Duncan Keith received an unexpected call while organizing papers at his home, which turned out to be a life-changing moment. Recognizing the Toronto 416 area code, he hesitated but ultimately decided to answer. The call revealed that he was one of the new inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame, alongside notable players such as Alexander Mogilny, Joe Thornton, Zdeno Chara, Jennifer Botterill, and Brianna Decker. The official induction ceremony will take place in November.

Expressing his emotions during a conference call, Keith stated, “I had goosebumps when they started telling me. It’s a pretty surreal moment just sitting in my living room here.” He reflected on the significance of the call, stating, “Going into the Hall of Fame with players that I grew up idolizing and trying to emulate... it was such a special call.” Notably, Keith, Chara, and Thornton entered Hall of Fame eligibility this year.

Keith hails from Winnipeg and had an illustrious 17-year career in the NHL. He was a three-time Stanley Cup champion, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and honored with the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Norris Trophy twice for being the league’s top defenseman. His career with the Chicago Blackhawks spanned from 2005 to 2021, followed by a final season with the Edmonton Oilers. During the call, he reminisced, “Growing up, the goal was always to play in the NHL... it was always just one step at a time.” He added that thoughts about the Hall of Fame only began to surface after he had retired, primarily due to others’ encouragement.

Joe Thornton, one of the most accomplished playmakers in the NHL's history, boasts an impressive career total of 1,539 points, ranking him 14th all-time. He stands seventh in career assists with 1,109, and his lengthy career spanned 25 years, during which he played for the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. Thornton won the Hart Trophy as the league MVP and the Art Ross Trophy for being the top scorer in the 2005-06 season. Additionally, he played a vital role in Canada winning gold at the 2010 Olympics.

Zdeno Chara, known as the tallest player in NHL history at six feet nine inches, had a playing career from 1997 to 2022, making a significant impact as a physical defenseman. He won the Norris Trophy in the 2008-09 season and was a finalist six times. Chara was instrumental in leading the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup victory in 2011 and made additional playoff appearances in 2013 and 2019. He also holds the NHL record for most games played by a defenseman, totaling 1,680 games, which places him third overall in games played.

Alexander Mogilny, who became eligible for induction in 2009, recorded 473 goals and 1,032 points throughout his 17-year career. He had an impressive 76-goal season in 1992-93, ranking fifth all-time for goals scored in a single season. Mogilny contributed to teams like the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, and Toronto Maple Leafs, clinching a Stanley Cup in 2000 and Olympic gold with the Soviet Union in 1988. Reflecting on Mogilny’s talent, Keith remarked on his speed and skill, noting how he stood out at Canucks games in Vancouver.

Jennifer Botterill, a native of Ottawa, achieved distinction by winning three Olympic gold medals (2002, 2006, 2010) and five world championships, along with two tournament MVP awards. She notably holds the record for being the only player to win the Patty Kazmaier Award twice, recognizing her as the top player in NCAA Division I women’s hockey during back-to-back seasons while at Harvard. Botterill expressed her gratitude, stating, “My heart is just full of such gratitude... I certainly think about my family... they knew it was something very special.”

Brianna Decker, celebrated for her contributions to women’s hockey, was on the U.S. Olympic gold medal team in 2018 and has captured six world championship titles. She also won the Patty Kazmaier Award after an outstanding junior season at Wisconsin, where she scored 37 goals and amassed 82 points in 40 games.

In addition, longtime Boston University coach Jack Parker and women’s coach Daniele Sauvageau were elected in the builders category. Sauvageau notably led Canada to Olympic gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and currently serves as the general manager of the Montreal Victoire in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.