Datsyuk, Roenik, Weber in 7-person ’24 Hockey Hall of Fame class

Former NHL stars Pavel Datsyuk, Jeremy Roenick and Shea Weber and former Olympians Natalie Darwitz and Chrissy Wendell-Pohl were part of the seven-person 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame class announced Tuesday.

Datsyuk and Weber were both in their first year of eligibility.

The class also features Colin Campbell and David Poole, who were shortlisted in the builders category.

Datsyuk was a star for the Detroit Red Wings, winning the Stanley Cup twice. His tenacious tackling ability and defensive prowess – he won the Selke Trophy three times as the league’s top defensive forward – made him a player emulated by a generation of NHLers. She was a four-time Lady Byng Trophy winner for gentlemanly sport and a five-time Olympian, winning the gold medal for Russia in 2018.

“I’m excited. I’m a happy boy,” Datsyuk said.

Webber was a great defenseman for the Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens during his 16-year NHL career. Although he never won the Norris Trophy, he was a finalist for the award three times. He won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2014–15. Webber never won a Stanley Cup but won Olympic gold for Canada in 2010 and 2014, as well as championships in junior hockey and international play.

Roenick has been eligible since 2012. His NHL career spanned 20 years, but he is mostly known for his superstar seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks from 1988–96, when he had 595 points in 524 games. He also played for the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks.

“I have no words and I never have words,” Roenick said. “It means a lot to me to get over this last hurdle in hockey.”

Roenicke never won a Stanley Cup or individual award, but he was the epitome of “fame”, scoring 513 goals during his career, 42nd all-time in the NHL and fourth among American players. He won the Olympic silver medal in 2002.

With Darvitz and Wendell-Pohl, the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee marked the first time since Cammy Granato and Angela James selected two female players in the same year in 2010. Both played internationally for the United States and were national members of the University of Minnesota. Championship team in 2005. Wendell-Pohl represented the United States at the 2002 and 2006 Olympic Games, serving as captain of the latter. Darwitz played in the 2002, 2006, and 2010 Olympic Games.

“I think it shows the strength of the women’s game to see where it has come over the last few years,” Hockey Hall of Fame board chair Lainey MacDonald said. “For two women to go together – especially being teammates – we couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Two individuals were selected in the Builders category: Campbell, the NHL’s senior vice president of hockey operations, who had extensive influence over the league’s rules and disciplinary process; and Poile, the winningest general manager in NHL history with the Washington Capitals and Predators.

“I’ve known David since I was recruited to Nashville. I tell him he’s only made one bad trade in his career and he’s going to have to live with that,” said Webber, whom Poole coached in 2016. Was traded to the Canadiens in . “But this is respect.”

All seven will be inducted on November 11.

Among eligible players not selected for the first year were Patrick Marleau, who had an NHL-best 566 career goals in 1,779 games, and goaltenders Ryan Miller and Pekka Rinne. Players who are still awaiting their Hockey Hall of Fame call include Alexander Mogilny, a member of the Triple Gold Club and the first Soviet player to participate in North America in 1989; Jennifer Botterill, who helped Team Canada win Olympic gold and five IIHF World Championships in 2002, 2006 and 2010, twice capturing MVP at that tournament; and Meghan Duggan, who won seven IIHF World Championship gold medals and captained the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team to a gold medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

The Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee consists of former players, officials and journalists.

“Each of the 18 members of the selection committee takes their responsibilities very seriously. They know it means a lot to the people, and it means a lot to the players,” Hall of Fame player Mike Gartner, Who is the head, said the committee. “I’m impressed with the committee and how they have moved forward.”