The Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee has announced seven new members who will be inducted into the Hall later this year. Among them are Buffalo Sabres alums Pierre Turgeon and Tom Barrasso, but Alexander Mogilny has once again been snubbed.
Here are the 2023 inductees:
- Ken Hitchock
- Pierre Lacroix
- Tom Barrasso
- Henrik Lundqvist
- Pierre Turgeon
- Mike Vernon
- Caroline Ouelette
Each year, a maximum of four former male players, two former female players, two builders OR one builder and one former official may be selected for induction. Eligible candidates have to receive at least 75 percent of the vote to be inducted.
Turgeon’s career spanned 1,294 games between 1987 and 2007, during which he amassed 1,327 points, including 812 assists. His career began with the Sabres, but he also spent time with the Blues, Islanders, Canadiens, Stars and Avalanche.
Barrasso played 777 career NHL games, going 369-277-86 in that stretch. He spent six years with the Sabres, who drafted him fifth overall in 1983. He also played for the Penguins, Senators, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs and Blues.
Meanwhile, Mogilny has been eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame since 2009. His NHL career spanned 17 seasons between 1989 and 2006, totaling 990 games. During that time, he racked up 1,032 points, including 473 goals and 559 assists.
Aside from his on-ice talent, he’s noted as being the first NHL draft pick to defect from the Soviet Union to play in North America – a truly groundbreaking moment in hockey history. He went on to spend six seasons with the Sabres, but also played with the Canucks, Devils and Maple Leafs.