Ducks legends Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne were among the seven people elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, including former NHL forwards Dave Andreychuk and Mark Recchi. Others elected were Danielle Goyette, a retired Canadian women's ice hockey player, Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs and college hockey coach Clare Drake. Jacobs and Drake were each elected as builders.
Kariya, Selanne Elected to Hockey Hall of Fame
Selanne finished his Ducks career as the franchise's all-time leader in almost every offensive category, including goals (457), points (988), games (966), power-play goals (182), game-winning goals (77), and shots (2,964). Selanne helped lead Anaheim to California's first Stanley Cup championship in 2007, was named the inaugural Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner in 1998-99 and won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Winner in 2005-06, all as a member of the Ducks.
"It's an amazing feeling, " Selanne said. "To be honest, I was checking the phone to make sure I didn't miss the call. I want to thank everybody for this big honor and congratulate the other inductees also. It's a very special group, and I'm very honored to be one of them. I was so humbled to get the phone call today."
Among all-time NHL leaders, Selanne ranks in the top-15 in goals (11th with 684), points (15th with 1,457), power-play goals (third with 255), and game-winning goals (tied for third with 110). In 22 NHL seasons, Selanne recorded 22 regular season hat tricks (13 with Anaheim, plus one playoff hat trick with Winnipeg). As a member of the Jets, the club's opponent on "Teemu Tribute Night," he won the 1992-93 Calder Memorial Trophy after breaking the single-season rookie record for goals with 76, shattering Mike Bossy's previous record of 53. A 10-time NHL All-Star, Selanne was also a two-time First Team All-Star, a two-time Second Team All-Star (1997-98, 1998-99) and also named to the 1992-93 NHL All-Rookie Team.
Selanne was a six-time Olympian for Team Finland, tying the record for the most appearances by a men's hockey player. He won a medal in four of his six trips to the Olympic Winter Games, matching the all-time Olympic record. Named the 2014 Olympic MVP, a 2014 and 2006 Olympic All-Star, and the Best Forward at the 2006 Olympic Games, Selanne holds the record for the most points by an Olympian in men's hockey with 24-19=43.
"Whether he was playing in the NHL or in international competition, Teemu Selanne always found a way to excel," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman via statement. "A relentless competitor, a Stanley Cup champion and a global ambassador for the game, Teemu now adds the ultimate hockey recognition to his resume. As the Hall of Fame welcomes him to its team of immortals, we celebrate Teemu's class and character and congratulate him on this grand achievement."
Selected by Anaheim in the first round (fourth overall) of the 1993 NHL Draft, Kariya scored 300-369=669 points with a +52 rating and 213 penalty minutes (PIM) in 606 career games with the Mighty Ducks. Among franchise leaders, Kariya leads in points-per-game (1.10), ranks second in power play goals (107) and third in scoring, goals and assists. A two-time Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner in 1996 and 1997, he went on to lead Anaheim to Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final against New Jersey, recorded 100-point seasons in 1995-96 and 1998-98 and recorded a 50-goal season in 1995-96.
"I can't say this is a dream come true, because never in my wildest dreams did I think this was possible," Kariya said. "This is an incredible honor. I'm very humbled to be included in this incredible group of people and just so grateful to all the people who helped me get to this stage."
Over a 15-year NHL career, Kariya collected 402-587=989 points with a +31 rating and 399 PIM in 989 games with Anaheim, Colorado, Nashville and St. Louis. Kariya was named to the NHL's First All-Star Team three times (1996, 1997, 1999) and Second All-Star Team two times (2000, 2003), while also earning a spot on the NHL's All-Rookie Team in 1995. At the international level, Kariya represented Canada at the Olympic Winter Games in 2002 (gold) and 1994 (silver), World Championships in 1996 (silver) and 1994 (gold) and World Junior Championship in 1993 (gold).
"Paul Kariya's career was marked by his speed, his shot, his discipline and his leadership," Bettman said. "Paul was a dynamic, determined and distinguished NHL player -- and an outstanding competitor. His election to the Hockey Hall of Fame serves as testimony to those attributes. The NHL family congratulates him on this tremendous achievement."
Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli said in a statement: "What a tremendous day for our franchise to have two players named 2017 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees! Both Teemu and Paul now rightfully take their place among legendary players in the history of the sport. The relationship Teemu has with our fans is unparalleled in professional sports. Paul was the first true face of our franchise and helped put the organization on the map. Congratulations to both!"
Each player received at least 75 percent of the vote to earn induction. Four former NHL players is the maximum that can get selected to the Hall each year.
"The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome these hockey legends as honored members," Hockey Hall of Fame chairman Lanny McDonald said. "Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved."
Kariya and Selanne spoke to media via conference call this afternoon:
TEEMU SELANNE
On being elected
You made my day when you called me, and I want to thank everybody for this big honor and congratulate the other inductees also. It's a very special group, and I'm very honored to be one of them. I was so humbled to get the phone call today. There are so many people around who have helped me so much, and I'm a very lucky man. I'm looking forward to having a great weekend with everybody in November. It's a good thing, Paul and I can fly together and you can pick the tab for the private plane.
On his accomplishments
A lot of times when you play, you don't have time to think too much about what has happened. Now when I look back, I just shake my head and say how lucky I was in so many different ways. I'm so thankful I was able to play for so many years. It's a great lifestyle, and you get to be with a great bunch of people. Obviously this is the biggest honor you can achieve as a player, and I am so thankful. It's unbelievable.
On being elected with Kariya
I'm so proud about Paul's career also. I had the pleasure to play with him so many years. I played my best years of hockey with Paul, and the chemistry we had was magical. I learned so much from him as a player and a human being, so it's a big honor to share this with Paul. We're still great friends, even though we have opposite personalities. But that's a great thing, and I had some great years with him. I'm so proud of him also.
On getting Kariya involved more
Every fan in Anaheim appreciates what Paul has done for hockey in Southern California. I think with his passion and commitment, and everything he knows about hockey, I think he can do so much still for hockey in Southern California. I know he can make a big difference here.
On the possibility of having Kariya's number retired in Anaheim
I think for sure No. 9 should be up there. Everything he has done for hockey in Orange County and for the Ducks, his number deserves to be up there. I can't wait until that day comes.
PAUL KARIYA
On hearing the news
I can't say this is a dream come true, because never in my wildest dreams did I think this was possible. This is an incredible honor. I'm very humbled to be included in this incredible group of people and just so grateful to all the people who helped me get to this stage. It's just an incredible honor.
On being elected
It's still not really sinking in after getting the call earlier today. I'm still pinching myself, and I don't really know what to say. Certainly to go in with Teemu, I wouldn't be getting this call if I didn't have the opportunity to play with him. He made me a better person, and I appreciate everything he did for me off the ice as well as on the ice. It's just an incredible honor, and something I never thought in a million years I'd achieve.
On getting the call
It was nice to come in [from surfing] to get the message. Actually, Teemu called me first, and I don't know how he knew before. It's very nice to be inducted with Teemu, and if I didn't get the opportunity to play with him, I wouldn't be in the Hall of Fame, so I'm very thankful.
On the possibility of having his number retired in Anaheim
Teemu is very deserving of that, and to me the players who won a Stanley Cup there should be up in the rafters. That's what we all play the game for, is to win, and to have the opportunity to compete for a Cup. Although we came close, we didn't quite get there, and I think guys like Teemu, and Giguere and Niedermayer, and obviously Perry and Getzlaf, that helped bring a Cup to the team and have really solidified Anaheim as a powerhouse in the league deserve that honor much more than I do.
On his health
I feel really good. I love to surf, and I surf maybe 3-4 times a week when I'm in California. It's a good way to try and stay in shape. My health feels good after retiring. It took me about a year of rehab to start feeling normal again, but I'm able to do whatever I want physically, no headaches or anything like that. I'm enjoying getting back into the sports I wasn't able to do when I was playing, and enjoying some new ones.
On coming to terms with his retirement from the game
I'm very grateful for every second I played in the National Hockey league and the game in general. It was my dream, my passion, everything I put into my career was because I love the game of hockey. I didn't retire willingly, and I would have loved to have kept playing. If there was any way to wave a magic wand and relive my career, the good and a bad, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'd love to be playing now, but there were no fences to be mended. I haven't been out publicly that much, but that's must more of me being a private person. I still love watching the game and love watching the great young players, and I can't wait to see where the game is going in the future.
