The Hockey Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, featuring NHL stars Zdeno Chara, Duncan Keith and Joe Thornton among others, received their rings and blazers in Toronto ahead of Monday's induction. The group includes players Jennifer Botterill, Brianna Decker and Alexander Mogilny, builders Jack Parker and Danièle Sauvageau, and broadcaster Daryl Reaugh. Inductees shared reflections on their careers and influences during recent events.
The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto hosted pre-induction events for its 2025 class over the weekend, culminating in Monday's ceremony. Zdeno Chara, a towering defenseman who captained the Boston Bruins for 14 seasons, recalled the dramatic 2013 Stanley Cup Final loss to Duncan Keith's Chicago Blackhawks. "Shocking for us," Chara said. "That's sports, that's life." Keith, a three-time Cup winner with Chicago in 2010, 2013 and 2015, described the comeback victory: "It's never over until it's over. Special to do it against such a good team."
Chara amassed 680 points in 1,680 regular-season games, winning the Norris Trophy in 2009 and the Cup in 2011. Keith collected 646 points in 1,256 games, earning two Norris Trophies and the Conn Smythe in 2015. Joe Thornton, the 1997 No. 1 draft pick by Boston, finished with 1,539 points in 1,714 games, including a Hart Trophy in 2005-06. "Loved every minute," Thornton said of his 24-season career. "I was very, very fortunate."
Alexander Mogilny, who defected in 1988 and set Soviet/Russian scoring records with 76 goals in 1991-92, won the Cup with New Jersey in 2000 and tallied 1,032 points in 990 games. Women's hockey pioneers Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker join as players. Botterill won three Olympic golds with Canada and MVP at the 2001 worlds. "So fortunate to be surrounded by great people," she said. Decker secured Olympic gold in 2018 and six world golds with the U.S.
Builders Jack Parker, who coached Boston University to three national titles from 1973-2013, and Danièle Sauvageau, Canada's 2002 Olympic gold coach and first female builder inductee, round out the class. Sauvageau, now GM of PWHL's Montreal Victoire, noted: "Still a lot to do because the game needs to grow."
Daryl Reaugh receives the Foster Hewitt Award for broadcasting excellence, having voiced Dallas Stars games since 1996 after a playing career with 27 NHL appearances. At the fan forum, inductees shared personal stories, from Chara's quick 2006 Bruins signing to Thornton's rookie struggles. The ceremony highlights their lasting impact on hockey.