The Hockey Hall of Fame announced its class of 2026 on Monday, inducting five players and one builder. Among the players, only Patrice Bergeron has a Stanley Cup ring, but the group boasts remarkable careers and compelling narratives.
Patrice Bergeron: A First-Ballot Inductee
Bergeron, a six-time Frank Selke Trophy winner and 2011 Cup champion with the Boston Bruins, was elected in his first year of eligibility. Known for his dominance in the faceoff circle, he also amassed 1,040 regular-season points. Bergeron credited teammates like Zdeno Chara and coaches like Claude Julien for helping him excel defensively. When asked about the irony of being enshrined in Toronto after the Bruins eliminated the Maple Leafs in four Game 7s over 11 years, Bergeron chuckled and called it a “good question.”
Carey Price: Hart Trophy Winner Finally Inducted
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, a Hart Trophy winner, had to wait a year after a crowded 2025 field. Selection committee chair Ron Francis noted that Hart winners typically end up in the Hall. Price ranks 13th in NHL career save percentage and earned Olympic gold and World Cup titles. His career was hampered by injuries and off-ice issues, but he received the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance. “I always kind of figured I’d play until my body told me it was time to do something else,” Price said. “I kind of made peace with that as I came along.”
Pekka Rinne: Predators’ First Full-Time Hall of Famer
Pekka Rinne, who put the Nashville Predators on the map, becomes the franchise’s first full-time Hall of Famer. The Finnish goaltender won the Vezina Trophy and was a finalist four times. Though he never won a Stanley Cup, he led Nashville to the 2017 Final. “An unbelievable honour,” Rinne said. “I met so many wonderful people in Nashville and I share this with them.”
Keith Tkachuk: Long-Awaited Induction
Keith Tkachuk, inducted after more than a decade of waiting, was celebrated amid a busy family weekend that included son Brady’s trade to Florida and a family baptism. Tkachuk scored 30 or more goals nine times, twice reaching 50, and ranks third in all-time goals by an American. He also played on the U.S. team that won the 1996 World Cup. “It’s been quite a weekend for the Tkachuks, a whirlwind,” he said. He thanked his mother and the “blue-collar people from Boston who lived pay cheque to pay cheque so I could live my dream.”
Cindy Curley: U.S. Women’s Pioneer
Cindy Curley, a 5-foot-5 forward, played for the U.S. in the inaugural 1990 IIHF women’s championship and later became a coach. Her induction recognizes her contributions to women’s hockey.
Brian Burke: Builder with a Legacy of Advocacy
Brian Burke, inducted as a builder, had a career as a player agent, league disciplinarian, and general manager of several NHL teams, including the 2007 Cup champion Anaheim Ducks. He also helped draft Daniel and Henrik Sedin for the Vancouver Canucks. Burke is known for his advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion after his son Brendan came out and later died in a car accident. “When you have a son or daughter who’s gay and they come out, you have to become an advocate instantly or you’re not doing your job as a parent,” Burke said. “It was as important as anything else I’ve ever worked on.”
