The Hockey Hall of Fame Announces 2012 Class

Joe Sakic became a legend in hockey by winning everything he could have possibly won during his 20-year NHL career. In November, he'll take his rightful place among his fellow legends in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Hockey Hall of Fame announced Tuesday that the 18-member selection committee voted for Sakic and fellow first-time eligible candidate Mats Sundin along with holdovers Pavel Bure and Adam Oates to make up the Class of 2012, which will be inducted on Nov. 12 in Toronto.


Sakic was considered a shoo-in in his first year of eligibility after putting up 625 goals and 1,016 assists for 1,641 points during 20 NHL seasons all with the Quebec/Colorado franchise. He won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001. In 1996 he was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy and in 2001 he won the Hart Trophy. He owns every important offensive record in the Quebec/Colorado franchise.


Sundin wasn't considered to be a lock in his first year eligible for the Hall, but the ex-Maple Leafs captain got in because he put up 1,349 points in 1,346 games during 18 NHL seasons, including 13 in Toronto. Sundin never won the Stanley Cup, but he did captain Team Sweden to an Olympic gold medal in 2006. He scored 564 goals and 785 assists in his career, including 420 goals and 567 assists for 967 points as a Maple Leaf.

Sundin holds the Toronto franchise records for most points, goals, power-play goals, shorthanded goals, game-winning goals and overtime goals.

Bure, who retired after the 2002-03 season due to chronic knee injuries, registered 437 goals and 779 points over 702 games in 12 NHL seasons played with Vancouver, Florida and the Rangers. He never won the Stanley Cup, but he did reach Game 7 of the Cup Final with the Canucks in 1994. Bure averaged 36.7 goals per season. He scored 60 twice and also had seasons with 58 and 59 goals.

Bure was the League's Calder Trophy winner in 1992.

Oates, whose memorable day started when he was named the head coach of the Washington Capitals, is known as one of the greatest passers in League history. He also never won the Stanley Cup, but he dished out 1,079 assists and added 341 goals for 1,420 points over 1,337 career games played with Detroit, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Anaheim and Edmonton.

Oates teamed with Hall of Fame member Brett Hull in St. Louis to form one of the most lethal combinations in the game, but his best season came as a Bruin in 1992-93, when he had 45 goals and 97 assists for 142 points. All were career highs. He added 80 assists and 112 points in 1993-94. Even at 39 years old, Oates was still dishing it out. He led the NHL with 64 assists in 2000-01.

(from NHLmedia.com)