Points and 9.8 Point Shares remain career-highs.

30 Years Old,Playing for the Vancouver Canucks.

Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes, Left Wing: 31 G, 32 A, 63 P, 8.1 PS, 2011

Jeff Skinner has matched his rookie output of 63 Points twice but has yet to exceed it.

28 Years Old,Playing for the Buffalo Sabres.

Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche, Left Wing: 22 G, 30 A, 52 P, 6.8 PS, 2012

Gabriel Landeskog has had a good career thus far that has been spent entirely with the Avalanche.  He has had six 50-plus Point years, but nothing higher than 75 Points.

28 Years Old,Playing for the Colorado Avalanche.

Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers, Center: 14 G, 17 A, 31 P, 3.3 PS, 2013

Jonathan Huberdeau is the first Panther to win the Calder and he was an All-Star in 2020.

27 Years Old,Playing for the Florida Panthers.

Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, Center: 24 G, 39 A, 63 P, 7.7 PS, 2014

Since his Calder season, MacKinnon went on a current three-year 90-Point streak.  He was an All-Star in 2002, and was the runner-up for the Hart in 2018.

25 Years Old,Playing for the Colorado Avalanche.

Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers, Defense: 12 G, 27 A, 39 P, 8.5 PS, 2015

Aaron Ekblad became the second Florida Panther in three seasons to win the Calder.  He has participated in two All-Star Games since.

24 Years Old,Playing for the Florida Panthers.

Artemi Panerin, Chicago Blackhawks, Left Wing: 30 G, 47 A, 77 P, 9.8 PS, 2016

Following his rookie year, Panerin was a Second Team All-Star and is coming off of a 95 Point season in his first year in New York.

29 Years Old,Playing for the New York Rangers.

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center: 40 G, 29 A, 69 P, 9.7 PS, 2017

In Matthews’ rookie year, his 32 Even-Strength Goals led the NHL. He would do so again with 35 in 2019-20.

22 Years Old,Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Matthew Barzal, New York Islanders, Center: 22 G, 63 A, 85 P, 8.2 PS, 2018

Barzal’s Calder Trophy winning season is to date his best in his young NHL career.

23 Years Old,Playing for the New York Islanders.

Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks, Center: 28 G, 38 A, 66 P, 7.8 PS, 2019

Pettersson has been with the Canucks for two seasons and played in the All-Star Game in both years.

22 Years Old,Playing for the Vancouver Canucks.

Doesn’t it feel like the Calder means more than other league Rookies of the Year?

For the most part, winning the Calder reflects a great player, especially in the second half of this awards existence.

So, what is up next?

We stay with the NHL and look at the most important individual award in the NHL. The Hart Trophy.

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

It is a pretty big day for us at Notinhalloffame.com as we are unveiling our new Notinhalloffame Hockey List of those to consider for the Hockey Hall of Fame.  

However, this is not just any list, as we have expanded it to 300!

First, off we know what you might be thinking;

“There is no way that any of those players from ___ to 300 will get into the Hall of Fame.”.

We agree.  It isn’t likely to happen.  Obviously, we love lists, and that is, and always will be, the crux of what we do.  Think of them as a great batch of players, all of which were damned good and any bottom 25 of whomever is on our 300 (providing there is a Goalie there) could win a Stanley Cup.  

Let’s move on…

We have not just added new entries up to 300, but retooled those that were already listed.

The first thing we did was remove the four former players who were inducted into the Class of 2020.  That consisted of Jarome Iginla (#1), Marion Hossa (#10), Doug Wilson (#14) and Kevin Lowe (#37).  

We then added the new entries who are now eligible for the Class of 2021.  Afterwards, we altered rankings based on your comments and votes.

Before we continue, please note that the Hockey Hall of Fame recently announced that due to the pandemic, they have pushed back the Class of 2020 ceremony to November of next year.  Hall of Fame Chairman, Lanny McDonald said that there might be a dual ceremony with the Class of 2021, or that the 2021 Class might not happen at all.  We certainly are praying that the latter is not the case.

Please note that we do not currently rank women, coaches or builders, although we do have Don Cherry listed.  That is our only exception, which is grandfathered in.

The entire list can be found here, but here is the revised top ten:

1.Henrik Sedin:  Sedin tops the 2021 list, and the career Vancouver Canuck is a former Hart Trophy winner, which usually means you are entering the Hall. If you don’t go by that, he is also a former Art Ross Trophy winner, and every eligible Art Ross winner are in Toronto.

2. Daniel Sedin:  The twin brother of Henrik also played his entire NHL career with the Canucks, but he is not a Hart winner.  That shouldn’t matter as his accolades include an Art Ross (see above), and he won the Ted Lindsay Award.  The Sedins are also Olympic Gold Medalists for Sweden.

3. Alexander Mogilny: The Russian has been eligible since 2009 and was once #1 on our list.  Mogilny, who led the NHL in Goals in 1993, was ranked second number two.

4. Theoren Fleury:  Dropping from #3, Fleury won the Stanley Cup with Calgary in 1989 and the Gold Medal with Canada in 2002.  He is a seven-time All-Star.

5. Daniel Alfredsson: Alfredsson remains at #5, and is one of three Swedish players in the top five.  Playing mostly with the Ottawa Senators, Alfredsson is a six-time All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist with Sweden in 2006.

6. Don Cherry:  Cherry drops from #4, and at one time he was ranked #1 on our list.  It has not been a good twelve months for Cherry, as he was fired from Sportsnet for what was deemed racist comments.  As mentioned above, Cherry is the lone exception to our rule about ranking coaches/builders in our core lists.

7. Jeremy Roenick:  You could say that Jeremy Roenick had the same year as Cherry, as the acerbic American lost his job with NBC due to sexist comments on a podcast. That does not affect his on-ice accomplishments, which were nine All-Stars and 1,200 Points.  He moves up from #8.

8. Pierre Turgeon:  Turgeon drops from #6, and he has 1,327 career Points and was a four-time All-Star.

9. John LeClair:  LeClair holds on to his number nine slot, and he was chosen for two First Team All-Stars and three Second Team All-Stars.  LeClair accomplished this with Philadelphia and he was a Stanley Cup Champion with the Montreal Canadiens.

10. Bernie Nicholls:  Nicholls drops three spots and concludes our top ten.  He is a three-time All-Star with over 1,200 NHL Points.

There are other significant debuts to our list.  

Swedish Center, Henrik Zetterberg is at #29.  He played his entire NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, and he is a member of the Triple Gold Club.  Just behind him is Rick Nash who makes his first appearance at #30. Nash was a two-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Medal winner with Canada.  Three-time Stanley Cup Champion,Patrick Sharp, debuts at #75.  Scott Hartnell comes in at #106.

You know what we want you to do!

Take a. look and cast your votes and offer your opinions.

As always, we thank you for your support.

COVID-19 strikes again, as the Hockey Hall of Fame has postponed the Hockey Hall of Fame Ceremony to celebrate the Class of 2020.  

Originally scheduled for November 16 in Toronto, the Class consists of Jarome Iginla, Marian Hossa, Doug Wilson, Kevin Lowe, Kim St. Pierre and Ken Holland.  

Hockey Hall of Fame chairman (and Hall of Famer himself), Lanny McDonald said that there would be no virtual ceremony, and that the most likely scenario would be postpone the ceremony to November of 2021, either by waiving the 2021 election or combining the 2020 and 2021 classes.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com hopes that they will opt for two classes.

Actually, we are begging them to do it!

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,

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 World Series MVP.  This time we went back to hockey, and the Art Ross Trophy.

Named after Hockey Hall of Fame player, coach and general manager, Art Ross, the award began in 1947-48, and is awarded to the player who accumulates the most Points in the regular season.  Unlike most awards, it is not arbitrary at all, as it based purely on one statistic.  Notably, if players tie in Points, the tie-breaker goes to the player with the most Goals.

So how many Art Ross Trophy winners have made the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

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

Elmer Lach, Montreal Canadiens, 30 G, 31 A, 61 P (1948)

How fitting is it that a Montreal player won this award first?  Elmer Lach has already won two Stanley Cups for Montreal, and he won the coveted Hart Trophy in 1944-45.  This season, he won his only Art Ross Trophy, narrowly beating New York’s Buddy O’Connor by one point.  Lach would finish third in Hart Trophy voting, and was a First Team All-Star this season.  Lach played for the Habs until 1954, and he would win another Stanley Cup, and earned another First Team All-Star before retiring.  He would have 623 career Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Roy Conacher, Chicago Blackhawks, 26 G, 42 A, 68 P (1949)      

This was by far the best season of Roy Conacher’s career.  As a rookie with the Boston Bruins, he would lead the NHL in Goals (26), and would win the Stanley Cup.  He won his second two years later, but individually this was his best year, where had a career-high 68 Points, and the then Blackhawk winger would finish third in Hart Trophy voting and was a First Team All-Star for the first and only time. Conacher played three more years and retired with 427 Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

Ted Lindsay, Detroit Red Wings, 22 G, 55 A, 78 P (1950)   

This would be Ted Lindsay’s only Art Ross win, with him earning the second First Team All-Star of what would be eight over his career.  Finishing seventh in Hart Trophy voting this season, Lindsay would win his first Stanley Cup, and he won three more in the 1950s.  Lindsay played until 1960, with another season in 1964-65.  He had 851 Points overall in his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 43 G, 43 A, 86 P (1951)  

Gordie Howe had already been established as a star in the NHL after having been named a Second Team All-Star the last two seasons, but this year he destroyed everyone in the race for the Art Ross. His 86 Points were 20 more than the second place finisher (Rocket Richard), and he was third in Hart Trophy voting.  This was just the beginning of Howe’s association with the Art Ross.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 47 G, 39 A, 86 P (2) (1952)      

Gordie Howe became the first player to repeat as the Art Ross Trophy winner and also the first to win the Hart Trophy in the same season.  Howe helped the Red Wings the Stanley Cup, which was second, as he helped them win in 1950.  Notably, Howe’s closest competitor was his teammate, Ted Lindsay, who was 17 Points behind.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 47 G, 39 A, 86 P (3) (1953)      

Howe made history again as the first three-time winner, which he accomplished in three straight seasons.  Howe again would see his teammate, Ted Lindsay, and this time he led his closest competitor by 24 Points.  Howe repeated as the Hart Trophy winner. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 33 G, 48 A, 81 P (4) (1954)      

Another year, and another Art Ross Trophy for Howe, who made it four in a row.  Howe again led the Red Wings to another Stanley Cup, and he was again more than ten Points ahead of his nearest competitor, who this year was Rocket Richard who had 67 Points.  Howe finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal, 38 G, 37 A, 75 P (1955)       

In the province of Quebec, this is the most controversial Art Ross Trophy winner, despite the fact that a member of the Montreal Candiens won it.  Bernie Geoffrion beat his teammate, Rocket Richard, by one Point, which he was able to accomplish when Richard was suspended by the league for striking an official.  Richard was so popular, that they booed Geoffrion for winning the scoring title and it was Richard who was named a First Team All-Star, and not Geoffrion, who was named to the Second Team.  This marked the first time that an Art Ross winner would not be a First Team All-Star. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Jean Beliveau, Montreal, 47 G, 41 A, 88 P (1956)           

Playing his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens, Jean Beliveau won the Art Ross and the Hart Trophy this year.  This might have been Beliveau’s only Art Ross, but this was the second First Team All-Star of what would be six.  Beliveau would also win the Hart again in 1963-64, and this season he captured the first of his ten Stanley Cups.  The Quebecer played until 1971 and retired with 1,219 career Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 44 G, 45 A, 89 P (5) (1957)      

Howe would help the Red Wings win another Stanley Cup in 1955, and this season not only did he win his fifth Art Ross Trophy, he won his third Hart Trophy.  Howe’s closest competitor was again his teammate, Ted Lindsay, who was only four Points behind.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Dickie Moore, Montreal Canadiens, 36 G, 48 A, 84 P (1958)        

Dickie Moore would also win his only Goal Scoring Title this season, and he was eighth in Hart Trophy voting.  Moore also helped Montreal win the Stanley Cup this year.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Dickie Moore, Montreal Canadiens, 41 G, 55 A, 96 P (2) (1959)   

Moore went back-to-back with Art Ross Trophies, and this was also his second (and final) First Team All-Star Selection. Moore again won the Stanley Cup, this being the fourth of what would be six total.  Moore played until 1968, where he would accumulate 607 Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, 39 G, 42 A, 91 P (1960)

Bobby Hull narrowly defeated Bronco Horvath of the Boston Bruins by one Point to win his first Art Ross Trophy.  “The Golden Jet” was a First Team All-Star for the first time, and he also won his first Goal Scoring Title, and he finished second in Hart Trophy voting.  He would help Chicago win the Stanley Cup this season.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal, 50 G, 45 A, 95 P (2) (1961)  

This was Geoffrion’s second and last Art Ross, and considering the drama he dealt with in his first one in 1955, this had to feel so much better.  Geoffrion did finish ahead of another teammate, Jean Beliveau, by five Points but Habs fans were ok this time.  This season, Geoffrion was a First Team All-Star for the only time, and he also captured the Hart Trophy.  While Montreal did not win the Stanley Cup this year, he helped them win the previous five.  Geoffrion played for Montreal until 1966, and had two final seasons with the New York Rangers.  He retired with 822 Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, 39 G, 42 A, 91 P (2) (1962)      

For the first time there was a tie in the Points standings, but Hull had 50 Goals to Andy Bathgate’s 28, thus giving the Blackhawk his second Art Ross trophy.  Hull was third in Hart Trophy voting this season.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 38 G, 48 A, 86 P (6) (1963)      

This was the last Art Ross of Gordie Howe’s career, and it was also his last Hart Trophy, which coincidentally was also his sixth.  Howe defeated Andy Bathgate by five Points for this honor.  Overall, he was a 12-time First Team All-Star, and he retired in 1971. He would come back in the WHA in 1973, first with the Houston Aeros, and then the New England Whalers, who became the Hartford Whalers of the NHL in 1979.  Howe stayed with the team for their first year in the NHL.  He retired with 2,358 combined Points in the NHL/WHA. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, 39 G, 50 A, 89 P (1964)

Stan Mikita was a First Team All-Star for the third straight year, and he was fifth in Hart Trophy voting in his first Art Ross winning season.  While this would not be Mikita’s proverbial breakout season, he was cemented as an elite player.  Notably, Mikita won the scoring title by two points over Bobby Hull, his longtime teammate. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, 28 G, 59 A, 87 P (2) (1965)    

Mikita went back-to-back in Art Ross Trophy wins, but he was not named a First Team All-Star, as that would go to Norm Ullman the person who finished second in scoring to him.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, 39 G, 42 A, 91 P (3) (1966)      

Bobby Hull won his third and final Art Ross Trophy and did so the season after he secured his first Hart and only Lady Byng Trophy.  This year would see Hull win his second straight Hart.  Hull stayed in the NHL until 1972 (and would return in 1980 with the Jets), he was a nine-time First Team All-Star.  Hull would join the Winnipeg Jets in 1972, where he stayed during the NHL/WHA merger, and he played nine final games in pro hockey with the Hartford Whalers before retiring.  His combined NHL/WHA Points totaled 1,808.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, 28 G, 59 A, 87 P (3) (1967)    

Mikita returned as the scoring leader after Bobby Hull had it the year before, and he was 17 Points ahead of the nearest skater, which was Hull.  Mikita swept the major regular season awards with not only the Art Ross, but also the Hart Trophy and the Lady Byng.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, 28 G, 59 A, 87 P (4) (1968)    

This was Mikita’s fourth and final Art Ross, and the second back-to-back for the star.  Mikita’s win also marked five consecutive Blackhawks winning the Art Ross. Like the season before, Mikita also won the Hart and Lady Byng.  Mikita played until 1980, in a career that was spent entirely with Chicago.  He finished his career with 1,467 Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 49 G, 77 A, 126 P (1969)  

As expansion diluted the talent pool, it was only a matter of times before there was a 100 Point Scorer.  This season there were three, with Gordie Howe (103), Bobby Hull (107) and this season’s Art Ross Trophy winner, Phil Esposito (126). The Boston Bruin would win his first Hart Trophy and also made his First Team All-Star debut.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, 33 G, 87 A, 120 P (1970)       

What Bobby Orr accomplished this year was unprecedented.  This season, Orr became the first, and to date only Defenseman, to win the Art Ross Trophy.  It was such a phenomenal year, that Orr would lead the Bruins to a Stanley Cup Championship, and he won the Conn Smythe Award as the playoff MVP.  Orr would also win the Norris Trophy and the Hart Trophy this year.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 76 G, 76 A, 156 P (2) (1971)

The season before, Esposito, Orr and company took Boston to a Stanley Cup win.  They did not win this season, but Esposito shattered the single-season Goal record and his own Points record.  Amazingly, he was not the Hart Trophy winner, as that went to Orr (who had 139 Points). Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 66 G, 67 A, 133 P (3) (1972)

The Bruins won the Stanley Cup again, with Esposito having a lot to do with their success.  Orr repeated as the runner up (117), and he was again the Hart Trophy winner with Esposito coming in at third.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 55 G, 75 A, 130 P (4) (1973)

Esposito’s 130 Points were 26 more than Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia, his nearest competitor, and he repeated as the runner-up to the Hart, losing to Clarke.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 68 G, 77 A, 145 P (5) (1974)

Esposito became the second player to earn five Art Ross Trophies and the second to have four straight wins.  This would be his last Art Ross, and he would also earn his second (and last) Hart Trophy.  Esposito would also have his sixth straight and final First Team All-Star this year. He would be traded to the New York Rangers in 1975, and he retired after the 1980-81 Season, ending his career with 1,590 Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, 33 G, 87 A, 120 P (2) (1975)  

It took Esposito’s teammate, Bobby Orr, to break his Art Ross streak, and while it did end Esposito’s run, this was the seventh year in a row where a Boston Bruin won the Art Ross.  In between his first and second Art Ross Trophy, Orr won another Stanley Cup, another Conn Smythe Trophy, four Norris Trophies and two Hart Trophies.  This season, he would win his eighth and final Norris Trophy, and he was already cemented as the greatest Defenseman that ever lived, a mantle he still holds today. Orr played until 1979, and he was fast-tracked into the Hockey Hall that year.  He retired at the age of 30, as back issues forced hm out of the game, and Orr would have 915 Points in only 657 career Games.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, 56 G, 69 A, 125 P (1976)        

For the first time in the 1970s, a non-Boston Bruin won the Art Ross Trophy, and it went back to Montreal with Guy Lafleur, who had six more Points than Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia.  Lafleur, who had a Stanley Cup in 1973, would win his second this year.  He was third in Hart Trophy voting this year.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, 56 G, 80 A, 136 P (2) (1977)   

Two touchdowns of points ahead of Marcel Dionne, Lafleur again won a Stanley Cup Ring with the Canadiens, this time winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.  The Quebecois superstar also won the Hart Trophy for the first time.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, 60 G, 72 A, 132 P (3) (1978)   

Lafleur won his third straight Art Ross, and this would be his final time winning the coveted award.  This also was his second and last Hart Trophy win, but it was year four of six straight First Team All-Star selections.  Montreal again won the Stanley Cup, and captured another the year after making it four straight.  He played until 1985, and would retire.  That would be short-lived, as he returned as a New York Ranger in 1988, and played two more years after that with the Quebec Nordiques.  Lafleur would have 1,353 career Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders, 47 G, 87 A, 134 P (1979)     

It took a dozen years, but Bryan Trottier became the first player from an expansion team to win the Art Ross Trophy. Trottier beat Marcel Dionne by four Points for the Award, and the Islander would also win the Hart Trophy. Following this win, Trottier would lead New York to four consecutive Stanley Cups.  Trottier became a two-time First Team and two-time Second Team All-Star, and he later played for the Pittsburgh Penguins earning two more Stanley Cups.  He retired in 1994 with 1,425 career Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Marcel Dionne, Los Angeles Kings, 53 G, 84 A, 137 P (1980)       

Marcel Dionne tied Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers in Points, but Dionne got the nod for the Art Ross over “The Great One”. Dionne became the first King to win this award, and he was the runner-up for the Hart.  Over his career that spanned from 1971 to 1989, Dionne played for Detroit, L.A. and the New York Rangers, and he would have 1,307 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 55 G, 109 A, 164 P (1981)     

Wayne Gretzky tied Marcel Dionne in Points the year before, but lost out on the Art Ross due to a goal differential of two. Gretzky did not have to worry about Dionne, who was second with 135 Points, but that was 29 behind the number of the Edmonton Oiler, who set the new benchmark for Points in a season. Gretzky would win his second straight Hart Trophy this season.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 92 G, 120 A, 212 P (2) (1982)

Wayne Gretzky broke so many records this year. First, he shattered his own record with 212 Points, making him the first player to elevate the single-season Points record two years in a row in the Art Ross era.  Second, he set the single-season Goal mark with 92.  Third, he was the first player to have a 200 Point season.  Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders was the closest competitor with 212 Points. Gretzky would again win the Hart, his third in a row.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 80 G, 71 A, 196 P (3) (1983)  

Gretzky did it again, destroying any competitor for the Art Ross.  His nearest competitor was Peter Stastny, the Nordiques star from Czechoslovakia, who “only” had 124.  Gretzky again won the Hart Trophy, but this time his Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Finals, a harbinger of what was to come.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 87 G, 118 A, 205 P (4) (1984)

Gretzky again reached the 200 Point threshold, and it was his teammate, Paul Coffey at 126 Points who was the closest.  This year the Oilers broke through by winning the Stanley Cup, and Gretzky again captured the Hart Trophy.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 87 G, 118 A, 205 P (5) (1985)

Gretzky repeated as a Stanley Cup Champion, but this year he would win the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP.  By winning his fifth straight Art Ross Trophy, Gretzky broke the record that was shared by Gordie Howe and Phil Esposito in terms of consecutive Art Ross winners.  Gretzky again destroyed his nearest competitor, Jari Kurri, who was also an Oiler. Not surprisingly, he won his sixth consecutive Hart Trophy.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 52 G, 163 A, 215 P (6) (1986)

It was a bittersweet year for Gretzky as he broke his own mark by three Points, and his 215 Points has set a since unbreakable mark.  He won the Hart Trophy again, but in the playoffs, the Oilers were upset in the divisional round, and he did not win a Stanley Cup.  Gretzky was again much further ahead than his nearest rival, but this year it was Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had 141 Points.  This win would also tie Gordie Howe for the most Art Ross Trophies.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 62 G, 121 A, 183 P (7) (1987)

The Edmonton Oilers were back on track, and they won their third Stanley Cup in four years, with Gretzky winning the Conn Smythe.  Gretzky set Art Ross history as he broke Howe’s record of six Art Ross trophies, and he did it in seven straight years, also a record.  “The Great One” also secured his eighth straight Hart Trophy. Once again, nobody was near Gretzky, as Jari Kurri, who was second, had 108 Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 62 G, 121 A, 183 P (1988)

Gretzky had 149 Points this year, but his Art Ross trophy streak ended at seven when Mario Lemieux bet his total by 19. Lemieux became the first Penguin to win the Art Ross, and this year he also was the first Penguin to win the Hart. As you will see, Lemieux was just getting started!  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 62 G, 121 A, 183 P (2) (1989)     

Lemieux was one Point shy of 200, and his 199 would be a career-high, as he went back-to-back in Art Ross Trophy wins. Despite his 199 Points, Gretzky’s 168 Points for his new team, Los Angeles, was enough to earn him the Hart. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings, 40 G, 102 A, 142 P (8) (1990)        

After two years of not winning the Art Ross, Gretzky returned to the top of the scoring table, but this time it was as a Los Angeles King.  Gretzky, who won the Hart Trophy as a King the year before finished fourth this year behind Mark Messier, his former teammate who led his former team, Edmonton, to their fifth Stanley Cup.  Messier was second in scoring to Gretzky, 13 behind.  As for Lemieux, he had 129 Points in only 59 Games.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings, 41 G, 122 A, 163 P (9) (1991)        

Gretzky went back-to-back again, and he was incredible this season.  While he did not win the Hart, he was 32 Points ahead of the one who did win it (and was second), Brett Hull.  Hull would however have 86 Goals, well more than twice as much as Gretzky.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 44 G, 87 A, 131 P (3) (1992)       

Mario Lemieux may have only finished fifth in Hart voting, but he won the scoring title only with 64 Games.  More importantly, he led the Penguins to their second straight Stanley Cup win.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 44 G, 87 A, 131 P (4) (1993)       

Lemieux’s 160 Points was a dozen more than his nearest competitor, Pat Lafontaine, but Lemieux had his Points in only 60 Games! Despite only playing 60 Games, what he did was so impressive that the Hart Trophy voters could not help but vote for him.  Lemieux would also win the Bill Masterton Trophy this season.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings, 38 G, 92 A, 130 P (10) (1994)        

Arguably, his was the end of an era, as this was Gretzky’s tenth and last Art Ross Trophy.  Nobody has won this more than the native of Brantford, Ontario, and it is quite likely that nobody ever will.  Gretzky did not win the Hart, as that went to Sergei Fedorov, who he beat by 10 Points to win Art Ross.  Gretzky actually never received any Hart votes, but he did have nine, which is more than any other player.  This season also saw Gretzky win his fourth of what would be five Lady Byng Trophies. He was an eight-time First Team All-Star, a seven-time Second Team All-Star and he retired with 2,857 Points, well more than any other player.  As expected, the Hockey Hall relaxed their three-year wait, and he was inducted immediately.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 69 G, 92 A, 161 P (5) (1996)       

Mario Lemieux sat out the entire 1994-95 season due to Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  He came back the year after with a vengeance, winning his fifth Art Ross, beating his teammate, Jaromir Jagr by 12 Points.  Lemieux would win the Hart Trophy for the third and final time.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 50 G, 72 A, 122 P (6) (1997)       

This was the last Art Ross Trophy win by Mario Lemieux, and he completed it with three two-year runs.  His 122 Points was his lowest Point win, but was still 13 Points higher than Teemu Selanne, who was second.  Lemieux retired after this year, but came back three years later, but this time as a player/owner, as he bought the team in 1999.  He continued to play until 2006, and retired with 1,723 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche, 29 G, 77 A, 106 P (2003)    

Peter Forsberg became the first player in Colorado Avalanche franchise history, and the first Swedish player to win the Art Ross. To win the award, he eked out another Swede, Markus Naslund by two Points.  Forsberg, who had already won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche, won the Hart Trophy this season.  Forsberg played until 2011, and retired with 885 Points in 708 Games.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning, 38 G, 56 A, 94 P (2004)

After two unremarkable seasons with the Calgary Flames, Martin St. Louis became a surprise star with the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the 2003-04 Season, Martin St. Louis won the Art Ross, and also won the Hart Trophy.  St. Louis also took the Lightning to their first Stanley Cup this season.  He was a First Team All-Star this year, and would be a Second Team All-Star four more times. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning, 17 G, 43 A, 60 P (2) (2013)     

In the strike-shortened 48-game season, Martin St. Louis’s 60 Points were the lowest ever for an Art Ross winner.  St. Louis would only finish ninth in Art Ross voting, but he did win his third Lady Byng this season. St. Louis played until 2015, with two final years in the New York Rangers.  He retired with 1,033 Points.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

 

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

None.

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 Norris	90.5%	96.4%
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%
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%
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%
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award	44.4%	55.4%
MLB Babe Ruth Award	37.0%	39.3%
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 (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 Art Ross 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:

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, 52 G, 44 A, 96 P (2002)

This would be the lone Art Ross for Jarome Iginla, and while he never had a 100 Point season, he would not need to in this era. Iginla played most of his career with the Calgary Flames, and he would have 1,095 career Points.  Eligible in 2020.

Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, 52 G, 44 A, 96 P (2010)

Henrik Sedin was the first Vancouver Canuck to win the Art Ross, which he won by besting both Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin by three Points.  Sedin would also win the Hart Trophy this year, and he was a First Team All-Star this season, and the one after.  Sedin played until 2018, all with Vancouver, and he would retire with 1,070 career Points. Eligible in 2021.

Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, 41 G, 63 A, 104 P (2011)

There have been players who have won the Art Ross in back-to-back years.  There have been different teammates who have won this accolade in two straight years. This is the first time, and we think likely the only time where we will have twins capture the Art Ross in two years. Like his brother, Henrik, Daniel Sedin played his entire career with the Canucks, but he did not win the Hart like his brother as he would finish second to Corey Perry.  Sedin played until 2018 and would have 1,041 career Points.  Eligible in 2021.

The following are the players who have won the Art Ross Trophy who are still active.

Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, 32 G, 38 A, 70 P (1995)

This was Jagr’s first Art Ross, and he narrowly beat Eric Lindros to get it.  Both stars had 70 Points in this strike-shortened year, but Jagr had three more Goals than Lindros.  Lindros would however edge out Jagr for the Hart Trophy.  Jagr was a First Team All-Star for the first time, and he had already won two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh.  Historically speaking, this is the first time that a non-Canadian would win the Art Ross.  48 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.

Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, 32 G, 38 A, 70 P (2) (1998)

Jagr would also lead the NHL in Assists for the first time this season.  The Czech star was a First Team and Second Team All-Star in the two years prior, and this year, it was Peter Forsberg of Colorado who was his closest competitor with 91 Points, and he was second to Dominik Hasek of Buffalo for the Hart.  48 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.

Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, 44 G, 83 A, 127 P (3) (1999)

Jagr became the second Penguin to win consecutive Art Ross Trophies, besting Teemu Selanne by 20 Points.  Jagr’s 127 Points would be a career-high, and for the first time in his career, he would win the Hart Trophy.  48 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.

Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, 42 G, 54 A, 96 P (4) (2000)

The Czech star made it three in a row, and for the first time in a full season in decades we have an Art Ross Trophy winner under 100 Points.  Jagr narrowly beat Pavel Bure by two Points, though St. Louis Defenseman, Chris Pronger, beat them both for the Hart.  48 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.

Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, 52 G, 69 A, 121 P (5) (2001)

This would be Jagr’s last Art Ross Trophy, and he joined the four in a row club.  Jagr was third in Hart voting, behind his teammate (and boss), Mario Lemieux, and Joe Sakic, who won the award, and was only three Points behind Jagr. This would be Jagr’s last season with the Penguins, as he was traded to the Washington Capitals in the offseason. Jagr later played for the New York Rangers, Avangard Omsk of the KHL, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey, Florida, Calgary, and then the Czech League.  In the NHL, Jagr had 1,921 career Points.  48 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.

Joe Thornton, Boston Bruins & San Jose Sharks, 52 G, 69 A, 121 P (2006)

For the first time in Art Ross Trophy winner was split between two teams.  In the season prior, Joe Thornton was the Bruins top star, but management questioned his leadership and the Boston fan base began to turn on him.  Furthermore, Thornton was frustrated with the fate of the Bruins, and he needed a change of scenery, which he got 23 games into this season.  Thornton’s Art Ross winning 121 Points was split with 33 in Boston and 92 with San Jose. Thornton was only two Points ahead of Jaromir Jagr, who he also edged out for the Hart Trophy this year.   Thornton, who was a First Team All-Star, would go on to have two more Second Team All-Stars.  40 Years Old, Playing for the San Jose Sharks.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 36 G, 84 A, 120 P (2007)

Sidney Crosby became the third Pittsburgh Penguin to win the Art Ross Trophy, and he did so with a six-Point lead over the previous winner, Joe Thornton.  “Sid the Kid” was just that, as he was only 19 when the year started, and he was in his second year in the NHL.  Crosby also won the Hart Trophy and was a First Team All-Star for the first time in his career.  Two years later, he would hoist the Stanley Cup.  32 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, 65 G, 47 A, 112 P (2008)

Ovechkin became the first Washington Capital and the first Russian to win the Art Ross this year.  This was Ovechkin’s third season in hockey, and his third consecutive First Team All-Star, and it was Ovechkin who defeated Sidney Crosby for the Calder.  Ovechkin also won the Hart Trophy this year.  Since that win, he went to three more First Team All-Stars, won two more Hart Trophies, and led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018.  32 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, 35 G, 78 A, 113 P (2009)

Malkin’s win allowed Russian born players to go back-to-back in Art Ross wins, and he became the fourth Penguin to win trophy. Malkin was only three points ahead of Ovechkin for the Art Ross, but was second for the Hart to Ovechkin.  This season, Ovechkin, Crosby and the Penguins would win the Stanley Cup.  32 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, 50 G, 59 A, 109 P (2) (2012)

This season, Malkin won his second Art Ross, but this season, he would win the Hart Trophy.  Malkin would lead the Penguins win the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cups.  32 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 36 G, 68 A, 104 P (2) (2014)

In between Crosby’s first Art Ross and this one, he had won a Stanley Cup, and was a Second Team and First Team All-Star. This season, he was a First Team All-Star again, and also a Hart Trophy winner.  Crosby and the Penguins would win the Stanley Cup the next two seasons. 32 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars, 36 G, 68 A, 104 P (2015)

Jamie Benn won the Art Ross by only one Point (edging out John Tavares), and it was done in a season that bookended First Team All-Stars.  Benn was a Second Team All-Star this year, and was only 12^thin Hart Trophy voting, but he was an Art Ross winner.  This would be the first time that Minnesota North Star/Dallas Star won the Art Ross.  30 Years Old, Playing for the Dallas Stars.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, 46 G, 60 A, 106 P (2016)

Patrick Kane already won three Stanley Cups with Chicago, and he was 16 Points ahead of last year’s winner, Jamie Benn.  Kane would be a First Team All-Star for the second time, and this season he won the Hart Trophy.  31 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 30 G, 70 A, 100 P (2017)

Connor McDavid was one of the most highly touted NHL prospects in years, and in his second year, he would win not only the Art Ross but the Hart Trophy as well.  He was 11 Points ahead of Sidney Crosby, who was also second in Hart Trophy voting.  23 Years Old, Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 41 G, 67 A, 108 P (2) (2018)

McDavid won his second straight Art Ross, this time with a six-point lead over Claude Giroux.  The Oiler was fifth in Hart voting, but did win the Lester B. Pearson Award, which was his also his second in a row.  23 Years Old, Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning, 41 G, 87 A, 128 P (2019)

Connor McDavid was unable to make it three straight, as he was second, 12 Points behind Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov also won the Hart Trophy, and this was his second consecutive year as a First Team All-Star.  26 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

100 Percent.  Every single winner of the Art Ross Trophy has made it to the Hockey Hall of Fame.  The Hart Trophy and the Norris Trophy can’t say that.  From what we can see, it looks like the Art Ross will be perfect in resulting in Hall of Famers for a long time.

So, what is up next?

We are going to return to the court, and look at the NBA Finals MVP.

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

It is a sad day for the Montreal Canadiens and the world of hockey as it was announced today that Henri Richard passed away at the age of 84.

The younger brother of Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Henri was nicknamed the “Pocket Rocket” in reference to his small stature.  While he may have played part of his career in his brother’s shadow, the younger Richard was a superstar in his own right.  

Playing his entire 20-year career with the Canadiens, Richard debuted in 1955-56, and two years later he would lead the NHL in Assists.  That season, the Centre would earn a First Team All-Star selection for the first and only time.  Richard would later be a Second Team All-Star three more times, and in 1962-63, he won his second Assists Title.  Overall, he would score 1,046 Points in 1,258 regular season games.

Richard was not just a playmaker, but he was also a leader.  Henri took over the captaincy of the Habs in 1971 from the legendary Jean Beliveau, and he would wear the “C” until his retirement in 1975.  

Montreal was a league powerhouse while he was there.  In 11 of his 20 seasons, Richard would hoist the Stanley Cup over his head, the most won by any player.  This is a record that will never be broken.  He had 129 Points in the playoffs.  Richard was chosen for the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the friends, family and fans of Henri Richard.

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 MVP in Major League Baseball.  This time, we go back to the rink with Vezina Trophy.

Kirk Buchner and Evan Nolan discuss the questionable selections of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.

One of our favorite days of the year has come as the Hockey Hall of Fame has announced their Class of 2019 but we have to say that this is one of the strangest Hall of Fame classes ever. This is a six-person class consisting of the greatest female player of all-time, two former NHL players who were not considered to be the best of the group, a former Czech player that most people never heard, an executive and a U.S. College Coach.

The members of the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2019 are:

Hayley Wickenheiser:  Wickenheiser is this year’s headliner and without question is the greatest women’s player ever.  Entering in her first year of eligibility, the Canadian superstar represented her country five times in the Olympics where she would win four Gold Medals and one Silver. In the World Hockey Championships, she would take Canada to seven Gold Medals.  She was so good that she played semi-pro in Switzerland, making her the first woman wo play hockey on any pro level.  There is no other woman more deserving of this accolade.

Guy Carbonneau:  Carbonneau was the team captain of the Montreal Canadiens when they won the Stanley Cup in 1993.  He had previously won the Cup with the Habs in 1986 and would again win it with the Dallas Stars in 1999.  Carbonneau never had a season where he scored 60 Points but his strength was his two-way play as he was the winner of the Frank J. Selke for the best defensive forward three times.

Sergei Zubov:  A teammate of Carbonneau on their 1999 Stanley Cup winning team, Zubov was also a champion with the New York Rangers in 1994.  A four-time NHL All-Star, Zubov was named to NHL Second Team All-Star in 2006 and the Defenseman would score 771 Points over his career.  Internationally, he was part of the Unified Team (former Soviet Union) in 1992 where he won an Olympic Gold Medal.

Vaclav Nedomansky:  From Czechoslovakia, Vaclav Nedomansky made history in 1964 as the first hockey player from the Communist Bloc to defect and play in North America.  Before defecting, Nedomansky scored 534 Points over 388 Games in the Czechoslovakian league and upon arriving in North America he would play for the Toronto Toros of the WHA and later the Birmingham Bulls before joining the Detroit Rings midway through the 1977/78 Season.  He would also play for the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues and scored 278 Points in the NHL.

Jim Rutherford: Rutherford played in net for 13 seasons but he enters as a builder.  He has won the Stanley Cup three times as a General Manager, once with the Carolina Hurricanes (2006) and twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2016 & 2017).

Jerry York: York is the winningest active coach in the NCAA, and he is a five time NCAA Champion taking Bowling Green to the 1984 Title and Boston College to the 2001, 2008, 2010 & 2012 Championship.

Notable snubs include Alexander Mogilny, Theoren Fleury, Daniel Alfreddson and Jeremy Roenick.

Where we are left scratching our heads (allow is to get half-conspiracy and half-editorial) is that we are openly wondering if any of the above candidates were not chosen so that there could be no doubt that Wickenheiser was the headliner.  This makes good press for the Hockey Hall of Fame and reflects them as a progressive entity.  Had any of the above names been chosen would they have leapfrogged her in public opinion’s “ranking”?  

Possibly.  

But, with due respect to Zubov and Carbonneau they aren’t former players who leap off the page and scream “headliner”.  This is the first time that anyone in our top ten list (regardless of the sport) and in this case we have to go all the way to #29 before we have our first inductee. We do need to add the caveat that at present we do not rank women or builders, but are looking to change that in the future.  

Wickenheiser could have still have been the lead attraction over anyone else this year and would people have really debated it?  They wouldn’t have, but we openly think that there are people at the Hockey Hall who worried about it and wanted this to be all about Wickenheiser.

We want to be very clear that Hayley deserves this but we have always wanted to see the best possible class every year!  

This isn’t it.

We would like to extend our congratulations to the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2019 and we will shortly begin work on updating our core Hockey list.  

The Stanley Cup Finals are underway and with it we have our first steps toward finalizing the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

Frank Brown will be inducted by receiving the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism and Jim Hughson enters by winning the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his contributions as a hockey broadcaster.

At age 18, Brown would see his first hockey article published and he would be the lead hockey writer for the Associated Press for seven years. He joined the NHL as a communications executive in 1998 and retired last year.

In a 30-year career, Hughson broadcasted hockey at every level and has called the Stanley Cup, World Cup of Hockey, Olympics and World Hockey Championships.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate both Frank Brown and Jim Hughson for earning this honor

We always continue to add sections here on Notinhalloffame.com, but the more we add, the more we have to maintain.  One of those that got away from us a little bit is our Future Hockey Eligibles, which we have now updated.

The following are recognizable players who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020:

Brian Campbell:  Campbell was a four-time All-Star who would win the Lady Byng Trophy in 2012.  Also, a Second Team All-Star (2008), he would help the Chicago Blackhawks win the 2010 Stanley Cup.

Dennis Wideman:  Wideman was an All-Star Defenseman in 2012.

Jarome Iginla:  Iginla has the resume of a first ballot Hall of Fame induction as he is a former Art Ross winner, Ted Lindsay Winner, and a three-time First Team All-Star.  Known mostly for his time with the Calgary Flames, Iginla is a member of the 1,000 Point club, and he is also a two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner with Canada.

Jiri Hudler:  The Czech national would win the Lady Byng Trophy in 2015 and was also a Stanley Cup Champion with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.

John-Michael Liles:  Liles was a reliable Defenseman who would also play for the United States in both the Olympics and World Cup.

Marian Hossa:  Hossa is a member of the 1,000 Point Club, and he is a five-time NHL All-Star who was named a Second Team All-Star in 2009.  The Slovakian star was also a three-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Matt Carle:  Carle was a former Hobey Baker Award winner who would have a pair of 40 Point Seasons. The Defenseman is one of the best Alaskans ever to play professional hockey.

Mike Ribeiro:  Ribeiro was an All-Star in 2008 and was regarded as one of the tougher Centres in the NHL.

Milan Michalek:  Michalek was a successful Left Winger who would be named an All-Star in 2012.  He would also win two Bronze Medals for the Czech Republic in the World Hockey Championships.

Shane Doan:  Doan is without question the greatest Arizona Coyote ever, and he was a two-time NHL All-Star. He would also win a World Cup of Hockey Gold Medal with Team Canada in 2004.

The following are recognizable players who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2021:

Alexandre Burrows:  Burrows had a solid NHL career that was spent primarily with the Vancouver Canucks.

Brian Gionta:  Gionta would win the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2003, and he was also a two-time Olympian for Team U.S.A.

Christian Ehrhoff:  From Germany, Christian Ehrhoff had a good NHL career, but would make his mark Internationally with a Silver Medal in both the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and the 2018 Olympics.

Daniel Sedin:  Sedin would win the Ted Lindsay, and Art Ross Award in 2011 and the Swedish sensation was also a three-time NHL All-Star.  He would also win an Olympic Gold Medal for the Swedish team n 2006.

Francois Beauchemin:  Beauchemin was a Second Team All-Star in 2013 and earlier in his career he would help the Anaheim Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007.

Henrik Sedin:  Like his brother Daniel, Henrik Sedin was a major star for both the Vancouver Canucks and the Swedish National Team.  Sedin won the Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy in 2010, and he was a three-time leader in Assists.

Henrik Zetterberg:  Zetterberg won it all in as he was an Olympic and World Hockey Gold Medalist with Sweden and a Stanley Cup Champion with the Detroit Red Wings.  He would be named a Second Team All-Star in the 2007/08 season.

Mark Streit:  An All-Star in 2008, Mark Streit would make history as the first Swiss-born player to be an NHL Captain.  He would play for Switzerland in four Olympics.

Mike Fisher:  Fisher was an All-Star in 2015 and over his time with the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators he was known as one of the great locker room leaders.

Patrick Sharp:  An All-Star in 2011, Patrick Sharp was a three-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks and was a Gold Medalist with Canada at the 2014 Olympics.

Paul Martin:  Martin would help the University of Minnesota win two championships and aside from his NHL career he would also suit up with the United States many times.

Radim Vrbata:  Vrbata was named an All-Star in 2015 and would play internationally for the Czech Republic.

Rick Nash:  Nash was a two-time Gold Medalist for Canada and in 2003/04 he would lead the NHL in Goals.

Scott Hartnell:  Hartnell was an All-Star in 2012 and was known for his time with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Notably, we will not be adding any more names to our TBD list but will keep this up until they move into a designated year of eligibility.

As always, we here at Notinhalloffame.com would like thank all of you for support.

As always we here at Notinhalloffame.com remain focused on our core lists of which those who are not in the Hockey Hall of Fame is one. We have now updated that list and have expanded it to 125, with an intention to grow it to 150 in the fall of the year.

Two names were removed from our list, Martin Brodeur (#1) and Martin St. Louis (#3) as both were chosen for the Hockey Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility and as such we again have a new number one on our list. Every year we have new entries of former players who are now eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame but for the first time none of the new entries crack our top ten.

Our entire Notinhalloffame.com Hockey List can be found here, but in the meantime here is our new Top Ten:

Alexander Mogilny goes to #1 for the first time and jumped from #4. In the 1992-93 season, “Alexander the Great” scored 76 Goals and he was a two time Second Team All Star as well a six time All Star. Mogilny would win an Olympic Gold Medal in 1988 with the Soviet Union and a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2000.

Don Cherry stays at #2. While the dynamic personality remains polarizing there is no doubt that he is an iconic figure in the game. The host of “Coach’s Corner” is a former Jack Adams Trophy winner himself.

Theoren Fleury moved up from #5 to #3. Fleury was a seven time All Star who led the Calgary Flames to the Stanley Cup in 1989. He is also an Olympic Gold Medalist with Team Canada in 2002.

Daniel Alfredsson went up three spots from #7 to #4. Alfredsson was a six time All Star who spent the majority of his career with the Ottawa Senators. He was an Olympic Gold Medalist for Team Sweden in 2006.

Bernie Nicholls only went up one rank to #5. Nicholls scored 150 Points for Los Angeles in the 1988-89 season and had over 1,200 overall. Nicholls was a three time All Star.

Jeremy Roenick climbed from #8 to #6. Roenick is the highest ranked American on our list and he is a nine time All Star. He is a member of the 1,200 Point Club.

Pierre Turgeon also had a significant jump as he went from #10 to #7. Turgeon has the most Points on this list with 1,327 and he is a four time All Star. He also won the Lady Byng Trophy in the 1992-93 season.

John LeClair rose from #9 to #8. LeClair does not have the accumulation that others in the top ten does but he had a five year run with the Philadelphia Flyers where he was named a post season All Star. He was also a two time Olympian for the United States.

Mike Richter remains the highest ranked netminder but hits the top ten for the first time with an increase in rank from #11 to #9. This marks the third American in a row on our list. Richter is a three time All Star, a Stanley Cup winner with the New York Rangers (1994) and a World Cup of Hockey Champion (1996) where he was the MVP.

Claude Provost also hit the top ten for the first time as he moved #13 to #10.   Provost is one of the most decorated players of all time as he is an eleven time All Star and nine time Stanley Cup Champion in a career spent entirely with the Montreal Canadiens.

While there are no new members in the top ten list, we do have two new entries to the top twenty-five.

Vincent LeCavalier debuts at #15. The four time All Star took Tampa Bay to their first and only Stanley Cup in 2004, which was the same year he helped Canada win the World Cup. Three years later he won the Maurice Richard Trophy.

Brad Richards makes his first appearance at #21. Like LeCavalier, Richards played on Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup championship team and Team Canada’s World Cup win in 2004. Richard only went to one All Star Game but he was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in ’04.

As we stated earlier, our list expanded to 125 and as such we have a lot of new entries who have been eligible before.

The new entries are:

Milan Hejduk #89. Hejduk helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2001 and was a Second Team All Star and Maurice Richard Trophy winner in the 2002-03 Season. He also won the Olympic Gold Medal with the Czech Republic in 1998.

John Ross Roach #97. Roach was a First Team All Star in the 1932-33 season, nearly a decade after he backstopped the Toronto St. Pats to a Stanley Cup.

Steve Duchesne #98. Duchesne was a three time All Star Defenseman who scored 752 Points. He would win a Stanley Cup late in his career with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002.

Bill White #101. White went to six All Star Games in a career spend predominantly with the Chicago Blackhawks. White was also a Second Team All Star three years in a row from the 1971-72 season to 1973-74)

Teppo Numminen #103. Numminen was a three time NHL All Star who represented Finland multiple times including winning two Silver Medals in the Olympics.

Ziggy Palffy #104. Palffy was a three time All Star who finished in the top five in Goals twice. He represented Slovakia internationally on multiple occasions.

Jean Guy Talbot #105 . Talbot was a six time All Star and seven time Stanley Cup Champion with the Montreal Canadiens seven times. He was also a First Team All Star in the 1961-62 Season.

James Patrick #107. Patrick played 1,280 Games in the NHL and was a workhorse in the game.

Kimmo Timonen #108. Timonen was a three time NHL All Star and was a Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks (2015) and a four time Olympic Medalist with Finland.

Al Rollins #111. Rollins is one of the few players to have won the Hart Trophy (1954) and to not be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He also won the Vezina Trophy in 1951, the same season he helped the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup.

Pat Stapleton #114. Stapleton was a three time Second Team All Star and three time All Star who would later be the Defenceman of the Year in the WHA.

Pit Martin #116. Martin was a four time All Star during his stint with the Chicago Blackhawks and would later win the Bill Masterton Trophy in 1970.

Adam Foote #117. Foote was a two time Stanley Cup Champion with the Colorado Avalanche and he would help Canada win an Olympic Gold Medal in 2002 and a World Cup Gold Medal in 2004.

Mike Ramsey #118. Ramsey was a member of the Miracle on Ice team in 1980 and was a four time All Star in the NHL.

Glenn Resch #120. Resch was a three time All Star who would also be named a Second Team All Star twice. He was a part of the New York Islanders first Stanley Cup win in 1980.

Vic Hadfield #121. Hadfield was a famous New York Ranger who went to two All Star Games and he was also a one time Second Team All Star.

Bob Baun #123. Baun starred for the Toronto Maple Leafs where he would help the buds win four Stanley Cups.

Evgeni Nabokov #124. Nabokov won the Calder Trophy in 2001 and was named a First Team All Star in 2008. He was also a two time All Star.

Brad McCrimmon #125. McCrimmon was a Second Team All Star in 1988 in the same year he helped the Calgary Flames win the Stanley Cup.

Please note that we only rank former male players and at this time (with the exception of Don Cherry) we do not rank coaches, builders or former female players. We might create separate lists for that in the future.

Look for this list to expand to 150 in a few months.

As always we here at Notinhalloffame.com encourage all of you to take a look at our updates and give us your opinions and cast your votes.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com have always been huge advocates of Don Cherry gaining induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, though we have to give the bombastic hockey analyst credit, as he doesn’t promote himself for the Toronto based institution. That doesn’t mean that he isn’t vocal about whom he thinks should be inducted, and who shouldn’t have been.

Cherry’s wrath was directed towards former Red Army player, Alexander Yakushev who surprisingly was chosen. He had this to say:

 "I am really upset at Yakushev. Absolutely ridiculous that he's in and Henderson's not. What he did in Russia over there, it was fantastic. To think that they put in the two losers (Yakushev and Tretiak), and they keep out the Canadian winner? I guess that's a little tough but that's the way I feel."

Seemingly this is less of a shot of Yakushev’s selection than it is of championing Henderson’s cause, but with all due respect to Cherry, any shot at Vladislav Tretiak not being Hockey Hall of Fame worthy seems wrong.

For what it is worth in our last Notinhalloffame.com hockey list, we had Paul Henderson ranked #21 on our last ranking. That will be updated shortly.

We expected that there would be a bit of backlash in regards to the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2018 towards the selection of current NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, and sure enough it happened.

Former players, Daniel Carcillo and Nick Boynton took to Twitter to vent their frustration towards the announcement:

"I can't get over what a slap in the face this must be to the families of Steve Montador, Rick Rypien, Derek Boogaard, Bob Probert & Wade Belak, Gary Bettman had a hand in every death by withholding info about the risks of doing their job."

The five players who Carcillo references who were suffering from brain damage and died prematurely.

Thirteen-year veteran Nick Boynton also questioned the induction and asked for material that he donated to the Hall to be returned.

There is currently a class action lawsuit against the National Hockey League by former players accusing the league of keeping information in regards to the danger of concussions.

Chances are this is not the last we will discuss the Hockey Hall of Fame induction of Gary Bettman.

This is one of the days that we look forward to every year at Notinhalloffame.com as the Hockey Hall of Fame has announced the Class of 2018. This year’s class includes two former NHL players (Martin Brodeur and Martin St. Louis), a former women’s player (Jayna Hefford), a former Soviet player (Alexander Yakushev) and two builders (Willie O’Ree and Gary Bettman).

Let’s take a deeper look at this year’s class.

The current NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman was chosen. This will not be a very popular choice especially in Canada, where it is perceived that he has an anti-Canadian bias. Since he took over the league in 1993, there have been three work stoppages. Those who favor his induction will point to the fact that revenue has increased ten fold since he took over. This is not without precedent as the Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted a seated Commissioner in Pete Rozelle in 1985.

Martin Brodeur enters on his first year of eligibility and this selection was as close to being a lock as you could get. With 691 Wins in the NHL, he is the all-time leader in that statistic with his closest competition being 140 away. Brodeur has a claim as the most successful Goalie ever, as in addition to his Wins total he would backstop the New Jersey Devils to three Stanley Cups, was a four time Vezina Trophy winner and a five time William M. Jenning Award winner. Internationally, he had two Olympic Gold Medals with Team Canada. We had him ranked #1 on our most recent list.

Jayna Hefford represented Canada in International competition. She enters in her second year of eligibility. A four time Olympic Gold Medalsis and seven time World Champion, Hefford scored 91 Points Internationally, which is second overall in the history of Canadian Women’s Hockey.

As speculated by many, Willie O’Ree was chosen. O’Ree made history in 1958 when he played for the Boston Bruins in 1958 thus becoming the first black player in the history of the league. While his career only comprised of 45 Games it was a landmark moment for hockey and he was certainly a trailblazer for many of the black players today.   O’Ree’s story has become more well known in recent years and he has been very instrumental in programs that encourage diversity into the sport.

Martin St. Louis went from undrafted to the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2004, St. Louis took the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup title while winning the Hart Trophy in the process. The undersized player (5’ 8”) would win the Lady Byng Trophy three times and was also the Art Ross Trophy winner in 2013. St. Louis was ranked #3 by us and like Brodeur he entered on his first year of eligibility.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the induction of former Soviet player, Alexander Yakushev. Yakushev was the Soviet League scoring champion in 1969 and was a two time Gold Medalist for the U.S.S.R. in both 1972 and 1974. He scored 11 Points in the famous 1972 Summit Series. To the best of our knowledge, there had been no talk of Yakushev entering the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In terms of our rankings, please note that we only rank former NHL players and have not yet created a list for builders or female players.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the Class of 2018. We will begin work on our 2019 Notinhalloffame.com Hockey list shortly.

A major announcement took place in the world of the National Hockey League as the Sedin twins of the Vancouver Canucks have announced their impending retirement at the end of the regular season.

Through clever maneuvering in the 1999 Draft the Canucks were able to draft Henrik and Daniel Sedin first and second overall to create the backbone of the franchise for the next seventeen years. While they did not join the NHL right away (they elected to play one more season professional in Sweden) they would slowly become an elite scoring tandem in the biggest professional league in hockey.

Playing Centre and Left Wing on the same line respectively, both Sedins will retire with over 1,000 career Points, which while it does not put them in the top 40 all-time in scoring is more than Hall of Fame worthy in the current era. The Hall of Fame also looks at the trophy case and with that the Sedins are more than adequately qualified.

In the 2009-10 season, Henrik Sedin won the Hart Trophy and the Art Ross. No player who has ever won both ever failed to get into the Hall. Throw in two First Team All Star selections and a King Clancy Award and the mantle seems stocked for Henrik.

Daniel Sedin may never have won a Hart Trophy, but in the 2010-11 season he won the Lester B. Pearson Award, which is the MVP award as voted on by the players. That year he was also an Art Ross Trophy winner and a First Team All Star.

In can’t be forgotten that the Hockey Hall of Fame considers international accomplishments. The Sedins were Gold Medalists in the 2006 Olympics and Silver Medalists in the 2014 Games. They were also Gold Medalists in the 2013 World Championships.

To be clear, the Sedins only said that they were retiring from the NHL and did not say whether or not they would continue to play in Europe. Should they do so, their Hall of Fame clock does not begin as the institution recognizes competitive play in Europe and deems those players active. As such, we will wait to see what transpires before we

Regardless it seems unlikely that the Sedins won’t get in immediately and will likely go in together.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Henrik and Daniel Sedin on a wonderful career in the National Hockey League and wish them the best in the post NHL career.

It was not that long ago that the Hockey Hall of Fame selected four former National Hockey League players to their institution, all of which were ranked in our top ten on our Notinhalloffame.com Hockey List. They are Teemu Selanne (#1), Paul Kariya (#3), Mark Recchi (#4) and Dave Andreychuk (#10). As such it is time for us to present our new list of those to consider for the Hockey Hall of Fame for 2018.

When putting together any new list we obviously remove the recently inducted but add on those who we consider worthy. We also look at the opinions that all of you have given and the votes you cast on each former player on the list.

Let’s get right to it shall we?

Debuting on our list at #1 is Goalie, Martin Brodeur. The long time New Jersey Devil did it all in the NHL, including winning the Calder, the Vezina four times and winning three Stanley Cups and an Olympic Gold Medal. He should be a first ballot lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Returning to #2 is Don Cherry, the acid tongued commentator who has been a fixture on Hockey Night in Canada for decades.

Martin St. Louis, the 2004 Hart & Art Ross Trophy winner makes his first appearance at #3. That same year he would lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to their first Stanley Cup win. He is also a three time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy.

Alexander Mogilny moved up to #4 from #6. The Russian had the most Goals in the 1992-93 season and is a six time All Star.

Former Calgary Flame, Theoren Fleury moved up two spots to his highest ever rank of #5. He was a seven time All Star.

Bernie Nicholls also achieved his highest rank with a move up to #6. He is a three time All Star.

Longtime Ottawa Senator, Daniel Alfredsson moves up to #7 and is in his second year of eligibility. The Swedish star was a six time All Star.

Nine time All Star Jeremy Roenick comes in at #8.

John LeClair makes his first appearance in the top ten holding #9 on the list. The Vermont born player is a two time First Team All Star.

Pierre Turgeon rounds out the top ten. The four time All Star makes his biggest jump from #14 to #10.

Brodeur and St. Louis are not the only ones to debut on the list this year. Former blueliner, Sergei Gonchar debuts at #27.

At present, the list goes up to 106 former players, with our intent

The entire revised list can be found here.

You know what we want you to do! Take a look at our revisions and give us your opinions!

It is days like this that we look forward to here at Notinhalloffame.com!

Today, the Hockey Hall of Fame has announced their Class of 2017, which will consist of Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya, Mark Recchi and Dave Andreychuk.  It will also include women’s star Danielle Goyette and builders Clarke Drake and Jeremy Jacobs.

Teemu Selanne is the headliner of this group.  The scoring machine from Finland enters on his first year of eligibility and he is a former Stanley Cup Champion with Anaheim.  Selanne would lead the NHL in Goals scored three times and is a former two time First Team All Star.  He was also an international star with Finland, representing them in five Olympic Games and two World Cups.  He enters on his first year of eligibility and was ranked #1 by us at Notinhalloffame.com.

His fellow Duck, Paul Kariya also was chosen.  Kariya has been eligble for the Hall since 2013 and is a former three time First Team All Star.  Kariya went to seven All Star Games and helped Canada win the 2002 Olympics.  Kariya’s averaged exactly one point per game over his career and was ranked #3 on our Notinhalloffame.com list.

Mark Recchi was ranked #4 on our list and has been eligible for the Hall since 2014.  He is a three time Stanley Cup Champion (Pittsburgh 1991, Carolina 2006 and Boston 2011) and was a seven time All Star.

After a nine year wait, Dave Andreychuk finally got the call from Toronto.  The all-time leader in Power Play Goals was a two time All Star and won the Stanley Cup in his last season in the NHL with Tampa Bay.

Danielle Goyette is this year’s female entry.  She helped Canada win two Gold Medals and eight IIHF World Women’s Championships.  She is currently Canada’s IIHF leading scorer.

Clark Drake coached the University of Alberta men’s team for twenty-eight years and took the Golden Bears to six University Cups.

Jeremy Jacobs has been the owner of the Boston Bruins since 1975 and has been a very influential owner and has served as the Chairman for the Board of Governors since 2007.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this year’s Hall of Fame inductees.

With the 2017 Class selected, it won’t take us long for us to work on the 2018 List. 

Look for that soon!