Mogilny Joins Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2025

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    Alexander Mogilny has finally been recognized with election to the Hockey Hall of Fame, ending a long wait for the accomplished Russian winger. On Tuesday, Mogilny was announced as part of the distinguished eight-member class of 2025. The selection also includes former NHL stars Joe Thornton, Zdeno Chara, and Duncan Keith, alongside women’s hockey luminaries Brianna Decker and Jennifer Botterill. Mogilny’s name had been passed over for 16 consecutive years since becoming eligible in 2009, only to be embraced by the Hall on his 17th try.

    Duncan Keith shared that he grew up witnessing Mogilny’s skill and speed during his time with the Vancouver Canucks, which left a lasting impression on him. “I was sitting up in the nosebleed sections, and he stood out just with his speed and skill,” Keith recalled. “It’s an incredible feeling to be inducted, especially alongside a player like Alex. He deserves the honor, and it’s special to enter the Hall with him.”

    Ron Francis, chairing the 18-person selection committee for the first time, highlighted Mogilny’s career achievements. Mogilny is part of the elite Triple Gold Club, having won an Olympic gold medal, World Championship, and Stanley Cup. In the 1992-93 season, he dazzled the NHL by leading in goals with a count of 76, a record tied for the fifth highest in a single season. His remarkable journey began after he defected from the Soviet Union, leaving the 1989 World Championships in Stockholm to join the Buffalo Sabres, who had drafted him the year before.

    Although Mogilny was not part of the annual conference call, his statement expressed gratitude: “I am happy to be part of a great organization like the Hockey Hall. I want to thank both my Russian and NHL teammates for helping me achieve this honor.” Lanny McDonald, the outgoing Hall of Fame chairman, revealed the amusing moment when Mogilny picked up the induction call in the dead of night, at 3 a.m. in Russia.

    Chara, Thornton, and Keith made it into the Hall in their first year of eligibility, while other notable names like Carey Price and Ryan Getzlaf were not selected. Thornton, who claimed the Hart Trophy and topped NHL scoring in the 2005-06 season, stands 14th on the league’s all-time points tally with 1,539 points. Mike Grier, one of Thornton’s former teammates, praised his playmaking vision and toughness, noting that Thornton was “underrated” and a formidable force both on and off the puck.

    Chara, recognized with the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman in 2008-09, led the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 2011. Meanwhile, Duncan Keith celebrated lifting the Stanley Cup three times with the Chicago Blackhawks and twice earning the Norris Trophy. For only the third time since women’s candidates became eligible, two women were inducted into the Hall of Fame simultaneously. Jennifer Botterill’s illustrious career includes three Olympic gold medals with Canada and being the only player to win the Patty Kazmaier Award for top NCAA player twice. Her American counterpart, Brianna Decker, also a Kazmaier awardee, seized gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and boasts six world championships.

    Longtime collegiate coach Jack Parker and Daniele Sauvageau were honored in the builders category. Sauvageau notably becomes the first woman to enter the Hall as a builder, currently serving as the Montreal GM in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Her election came about during a perfectly timed moment before the PWHL draft and after interviewing a potential draft choice. “I couldn’t speak when I got the call,” Sauvageau said. “The timing couldn’t have been better.”