The Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2016 was announced earlier this week. Those going into the Hockey Hall of Fame are Eric Lindros, Sergei Makarov, Rogie Vachon, and Pat Quinn. Let’s take a closer look at their careers.
Eric Lindros was originally selected by the Quebec Nordiques with the first pick of the 1991 NHL draft. Lindros would never play for Quebec. He even threatened to re-enter the draft in 1993. On June 20, 1992, the Nordiques made a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers in one of the most lopsided trades in NHL history. The Nordiques sent the rights to Eric Lindros to Philadelphia for defensemen Kerry Huffman and Steve Duchesne, goalie Ron Hextall, forwards Mike Ricci, Chris Simon, and Peter Forsberg. They also sent the Nordiques two first-round picks and $15 million. Forsberg was the star of the trade who ended up with two Stanley Cup rings and a Hall Of Fame career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise.
Eric Lindros played his first year in the NHL during the 1992-1993 season. He scored 41 goals and added 34 assists for 75 points. That was a taste of what he would do in the NHL. 1996 was his best season, scoring 47 goals and 68 assists for a total of 115 points, the only time he would eclipse the 100-point barrier. Lindros would stay with the Flyers until 2000. From 2001 to 2004 he was with the Rangers. In 2005 he spent one year in Toronto. Lindros finished up his career with Dallas in the 2006 to 2007 season. Lindros ended his career with a total of 372 goals and 493 assists points for a total of 865 points.
His career stats aren’t the only reason he will be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Lindros didn’t win a cup but won the Heart Memorial Trophy as the leagues’ MVP in 1995. He was an All-Star seven times. Eric Lindros was a hard working NHL player who could score anywhere on the ice. He was also one of the fastest forwards in his playing days. He is deserving of this highest award.
Sergei Makarov is best known for being on the Soviet Union Hockey team. He was on the team that lost to the USA in 1980. Makarov played in Russia, scoring 322 goals. Makarov was drafted by the Flames in 1983 but wouldn’t play in the NHL until 1988.
Makarov played in the NHL for 7 years with three different teams. In his short NHL career he scored 134 goals and added 250 assists for 384 points. When he played, he was a right winger. Makarov is going into the Hockey Hall of Fame primarily because of his play for the Soviet Union.
Pat Quinn was an outstanding NHL coach. He coached the Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, L.A. Kings, and Edmonton Oilers. Quinn coached an impressive 20 years in the NHL. He had a lifetime record of 684-528-154-34. His teams went to the playoffs 15 times. The best finish was in 1994 when Vancouver went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final where they lost to the New York Rangers in seven games.
Quinn was one of the best coaches in the NHL. He coached in an impressive 1,400 games, which is 8th on the NHL all-time list. His 684 victories ranks 7th. Quinn even won two Jack Adams Awards as the Coach of the Year in 1980 and 1992. He is worthy of this honor. It is hard to coach one year in the NHL, let alone 20 years. His teams always played hard although they never won a Cup, he still won a lot of games in the NHL.
Rogie Vachon was a goaltender who started his career in Montreal in 1966. He suited up for four teams, L.A. Kings, Montréal Canadians, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings. Vachon owns a record of 355-291-127 with a goals against average of 2.99. His 355 wins rank 19th in NHL history. Besides Vachon’s astounding record, he was a part of three Stanley Cup teams, all with Montréal. Vachon also won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender in 1968. He was also selected to the All-Star game three times. This honor is long overdue. Rogie Vachon should have been in years ago since he was one of the top goaltenders when he played. The Hockey Hall of Fame finally got it right to put him in this year.
These players and this coach were at the top of their positions. The induction will take place on November 14, 2016.
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