The Hockey Hall of Fame has announced its induction class for 2013, and this year we have some tremendous inductees. They are Scott Niedermayer, Chris Chelios, Brendan Shanahan, Geraldine Heaney, and Fred Shero.
Niedermayer’s induction was a slam dunk, and comes in his first year of eligibility. He is the only player in history to accomplish the feat of winning a Stanley Cup, a World Championship, a World Cup, Olympic Gold, World Junior Gold, and a Memorial Cup. In fact he won the Stanley Cup 4 times, and the Olympic Gold twice. On top of it all Niedermayer added personal accomplishments including a Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe. He played for the New Jersey Devils and Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks throughout his stellar NHL career. Niedermayer scored 172 goals and 568 assists for 740 points in 1,263 career NHL games and 22 goals and 73 assists for 95 points in 202 career playoff games.
Chelios also was inducted in his first year of eligibility. At 1651 career games he has played the fifth most games in NHL History. He won three Stanley Cups over his NHL career, along with the 1996 World Cup of hockey, an Olympic Silver Medal, and a second place Canada Cup finish. Chelios also won three Norris Trophies. The Chicago native scored 185 career goals and 763 assists for 948 career points over his NHL career. He played for the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Atlanta Thrashers over his amazing 26 year NHL Career.
Shanahan, was elected in his second year of eligibility. The Current NHL Director of Player Safety won three Stanley Cups in his NHL career. He also won an Olympic Gold Medal, Canada Cup, and World Championship. Shanahan also won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. Over his 21-year, 1524 game NHL career, he scored 656 goals and added 698 assists for 1354 career points. Shanahan played with the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers.
Heaney is considered a pioneer of the Women’s game playing on Canada’s National Women’s team from 1990 to 2002. Over that time she won Seven IIHF World Championship Gold Medals, an Olympic Gold Medal, and an Olympic Silver Medal. Twice Heaney was named the best blue liner at an IIHF World Championships. She is the leading scorer in Women’s International Hockey amongst defence with 27 goals and 66 assists for 93 points in 125 career games.
Shero, was inducted under the builders category. He coached the famed “Broad Street Bullies” era Philadelphia Flyers to two Stanley Cups in the 1970s. He also won the Jack Adams award and Lester Patrick award in his 12 year NHL career (10 in Philadelphia, 2 with the New York Rangers). In the 1970s Shero was one of the only North American coaches willing to study he fundamentals of Soviet hockey with Anatoli Tarasov. He adopted the Soviet commitments to off-ice training, conditioning and physical fitness that greatly helped his teams. He was also amongst the first coaches to have an assistant. Shero passed away in 1990, and his son Ray is the General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Hockey Hall of Fame will hold their inductions on November 11, 2013.
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