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Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023 inductees Pierre Turgeon, Mike Vernon, Caroline Ouellette, Henrik Lundqvist, Coco Lacroix for her husband Pierre, Ken Hitchcock and Tom Barrasso (left to right) before the start of the game between the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Hockey Hall of Fame weekend ends with induction ceremony

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 11/13/23

The 2023 NHL Hall of Fame class was formally inducted on Monday night, ending a weekend of festivities honoring hockey royalty.

Former New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist headlined the class and played in the 2023 Hyundai HHOF Legends Classic before the enshrinement ceremony.

Here is Henrik Lundqvist playing hockey.

All is right in the world. #HHOF2023 pic.twitter.com/cgiJcTqQu8
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 13, 2023

The class received their Hall of Fame jackets on Sunday, ahead of Monday's event.

Fit for the occasion. #HHOF2023 pic.twitter.com/SGhu8IYZJz
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 12, 2023

Dressed for the occasion

What else would you expect from Henrik Lundqvist on Hall of Fame induction night? pic.twitter.com/VDConTMsqT
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 13, 2023

During the span of Lundqvist's player career (2005-06-2019-20), he had the third-highest save percentage among goalies with at least 500 appearances, trailing only Hall of Famer Roberto Luongo and (likely) future HOFer Tuukka Rask.

Lundqvist was named the NHL's top goalie during the 2011-12 season and made two All-Star teams.

Among the other honorees in the 2023 class were center Pierre Turgeon, who played 19 seasons with the Sabres, Blues, Islanders, Canadiens, Stars and Avalanche, former Stars Stanley Cup-winning coach Ken Hitchcock, fourth in career wins as a head coach (849), and Caroline Ouellette, a four-time Olympic gold medalist for Canada's National Women's Team.

Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame Pierre Turgeon!

Pierre receives his Honoured Member plaque from Al MacInnis #HHOF2007.#HHOF2023 | #HHOF | Dave Sandford/HHOF pic.twitter.com/UCWGJUqwe0
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) November 14, 2023

Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame Caroline Ouellette!

Caroline receives her Honoured Member plaque from Kim St-Pierre #HHOF2020.#HHOF2023 | #HHOF | Matthew Manor/HHOF pic.twitter.com/rwBBcDn18x
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) November 14, 2023

Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame Ken Hitchcock!

Ken receives his Honoured Member plaque from Bob Gainey #HHOF1992.#HHOF2023 | #HHOF | Matthew Manor/HHOF pic.twitter.com/QKlWXGZvqD
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) November 14, 2023

Also enshrined on Monday were 1996-97 Conn Smythe winner Mike Vernon, Tom Barrasso, who was named top goalie and rookie of the year in the same season (1983-84) and the late Pierre Lacroix, architect of two Stanley Cup winners in Colorado (1996, 2001).

Each new member did more than enough to receive their Hall of Fame honor.

Now, if only the NHL did more to promote what should be one of the biggest nights on its calendar. As hockey writer and broadcaster Scott Burnside noted, that's the only mark against an otherwise celebratory night.

Annual pet peeve. Hockey Hall of Fame induction night (which is tonight) the NHL's calendar should be dark as the game pauses to celebrate those being enshrined. Can't think of a better reason for the NHL to keep the night open. Only two games tonight but two too many in my mind.
— Scott Burnside (@OvertimeScottB) November 13, 2023

That's a great point Sean. Too bad one of the two national rights holders in the U.S. aren't on board for such an important night for the game. https://t.co/TR2gGCtqyD
— Scott Burnside (@OvertimeScottB) November 13, 2023

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