The 2015 Hockey Hall of Fame class was announced Monday afternoon and it featured a heavy dose of defencemen.
Here’s a look at the players who will be inducted.
NICKLAS LIDSTROM
Position: Defence
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 192 pounds
From: Vasteras, Sweden
NHL seasons: 20
Teams: Red Wings
When speaking of the greatest defencemen in the history of hockey, it’s not outlandish to say Lidstrom might be second only to Bobby Orr. With his smooth skating, pristine positioning and off-the-charts hockey IQ, Lidstrom could take complete control of a game without ever throwing a body check. He is as reliable a player the NHL has seen sitting 10th on the all-time games played list.
Stats: 1,564 games, 264 goals, 878 assists, 1,142 points, 514 penalty minutes, plus-450
Awards & Accomplishments:
— Four-time Stanley Cup champ (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008)
— Ten-time First Team NHL All-Star (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011)
— Seven-time Norris Trophy winner (2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011)
— Conn Smythe Trophy winner (2002)
— Olympic gold medallist (2006)
— Inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2014
CHRIS PRONGER
Position: Defence
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 220 pounds
From: Dryden, Ont.
NHL seasons: 18
Teams: Whalers, Blues, Oilers, Ducks, Flyers
Even though he is technically an active player – in fact, he was traded over the weekend – Pronger has been inactive since 2011 and under the new rules is eligible for induction. Unlike Lidstrom, Pronger was a physical force. You had to keep your head up when he was on the ice or he could hurt you. He possessed one of the best outlet passes the league has ever seen and was a part of two of the all-time great pairings – with fellow Hall of Famers Al MacInnis on the Blues and Scott Niedermayer on the Ducks.
Stats: 1,167 games, 157 goals, 541 assists, 698 points, 1,590 penalty minutes, plus-183
Awards & Accomplishments:
— Stanley Cup champion (2007)
— Hart Trophy winner (2000)
— Norris Trophy winner (2000)
— Two-time Olympic gold medallist (2002, 2010)
— NHL plus/minus leader in 1998, 2000
SERGEI FEDOROV
Position: Centre
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 202 pounds
From: Pskov, Russia
NHL seasons: 18
Teams: Red Wings, Mighty Ducks, Blue Jackets, Capitals
When you think of all the great Russians to play in the NHL over the years, it’s no small feat that Fedorov is the all-time leader in points amongst his countrymen. With blazing speed and excellent defensive play, Fedorov lit up the league when he was on on the Red Wings. Although he was an elite forward, Fedorov also spent time on the blueline early in his career.
Stats: 1,248 games, 483 goals, 696 assists, 1,179 points, 839 penalty minutes, plus-261
Awards & Accomplishments:
— Three-time Stanley Cup champ (1997, 1998, 2002)
— Hart Trophy winner (1994)
— Lester B. Pearson Award (1994)
— Selke Trophy (1994, 1996)
— Two-time Olympic medallist (silver in 1998, bronze 2002)
PHIL HOUSLEY
Position: Defence
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 185 pounds
From: St. Paul, Minn.
NHL seasons: 21
Teams: Sabres, Jets, Blues, Flames, Devils, Capitals, Blackhawks, Maple Leafs
Sitting fourth on the all-time points list among defenceman – and first among American-born blueliners – Housley’s remarkable career flew slightly under the radar when compared to the likes of Ray Bourque, Chris Chelios, Scott Stevens and some of the other defenders from his era.
Stats: 1,495 games, 338 goals, 894 assists, 1,232 points, 822 penalty minutes, minus-53
Awards & Accomplishments:
— Seven-time NHL All-Star (1984, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000)
— Norris Trophy nominee (1992)
— World Cup of Hockey champion (1996)
