Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2009

The other day the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2009 was announced and what better man to go into the Hall then “The Captain” himself Steve Yzerman. His accomplishments are endless. So here is just a few of them.

Ten time All Star
Lester B. Pearson Award – 1989
Conn Smythe Trophy – 1998
Frank J. Selke Trophy – 2000
Stanley Cup Champion- 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008 (Executive)
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy – 2003
Lester Patrick Trophy – 2006
Sixth in NHL history in points, eighth in goals and seventh in assists
First in Red Wings history in assists; second in points and goals; third in games played
Longest-serving captain for a team in league history

He is currently the Vice President for the Red Wings and has built a winning team with a lot of solid players. His number 19 jersey hangs high in Joe Louis Arena. However Yzerman is not the only great player going in this year. He has two of his former teammates going in as well.

Brett Hull is one of the most recognizable names in professional hockey. He is an eight time All Star and he won the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999 and the Detroit Red Wings in 2002. He also has won some awards in his career including:

Named an NHL First Team All-Star in 1990, 1991 and 1992.
Won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1990.
Won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1991.
Won the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1991.
Won the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award in 1987.

Brett Hull deserves his place in the Hall of Fame along with his father Bobby which makes them the first ever father-son duo to be in the Hall of Fame

Next up is Luc Robitaille who played with the Los Angeles Kings for the majority of his career but joined the Red Wings for two years and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2002. He two has a stellar resume which includes:

Calder Memorial Trophy – 1987
Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team – 1987
Played in Eight NHL All-Star Games
Lifetime Achievement Award from the Aquatic Foundation of Metropolitan Los Angeles (on June 8, 2006)
2007 Great Ones Award from the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation

Robitaille is definitely deserving of this honor and will always be remembered by hockey fans everywhere. I am glad he was apart of the 2002 team that won the Stanley Cup in Detroit

Last but not least is Brian Leetch who seems like he has done it all. Spent most of his career with the New York Rangers and won the Stanley Cup with them in 1994. He is another one whose accomplishments are endless.

Ten time All Star
Olympic silver medal (2002)
Olympic Tournament All-Star Team (2002)
James Norris Memorial Trophy (Defenseman of the Year) (1992, 1997)
NHL First All-Star Team (1992, 1997)
NHL Second All-Star Team (1991, 1994, 1996)
Stanley Cup champion (1994)
Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoffs MVP) (1994)
Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) (1989)
NHL All-Rookie Team (1989)
NCAA East First All-American Team (1987)
HS Player of the Year (1987)
HS Rookie of the Year (1987)
HS Tournament MVP Award (1987)
HS First All-Star Team (1987)
HS All-Rookie Team (1987)
Won gold medal at 1996 World Cup of Hockey – Was the captain of Team USA

With all that being said there is a reason Leetch is in the Hall of Fame. All four players played more then twenty years. This is definitely an impressive class this year. I am just really excited for Stevie Y. He has definitely been the face of all Detroit sports for the last twenty years. Congrats to all the Hall of Fame inductees.