The Hockey Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2024, highlighting a group of seven distinguished individuals who have significantly shaped the game of hockey. Scheduled for induction on November 11, 2024, the class includes five players and two builders who have left indelible marks on the sport.
The Players
Jeremy Roenick headlines the list of players. Over his prolific 20-year career in the NHL, Roenick played for five different franchises. He amassed an impressive 513 goals and 703 assists across 1,363 games. Notably, Roenick holds the position of fourth in goals and fifth in points among American-born players in NHL history, a testament to his enduring impact on the league.
Pavel Datsyuk, another notable inductee, spent 14 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, earning accolades for his masterful playmaking and defensive prowess. Datsyuk was a Selke Trophy contender in ten different years, securing the prestigious award three consecutive times from 2008 to 2010. His career statistics include 314 goals and 604 assists over 953 games, and he was instrumental in leading the Red Wings to two Stanley Cup championships.
Recognized for his defensive tenacity, Shea Weber's career spanned 16 years with the Nashville Predators and the Montreal Canadiens. Known for his booming slap shot and steady leadership, Weber tallied 224 goals and 365 assists. He was a three-time Norris Trophy finalist and played a pivotal role in guiding the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020.
On the women's hockey front, Natalie Darwitz's induction showcases her brilliant international and collegiate career. Leading the University of Minnesota to a national championship in 2005, Darwitz scored the game-winning goal in the final against Harvard. Her international résumé includes two Olympic silver medals and a bronze, along with three golds and five silvers at the World Championships.
Joining Darwitz in recognition of their contributions to women's hockey is Krissy Wendell-Pohl. With an impressive 147 international games to her name, Wendell-Pohl scored 106 goals and earned an Olympic silver and bronze medal. In 2005, her stellar performance helped Team USA clinch the gold medal at the World Championships, where she was named tournament MVP.
The Builders
David Poile, the winningest general manager in NHL history, is among the two builders being honored. Poile's career, defined by an incredible 1,533 regular-season victories, saw him as the only GM in Nashville Predators' history until his retirement last year. His strategic acumen guided the Predators to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2017, solidifying his legacy as one of hockey's astute minds.
Rounding out the class is Colin Campbell, whose diverse career in hockey spans playing, coaching, and executive roles. Campbell's 11 seasons as an NHL player provided the foundation for his subsequent successful coaching career, including a Stanley Cup win as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers in 1994. He also served as the Rangers' head coach for four seasons before transitioning to an administrative role. For the past 25 years, Campbell has served as an Executive Vice President for the NHL, significantly shaping the league's operations and regulations.
The Hockey Hall of Fame's class of 2024 embodies excellence, dedication, and transformative influence on the sport. Each inductee has not only left a permanent mark on the ice but also contributed to the game's growth and evolution off it. As the hockey community prepares to celebrate these outstanding individuals in November, their legacies serve as inspiration for future generations.