In a ceremony held in downtown Toronto on Monday, the Hockey Hall of Fame welcomed six new members into its storied ranks. Long‑time Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price and Boston Bruins stalwart Patrice Bergeron were among the inductees, joining fellow players Pekka Rinne, Keith Tkachuk and Cindy Curley, with former executive Brian Burke honored as a builder.
Price reflects on a lifelong dream
Price, 39, recalled his childhood vision of walking a red carpet like the one at the Bell Centre. “I was walking down a red carpet, just like in the Bell Centre. As I was walking, I approached a mountain of a figure. It was Patrick Roy, the very image of what I wanted to be,” he said during his speech. The former No. 5 overall pick of the 2005 draft highlighted his career achievements, including the 2015 Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender.
Over 15 seasons with the Canadiens, Price compiled a 361‑261‑79 record, a .917 save percentage, a 2.51 goals‑against average and 49 shutouts in 712 regular‑season games. In the playoffs, he posted a .919 save percentage, a 2.39 GAA and eight shutouts across 92 games, most memorably guiding the underdog Canadiens to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.
Bergeron’s message to future players
Bergeron, 41, entered the Hall after a distinguished 19‑year career with the Bruins, where he won the Selke Trophy six times as the league’s top defensive forward and helped Boston capture the 2011 Stanley Cup. He finished with 1,040 points (427 goals, 613 assists) in 1,294 regular‑season games and added 128 points in 170 playoff contests before retiring in 2023.
“I hope my journey inspires future generations to dream big and believe in themselves, and never stop chasing those dreams,” Bergeron said, urging young athletes to pursue their passions with perseverance.
Other inductees honored
Finland’s Pekka Rinne, a 2018 Vezina winner, was recognized for a 369‑213‑75 record, a .917 save percentage and 60 shutouts over 15 seasons with the Nashville Predators. Rinne emphasized that success does not require being a top prospect, encouraging young athletes to follow their own paths.
Former U.S. women’s national team captain Cindy Curley, 62, was celebrated for leading the United States to three silver medals at the women’s World Championships in the 1990s. She described hockey as a “very special game” that gave her more than she could ever give back.
Veteran forward Keith Tkachuk, 54, entered the Hall with 1,065 points (538 goals, 527 assists) in 1,201 games over 18 seasons. He expressed gratitude for the honor and the support he received throughout his career.
Builder Brian Burke, 71, was inducted for his extensive management career that included stints with the Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as a role at the NHL office. Burke reflected on his unconventional path to the Hall, noting that “unless you’re an idiot, you don’t start playing hockey at 13 in Minnesota and expect to be here.”
International success shared
Price and Bergeron also highlighted their contributions to Team Canada. Both were members of the 2014 Olympic squad that won gold, and they helped Canada capture the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. Bergeron added a gold medal from the 2010 Vancouver Games, a 2005 World Junior Championship title, and a 2004 men’s World Championship victory to his résumé.
The ceremony underscored the enduring impact these players have had on the sport, both on the ice and in their communities. As Price noted, his journey from a remote community to the Hall of Fame was made possible by “relentless desire and an opportunity,” a sentiment that resonates with aspiring athletes across the nation.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
