The Hockey Hall of Fame has unveiled its class of 2024, honoring seven distinguished individuals who have each made a remarkable impact on the sport. This year's inductees consist of five players and two builders, each of whom has left an indelible mark on hockey history.
The Players
Leading the class is Jeremy Roenick, a dynamic forward who spent 20 years in the NHL across five different franchises. Roenick's stellar career includes 513 goals and 703 assists over 1,363 games. He ranks fourth in goals and fifth in points among American-born players in NHL history, solidifying his legacy as one of the game's greats.
Pavel Datsyuk, another notable inductee, spent 14 exceptional seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Known for his impeccable two-way play, Datsyuk was a Selke Trophy finalist on ten occasions, winning the award three consecutive times from 2008 to 2010. His career totals boast 314 goals and 604 assists in 953 games, complemented by two Stanley Cup championships.
Shea Weber's place in the Hall of Fame is also well-deserved. Weber, a formidable defenseman, played for both the Nashville Predators and the Montreal Canadiens. Over 16 years, he scored 224 goals and added 365 assists. A three-time Norris Trophy finalist, Weber was instrumental in leading the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020.
The contributions of Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl to women's hockey cannot be overstated. Darwitz was pivotal in leading the University of Minnesota to a national championship in 2005, even scoring the game-winning goal against Harvard. Her international career includes two Olympic silver medals and a bronze, as well as an array of World Championship honors—three golds and five silvers. Wendell-Pohl, a leader in her own right, played 147 international games, scoring 106 goals. She earned a silver and a bronze at the Olympics and steered Team USA to gold at the World Championships in 2005, where she was named tournament MVP.
The Builders
The builders being inducted are David Poile and Colin Campbell, whose behind-the-scenes work has been instrumental in shaping the modern NHL. David Poile, the winningest general manager in NHL history, amassed 1,533 regular-season victories. As the only GM in Nashville Predators history until his retirement last year, Poile guided the franchise to its first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2017.
Colin Campbell's career spans multiple facets of the game. Initially an 11-season NHL player, Campbell later won the Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers in 1994. He also spent four seasons as the head coach for the Rangers before transitioning to executive roles. For the past 25 years, Campbell has served as an Executive Vice President for the NHL, influencing numerous aspects of the league's operations and initiatives.
The formal induction of these seven exceptional individuals will take place on November 11, 2024, marking a momentous occasion for each of these legends and affirming their places in hockey history. As the Hockey Hall of Fame honors their achievements, fans and future generations will no doubt continue to celebrate the legacy and impact of these iconic figures.