Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin, Pavel Bure, Adam Oates inducted into 2012 Hockey Hall of Fame -NHL Update
It took some time for the names to be finalised for this year’s Hockey Hall of Fame event but it finally did happen as Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin, Pavel Bure and Adam Oates were fortunate enough to have their names inducted onto a list of legendary players that
have graced the National Hockey League (NHL).
Brendan Shanahan, currently the senior vice president for player safety and hockey operations in the NHL, was also hoping to get a call from the Hall of Fame association, which consists of an 18-member selection committee, but unfortunately will have to
wait for next time.
Jeremy Roenick, Curtis Joseph, Eric Lindros, Phil Housley and Dave Andreychuk were also some of the prominent names that were hopeful but did not make the cut.
For Sakic, being inducted into the HHOF is one thing, but it is the sport in general that he loved played and wanted to do as a career, ultimately leading him to become one of the best ever seen.
"I think what it is, is you really fall in love," Sakic said. "I fell in love with playing hockey. That's all I wanted to do, whether it was on the ice or street hockey, it didn't really matter."
Sakic had a colourful career with two teams that he had ultimately became the symbol of and face of the organisations. He was picked up by the Quebec Nordiques as the 15th overall back in 1987 and spent seven straight seasons with them.
The last 13 seasons of his career in the NHL were with the Colorado Avalanche as he retired with 1,378 games played and 1,641 points (625 goals, 1,016 assists).
Mats Sundin is also another very well known player of his time. A former first overall draft pick, Sundin kicked off his career with the Nordiques as well while achieving real fame with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Entering the league two years after Sakic, Mats Sundin still ranks the Avalanche star as his role model and always number-one.
"When I look back at all the great players I played against and with, not only as a player and a person, Joe Sakic is right up there at No. 1," said Sundin. "What a role model for me to break into the League with a team like that, having players like Joe
Sakic to really help you out. A big reason why I had a chance to be inducted is because of Joe Sakic."
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