NHL News: Mike Modano, Dominik Hasek Make Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2014
The NHL season might be over, but there is still plenty of celebrating to go around. The National Hockey League recently elected four new players to the NHL Hall of Fame.
Inductees included Mike Modano, Peter Forsberg, Dominik Hasek and Robert Blake. Head Coach Pat Burns was also elected to the Hall of Fame as well as referee Bill McCreary.
Here's a look at the latest crop of immortals inducted into the pantheon of hockey history:
Mike Modano
Modano is widely regarded as the greatest American born player in NHL history. Chosen as the No. 1 overall pick in 1988, Modano went on to play 20 of his 21 seasons with the Dallas Stars. His best moment came in 1999, when he led the Stars to win the Stanley Cup Championship over the Buffalo Sabres in six games despite playing with a broken wrist. Modano has the most career goals (561) as well as the most career points (1374) by an American born player in NHL history.
Dominik Hasek
Probably the most underrated goaltender of all time, nobody played between the pipes like "the Dominator." Hasek played with the most unique playing style in hockey history and that led him to an NHL record six Vezina Trophy's. Hasek's best moments include winning the 1998 WInter Olympic gold medal for the Czech Republic over Russia and winning two Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings. Hasek made his legacy in Buffalo leading them to a Stanley Cup, but the front office never built around him. Many people doubted if Hasek could win the big one and he would prove them wrong by recording an NHL-record six shutouts in the 2002 postseason.
Rob Blake
For years, Blake was one of the most feared defensive players in the league. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Blake would destroy any forward who crossed the blue line. Blake played and made his legacy for the Los Angeles Kings from 1989 to 2001. He would help the team get to the Stanley Cup in 1993 with Wayne Gretzky, but lost to the Montreal Canadiens. Blake would then play for the Colorado Avalanche and helped the team win a Stanley Cup in 2001 over the New Jersey Devils. Outside of huge hip checks and excellent defense, Blake was a skillful player who racked up 494 career points.
Peter Forsberg
Forsberg was one of the most talented players of all time who also played for the Avalanche. Unfortunately, his constant injuries will always leave people wondering "what if" with his career. Forsberg is one of the best Swedish born players in NHL history and helped the Avalanche win two Stanley Cups. In 2003, he won the Art Ross Trophy for leading the NHL in points scored.
Pat Burns
Pat Burns is the only head coach who made this year's Hall of Fame class. Burns' best moment came in 2003 when his New Jersey Devils defeated the Mighty Ducks in seven games to win the Stanley Cup. Burns had been waiting a long time to hoist the Stanley Cup Trophy as he has been a coach since the '80s with the Montreal Canadiens. Unfortunately, Burns could not see this moment; he passed away in 2010.
Bill McCreary
McCreary was one of the longest tenured officials in the league at the time of his retirement. He was best known for officiating the Stanley Cup 13 consecutive years.
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