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Lundqvist, who was the face of the National
Hockey League's most valuable franchise during his 15-season run
with the team, earned the nod in his first year of eligibility.
While with the Rangers, Lundqvist set 50 franchise records,
including the all-time mark for wins, appearances by a goalie,
shutouts, playoff appearances and playoff wins.
Known as "The King", Lundqvist also won the Vezina Trophy as the
NHL's best goaltender for the 2011-12 season and was a finalist
for the award in four other years.
Lundqvist, who helped Sweden claim Olympic gold in 2006, has
also earned more career NHL wins (459) than any other non-North
American born goaltender and reached the 400-win mark faster
than any other goaltender.
Lundqvist last played in the 2019-20 season and was forced to
retire because of a heart ailment.
Also gaining induction in the Player category were former NHL
goalies Tom Barrasso and Mike Vernon, 1987 first overall draft
pick Pierre Turgeon and four-times Olympic champion Caroline
Ouellette.
Ken Hitchcock, who was head coach of the Dallas Stars team that
won the Stanley Cup in 1999, and the late Pierre Lacroix, who
won the Stanley Cup twice as general manager of the Colorado
Avalanche, were selected in the Builder category.
The induction celebration for the Class of 2023 is scheduled for
Nov. 13 in Toronto.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Toby Davis)
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