Hockey Hall of Fame

The Hockey Hall of Fame is in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; it is devoted to ice hockey rather than the field variety of the game. It was founded in 1943 but no building was built until 1961, when a building was opened on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).

Induction

For a person to be inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame, the person must be nominated by an 18-person selection committee, and must receive the support of three-quarters (15 members) of the committee. In any given year, there can be a maximum of four players, two builders, and one referee or linesman. For a player, referee, or linesman to be nominated, the person must have ended their on-ice careers for three years. This period -- relatively short compared to the Halls of Fame of other major sports -- has come under criticism because of the occasional spectacle of Hall of Fame inductees coming out of retirement to play once more; Gordie Howe, Guy Lafleur and current Pittsburgh Penguins star Mario Lemieux.

Related Topics:
Gordie Howe - Guy Lafleur - Pittsburgh Penguins - Mario Lemieux

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In the past, this waiting period was waived if a player was exceptionally good. This was done for ten players, after which the waiting period became mandatory. These players were:

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• Dit Clapper
• Maurice Richard
• Ted Lindsay
• Red Kelly
• Terry Sawchuk
• Jean Beliveau
• Gordie Howe
• Bobby Orr
• Mario Lemieux
• Wayne Gretzky