ESNY

The NHL announced the Class of 2015 for the Hockey Hall of Fame this November: Nicklas Lidstrom, Sergei Federov, Phil Housley, Chris Pronger.

By Patrick Comia

This afternoon, the Hockey Hall of Fame announced its inductees for the Class of 2015. There were seven members that will be enshrined in Toronto on November 9, later this year.

Here are the following to be given the honor:

Nicklas Lidstrom

Regarded as the best defenseman in the NHL during his days, Nicklas Lidstrom earned his induction in the first year of eligibility.

A four-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Detroit Red Wings (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008), the Swedish defenseman spent 20 seasons in the Motor City.

Known as The Perfect Human, he was named to twelve All-Star teams in his career. In 1,564 NHL games, Lidstrom amassed 1,142 points (264 goals, 878 assists) in NHL career. His total in goals and points ranks him sixth all-time among NHL defensemen. He’s earned the Norris Trophy seven times as the league’s best defenseman. In addition, Lidstrom has the distinct honor of ranking second all-time in Stanley Cup games played with 263.

In international play, Lidstrom was a twelve-time member of Team Sweden in the World Junior and regular World Championships, and the Olympics. He is a two-time Gold medalist (1991 World Championships and 2006 Olympics), and has earned Silver and Bronze medals in 1994 and 2004 world Championships.

A respected leader on and off the ice, Nicklas Lidstrom will be a welcomed addition this November.

Sergei Federov

The first of the Russian-born speedsters to grace the NHL ice, Sergei Federov will be inducted in his first year of eligibility. He and Lidstrom were teammates on the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings in 1997, 1998, and 2002.

Federov’s NHL career spans over 19 seasons, with four different franchises (Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Washington Capitals). He played in 1,248 games, scoring 1,179 points (483 goals, 696 assists). He is a six-time All-Star, winning the Fastest Skater competition twice (1992 and 1994) and Hardest Shot (2002).

Federov is also the recipient of the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player and Lester B. Pearson Award, aka The Ted Lindsay Award, for being voted the most outstanding player by the NHL PA. Both awards were given to him 1994. He has won the Frank J. Selke Award twice (1994, 1996).

His was a 12-time representative of Team Russia, formerly the Soviet Union, earning medals in nine years including four Golds. Federov was known most for being one of five members of the Red Army hockey program in the former Soviet Union to come over to the NHL.

For all that he has done and accomplished in his illustrious career, Sergei Federov is certainly worth of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Five other members joining the class of 2015:

D, Chris Pronger: 1,167 NHL games played (Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers), Stanley Cup Champion in 2007 (ANH), winner of the Hart and Norris Trophy in 2000 (a feat only matched by Hall of Fame defenseman Bobby Orr), four-time Gold medalist for Team Canada (1993,1997, 2002, 2010)

D, Phil Housley: 20 seasons NHL career, 1,495 NHL games played (Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs), selected sixth overall in the 1982 NHL Draft by the Sabres, he scored 1,232 points (338 goals, 894 assists), seven-time All-Star, won Gold as Team USA head coach at the IIHF U20 World Championships (2013), won Bronze at the Men’s World Championships as an assistant coach for Team USA (2013)

Angela Rugriero (inducted in the Player category)
Peter Karmanos, JR (inducted in the Architect category)
Bill Hay (inducted in the Architect category)

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I'm a blogger trying to make it in this world. Have been, and always will be, a fan of the NYR and NYG. Writing for the New Jersey Devils cause, well, someone has to do it!