Seattle’s fingerprints will be all over the Hockey Hall of Fame moving forward.
Kraken GM Ron Francis will take over as chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee, replacing Mike Gartner.
All-world broadcaster Eddie Olcyzk, the Statler to John Forslund’s Waldorf, was also named to the selection committee.
“One of the things that makes the Selection Committee so strong is the regular inclusion of
new voices and the opportunity for highly knowledgeable hockey people to contribute in
the process of honouring excellence in our game,” said Chair of the board Lanny McDonald. “To this end, we are very pleased to welcome Jarome (Iginla) and Eddie to the committee, and thrilled that Ron, a longtime member and one of hockey’s great leaders, has agreed to serve as Chair.”
Before he was the Kraken GM, he Ron Francis was one of the greatest players ever, full stop. Only one man in the history of the universe has ever had more assists in the National Hockey League, and that’s Wayne Gretzky (please try to contain your surprise). Francis averaged over a point per game, with 1798 points in 1731 career games, winning the Stanley Cup twice.
Olcyzk, in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, had 794 points in 1034 games and won a Stanley Cup championship in 1994 with the New York Rangers.
Another Seattle connection is Jerome Iginla, whose son Tij played for the Seattle Thunderbirds, was the third person named to the selection committee.
Term expiring December 31, 2025:
Cassie Campbell-Pascall Service since 2019
Mark Chipman Service since 2019
Ron Francis, Chair Service since 2016
Jari Kurri Service since 2016
Bob McKenzie Service since 2016
Scott Morrison Service since 2023
Term expiring December 31, 2026:
Cammi Granato Service since 2022
Igor Larionov Service since 2011
Mike Murphy Service since 2020
David Poile Service since 2014
Luc Robitaille Service since 2014
Joe Sakic Service since 2023
Term expiring December 31, 2027:
Brian Burke Service since 2012
Marc de Foy Service since 2012
Anders Hedberg Service since 2012
Jarome Iginla Commencing in 2025
Pierre McGuire Service since 2018
Ed Olczyk Commencing in 2025