Shea Weber, Pavel Datsyuk enshrined as part of Hockey Hall of Fame's 2024 class
CBC
Shea Weber is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The former defenceman headlined the 2024 class inducted Monday, joining Pavel Datsyuk, Jeremy Roenick, Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell in the player category.
David Poile and Colin Campbell entered as builders.
Weber, whose career ended prematurely because of a long list of injuries, has been unable to play since helping drag the underdog Montreal Canadiens to the 2021 Stanley Cup final.
The 39-year-old from Sicamous, B.C., registered 589 points in 1,038 games with the Canadiens and Nashville Predators. He added 42 points in 97 playoff contests.
"There's so much to be grateful for when playing this game," Weber said. "And it's not just the big moments, grinding out a playoff win or taking home Olympic gold. It's in the small — seemingly routine — moments that matter the most.
"It's those friendships built during countless plane and bus rides, team dinners, breaking things down in the trainer's room. It's when a veteran player takes you under his wing and shows you what it truly means to be a professional. I want to thank all those players for demonstrating the importance of hard work and dedication."
Datsyuk, 46, put up 918 points in 953 games with the Detroit Red Wings. He chipped in 113 points across 157 playoff contests that included Stanley Cup victories in 2002 and 2008.
The Russian centre with majestic skill was also a four-time Lady Byng Trophy winner as the NHL's most gentlemanly player and captured the Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward on three occasions.
Datsyuk, who along with Weber was enshrined in his first year of eligibility, played five seasons in the KHL after leaving Detroit in 2016. He represented his country at five straight Olympics, capturing gold in 2018 and bronze in 2002.
"Being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame is a tremendous honour," Datsyuk said. "[An] honour I couldn't even dream of."
Roenick, 54, banked 1,216 points in 1,363 games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. The colourful, Boston-born winger added 122 points (53 goals, 69 assists) in 154 playoff contests.
Roenick, who won silver at the 2002 Olympics, had to wait 12 years to get his hall call.
"I love this game," he said. "It's been such a huge part of my life for most of my life."
