November 8, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Class of 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Jeremy Roenick (left) is greeted by members of the Hockey Hall of Fame before the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory credit: Image John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Jeremy Roenick, who spent 20 years in the NHL, was hit by the emotion of the moment when he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Friday.
The 54-year-old Boston native is joined in the Class of 2024 by former NHL players Pavel Datsyuk and Shea Weber, women’s stars Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl, and executives Colin Campbell and David Poile.
Roenick composed himself at the beginning of his speech before saying, “I love this game. It’s a big part of my life and this is the best way I can finally end this chapter in my life.”
Roenick compiled a total of 513 goals with 703 assists with the Chicago Blackhawks (1988-89 to 1995-96), Phoenix Coyotes (1996-97 to 2000-01 and 2006-07), Philadelphia Flyers (2001-02 to 2003). -04), Los Angeles Kings (2005-06) and San Jose Sharks (2007-08 and 2008-09).
Only Brett Hull, Mike Modano and Keith Tkachuk scored more goals in the NHL than Roenick among US-born players.
Datsyuk, a 46-year-old Russian, spent all 14 seasons in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings. He scored 918 points (314 goals, 604 assists) and was part of teams that won the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008. Datsyuk also won an Olympic gold medal in 2018 and became the fourth recipient of the Lady Byng Trophy, which is given to men. prevail.
“When I stand here today, I know that being included in the Hockey Hall of Fame is an incredible honor, an honor that I could not dream of, but this moment is not only mine. It is shared with all of you,” Datsyuk said there.
Weber, a 39-year-old British Columbia native, played with the Nashville Predators from 2005-06 to 2015-16 and then with the Montreal Canadiens from 2016-17 to 2020-21. The defenseman posted 589 points (224 goals, 365 assists) in the NHL and won gold with Canada in 2010 and 2014.
“I want to thank all the players who showed the importance of hard work and dedication,” Weber said Monday. “By passing on your knowledge to the next generation, you will ensure that the spirit of this game continues to grow.
“It’s also when the coaches and staff teach you the nuances of the game. They challenge you to get better every day.”
Darwitz scored the winning goal for Minnesota in the 2005 NCAA championship game against Harvard. He played for the United States in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Olympics.
“I’m not your everyday girl, and that’s how my mom treated me,” Darwitz said Monday. “Despite some obvious distraction techniques, in the name of tap dance classes and shopping trips, he knew where my heart was, and on my fifth birthday, my blonde French braid walked to the hockey rink.”
Wendell-Pohl, another Golden Gophers great, received the Patty Kazmaier Award for the top women’s college hockey player in 2005. She was elected MVP of the 2005 IIHF World Championships, when the US team won the first gold medal, and she was the champion. captain of the 2006 Olympic team.
“I feel fortunate that hockey has allowed me to represent not only my hometown, my state, but my country,” Wendell-Pohl said. “Playing in the Olympics is not why I started playing hockey, but I am grateful to have been blessed and have the opportunity to wear the red, white and blue.”
Campbell has been a player, coach and executive in his 52-year hockey career, and he has served as senior executive vice president for NHL hockey operations, officials and the central scouting department for 25 years. Campbell won the Stanley Cup as the associate coach of the New York Rangers in 1994.
Poile is retiring as general manager of the Nashville Predators in 2023 after becoming the winningest and longest tenured general manager in league history. He was GM of the Washington Capitals from 1982-97, then served in the same role in Nashville for 27 years.
–Field Level Media
