After years of waiting, Jeremy Roenickâs call to the Hockey Hall of Fame finally came. The 54-year-old American forward, who spent 20 seasons in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks, was inducted on Monday night, officially cementing his legacy.
Roenick, who recorded 1,216 points over 1,363 career games, was one of the standout names in the 2024 class. Alongside him were Shea Weber, Pavel Datsyuk, Natalie Darwitz, and Krissy Wendell in the player category, while David Poile and Colin Campbell entered as builders.
The Boston-born winger, a nine-time NHL All-Star, also contributed 122 points, including 53 goals, in 154 playoff games. His career highlight included a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where Team USA fell to Canada in the final.
âI love this game,â Roenick said during the ceremony. âItâs been such a huge part of my life for most of my life.â
Roenick, selected 8th overall by Chicago in 1988, shared that receiving the call to the Hall was a deeply emotional moment for him. âWhen you wait for a long time, you donât know how [the call] is going to hit you,” Roenick reflected earlier in September. “But it hit me like a train.”
Weber, whose career was cut short due to injuries, was also honored. The 39-year-old defenseman helped lead the Montreal Canadiens to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final and accumulated 589 points in 1,038 games. He won Olympic gold with Canada in 2010 and added 42 points in 97 playoff games.
âMy love for the game remains strong,â Weber said, acknowledging his physical challenges. âItâs not just the big moments, itâs the small, routine moments that matter the most. Itâs those friendships built during countless plane and bus rides, and the lessons shared by veteran players.â
Datsyuk, known for his extraordinary skill, was enshrined in his first year of eligibility. Over 953 regular-season games with the Detroit Red Wings, the 46-year-old Russian amassed 918 points and was part of two Stanley Cup-winning teams. He also captured the Selke Trophy three times and four Lady Byng Trophies for sportsmanship.
âBeing inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor,â said Datsyuk, who also had a successful career in Russiaâs KHL and represented his country in five Olympic Games.
Wendell, 43, and Darwitz, 41, were both trailblazers for womenâs hockey. Wendell won silver at the 2002 Olympics and was the first American to captain a world championship-winning team, while Darwitz was a key player for Team USA across three Olympic Games.
David Poile and Colin Campbell, both recognized for their contributions as executives, were also inducted. Poile, 74, had an influential career as an NHL general manager, most notably with the Nashville Predators. Campbell, 71, served as a senior executive vice president with the NHL and helped revolutionize video review technology for the league.
The 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony celebrated these remarkable athletes and executives, each leaving a lasting impact on the game.