Zdeno Chara, a former defensive player for the Boston Bruins, and Joe Thornton, a renowned forward from the San Jose Sharks, were among the NHL athletes chosen for the Hockey Hall of Fame on the specified Tuesday. Duncan Keith and Alexander Mogilny were additionally selected as part of the group entering in 2025.
Chara, Keith, and Thornton were all honored with selection during their initial year of eligibility for the Hockey Hall of Fame.
To gain induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, hopefuls must secure a minimum of 75% approval from the selection panel. In any given year, the maximum allowable selections are four retired male players, two retired female players, and two individuals in the “Builders” category.
Jennifer Botterill, a former forward for the Canadian women’s national squad, and Brianna Decker, previously a forward for the United States women’s national team, have both been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Furthermore, Jack Parker, a former coach at Boston University, and Daniele Sauvageau, a former coach of the Canadian women’s national team, will be inducted in the Builders Category.
Chara’s illustrious career saw him primarily play for the Boston Bruins (2006-20), but he also had stints with the New York Islanders (1997-2001, 2021-22), Ottawa Senators (2001-06), and Washington Capitals (2020-21). Across his 24 years in the NHL, the sturdy defenseman accumulated 680 points (209 goals & 471 assists). He was instrumental in the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup victory and received the Norris Trophy in 2008-09 as the NHL’s top defenseman.
Thornton participated in 24 NHL seasons, amassing a total of 1,539 career points (430 goals & 1,109 assists) while representing the Bruins (1997-2005), San Jose Sharks (2005-20), Toronto Maple Leafs (2020-21), and Florida Panthers (2021-22). This accomplished forward is ranked 14th in all-time points and stands as one of just 16 players to have surpassed 1,500 points. Moreover, in 2005-06, he was awarded the Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player and the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer with 125 points (29 goals & 96 assists).
Keith spent many years as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks (2005-21) and played a vital role in the team’s three Stanley Cup championships during the 2010s. He was also the recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Keith’s NHL career included 646 points (106 goals & 540 assists) across 1,256 regular-season games, along with 19 goals and 72 assists in 151 playoff games. Twice, the Blackhawks celebrated his Norris Trophy wins (2009-10 & 2013-14), which recognize the league’s premier defenseman.
Mogilny’s professional journey began with the Buffalo Sabres after he was chosen in the fifth round of the 1988 NHL Draft. He holds the distinction of being the first player from the Soviet Union in NHL history to defect in order to pursue a career in the league. This talented winger accumulated 1,032 points (473 goals & 559 assists) in 990 career games played for the Sabres (1989-95), Vancouver Canucks (1995-2000), New Jersey Devils (2000-01, 2005-06), and Toronto Maple Leafs (2001-04). Mogilny contributed to the Devils’ Stanley Cup victory in 2000.
The induction ceremony for the eight individuals comprising the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame class is scheduled for November 10 in Toronto.
