Quebecers Pierre Turgeon and Pierre Lacroix and Quebecer Caroline Ouellette will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023.
The organization announced this on Wednesday. The others to receive this prestigious award are goalkeepers Mike Vernon, Tom Barrasso and Henrik Lundqvist and coach Ken Hitchcock.
G Henrik Lundqvist, G Tom Barrasso, F Caroline Ouellette, C Pierre Turgeon, G Mike Vernon, coach Ken Hitchcock and GM Pierre Lacroix, your 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame class.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 21, 2023
Turgeon was the former National Hockey League (NHL) player eligible for inclusion with the most career points (1,327). The 53-year-old has been patient since 2010.
“It’s been quite an adventure and it’s a privilege to be a part of such an adventure. It’s crazy to think that I played hockey for a living. Also, I still play twice a week because I love this sport so much,” the former forward reacted during a conference call organized by the Hall of Fame.
A native of Rouyn-Noranda, he played in 1,294 games and wore the colors of the Buffalo Sabers (1987-1991), the New York Islanders (1991-1994), the Montreal Canadiens (1994-1996) and the Blues of St. Louis (1996-2001). ), the Dallas Stars (2001 to 2004) and the Colorado Avalanche (2005 to 2007).
Turgeon also captained the CH for almost two seasons.
Double blow for Ouellette
For her part, Ouellette was in for a pleasant surprise, as at the time of the Hall of Fame announcement she was in the process of being nominated a Knight of the National Order of Quebec by the National Assembly.
“It’s a magical day for me. During the ceremony with the Prime Minister, I missed a few calls from Toronto. It really is the greatest honor as a hockey player. It allows me to thank my parents for everything they have done for me. “It’s one of the greatest achievements and you never believe that something like this can happen to you when you’re in the heat of the moment,” she said after hearing the news.
Ouellette has played 79 games for Canada at the Olympics or World Championships. His impressive achievements include four Olympic gold medals. The 43-year-old Quebecer has also won six gold medals and as many silver medals at world championships.
This is the second time in a few months that she has received this type of award. Last December, she learned that she was one of the 2023 class inductees into the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame in 2023.
Bittersweet for the Lacroix family
A former players’ agent, particularly of goalkeeper Patrick Roy, Lacroix was the architect of the great vintages of the Colorado Avalanche, formerly Quebec Nordiques. The man, who died on December 13, 2020 and landed in the Old Capital as general manager in 1994, acquired Casseau on December 6, 1995 in the now famous transaction with the Canadian. A few months later, the Avs clinched the Stanley Cup, only to do it again in 2001. Lacroix remained at the helm until 2006 before becoming the club’s president. He assumed this responsibility for seven years.
“It’s a dream come true and I thought it would never happen. He wanted it so bad. Thank you for this gift,” said Lacroix’s widow Colombe, bursting into tears.
“It’s a bit bittersweet for us because he left us a few years ago, but thank you,” added the builder’s son, Éric Lacroix.
Cuvée of the Guardians
Ice hockey fans quickly noticed that three former goalies are among the newcomers. Lundqvist represented, among other things, one of the faces of the New York Rangers, the only club he played for on the ice. The Swede has a career total of 459 wins, ranking sixth in NHL history. However, he never won the Stanley Cup in his 15-year career, which ended before the 2020–21 schedule; Heart problems prevented him from making his debut with the Washington Capitals. King Henrik won the Vezina Trophy in 2011-2012.
Moreover, Lundqvist’s rapid entry into the temple leaves little doubt as to the possible enthronement of a certain Carey Price.
For their part, Vernon and Barrasso had the joy of winning the Stanley Cup. The first made it twice, in 1989 with the Calgary Flames and in 1997 with the Red Wings. The second also managed the feat twice. He did this in 1991 and 1992 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
A great absentee
The exclusion of ex-attacker Alexander Mogilny caused a stir on social networks.
“But what could Mogilny have done to these people?” responded, in particular, the journalist of the website The Athletic, Arpon Basu.
What the hell did Alex Mogilny do to these people?
–Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) June 21, 2023
The Russian forward played 990 games in the NHL and scored 1032 points. Mogilny won the 2000 Stanley Cup with the Devils, an Olympic gold medal with the Soviet Union at the Calgary Games in 1988, and a gold medal at the 1989 World Championships. He is one of six players to have won all three awards and scored at least 400 NHL goals.
The 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on November 13.