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NHL unveils first 33 of its 100 Greatest Players list at Centennial Classic; six Red Wings named

MiHockey Staff
Photo courtesy of the Detroit Red Wings
Photo courtesy of the Detroit Red Wings

 

By @MichaelCaples –

Prior to puck drop at today’s NHL Centennial Classic in Toronto, the league announced the first 33 players for its 100 Greatest Players list.

Six of the Detroit Red Wings’ most iconic names were recognized by the league.

First, famed CBC broadcaster Ron MacLean announced 28 of the first 33, represented by family members during live introductions. Red Wings legends introduced at that time were:

  • Sid Abel – Red Wings – Represented by his daughter
  • Alex Delvecchio – Red Wings – MacLean announced that he was in the building but doing an interview
  • Gordie Howe – Red Wings – Represented by his son and hall-of-famer Mark
  • Terry Sawchuk – Red Wings – Represented by his son

Wayne Gretzky was on hand to welcome five of the players on hand for the special honor – the Great One greeted former Red Wings greats Glenn Hall and Red Kelly on the NHL logo stage.

 

Full list (from the NHL):

Sid Abel

Centered Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay on famed ‘Production Line’

 

Syl Apps

Legendary Maple Leafs center idolized for character, athleticism

 

Andy Bathgate

Tough, clean player was matinee idol for Rangers in 1950s, ’60s

 

Jean Beliveau

One of game’s greatest ambassadors won Stanley Cup 17 times as player, executive with Canadiens

 

Max Bentley

Electric performer won back-to-back scoring titles for Black Hawks, Stanley Cup three times with Maple Leafs

 

Toe Blake

Left wing on Canadiens’ famed ‘Punch Line’ was embodiment of ‘old-time hockey’

 

Johnny Bower

Playing into his 40s, goalie won four Stanley Cup championships with Maple Leafs

 

Turk Broda

Goalie thrived in playoffs, led Maple Leafs to five Stanley Cup titles, including three in row

 

Johnny Bucyk

Helped ‘Big Bad Bruins’ win Stanley Cup twice; played 21 seasons in Boston

 

King Clancy

Was highest-scoring defenseman in NHL history when he retired in 1936

 

Charlie Conacher

Nicknamed ‘The Big Bomber’ for powerful shot, was second captain of Maple Leafs

 

Alex Delvecchio

Captained Red Wings for 12 seasons, centered two versions of ‘Production Line’ with Gordie Howe

 

Bill Durnan

Canadiens goalie began career at age 27, won Vezina Trophy six times in seven seasons

 

Bernie Geoffrion

Legendary forward popularized slap shot, won Stanley Cup six times with Canadiens

 

Glenn Hall

Goalie helped Chicago end Stanley Cup drought in 1961, had NHL-record streak of 502 straight starts

 

Doug Harvey

Six-time Stanley Cup champion keyed Canadiens’ unstoppable power play

 

Tim Horton

Anchored Maple Leafs defense, was ‘strongest player in hockey’

 

Gordie Howe

Mr. Hockey dominated foes on ice, inspired fans off it during historic five-decade career

 

Red Kelly

Won Stanley Cup eight times, four as defenseman with Red Wings, four as center with Maple Leafs

 

Ted Kennedy

Youngest to ever suit up for Maple Leafs, first to win Stanley Cup five times

 

Dave Keon

Led Maple Leafs to three straight Stanley Cup championships, four overall in 15 seasons with Toronto

 

Elmer Lach

Was rugged center on Canadiens’ famed ‘Punch Line’ with Maurice Richard, Toe Blake

 

Ted Lindsay

Left wing on Red Wings’ famed ‘Production Line’ was fierce competitor for 17 seasons

 

Frank Mahovlich

Won Stanley Cup four times with Maple Leafs, twice with Canadiens, played on ‘Production Line II’ in Detroit

 

Dickie Moore

Six-time Stanley Cup winner with Canadiens was intense on ice, gentleman off it

 

Howie Morenz

Thrilled Canadiens fans with one-man rushes, won Stanley Cup three times with Montreal

 

Jacques Plante

First NHL goalie to regularly wear mask won Stanley Cup six times with Canadiens

 

Henri Richard

Magician on ice, ‘Pocket Rocket’ member of record 11 Stanley Cup championship teams

 

Maurice Richard

Cultural icon in Montreal, ‘Rocket’ won Stanley Cup eight times, including five in a row with Canadiens

 

Terry Sawchuk

Four-time Vezina Trophy winner helped Red Wings win Stanley Cup three times in four seasons

 

Milt Schmidt

Bruins legend centered ‘Kraut Line,’ won Stanley Cup twice as player, two more times as executive

 

Eddie Shore

First great Bruins defenseman was ‘Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb of hockey’

 

Georges Vezina

Ironman for Canadiens had goaltending trophy named after him