Hockey Hall of Fame tribute

The Hockey Hall of Fame allows up to 4 new players every year. A player has to be retired for at least 3 years before being considered for the Hall of Fame. Three former Red Wings made the cut this year. Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille. Brian Leetch also made it in. All four candidates were selected in their first year nominated. Steve Yzerman, without a doubt, was the biggest name on the list this year. Only 5 players in history have scored more points than him. He won the Cup 3 times as a player and took home the Conn Smythe Trophy for the 1998 playoffs MVP. He also won the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1989, the Frank J. Selke trophy in 2000, the Bill Masterton Memorial trophy in 2003 and the Lester Patrick award in 2006. Brett Hull joins his father Bobby Hull, becoming the first father-son duo in the Hall of Fame. His 741 goals are ranked 3rd all time. He has won the Stanley Cup twice, including once as a Red Wing, and received the Lady Byng, the Hart and the Lester B. Pearson award. He spent most of his career as a member of the St. Louis Blues, but never won a championship there. Luc Robitaille has more points than any other Left Wing in NHL history. His 668 goals rank 10th all time. He is mostly known for being a member if the LA Kings, but played in Detroit for 2 seasons with the hopes of winning the Stanley Cup. He did just that in 2002. After winning the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year in 1987, he went on to play in 8 NHL All-Star games. Brian Leetch is the only defenseman and non-Red Wing to be inducted into the Hall of fame this year. He won the Cup in 1994 with the New York Rangers and was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy that year for the playoffs MVP. He is the only American-born player to win the award. He also won rookie of the year honors in 1989 and the Norris Trophy for the leagues best defenseman in 1992 and 1997. The Hall of Fame ceremonies will be held November 6-9.

Congratulations to these four outstanding players on their careers and inductions into the Hockey Hall of Fame.