The 2017 Hockey Hall of Fame Class

Recently, The NHL announced their selections for the Hockey Hall of Fame including four former players Dave Andreychuk, Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne and Mark Recchi. Also included were two builders Jeremy Jacobs and Clare Drake and joining them was one of Canada’s best women’s players Dannielle Goyette.

Dave Andreychuk put together an impressive career and is regarded as one of the best left wingers of all time. It’s suprising it took hime 9 times being on the ballot to end up in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Andreychuk spent most of his career in Buffalo before bouncing around to Toronto, New Jersey and Tampa Bay. Andreychuk racked up 1338 points in his 1600 game career. Andreychuk spent 25 seasons in the NHL and won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004–05.

Paul Kariya who maintained a point per game average was another winger deserving of the hall. Kariya only played 989 career games because he was forced into retirement with concussion issues. Kariya was an extremely talented player and a perennial all-star when he was healthy. If Kariya had been able to stay consistently healthy he would certainly be an all time great and it was a shame that he had an injured history.

Teemu Selanne was elected on his first try which shouldn’t come as a surprise. Selanne holds the rookie goal scoring record which will never be touched, he scored a remarkable 76 goals in his rookie season. Teemu continued his career of excellence by totaling 1457 points in his career and winning the Stanley Cup in 06–07 with the Anaheim Ducks. Selanne also owns one of the best goal celebrations of all time after he broke the rookie goal scoring record.

Mark Recchi the journeyman who played with 7 teams over the course of his 22 year career. Recchi finished his career after winning the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011 and his career point totals at 1533. Recchi had won two other Stanley Cups in his career with Pittsburgh in 1991–92 and Carolina in 2006–07 and he is currently an assistant coach in Pittsburgh.

Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs was elected as a builder and has been the Bruins owner since 1975. Joining him is Clare Drake who spent 28 seasons coaching the University of Alberta’s hockey team and leading them to six University Cup championships. He is the most successful coach in
Canadian University hockey history. Danielle Goyette the longtime member of Canada’s women’s hockey team will also be inducted. She has earned three gold medals and leads Canadian scorers in all time points in IIHF play.

This group will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in early November.

Written By: Tyler Smith (@tylersmith4386)