Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'Hockey Hall of Fame'.
Found 2 results
-
Making a Case for Alexander Mogilny
It's a Canadian Game posted a blog entry in It's a Canadian Game
The newest class of inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame was announced Monday. This November the likes of Dominik Hasek, Peter Foresberg, Rob Blake, Mike Modano, Pat Burns, and Bill McCreary will become the newest members to be enshrined in the hall. With this year’s class named, questions about who was left off this year’s card begin to swirl. The most popular name that had been receiving a lot of consideration in the days leading up to Monday’s announcement was ‘the Big E’ Eric Lindros. However, once again Lindros was not fortunate enough to have his name added among the game’s great which now makes it five years now that Lindros has been left off the ballad since he became eligible to be inducted. Now although Lindros’ name seems to be the name people bring up when they talk about Hall of Fame snubs, another name that has also been snubbed by the hall and deserves some serious consideration is Russian great Alexander Mogilny. Like Lindros, Mogilny has been eligible to be inducted into the hall since 2009. Now although Mogilny may not have put up the most points by any Russian and may not be on a lot of people’s radar to get into the hall, there is no question that what he did on the ice and for the game was nothing short of great. The original ‘Alexander the Great’ deserves to be remembered for what he did for the sport. The Russian sniper finished his NHL career having racked up 473 goals and 1,032 points in 990 games. On top of that Mogilny is a member of the very rare Triple Gold club after winning the Stanley Cup in 2000, the World Championship in 1989, and Olympic Gold in 1988. However, what Mogilny might be known most for is the path he carved for Russian players. Mogilny was the first player to ever defect from the Soviet Union. In doing this Mogilny became the first Russian born player to lead the league in goals, when he tied Teemu Selanne with 76 in 1992-93, and became the first Russian to captain a NHL team. On top of winning Olympic gold, Mogilny also won World Junior gold in 1989 when he played on what some call the greatest line the tournament has ever seen. During the 1989 championship, Mogilny played on a line with fellow Russian greats Sergei Federov and Pavel Bure. In fact Federov believed it was Mogilny who was more skilled player on that line. “Alex, I think, was the strongest. He has the most agility, the quickest release and the best shot, the leader of our line,” said Federov. Mats Sundin once referred to him as the most talented player he had ever played with and Pat Quinn, his former coach and now chairman of the Hall of Fame, once described Mogilny as “having good size and wonderful skating ability, he can play any kind of game.” Mogilny is also a six-time all-star, winner of the Lady Byng Trophy in 2003, and was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2011. Mogilny would have won the Rocket Richard Trophy in 92-93 had the award existed at the time and above all was a threat on the ice every time he played. Mogilny had the respect of his peers and was among some of the greats during his time in the league. He led the way on the scoreboard and led the way for Russian players in the NHL. There are many great players still waiting to have their name one day immortalized among the best and ‘Alexander the Great’ deserves to one day be among them. Follow me on Twitter: @Craig_Hagerman -
This past Monday saw the induction of another 4 of the greatest players to ever play the game into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Hall saw the likes of Mats Sundin, Joe Sakic, Adam Oates, and Pavel Bure take their spot among the game's greats. Now with that in mind lets take a look at some of the players who may get their call come next year. Brendan Shanahan (HFD/DET/NJ/STL/NYR) Brendan Shanahan was a dominate force on the ice and in his prime was one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the league. Shanahan ranks 11th on the all-time goals list with 656 to his name. He ranks 25th on the all time points list and racked up 100+ penalty minutes in 17 seasons. Shanahan played over 1,500 games in the NHL and on top of that had the chance to represent his country on several occasions including capturing gold as a member of Team Canada during the 2002 Olympics. Rob Blake (LAK/COL/SJ) Rob Blake was one of the game's most complete defensemen. Blake could do it all, he could put the puck in the net or he could put players through the boards. Blake captained the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks and finally hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2001 with the Colorado Avalanche. Blake finished his career with 777 points in 1,270 career games, finding the back of the net 240 times. Blake took part in 6 NHL all-star games, won gold with Canada in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, and was fortunate enough to win the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 1997-98. Chris Chelios (MON/CHI/DET/ATL) Chris Chelios was another one of the game's great defensemen in his prime. Chelios played both a physical and offensive game finishing his career with 185 goals and 948 points. Chelios played in 11 all-star games and ranks 12th all-time in penalty minutes with 2,891. Chelios will also go down having played 1,651 games (5th all-time) and for 26 seasons tying a record set by Gordie Howe. His 1,651 games is also the most by a defenseman. Chelios captained the Blackhawks from 1995-1999 and won 3 Norris Trophies and 3 Stanley Cups along the way. Eric Lindros (PHI/NYR/TOR/DAL) http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ed5VhR18hC8/TB7hz2b93UI/AAAAAAAAAX0/XmqI9EDHn7A/s1600/article_10827_2.jpg Eric Lindros burst into the league as by far the one of the greatest and most talented players to play in the NHL. He had size, physicality, and soft hands. Lindros was expected to finish his career among the greats, and although he put up impressive numbers ultimately lingering injuries plagued Lindros' career. Lindros suffered from several concussions during his career, his most severe coming from a devastating hit from Scott Stevens. Lindros would finish his career with 865 points in 760 games and a MVP title in 1994-95. Lindros could have put up much higher numbers in his career had injuries not plagued him, but he was still talented enough to be seen as one of the league's greats. Curtis Joseph (STL/EDM/TOR/DET/CAL/PHO) http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2fd6baeAw1qeev66o1_400.jpg Curtis Joseph or "Cujo" as the fans called him was one of the top goalies of his time. Although Joseph never lead the league in major categories he was always among the best in the league, being consistent throughout his career. Joseph ranks 4th all-time in wins and 5th all-time in games played. Cujo was part of the 2002 Olympic hockey team that won gold despite only playing in one game. Joseph was a 3-time all-star and was the recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1999-2000 for his leadership and his on and off ice contributions to his community. Joseph is tied for 22nd on the all-time shutouts list with 51 and should definetlly be a consideration for the Hall. Alexander Mogilny (BUF/VAN/NJ/TOR) http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/trophies/winners/LBT2003.jpg Alexander Mogilny may be on the list because he is my favourite player, but he has also put up the numbers to make it to the Hall. Mogilny finished his career with 1,032 points in 990 games. He scored 437 goals, with his most impressive year coming in 1992-1993 when he scored 76 goals and 127 points in 77 games. Mogilny won the Lady Byng Trophy in 2002-2003 as the league's most gentlemanly player while also playing at a skilled level of play. He is tied for the NHL record for the fastest goal to start a game, scoring just 5 seconds in to a game. In 2000 Mogilny was a member of the Stanley Cup winning New Jersey Devils. Mogilny will also be remembered for his part in the 1996 World Championship when Russia despite a dominating performance lost in the semi-finals. It will be remembered because Mogilny was part of, what many believed to be the greatest forward line ever assembled, playing on a line with Pavel Bure and Sergei Federov. All 6 of these players have achieved a lot throughout their careers and may one day be immortalized in the Hall of Fame. Who do you think will make the class of 2013? Follow me on Twitter @Craig_Hagerman
