Question Time: SDIH Hockey Hall of Fame... With a Twist!
As I awoke from my slumber on this cloudy and possibly rainsoaked Manchester morning, I found Mike's question of the week sitting in my phone, which read thusly, "Imagine if you will, a Seven Days In Hockey Hall Of Fame. Sounds like
plan. But there's a catch. You can only have one player of each
nationality.Which do you pick and why?"
This will be quite possibly the toughest question I have ever faced! So as always, let's go to war!! To the other talent players left out of this list- its not a personal, I just didnt have space!
Seven Days in Hockey Hall of Fame
Canada
Wayne Gretzky: We'll start with the most obvious candidate in our hall of fame- The Great One's achievements are the ones that we mere mortals only dream about and during his glorious 21 Year career which took in four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings, St Louis Blues and the New York Rangers, he held over 60 hockey records at the time of his retirement, including 8 Hart Trophys. But it was his point scoring record and his intelligent style of play which make him the first addition to this list- as a child his father made him study the ice whilst playing their backyard, his teaching paid off and Gretzky to this day still holds an unbeatable points total of 2,857 points! Because of this success the Ontario native beats out fellow Canadian legends Gordie 'Mr Hockey' Howe, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux to become the Canadian rep in this hall! For a list of his achievements- just click here!
USA
Chris Chelios: Deservedly elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame this year, Chelios proved to be one of the NHL's defensive greats over his incredibly long career which ended in 2010 at the age of 48! During his career which took in great stints at the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and the Atlanta Thrashers, he played more games than any other defenseman with 1,651 games and scored over 948 points. He also won three Stanley cups starting in 1986 with the Habs and won two cups in 02 and 08 with the Red Wings! The fact that he also survived a brutal hit from notorious Flyers goalie Ron Hextall more than proves Chelios is worthy of his place in this list!
Russia
Sergei Federov: On first glance here I know that most fans will cry, "What! No Ovechkin!" well I left off Alexander the Great for two reasons- One: he's still playing and Two: Still no Stanley Cup! Sergei Federov however, currently still stands as the all time leading Russian goalscorer in the NHL with an impressive points total of 1,179 points. His time at the Detroit Red Wings will always be fondly remembered and he took them to three Stanley Cup wins in 1997, 2002 & 2008 and he was made a Hart Trophy winner in 1994 (first European player to do so) and will always be remembered as one of the most skilled European players to ever grace North America. Call me in a few years when you have this record Alex- then we'll talk!
Finland
Saku Koivu: I know that Koivu's is still currently playing in the NHL for the Anaheim Ducks, but I include him in this list for his sheer determination and strength over the years in the face of adversity. In 2001 Koivu was diagnosed with a non Hodgkins Lymphoma and was expected to be out for some time, but incredibly he returned to the ice only seven months later to the Montreal Canadiens qualify for the playoffs! He was also the Habs' first ever European born Captain and has been named an All Star twice- Koivu is still going strong at 38 and has played over 1058 games and has an impressive offensive record of 803 points! On his courage alone, this man makes the list for Finland!
Sweden
Niklas Lidstrom: The Big Swede's number 5 Jersey will soon be raised to the rafter's at the Joe Louis Arena in tribute to his 20 great years for the Detroit Red Wings and after an incredible four Stanley Cup wins, 1,142 career points and over seven James Norris Trophies, his nickname 'Mr Perfect' has been well earned and he is often regarded as one of the leagues greatest defensemen. Also unlike the other candidates Lidstrom is a member of the Triple Gold Club as he won an Olympic Gold with Sweden in 2006, scoring the game winning goal and added a World Championship win in 1991 to cup what has been a truly remarkable career.
Czech Republic
Jaromir Jagr: It was tough deciding between Jagr and the other Czech great Dominic Hasek, but I include Jagr because at the age of 41 he is still among the top players of the NHL and after being drafted 5th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1990 he has become one of the NHL's most deadly weapons taking in a career for over 7 different teams and currently he stands as the top scoring Czech in the NHL with over 1,688 points! He is another of the triple gold club with two Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 1991 & 1992, two World Championships in 2005 & 2010 and more notably he led the Czech to the Gold Medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics! New Jersey Devils have recently signed Jagr and they should think themselves wise to do so, because this man will be a scoring machine for years to come!
Making this list has been one of the toughest things I have ever done and I am sorry to other established stars who havent made the list, maybe in the next few years we may see another different list altogether- but until then I give you our official Hall of Fame Candidates!
This will be quite possibly the toughest question I have ever faced! So as always, let's go to war!! To the other talent players left out of this list- its not a personal, I just didnt have space!
Seven Days in Hockey Hall of Fame
Canada
Wayne Gretzky: We'll start with the most obvious candidate in our hall of fame- The Great One's achievements are the ones that we mere mortals only dream about and during his glorious 21 Year career which took in four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings, St Louis Blues and the New York Rangers, he held over 60 hockey records at the time of his retirement, including 8 Hart Trophys. But it was his point scoring record and his intelligent style of play which make him the first addition to this list- as a child his father made him study the ice whilst playing their backyard, his teaching paid off and Gretzky to this day still holds an unbeatable points total of 2,857 points! Because of this success the Ontario native beats out fellow Canadian legends Gordie 'Mr Hockey' Howe, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux to become the Canadian rep in this hall! For a list of his achievements- just click here!
USA
Chris Chelios: Deservedly elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame this year, Chelios proved to be one of the NHL's defensive greats over his incredibly long career which ended in 2010 at the age of 48! During his career which took in great stints at the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and the Atlanta Thrashers, he played more games than any other defenseman with 1,651 games and scored over 948 points. He also won three Stanley cups starting in 1986 with the Habs and won two cups in 02 and 08 with the Red Wings! The fact that he also survived a brutal hit from notorious Flyers goalie Ron Hextall more than proves Chelios is worthy of his place in this list!
Russia
Sergei Federov: On first glance here I know that most fans will cry, "What! No Ovechkin!" well I left off Alexander the Great for two reasons- One: he's still playing and Two: Still no Stanley Cup! Sergei Federov however, currently still stands as the all time leading Russian goalscorer in the NHL with an impressive points total of 1,179 points. His time at the Detroit Red Wings will always be fondly remembered and he took them to three Stanley Cup wins in 1997, 2002 & 2008 and he was made a Hart Trophy winner in 1994 (first European player to do so) and will always be remembered as one of the most skilled European players to ever grace North America. Call me in a few years when you have this record Alex- then we'll talk!
Finland
Saku Koivu: I know that Koivu's is still currently playing in the NHL for the Anaheim Ducks, but I include him in this list for his sheer determination and strength over the years in the face of adversity. In 2001 Koivu was diagnosed with a non Hodgkins Lymphoma and was expected to be out for some time, but incredibly he returned to the ice only seven months later to the Montreal Canadiens qualify for the playoffs! He was also the Habs' first ever European born Captain and has been named an All Star twice- Koivu is still going strong at 38 and has played over 1058 games and has an impressive offensive record of 803 points! On his courage alone, this man makes the list for Finland!
Sweden
Niklas Lidstrom: The Big Swede's number 5 Jersey will soon be raised to the rafter's at the Joe Louis Arena in tribute to his 20 great years for the Detroit Red Wings and after an incredible four Stanley Cup wins, 1,142 career points and over seven James Norris Trophies, his nickname 'Mr Perfect' has been well earned and he is often regarded as one of the leagues greatest defensemen. Also unlike the other candidates Lidstrom is a member of the Triple Gold Club as he won an Olympic Gold with Sweden in 2006, scoring the game winning goal and added a World Championship win in 1991 to cup what has been a truly remarkable career.
Czech Republic
Jaromir Jagr: It was tough deciding between Jagr and the other Czech great Dominic Hasek, but I include Jagr because at the age of 41 he is still among the top players of the NHL and after being drafted 5th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1990 he has become one of the NHL's most deadly weapons taking in a career for over 7 different teams and currently he stands as the top scoring Czech in the NHL with over 1,688 points! He is another of the triple gold club with two Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 1991 & 1992, two World Championships in 2005 & 2010 and more notably he led the Czech to the Gold Medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics! New Jersey Devils have recently signed Jagr and they should think themselves wise to do so, because this man will be a scoring machine for years to come!
Making this list has been one of the toughest things I have ever done and I am sorry to other established stars who havent made the list, maybe in the next few years we may see another different list altogether- but until then I give you our official Hall of Fame Candidates!
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