They have waited longer than most after receiving the call from Lanny McDonald, but the time has finally come. The 2020-21 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees received their rings on Friday afternoon and have officially been enshrined into the hall.
The six newest inductees got the call in late June 2019 that they would be inducted into the Esso Great Hall, however, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the yearly celebrations to be postponed until it was deemed safe to return. Finally, on November 12th, Kim St. Pierre, Ken Holland, Kevin Lowe, Jarome Iginla, Doug Wilson, and Marian Hossa had their plaques installed among the walls of greats, while gathering as a class to kick off the celebratory weekend.
About the Inductees
Kim St. Pierre
Just the eighth female and the first goaltender inducted into the Hall of Fame, Kim St. Pierre is the embodiment of everything a Hall of Famer should be. The 42-year-old is a trailblazer who has helped pave the way for future generations of young female hockey players. When she was growing up, there were not many options for young girls to play hockey. St. Pierre, a Chateauguay, QC, native played with the boys. From the age of eight until the age of 18, she competed among men at the AA level, and was the first female to play in the Quebec Midget AAA League after splitting an exhibition game in 1994-95. From 1998-2004, St. Pierre played collegiate hockey at McGill University, while also skating with Canada’s National Women’s Team.
Her long list of accolades is highlighted by three gold medals at the 2002, 2006, and 2010 Winter Olympics with Team Canada, five gold and four silver medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championships, a gold medal at the 2010 4 Nations cup, and two two Clarkson Cup championships (2009, 2011). Before all that, she won a CIS Championship with McGill’s women’s hockey program. Her individual awards and accolades are highlighted by being named the CWHL’s top goaltender in 2008, 2009, and 2011. St. Pierre was also recognized as the World Championship’s best goaltender on two occasions (2001, 2004), and was named the best goaltender at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. For the full and long list of personal and team based awards and accolades, click the URL attached below. https://kimstpierre.com/st-pierre-international-stats
Marian Hossa
Marian Hossa had a long and storied NHL career in which he donned a variety of sweaters. The Slovakian superstar becomes just the third from Slovakia inducted into the Hall, joining Peter Stastney and Stan Mikita. Hossa was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the first round (12th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Throughout his 19-year career, he skated with the Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Blackhawks. Due to a skin condition, he was forced to retire prior to the 2017-18 season, despite stating that he knows had he been able to, he would have prolonged his illustrious career. His rights were later traded to the Arizona Coyotes.
Hossa became the first player in NHL history to play in three-consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, doing so with three different teams. After signing with the Blackhawks in 2009-10, the winger became a Stanley Cup champion for the first time that very season. He went on to win three cups in Chicago, helping to cement the team as a “Dynasty”, as described by league commissioner Gary Bettman. In addition to his three Stanley Cup victories, the 42-year-old won a Slovakian Extraliga championship, while securing a WHL championship and a Memorial Cup. He was named Slovakian Player of the Year four times, and was selected on six occasions to the NHL All-Star team.
Doug Wilson
Before he traded in his locker room stall for the big office, Doug Wilson was an NHL Superstar. Spending the majority of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks, the former blue-liner played in the league for 16-seasons, 14 of which were in the Windy City. The final two years of his playing tenure were spent with the San Jose Sharks in which he was named the first captain in franchise history. Wilson joined the Sharks in their first season as an NHL franchise and was immediately appointed to the leadership group. Having been traded by the Blackhawks to San Jose, that would set up the defender’s post-playing career. Upon officially hanging up the skates, Wilson spent four years as a team consultant with the U20 Canadian National Team before finding his way back to the NHL. It was at that point that he re-joined the Sharks in 1997-98 as the Director of Player Personnel and Pro Development. 25 years later, and Wilson is still going strong with the franchise as General Manager.
A native of Ottawa, ON, Wilson won the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman during the 1981-82 campaign. It was his best season in the NHL, as he scored a staggering 85 points across 76 contests. He scored a career high 39 goals and added 46 assists, finishing as the league’s second highest scoring defenseman, while tallying the most goals by a blue-liner. Wilson’s offensive production during his time in Chicago led to his name being etched in the history books. Amassing 779 points in 938 games dawning a Blackhawks Jersey, Wilson became the club’s highest scoring defenseman in franchise history, a record which he still holds to this very day. Wilson was a 7x NHL All-Star, being named to the first NHL All-Star team once and the second All-Star team twice. In addition to his NHL playing career, Wilson represented his country, winning the Canada Cup back in 1984.
Kevin Lowe
An integral part of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty alongside the company of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, Kevin Lowe is the newest member of the historic Oilers team to receive hockey’s highest honour. Adding another ring to his collection, Lowe hoisted the Stanley Cup six times throughout the duration of his 19-year playing career. Of his six Stanley Cup rings, he won five as a member of the Oilers in 1984, 85, 87, 88, and 89. He was later traded to the New York Rangers and spent four seasons competing in the Big Apple. He won the cup with the Rangers in 1993-94, ending a championship drought of more than 50 years. After his tenure ended in New York, Lowe returned to Edmonton, where he spent one full year with the team, playing in just seven games in which he retired after playing in five games. Lowe would come back later in the season in 1997-98 before calling it a career.
He was Edmonton’s first NHL draft pick in franchise history, later going on the score the first goal for the hockey club. Lowe was named the team’s captain in 1991-92, and spent the previous five sporting the “A” on her jersey. He was also an alternate captain during the 1993-94 season with the New York Rangers.
Lowe, a seven-time NHL All-Star, concluded his playing career as the team’s all-time leader in regular season and playoff games, and was a recipient of the team’s Defenseman of the Year award. Following the conclusion of his playing career, he eventually reunited with Edmonton in a coaching role.
In two separate stints from 1998-99 and 2014-15, Lowe tried his hand at different roles with the team. Starting as an assistant then working his way up to head coach, he quickly transitioned to a management role, becoming the General Manager and executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. He’d go on to become the President of Hockey Operations before leaving the team in the spring of 2015.
Jarome Iginla
Drafted by the Dallas Stars 11th overall in the 1995 NHL Draft, Jarome Iginla, who hails from Edmonton, never played a game sporting the Stars green sweater. Instead, he was traded to the Calgary Flames, where he become one of the best players to ever dawn the Flames Crest. The 44-year-old spent most of his career in his home country and was among the most recognizable faces in franchise history.
In 2001-02, Iginla won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for the league’s most goals with 52 (his first of two times winning the award), won the Art Ross Award for the league’s highest scorer with 96 points, won the Ted Lindsay award as the league’s MVP as voted on by the NHLPA, was named to the NHL First All-Star team, and was selected to the NHL All-Star Game. This all came in the same year that he helped guide Canada to a gold medal victory at the Olympic Games. On the international stage, Iginla is the owner of two Olympic gold medals, while earning gold at the U20 World Juniors, IIHF Men’s World Championship and the World Cup of Hockey.
As great a player as Jarome Iginla was, it’s no secret that he is an even better person. Players, coaches, GM’s and executives all have only good things to say about the former Flames captain. He is a known leader on and off the ice, and is more importantly a great person to be around. If any hockey hardware can help prove this, it would have to be his NHL Foundation Award, Mark Messier Leadership Award, and his King Clancy Memorial Trophy wins.
Iginla has many more awards in the trophy case. He won two WHL championships with the Kamloops Blazers and two Memorial Cups in his illustrious major junior career. In 2008-09, Iginla became the owner of the Blazers and continues to own the franchise presently.
Ken Holland
The lone inductee in the builder category, Ken Holland is the latest active NHL General Manager to join the Hockey Hall of Fame. Holland is currently serving as the GM of the Edmonton Oilers, a role which he has held since the 2019-20 season. It was his days before the Oilers that earned him his newest ring. From 1984-85 to 2018-19, Holland was a executive with the Detroit Red Wings.
Starting off as an amateur scout, Holland worked his way up to the role of General Manager. Splitting his time in that post and AGM, he won four Stanley Cups with Detroit and helped guide the Red Wings to some of its best seasons in franchise history.
One of Holland’s most impressive feats stretched much further than just the playing surface. He helped lead Detroit to one of the longest active playoff streaks in major North American men’s sports, as the Red Wings made the playoffs for 25 consecutive seasons. Holland, now 66-years-old, has also had an impact on the national stage. He has been a part of Canada’s National Team at the Olympic Games, the World Cup of Hockey and the IIHF Men’s World Championship. His international accolades are highlighted by his two gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.
Prior to joining the front office in Detroit, Holland also enjoyed a professional playing career. After being picked by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the draft’s 12th round (188th overall), he played in goal for multiple AHL clubs and was even named to the league’s second All-Star team. Additionally, he suited up in four NHL games. His NHL debut was with the Hartford Whalers, while his remaining three were with the Red Wings in the Motor City.