The Hockey Hall of Fame just unveiled its 2023 class of inductees, and the list is dominated by goalies. The New York Rangers’ legend Henrik Lundqvist, 1984 Vezina Trophy winner Tom Barrasso and two-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Vernon all made the cut.
Lundqvist, Barrasso, and Vernon will be joined by former NY Islanders and St. Louis Blues’ center Pierre Turgeon, four-time Olympic gold winner Caroline Ouellette, head coach Ken Hitchcock and late Colorado Avalanche’ executive Pierre Lacroix.
Lundqvist has made it to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He spent 15 seasons with the Rangers, winning Vezina Trophy in 2012 and making the All-Star team five times. Lundqvist also has an Olympic gold medal and World Championship win with Sweden.
“Growing up as a kid, thinking about players in the Hall of Fame, it was such a big inspiration to me. It’s why I started playing hockey,” said Lundqvist after the news was confirmed. “Even thinking about Tom and Mike, I remember having posters on the wall of both of you guys.”
Barrasso and Vernon both needed almost two decades to get the nod. Barrasso was eligible since 2006, while Vernon’s eligibility started in 2005.
Ouellette, on the other hand, is heading to the Hall of Fame in her second attempt. She is one of the most accomplished athletes at the Winter Olympics, with four consecutive gold medals. Only four more athletes in history managed the same feat.
