Henrik Lundqvist tops goalie-heavy Hockey Hall of Fame class set for induction Monday

Hall of Fame Inductee Henrik Lundqvist Recalls Call That Changed His Life

In the calm of his home in Sweden, Henrik Lundqvist anticipated the phone call that could change his life. The former New York Rangers goalie was waiting for the news that could potentially light up his phone in the early evening. The selection committee was hard at work in Toronto, preparing to unveil its 2023 list for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Suddenly, Lundqvist saw an unfamiliar number — “Spain,” it read. “It just didn’t make sense with the caller ID,” Lundqvist recalled thinking back in June. Despite his initial hesitation, he decided to answer the call, which turned out to be from Hall of Fame chairman Lanny McDonald.

Following the surreal phone call, Lundqvist was informed that he is set to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The 2012 Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s top netminder is headlining the class that will be inducted Monday night.

“Very humbling,” Lundqvist said Friday at the ring ceremony. “A great feeling when you’re walking away from the game.”

Lundqvist will be inducted along with Mike Vernon, Tom Barrasso, Pierre Turgeon, Caroline Ouellette, Ken Hitchcock, and the late Pierre Lacroix as part of a goalie-heavy player category.

It’s a crowning honor for Lundqvist, the star netminder who carved an illustrious 15-season career in the league. He’s sixth in NHL history in wins (459), ninth in games (887), and 17th in shutouts (64).

Notably, Lundqvist holds the record for the most wins by a European goalie in NHL history. With 459 victories and 61 more in the playoffs, Lundqvist’s career was nothing short of remarkable.

Handpicked by New York in the 2000 NHL draft, Lundqvist emerged as a stalwart goalkeeper and led the Rangers to the 2014 Stanley Cup final. He also has an Olympic gold medal to his name, achieved with Sweden in 2006.

As Lundqvist savors this unforgettable moment in his career, it’s clear that this is indeed the “last hurrah” for the Swedish goaltender. “Extremely proud and grateful,” Lundqvist said.

Each inductee has their own remarkable story. Vernon won the Cup with his hometown Calgary Flames in 1989 and the Detroit Red Wings in 1997. Barrasso excelled with the Buffalo Sabres and later captured titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992. Turgeon, with 515 goals and 812 assists in 19 NHL seasons, was a standout player for the New York Islanders and the Montreal Canadiens.

Hitchcock, known for his stellar coaching career, and Lacroix, a distinguished agent who also served as an executive, will also be honored posthumously. Ouellette, who clinched four Olympic gold medals with Canada’s women’s team, rounds out the illustrious group of inductees.