The NHL released their Hockey Hall of Fame selections for 2017, and it’s no surprise to see Teemu Selanne highlighting the class. Joining Selanne will be Paul Kariya, Dave Andreychuk, Mark Recchi, Danielle Goyette, and builders Clare Drake and Jeremy Jacobs.
Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya highlight Hockey Hall of Fame 2017 class
Dave Andreychuk and Mark Recchi also join Selanne and Kariya as the newest members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
This is Selanne’s first year of Hockey Hall of Fame eligibility.
Selanne played in 1,451 games for four different teams across 21 seasons in the NHL. The forward is 11th overall in NHL history with 684 goals and is 15th overall in the league in points with 1,457 — putting him over a point-per-game pace for his career. Also to his name, Selanne has one Stanley Cup and a Calder Trophy from his rookie year in 1993, among other awards.
Joining Selanne is Kariya, who was his teammate from 1995 to 2000 with the Anaheim Ducks. Kariya had exactly 989 points in 989 games as he played for four teams across his 15-year NHL career. The forward had to retire in 2011 due to various concussions that plagued his career.
Also getting the nod this year is Recchi, who is coming into his fourth year of eligibility. Recchi’s 22-year NHL career culminated in 1,533 points in 1,652 across seven teams. The selection is a big deal for Recchi, as he was the only retired NHL player with at least 500 goals and 1,500 points to not have been selected for the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Andreychuk is also making his way into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The left winger is one of the greatest in his position, as he posted 1,338 points in 1,639 games played over 23 years in the NHL. Andreychuk was in his ninth year of eligibility for the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Rounding out the inductees are Goyette, Drake, and Jacobs. Goyette is one of the greatest women’s hockey players, as she has three Olympic medals as a key part of Team Canada. She is also Canada’s all-time leading scorer in the IIHF World Championships, with 53 points in eight tournaments.
Drake coached the University of Alberta’s hockey team for 28 years and came away with six University Cup championships. Jacobs is the current owner of the Boston Bruins and has been since 1975.
The NHL will induct these four into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Nov. 13.
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