Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2013

The Hockey Hall of Fame’s 2013 class include defenseman Chris Chelios, forward Brendan Shanahan, defenseman Scott Niedermayer, defenseman Geraldine Heaney, and coach Fred Shero. Chelios and Niedermayer were both inducted the first year of eligibility. It was Shanahan’s second year of eligibility.

Chris Chelios was drafted in 1981 by the Montreal Canadiens. Chelios stayed in Montreal until 1990-1991 when he began playing for the Chicago Blackhawks. He spent the next nine seasons with the Blackhawks before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings. Chelios played for the Red Wings for ten seasons before going to the Atlanta Thrashers for his final season. Chelios played in 1,651 games over his career, he scored a total of 185 goals, 763 assists, for 948 points. Chelios is a three time Stanley Cup Champion, three time Norris Trophy Winner, an 11 time NHL All-Star, and now a Hockey Hall of Famer.

Brendan Shanahan was selected second overall in the 1987 draft by the New Jersey Devils. Shanahan signed with the St. Louis Blues following the 1990-1991 season where he played for 3 seasons before being traded to the Hartford Whalers. Shortly after the start of his second season in Hartford, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. Shanahan dawned the winged wheel for nine seasons before signing with the New York Rangers. He spent two seasons in New York and then returned to the New Jersey Devils where he played his final season in the NHL. Shanahan won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings and amassed a total of 656 goals, 698 assists, and 1,354 points in 1,524 career games.

Scott Niedermayer played 18 seasons in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks. Niedermayer was selected 3rd overall in the 1991 entry draft by the New Jersey Devils. Niedermayer spent 13 seasons in New Jersey before joning the, then Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He spent five seasons in Anaheim before retiring.  Niedermayer played in 1,263 games and put up 172 goals, 568 assists, and 740 total points over his career. Niedermayer’s resume includes 4 All Star games, a Norris Trophy, a four time Stanley Cup Champion, and a Conn Smythe Trophy.

Geraldine Heaney played 18 seasons with the Toronto Aeros winning 6 provincial championships. Heaney played for the Canadian national women’s team winning seven gold medals (1990, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001). In 1992 and 1994, Heaney was awarded the Directorate Award for best defenseman. She added an Olympic Gold Medal in 2002 with the Canadian Olympic team. Heaney played 125 games for Canada and scored 27 goals, and 66 assists, for 93 points. Heaney holds the national team record for World Championship games, goals, assists, and points by a defenseman.

Fred Shero spent a little bit of time in the New York Rangers organization bouncing around the minor leagues before finally getting a chance to play in the NHL. In his first full season, Shero helped the Rangers get to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they were beat in seven games by the Detroit Red Wings. Shero was traded and never played in the NHL again. He made his return to the NHL in 1971 as a coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. Shero coached the Flyers for seven seasons winning back to back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. Shero coached the Rangers for two seasons, and began a third season before resigning. Shero’s coaching record is 390-225-119.