The Hockey Hall of Fame has announced how it will handle inducting the 2020 class. The five players and one non-player will be a standalone group. There will be no inclusion of 2021 as the Hall’s board wanted to give the 2020 group proper recognition. The original 2020 Induction Weekend was postponed in August due to the pandemic. The Hall of Fame announced its decision Friday morning.
Stay tuned for more information on the 2021 Induction Weekend/Celebration (scheduled for November 12-15, 2021).#HHOF2020 | #HHOF
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) October 30, 2020
Hall of Fame Announces 2020 Plans
2020 is a strong class with six members included. Many fans will recognize Marian Hossa and Jarome Iginla as recent players, but others are notable in their own way. Kevin Lowe was a constant presence for the Edmonton Oilers during the organization’s run as a powerhouse in the 1980s and early 1990s. Doug Wilson posted over 800 points in 16 NHL seasons. Those are four very well-known players from the past several decades who people remember fondly. The only non-player is Ken Holland, who developed as a legend helping lead the Detroit Red Wings to three Stanley Cups.
The Hall of Fame will also honour Kim St. Pierre in its stand-alone class. She was an outstanding player for Canada’s women’s hockey team through the first part of the 2000s and was the primary goaltender when the country won gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. She won numerous awards in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and even played alongside NHL players in a practice session with the Montreal Canadiens in 2008. That hadn’t happened since Manon Rheaume played in an exhibition game in 1992.
What This Means
It only makes sense that this class is recognized on its own. It features five NHL faces that fans loved to watch and one of Canada’s best female players ever. The Hall of Fame could have combined it with the 2021 class in November of next year, but the 2020 group deserves its own moment in the sun.
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