Mogilny Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame
The wait is finally over. Alexander Mogilny has entered the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class.
Regarded as one of the greatest goal-scorers of his era, Mogilny had been notably overlooked since 2009. During his 16 seasons in the NHL, he netted 473 goals and provided 559 assists, surpassing 1,000 career points. An important figure in hockey history, he made waves in 1989 as the first Soviet player to join the NHL.
Mogilny’s journey is almost like something out of a spy novel. He defected from the Soviet team during the 1989 World Championships in Stockholm, finding refuge with the help of the Sabres management, which ultimately set the stage for his move to western New York.
He made his NHL debut with the Sabres on October 5, 1989, marking the beginning of a Hall of Fame-worthy career. Mogilny set a franchise record in the 1992-93 season, scoring an impressive 76 goals.
In the 1999-00 season, he won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils after being traded at the deadline. In addition to his NHL success, he earned gold medals with the Soviet team at the 1988 Olympics and the 1989 World Championships.
“It’s an honor to be part of the Hockey Hall of Fame. I want to thank all my teammates from both Russia and the NHL for making this possible,” Mogilny expressed in a statement.
Joining Mogilny in the Player category are Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith, Zdeno Chara, Jennifer Botterill, and Briana Decker. Jack Parker and Danièle Sauvageau are also recognized in the Builders category for the 2025 class.
Chara, who was drafted in 1996, played for various teams, including the Senators and Bruins, before becoming a pivotal figure in Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup win. His NHL career spanned from 1997 to 2022, totaling 1,680 games, making him one of the most prominent defensemen in league history, with an average of over 23 minutes of ice time per game.
In his final season, Chara faced off against the Islanders in April 2022, marking the end of his illustrious career with a last goal.
The Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled to take place in Ontario on November 10th.
