TORONTO (Reuters) – Pavel Datsyuk, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and gold medalist for Russia at the 2018 Olympics and 2012 World Championships, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2024 on Tuesday.
Datsyuk played in the Russia-based KHL before joining the Red Wings in 2001, where he established himself as the team's best two-way player in history with 314 goals and 604 assists in 14 seasons in the National Hockey League.
“I've been very fortunate in my hockey career so far,” said Datsyuk, who was selected to represent the Toronto-based Mecca in his first year of eligibility. “I want to thank all the people who have supported me along the way.”
Datsyuk won the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward three consecutive seasons from 2008-2010 and the Lady Byng Trophy as the player who best represents sportsmanship and the ability to play at a high level four consecutive seasons from 2006-2009.
Shea Weber, one of the NHL's most feared defencemen who played for the Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens and won gold medals with Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Olympic Games, was also selected in his first year of eligibility.
The other three inductees are Jeremy Roenick, who finished his career as the second-most accomplished American-born player in NHL history to score goals, and former U.S. women's national team forwards Natalie Darwitz and Chrissy Wendell Pohl.
Former general manager David Poile and current NHL senior vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell were named in the builder category.
The commencement ceremony for the 2024 intake is scheduled for November 11th in Toronto.
(Reporting by Frank Ping in Toronto; Editing by Claire Fallon)
