Hockey Hall of Fame Announces 2025 Inductees

The long wait is finally over for 1,000-point man Alexander Mogilny. Regarded as a pioneer of Russian hockey, Mogilny waited 17 years before receiving a life-changing phone call in June, informing him that he would be part of the 2025 class being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this coming November.

On Monday, November 10, 2025, six players who have combined for six Stanley Cups, eight Olympic Gold Medals, along with three Patty Kazmaier Awards, will be joined by two esteemed builders to experience the ultimate thrill of being officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Besides Mogilny, also being honoured will be forward Joe Thornton, defenceman Zdeno Chara, Duncan Keith, and two other forwards, Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker. Meanwhile, the two being inducted in the Builders Category are Jack Parker and Daniele Sauvageau.

“The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome these hockey legends as Honoured Members,” Ron Francis, Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, said. “Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented, and their election to the Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved.”

The following is a closer look at the accomplishments of each individual in the 2025 Induction class and how they have enriched this great game of hockey.

Alexander Mogilny
There’s no question that today’s NHL Russian players owe their careers to Alexander Mogilny. In showing great courage and determination, Mogilny changed the landscape for Russian hockey players when, in May 1989, he made history and became a hero by risking everything to become the first Russian player to defect to the States in order to follow his dream of playing in the NHL. Naturally, following Mogilny’s defection, he was looked upon by Russia as a defector and a deserter.

Mogilny, renowned for his exceptional skill and speed, enjoyed a storied 16-year career that saw him excel with the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Originally drafted by the Sabres 89th overall in the 1988 draft, Mogilny went on to play 990 games, producing 473 goals and 1,032 points, while finishing with a plus/minus of +81.

Among his numerous accomplishments, Mogilny is a proud member of what’s known as the IIHF Triple Gold Club, which was established when he won an Olympic gold medal (1988), a World Championship (1989), and, in 2000, with the New Jersey Devils, a Stanley Cup. Other achievements during Mogilny’s storied career include playing in the 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 and 2001 NHL All-Star Games. He was also selected to play in the 2003 game but was unable to do so due to an injury.

Other hockey achievements include being inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame on January 1, 2011, winning the 2003 Lady Byng Trophy, and being inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. Arguably, the biggest individual accomplishment in Mogilny’s career was in the 1992-93 campaign, when he remarkably scored 76 goals in one season. That year would see Mogilny tie another Hall of Famer, Teemu Selanne, for first in the league with 76 goals each. Mogilny has waited long enough, and being elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame is an honour he richly deserves.

Mogilny, who is now 56 years old, is currently the team president for Amur Khabarovsk, who play in the Kontinental Hockey League replied, “I am happy to be part of a great organisation like the Hockey Hall of Fame. I want to thank both my Russian and NHL teammates for helping me achieve this honour.”

Joe Thornton
Affectionately known as “Jumbo Joe,” Joe Thornton had a storied 24-year NHL career, during which he played 1,714 games with the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. He scored 430 goals, along with 1,539 points, 1,272 PIMs, and a solid plus/minus of +182.

Thornton, originally drafted first overall in 1997 by the Boston Bruins, never won a Stanley Cup but did help Team Canada win Olympic gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games, as well as helping Canada take home gold at the 2004 and 2016 Canada Cup. Thornton’s other notable achievements include helping HC Davos win the 2004 Spengler Cup and, in 1997, helping Canada win a World Junior Championship gold.

During his career, this 6’4” 219-pound elite playmaker competed in the 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009 NHL All-Star Game.

Following seven seasons with the Bruins, Thornton was traded on November 30, 2005, in a move the Bruins would regret, to the Sharks. That season would prove to be a real breakthrough for the superstar, who would go on to lead the league in scoring with 125 points (29 goals, 96 assists), which meant that Thornton had won the Art Ross Trophy. That year saw “Jumbo Joe” also win the Art Ross Trophy, along with being voted to the NHL’s First All-Star team. That magical 2005-06 season would also see Thornton make some history, as he became the first player to record the most points in a season while playing for two different teams. He also became the first player to win both the Art Ross and Hart trophies while playing for two teams.

This first Hall of Famer is the 14th all-time greatest NHL points producer, ranking within the top 10 for assists (seventh overall) and sixth all-time in games played. Showing himself to be a real money player, in his career, Thornton played 187 playoff games where he produced 32 goals and an impressive 134 points. Back on November 23, 2024, “Jumbo Joe” became only the second player to have his Sharks jersey retired to the SAP Center rafters. Less than a year later, Thornton will once again be honoured, but this time in Toronto as a Hockey Hall of Famer. “Holy doodle, I can’t believe that I am receiving this honour,” Thornton said. “There are so many people I need to thank because I certainly couldn’t have done this alone.”

Duncan Keith
Duncan Keith had a solid 17-year NHL career, during which he played 1,256 games, producing 106 goals, 646 points, and 675 PIMs. Drafted in 2002, 54th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, Keith went on to win three Stanley Cups with them (2010, 2013 and 2015) during his 16 years with the Blackhawks before playing his final season of his storied career with the Edmonton Oilers.

During his career, Keith won two Norris Trophies (2010 and 2014), in addition to achieving many other great accomplishments, including playing in the 2008, 2011, 2015, and 2018 NHL All-Star Games. Keith was also named to two NHL First All-Star Teams in 2010 and 2014. Other notable career accomplishments include being named to the NHL’s All-Decade 1st team (2010s) and, after the Hawks won the 2015 Stanley Cup, being named the Conn Smythe winner. During that magical playoff run, which saw Chicago defeat Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup finals, Keith had produced 21 points (3 goals, 18 assists) in 23 games along with a plus/minus of +16.

During the Game 6 clincher, Keith scores the series winner. The only other player to score the Stanley Cup-winning goal and then win the Conn Smythe Trophy was Detroit Red Wings forward and Hockey Hall of Famer Henrik Zetterberg, who did it in 2008 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On the international stage, Keith, playing for Team Canada, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, having won his first gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games, with his second coming four years later at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Keith has his name all over the Chicago Blackhawks’ record book. He is the all-time leader among Blackhawks defenceman in games played at 1,192 and sits second in assists with 520, along with points at 625. He also ranks number one in playoff assists with 68 and points at 86.

“On behalf of the Chicago Blackhawks organization, I’d like to congratulate Duncan on being named to the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2025,” Chairman and CEO of the Blackhawks, Danny Wirtz, said. “Duncan defined the modern archetype for a complete defenceman. His opponents feared his shutdown defence as much as they respected his offensive prowess.

Zdeno Chara
Affectionately known as “Big Z”, Zdeno Chara was a physical 6’9” 250-pound defenceman who enjoyed a 24-year Hall of Fame career playing 1,680 games with the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.

Chara, who was known for his intimidating size and reach along with a cannon of a slapshot, finished his career with 209 goals, 680 points and an unbelievable plus/minus of +301. Chara, who holds the record for most games played by a defenceman, was originally drafted in 1996, 56th overall by the New York Islanders. He played as a reliable stay-at-home defenceman for three full seasons before getting traded on June 23, 2001, to the Senators in exchange for Russian forward Alexei Yashin. Chara, who is from Slovakia, developed into a star during his four seasons with the Senators.

Eventually, on July 1, 2006, Chara left Ottawa and signed a five-year deal worth $37.5 million with the Bruins. Boston fans grew to love the “Big Z”, and the feeling was mutual as Chara was a Bruin for 14 seasons and enjoyed his best moment in 2011 when he made history by becoming the first Slovak to captain a team to a Stanley Cup victory. Towards the end of Chara’s career, he played the 2020-21 season with the Washington Capitals, and the following year, which was his last, saw Chara return for a second stint with the Islanders.

Among his impressive achievements, Chara recorded in the 2008-09 season 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) and a plus/minus of +23 in winning the Norris Trophy.

Chara played in six NHL All-Star Games (2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012). During the All-Star weekend skills competitions, Chara dominated the hardest shot category, winning it three years in a row from 2007 to 2009, as well as in consecutive years in 2011 and 2012.

Other notable achievements include being named to the NHL All-Decade team of 2000 and again for the 2010s team. Chara also won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2011 and was a First Team All-Star in 2004, 2009, and 2014. On the international front, Chara helped Slovakia win silver at the 2000 and 2012 IIHF World Championships.

“Zee is a superb human being in so many ways,” Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs said. “Not only in size and skill, but also in his thoughtfulness and the respect he commands. It’s no surprise that he was selected in his first year of eligibility, because he’s truly special. The Bruins were fortunate to get him and raise the Cup with him.”

Jennifer Botterill
Hockey fans might not realise that forwards Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker will be the 13th and 14th female players, respectively, to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November.

Botterill, who is currently part of the Sportsnet hockey panel, dominated on the international stage, where, in her storied career, she helped Canada capture Olympic gold at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, as well as at the 2006 games in Torino and the 2010 games in Vancouver. In addition to the Olympics, Botterill also dominated at the IIHF Women’s World Championships, where she represented Canada, winning five times (1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004) in her career.

This gifted offensive player, who was voted MVP of the 2001 and 2004 World Championships, is the fifth-highest points producer all-time among Team Canada women’s players, with 174. While Botterill has yet to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, she is still, in a sense, a hall of fame, having been inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017 and into the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2018.

Botterill played hockey from 1998 to 2003 at Harvard University, where she dominated and made history by finishing her career as the U.S. college women’s hockey career scoring leader with 149 goals and 319 points. In her collegiate career, she also twice captured the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top female USA collegiate player. “I think the best description is one that my heart is just full of gratitude,” Botterill said. “It’s been an amazing little moment to reflect and think about the people that have shared the journey with me.”

Brianna Decker
This has been an incredible couple of years for USA-born star forward Brianna Decker, starting with last year when this star forward from Dousman, Wisconsin, was inducted into the 2024 Class of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. If that wasn’t enough, less than a year later, Decker will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Decker played for the NCAA Wisconsin Badgers, where she made quite a statement in her freshman year when, in the 2009-10 season, she scored 15 goals, along with 27 points and 20 PIMs in 27 games played to win Rookie of the Year honours, along with being named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team. Two years later, Decker would explode with career bests 37 goals, along with 82 points during her junior year and was awarded the Patty Kazmaier Award.

On the international stage, Decker played for Team USA and played a significant role in the team’s gold medal win at the Pyeongchang Olympics. During the IIHF World Women’s Championships competition, Decker helped the USA strike gold in the 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019 games. “I’m in complete shock still,” Decker said. “Every person who has reached out, I’m obviously extremely grateful for. I got the call when I was on my John Deere lawn mower. I was like, that’s pretty small-town Wisconsin,” Decker said.

Jack Parker
Former Boston University coach Jack Parker will be inducted into the Builders Category. Parker led Boston University to three NCAA titles in 1978, 1995, and again in 2009. In total, Parker coached in 24 NCAA tournaments during a Hall of Fame coaching career that spanned 40 seasons before retiring in 2013 with 897 wins as Boston’s coach.

“At no time did it ever cross my mind that I was going to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame,” Parker said. “I was coach at BU for 40 years. I had a lot of fun doing it; we won a lot of games. And the reason we won a lot of games.”

Daniele Sauvageau
In November, Sauvageau will make history by becoming the first woman to join the Hall of Fame in the Builders Category. Her many career achievements include filling various roles, such as coach, general manager, and coaching consultant, for Team Canada’s Women’s hockey team during seven Olympic Games.

“When I received the call, I couldn’t talk,” Sauvageau said. “I had just finished an interview with a player because today’s an amazing day for the Professional Women’s Hockey League, because it’s our draft day. So, I’m very happy we’re ready to do so because since the call, I had a hard time refocusing on what we have to do tonight. But at the same time, what timing. It couldn’t be better, during our third draft of our league.”
A major highlight came in 2002 when she coached Team Canada to their first Olympic gold medal in 50 years.

Special congratulations to this year’s Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, who will be presented with their Hall of Fame jackets and plaque in November, marking a very emotional event.

Photos: Courtesy Hockey Hall of Fame