Breaking Down the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Ahead of Monday's Ceremony
From left to right: Pierre Turgeon, Mike Vernon, Caroline Ouellette, Henrik Lundqvist, Coco Lacroix for her husband Pierre, Ken Hitchcock and Tom Barrasso before the start of the game between the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 10.
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
One of the biggest nights on hockey's calendar is upon us, as the next class of inductees in the Hockey Hall of Fame are set to be officially endowed with this historic honor during a ceremony on Monday night.
The 2023 class of inductees is a particularly impressive bunch, comprised of the likes of Henrik Lundqvist, Mike Vernon, Tom Barrasso, Pierre Turgeon, Pierre Lacroix, Ken Hitchcock and Caroline Ouellette.
Here's a little more about each of the newest members:
Henrik Lundqvist
Lundqvist joins the Hall as arguably the greatest goaltender of his era, spending 15 seasons with the New York Rangers, during which he racked up 459 wins, the most of any European netminder, along with 64 shutouts and a career .918 save percentage. Despite never winning the Stanley Cup, he did lead the Rangers to the final in 2014. Lundqvist certainly took home his fair share of individual hardware throughout his playing career as well, capturing the 2011-12 Vezina Trophy while also being named to one first-team and one second-team all-star roster.
Internationally, Lundqvist was a Team Sweden mainstay, appearing on the U-18, world juniors, World Championship, 2016 World Cup of Hockey and Olympic national squads. He finished with an Olympic gold medal in 2006 and a silver in 2014, as well as a World Championship gold medal in 2017 and two silvers.
Mike Vernon
A two-time Stanley Cup winner, Vernon enters the Hall with dazzling stats of his own, compiling a record of 385-274-92 throughout his 19-year NHL career split between the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers. Vernon also won the Jennings Trophy alongside Red Wings netminder Chris Osgood in 1996 and earned the Conn Smythe Award the next season after leading Detroit to a Stanley Cup victory. Vernon also won a silver medal at the 1991 World Championship with Team Canada.
Tom Barrasso
Rounding out the trio of goaltending inductees is Tom Barrasso, who earns this prestigious honor on the back of his 369 career wins and 38 shutouts. Barrasso is also a two-time Cup winner, adding those rings to a mantle that includes the 1983-84 Vezina, 1983-84 Calder, 1984-85 Jennings, one first-team and two second-team all-star selections. Barrasso also landed within the top 10 in Hart Trophy voting on three separate occasions, finishing as high as sixth in 1987-88. The United States Hockey Hall of Fame inducted Barrasso in 2009-10.
Pierre Turgeon
As the lone NHL forward to be inducted this year, Turgeon certainly represents his position group well as he enters hockey's hallowed hall. In 1,294 career games across 19 seasons, Turgeon torched opponents for 515 goals and 812 assists, finishing with 1,327 points as one of the more productive wingers of his era. Like Lundqvist, Turgeon never did manage to raise Lord Stanley's mug. But he will be remembered as a dominant player regardless.
Further reading: Pierre Turgeon Defies Odds and Makes It to The Hockey Hall of Fame
Caroline Ouellette
Perhaps the most accomplished of any inductee, Ouellette's trophy case is jammed full of more accolades than one could even possibly imagine. The women's hockey trailblazer was a dominant force in both league and international play, winning four straight Olympic gold medals with Team Canada from 2002 to 2014 while also capturing six World Championship gold medals and six silvers. A member of the prestigious Triple Gold Club for winning Olympic and World Championship gold and the CWHL's Clarkson Cup, Ouellette will go down not only as one of the best women's players to ever play but also as one of the best hockey players, period.
Further reading: Ouellette Joins Hockey Hall of Fame Tonight
Ken Hitchcock
Sitting fourth all-time in victories as a head coach, Hitchcock heads into the Hall with a sparkling resume, including one Stanley Cup and the 2019 Order of Hockey in Canada. Known to adapt his style throughout the eras, Hitchcock remained a respected and successful coaching figure through four decades, overseeing some of the best players in the game's history.
Pierre Lacroix
And, finally, Lacroix rounds out this year's inductee class with a bang. Inducted as a builder along with Hitchcock, Lacroix oversaw the growth of the Quebec Nordiques franchise in 1994-95 and then built it into a contender after the club relocated to Colorado to become the Avalanche. Thanks to Lacroix's savvy moves and big swings, the Avalanche captured the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001, making the Cup final the following year in 2002 as well. Sadly, Lacroix passed away due to complications from COVID-19 on Dec. 13, 2020, and will be honored by his family at Monday's ceremony.
Further reading: Two-Time Stanley Cup-winning Avalanche GM Pierre Lacroix makes HHOF Class of 2023
Congratulations to this year's impressive class of inductees. The 2023 Induction Celebration ceremony is set to be broadcast at 8:00 p.m. ET on TSN 4 and 5 and NHL Network.
