HOCKEY HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2013 INDUCTEES

Bill Hay, Chairman and CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Jim Gregory and Pat Quinn, Co-Chairmen of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee, announced today that Chris Chelios, Geraldine Heaney, Scott Niedermayer and Brendan Shanahan have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Player Category. In addition, Fred Shero was elected in the Builder Category. The vote took place today at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto.

“The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome these five hockey legends as Honoured Members,” said Jim Gregory. “Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved.”

Chris Chelios, a native of Chicago, Illinois, after two successful seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers (1981-83), joined the Montreal Canadiens and was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie team in 1984-85 and was also runner-up as Rookie of the Year to Mario Lemieux. He was part of the 1986 Canadiens’ Stanley Cup winning team and won the James Norris Trophy as Defenceman of the Year in 1988-89. Traded to Chicago in 1990, Chris went on to play nine season with the Blackhawks and was a five time first or second team All-Star and two-time Norris winner. Chelios continued his career in 1999 with the Detroit Red Wings, winning Stanley Cups in 2002 and 2008. He finished his 26 year playing career at the age of 48 with the Atlanta Thrashers and Chicago Wolves in 2009-10.

“It’s a great honour to be selected for the Hockey Hall of Fame,” said Chelios. “To have such a long career in the game has been fantastic for me, and being named to the Hall is a huge recognition for what I was able to accomplish.”

Gerladine Heaney was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and grew up playing hockey in Toronto Aeros – an association she would remain with for 18 seasons. As a member of Canada’s national team she won seven IIHF World Championship gold medals and was named the IIHF World Women’s Championship’s Best Defenceman in 1992 and 1994. A member of Canada’s 2002 gold medal Olympic team, Heaney also won silver in 1998. 

“This continues the big step that women’s hockey is taking and the pioneering of Angela James and Cammi Granato,” said Heaney. “I am very proud to join them in helping to grow out game.

Scott Niedermayer grew up in Cranbrook, British Columbia, and was a member of the Kamloops Blazers 1992 Memorial Cup championship team. Selected by the New Jersey Devils in the 1st round (3rd overall selection), he went on to play 13 seasons with the Devils from 1991 to 2004, winning Stanley Cups in the 1995, 2000 and 2003 seasons. In 2005, he signed as a free agent with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks where he was a two-time first team All-Star during his six seasons, as well as being a key part of their 2007 Stanley Cup winning team. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP that season. On the international front, Scott also won gold at the World Junior Championship in 1991, gold at the World Championship in 2004, and gold at two Olympic Games in 2002 and 2010.

“My goal was always just to make the National Hockey League,” said Niedermayer. “Joining people in the Hall of Fame that I’ve always looked up to is a tremendous thrill.”

Brendan Shanahan was born in Etobicoke, Ontario and after two seasons with the London Knights (OHL) was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the 1st round (2nd overall) in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. A member of the New Jersey Devils for four seasons, Brendan was signed as a free agent by the St. Louis Blues in 1991. He player four seasons with the Blues and had back to back 50 goal seasons in 1992-93 and 1993-94 – being named a 1st team NHL All-Star in 1993-94. Brendan went on to play two seasons in Hartford before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1996, where he played nine seasons winning the Stanley Cup on three occasions (1997, 1998 and 2002). Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the New York Rangers, he played two more seasons before retiring in 2008. Representing Canada internationally on numerous occasions, he was a member of Canada’s 2002 gold medal winning team.

“I’ve always been fortunate to have great teammates and coaches throughout my career,” said Shanahan. “At every level I have tried to learn and my key to success was having people around me that helped me improve my game.”

In the Builder Category, Fred Shero was elected. Shero began his coaching career in 1959-60 with the St. Paul Saints, and progressed up the ranks with a career culminating in nine seasons in the National Hockey League. His Philadelphia Flyers won Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975 and he also took the New York Rangers to the final in 1979, where he also had the role of General Manager. In 734 NHL regular season games coached, his teams had 390 wins, 225 losses and 119 ties. Shero passed away on November 24th, 1990.

The 2013 Induction Celebration will be held on Monday, November 11th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. For more information regarding the 2013 Induction Weekend/Celebration, visit http://www.hhof.com.

Established in 1943, the Hockey Hall of Fame’s (“HHOF”) mandate is to recognize and honour the achievements of players, builders and officials who bring special distinction to the game of hockey, and to collect, preserve, research and exhibit objects, images and resource materials connected with the game as it is played in Canada and throughout the world. As a non-profit corporation and a registered charity under the Income Tax Act, HHOF owns and operates a museum and place of entertainment offering state-of-the-art exhibits, multimedia presentations and educational programming from its premises at Brookfield Place, Toronto, Canada.

CHRISTOS (CHRIS) KOSTAS CHELIOS

Born on January 25, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois, USA

Moved to Southern California in 1977 and could not play high school hockey

Played three seasons of Junior ‘A’ for the Moose Jaw Canucks (SJHL) from 1978-81

Won SJHL Leadership Award in 1980 & 1981 & Canucks were SJHL finalist all 3 years

Played two seasons of NCAA for the University of Wisconsin Badgers from 1981-83

Named WCHA Rookie of the Year in 1982 & 2nd Team All-Conferece in 1983

Won NCAA Championship in 1983 & named to All-Tournament Team

Selected by Montreal Canadiens in 2nd round, 40th overall of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft

Played seven seasons with Montreal Canadiens from 1984-90 (joined late in 1983-84)

Named to NHL All-Rookie Team in 1984-85 & was runner-up as Rookie of the Year to Mario Lemieux

Member of the 1986 Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup championship

Played in Rendez-vous ’87 for NHL All-Stars

Named 1st Team All-Star & awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy as Defenceman of the Year in 1988-89

Co-Captain of Montreal Canadiens with Guy Carbonneau in 1989-90

Traded to Chicago Blackhawks with 2nd round pick for Denis Savard on June 29, 1990

Played nine seasons with Chicago Blackhawks from 1990-99

Named 1st Team All-Star in 1993, 1995, 1996 & 2nd Team All-Star in 1991, 1997

Awarded the James Norris Memorial Award as Defenceman of the Year in 1992-93 & 1995-96

Captain of the Chicago Blackhawks from 1995-99

Played three games for EHC Biel-Bienne in Switzerland during 1994-95 work stoppage

Traded to Detroit Red Wings for Anders Eriksson & 1st round picks in 1999, 2001 on March 23, 1999

Played eleven seasons with Detroit Red Wings from 1999-2009

Missed majority of 2000-01 & 2008-09 seasons due to serious knee/leg injuries

Won NHL Plus/Minus Award & was 1st Team All-Star in 2001-02

Member of 2002 & 2008 Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup championships

Played 2004-05 cancelled NHL season for Motor City Mechanics of the UHL

Inaugural recipient of the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2006-07

Became second oldest player, 46 years, in NHL history to score a goal on March 20, 2008

Finished career in 2009-10 with Atlanta Thrashers & Chicago Wolves of AHL at age 48

Played in 11 NHL All-Star Games (1985, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002)

Career NHL regular season totals include 1,651 games played, 185 goals, 763 assists, 948 points

Career NHL playoff totals include 266 games played, 31 goals, 113 assists, 144 points

Holds NHL playoff records for Most Years in Playoffs (24) & Most Playoff Games (266)

Holds NHL record for Most Games Played by a Defenceman & by a U.S. born player (1,651)

Shares NHL record for Most Seasons (26) with Gordie Howe

Oldest player in AHL History at age 48 & second oldest in NHL History to Gordie Howe

Member of Team USA at two World Junior Championships – 1980 & 1982

Member of Team USA at five Canada Cups/World Cups of Hockey – winning title in 1996 & Captain in 2004

Holds record for Most International Games Played in Best-on-Best Tournament (47)

Member of Team USA at four Olympic Games – won Silver Medal in 2002

Holds record for longest time between first and last Olympic Games – 22 years

Inducted into United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011

Currently the Advisor to Hockey Operations for the Detroit Red Wings

GERALDINE HEANEY

· Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom on October 1, 1967

· Heaney began playing for the Toronto Aeros at the age of 12, winning six provincial championships. She would play 18 seasons with the Toronto Aeros at various age levels

· Was named the OWHA Senior AA Most Valuable Defenseman (1988, 1992, 1993)

· Participated in every Women's National Championship from 1987 to 2001—the only player to do so

· Won the Esso Women’s National Championship Gold medal in 2000 and a Bronze medal in 2001

· Was named the MVP at the Esso Women’s National Championship in 1992

· Was named the Esso Women's National Championship Top Defenseman (1993, 1997, 2001)

· Won three NWHL Championships (2000, 2001, 2002)

· Seven IIHF World Championship Gold medals (1990, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001), the only women’s player to do so during that tenure

· Recorded 27 goals, 66 assists and 93 career points in 125 games for Team Canada

· IIHF World Women’s Championship All-Star Team, Defense (1992, 1999)

· IIHF World Women’s Championship Directorate Award, Best Defenseman (1992, 1994)

· Won the Winter Olympic Hockey Gold medal in 2002 and Silver medal in 1998 as a member of Team Canada

· Dubbed the "Bobby Orr of women's hockey

· Toronto Aero’s sweater number “91” retired by the organization on February 21, 2006

· Inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame (2008) along with Angela James and Cammi Granato

· Head coach of the University of Waterloo Warriors (OUA) women’s team (2005 - 2011)

· Won World Roller Hockey Championship winning a Gold medal in 1992 and a Silver medal in 1994

SCOTT NIEDERMAYER

Born on August 31, 1973 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Grew up in Cranbrook, British Columbia

Played three seasons for the Kamloops Blazers (WHL) from 1989-92

Member of 1990 & 1992 Kamloops Blazers WHL Championships & 1992 Memorial Cup championship

WHL 1st Team All-Star in 1991 & 1992 and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year in 1991

Tournament All-Star & won Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as Memorial Cup MVP in 1992

Selected by New Jersey Devils in 1st round, 3rd overall of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft

Played parts of 13 seasons with New Jersey Devils from 1991-2004

Named to NHL All-Rookie Team in 1992-93

Member of the 1995, 2000, 2003 New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup championships

Named 2nd Team All-Star in 1997-98

Tied for playoff scoring lead in 2003 with teammate Jamie Langenbrunner, 18 points

Named 1st Team All-Star & awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy as Defenceman of the Year in 2003-04

Named Captain of the New Jersey Devils during second half of 2003-04 season

Signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on August 4, 2005

Played five seasons with Mighty Ducks of Anaheim/Anaheim Ducks franchise from 2004-2010

Named 1st Team All-Star in 2006 & 2007

Member of 2007 Anaheim Ducks Stanley Cup championship

Awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff Most Valuable Player in 2007

Captain of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim/Anaheim Ducks from 2005-07 & 2008-10

Played in five NHL All-Star Games (1998, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2009)

Career NHL regular season totals include 1,263 games played, 172 goals, 568 assists, 740 points

Career NHL playoff totals include 202 games played, 25 goals, 73 assists, 98 points

Member of Team Canada at two World Junior Championships – won Gold Medal in 1991

Named World Junior Championship Tournament All-Star in 1992

Member of Team Canada at one World Championship – won Gold Medal in 2004

Member of Team Canada at two World Cups of Hockey – winning title in 2004

Member of Team Canada at three Olympic Games – won Gold Medal in 2002 & 2010

Captain of Gold Medal winning Team Canada at 2010 Winter Olympic Games

Only player to win all six major North American & International Championships – Stanley Cup, Memorial Cup, World Junior Championship, World Championship, World Cup & Olympics

14th member of IIHF Triple Gold Club (Stanley Cup, Olympics, World Championship) on May 9, 2004

Number ‘27’ retired by New Jersey Devils on December 16, 2011

Number ‘28’ retired by Kamloops Blazers on January 25, 2013

Inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in July, 2012

Inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in November, 2012

Currently Assistant Coach of the Anaheim Ducks

BRENDAN FREDERICK SHANAHAN

Born on January 23, 1969 in Mimico (Etobicoke), Ontario, Canada

Excelled in Lacrosse & attended Michael Power/St. Joseph High School – won 1984-85 OFSAA (All-Ontario) Gold Medal

Played two seasons for the London Knights (OHL) from 1985-87

Named OHL 3rd Team All-Star in 1986-87

Selected by New Jersey Devils in 1st round, 2nd overall of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft

Played four seasons with the New Jersey Devils from 1987-91

Signed as free agent by St. Louis Blues on July 25, 1991 with Scott Stevens awarded as compensation to New Jersey

Played four seasons with St. Louis Blues from 1991-95

Recorded only 100+ point season & was named a 1st Team All-Star in 1993-94

Recorded back-to-back 50+ goal seasons in 1992-93 & 1993-94

Traded to the Hartford Whalers for Chris Pronger on July 27, 1995

Played parts of two seasons with Hartford Whalers from 1995-96

Captain of the Hartford Whalers during 1995-96 season

Traded to Detroit Red Wings with Brian Glynn for Paul Coffey, Keith Primeau & 1st round pick on October 9, 1996 (played only two games for Hartford in 1995/96)

Played nine seasons with Detroit Red Wings from 1996-2006

Named 1st Team All-Star in 2000 & 2nd Team All-Star in 2002

Won King Clancy Memorial Trophy for Humanitarian efforts in 2002-03

Member of 1997, 1998, 2002 Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup championships

Scored 2002 Stanley Cup championship-winning goal

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the New York Rangers on July 9, 2006

Played two seasons for New York Rangers from 2006-2008

Became 15th player in NHL history to score 600 goals on October 5, 2006

Finished NHL career with one season, 2008-09, with New Jersey Devils

Played in 8 NHL All-Star Games (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2007-captain)

Career NHL regular season totals include 1,524 games played, 656 goals, 698 assists, 1,354 points

Career NHL playoff totals include 184 games played, 60 goals, 74 assists, 134 points

Only player in NHL history to record 600+ career goals & 2,000+ career penalty minutes

Finished 2nd all-time among left wingers in goals (656)

Finished 3rd all-time among left wingers in points (1,354) & tied for third in assists (698)

Finished 2nd for Most Consecutive 20-or-More Goal Seasons (19) to Gordie Howe

Member of Team Canada at 1987 World Junior Championship (disqualified for brawl with USSR)

Member of Team Canada at two World Championships – won Gold Medal in 1994

Member of Team Canada at two Canada Cup/World Cup of Hockey – winning title in 1991

Member of Team Canada at two Olympic Games – won Gold Medal in 2002

13th member of IIHF Triple Gold Club (Stanley Cup, Olympics, World Championship) on February 24, 2002

Number ‘19’ retired by London Knights on November 30, 2003

Inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame on October 27, 2010

During 2004-05 cancelled NHL season, Shanahan organized a two day hockey summit

Currently Senior Vice President of Player Safety and Hockey Operations with the National Hockey League

FREDERICK SHERO

· Born on October 23, 1925 in Winnipeg, Manitoba

· Began coaching after 13-season professional playing career, including time with the New York Rangers between 1947-1950

· International Hockey League coach of the St. Paul Saints: 1959-60 and 1960-61, winning the Turner Cup in 1960

· American Hockey League coach of the Buffalo Bisons: 1967-68 to 1969-70, winning the Calder Cup in 1970

· Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award recipient as AHL Coach of the Year in 1970

· Central Hockey League coach of the Omaha Knights: 1970-71, winning the Adams Cup in 1971

· Jake Milford Trophy recipient as CHL Coach of the Year in 1971

· Nine season NHL coaching career spent with the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers

· Jack Adams Trophy recipient as NHL coach of the year in 1974; and runner-up in 1979

· Winner of four consecutive Clarence S. Campbell Bowls with Philadelphia as regular season champions of the West Division (1973-74) and Campbell Conference (1974-75 to 1976-77)

· Two Stanley Cup championships with Philadelphia: 1974 and 1975

· Two-time Stanley Cup finalist: 1976 with Philadelphia Flyers and 1979 with the Rangers

· Four-time NHL All-Star Game coach of the Campbell Conference team: 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1978

· One of only six NHL coaches to lead club to consecutive 50+ win seasons : 1973-74 to 1975-76

· Coached Philadelphia in 554 regular season games, totaling 308 wins, 151 losses, 95 ties, for a .642 win %

· Coached Philadelphia in 83 playoff games, totaling 48 wins, 35 losses, for a .578 win %

· Head Coach and General Manager of the New York Rangers in 1978-79 and 1979-80

· Coached Rangers in 180 regular season games, totaling 82 wins, 74 losses, 24 ties/OT, for a .522 win %

· Coached Rangers in 27 playoff games, totaling 15 wins, 12 losses, for a .556 win %

· NHL regular season coaching career: 734 games coached, 390 wins, 225 losses, and 119 ties

· NHL playoff coaching career: 110 games coached, 63 wins, and 47 losses

· Recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1980

· Inducted into the Manitoba Hall of Fame in 1985

· Pioneered the dual coaching system in the NHL

· Inducted into the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame in 1990

· Passed away on November 24, 1990