Carey Price, the former Montreal Canadiens goaltender, reflects on a journey that took him from a remote part of British Columbia to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Growing up, he spent countless hours traveling on the road and in the air, a necessity for pursuing his hockey dreams. The pivotal moment of his induction into the Hall came while he was driving to visit his grandmother, underscoring the themes of family and gratitude that mark his career.
In June, when he received the call about his Hall of Fame induction, Price was driving and noted that the call came from the Hockey Hall of Fame. “I was on my way to go visit my grandmother at the hospital,” he recalled. Following the announcement, he was thrilled to spend the day with her, who had made a recovery, highlighting the significance of that day in his life.
Price headlines the 2026 Hall of Fame class, joining a prestigious group that includes Patrice Bergeron, Pekka Rinne, Keith Tkachuk, and Cindy Curley as players, while Brian Burke will be inducted as a builder. “A long road to get to this point,” Price stated, expressing gratitude for the experiences that shaped him both in hockey and in life.
Selected fifth overall at the 2005 NHL Draft, Price enjoyed a stellar career in which he won the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender in 2015. Over 15 NHL seasons, all with the Canadiens, he amassed a record of 361 wins, 261 losses, and 79 overtime losses, alongside an impressive .917 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average across 712 regular-season games. Despite facing injuries that hindered some aspects of his career, Price’s achievements remain remarkable.
In the playoffs, he showcased exceptional performance with a .919 save percentage, a 2.39 GAA, and eight shutouts in 92 games, culminating in a memorable run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021. These accomplishments are a significant departure from his childhood spent on the lonely roads of British Columbia, where his father played a substantial role in his development. “A very large part of my childhood, spending time in planes and trucks and cars with my dad,” Price remarked, emphasizing the support he received from his family.
Alongside Price in the 2026 induction class, Patrice Bergeron, a six-time Selke Trophy winner, also has an impressive career. After being selected 45th overall in 2003, Bergeron spent 19 seasons with the Boston Bruins, racking up 427 goals and 613 assists for 1,040 points in 1,294 regular-season games. He highlighted the honor of being inducted and reflected on the memories and support he received throughout his career.
Price and Bergeron shared international success while playing for Canada, being part of the 2014 Olympic team and winning the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. Bergeron fondly reminisced about their time together, stating, “It was a lot more fun to be on his side with Team Canada,” acknowledging Price’s legendary career.
Pekka Rinne, a 2018 Vezina-winning goaltender, contributed significantly during his time with the Nashville Predators, amassing a record of 369 wins and a .917 save percentage over 683 regular-season games. Meanwhile, Keith Tkachuk, with a career total of 1,065 points over 1,201 games, expressed gratitude for his sons’ support during the induction ceremony.
Cindy Curley made her mark in women's hockey, captaining the U.S. to three silver medals at the world championships in the 1990s and acknowledged the hard work of those before her in paving the way for female athletes. Brian Burke rounded out the class, having had a longstanding career within NHL management and expressing that current moment felt like “a dream come true.”
The 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony, set to take place Monday, will celebrate these incredible athletes and their contributions to the sport, culminating in a moment of recognition for their respective journeys.
