Who makes your Hall of Awesome?

Credit: Apr 3, 2023; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Phil Kessel (8) reacts to his missed shot against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

This upcoming weekend, the Hockey Hall of Fame will celebrate its Class of 2024. It’ll be a star-studded affair featuring the sport’s living legends, capped off with Monday night’s induction ceremony.

Fans and media love to debate who belongs in the Hall of Fame. The topic is fun, polarizing, personal, and produces passion across generations. I’m often in the middle of these conversations. But sometimes in the heat of the moment or amidst the statistical scrutiny, we lose sight of what makes hockey so special.

Today, we’re presenting the ultimate palate cleanser. Meet the Hall of Awesome.

Here’s the definition… Hall of Awesome: awesome players who didn’t have Hall of Fame careers. That’s it.

The best part? You decide what makes someone awesome. Charisma. Talent. Uniqueness. Toughness. Leadership. Off-ice impact. Humor. Grit. Some personal connection to a memorable time in your life.

Your Hall of Awesome

In your personal Hall of Awesome, you can name one player, a handful of players, a six-player starting lineup, or a full roster. Your picks just can’t already be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame or destined for future membership.

You’re encouraged to share your personal inductees on social media using the hashtag #HallofAwesome. Find my post on X and quote tweet it if you’d like. I’d consider it a win for hockey if this idea can gain momentum and celebrate what makes the sport we love awesome.

Who's in *your* #HallofAwesome?

✔️ HALL OF AWESOME: awesome hockey players that didn't have Hall of Fame careers.@DailyFaceoff is bringing positive vibes to the annual HHOF debate. Share your personal inductees using #HallofAwesome!

Here's my picks: ⬇️https://t.co/XUE6HxYPns

— Paul Pidutti (@AdjustedHockey) November 6, 2024

Your Hall of Awesome will likely reveal something about your generation and relationship with hockey. And that’s encouraged. Maybe your formative years featured moustaches and fisticuffs — Wendel Clark is your first-ballot guy. Or Ron Hextall. Maybe you’re a late bloomer inspired to induct Mark Giordano or Claude Giroux. Or an undersized kid with Cole Caufield on your lock screen. Or a goalie who fell in love with hockey from memorable playoff runs by Kelly Hrudey or Mike Richter or Miikka Kiprusoff.

Maybe you grew up watching the skill of Team USA’s Amanda Kessel or the tenacity of Canada’s Rebecca Johnston while dreaming that the PWHL might arrive one day. Or Nazem Kadri or Reggie Leach or Arturs Irbe or Vicky Sunohara or Trevor Daley shone light on a path you couldn’t see yourself. Induct them.

And hey, if one of your Hall of Awesome players winds up in the real Hall of Fame, that’s great. We won’t get hung up on whether the player could be a future candidate. If an Awesome player gets a plaque at Brookfield Place one day, we’re all better for it.

My Hall of Awesome

Here are the starting six in my Hall of Awesome. For transparency, I grew up in the 1990s in Sudbury, Ontario, a youth hockey goalie rooting for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Goaltender: Felix Potvin

Why He’s Awesome: If you know, you know. ‘The Cat’ debuted at just 20 years old in the Leafs crease and, for a certain generation in Ontario, he was the coolest athlete. Unlike most goalies at the time, Potvin played in the blue paint, relying on his lightning-quick reflexes, butterfly style, and fast glove to foil shooters. And that goalie gear? Perfection. The blue and white color scheme, stylized cat eyes on his signature mask, and jagged icy pattern on his pads and gloves. Better yet, he led the Leafs to the conference finals in each of his first two full seasons — still as exciting as playoff hockey has been in Toronto since 1967.

Forward: Phil Kessel

Why He’s Awesome: The American winger’s stocky physique improbably delivered breakaway speed, soft hands, and a laser shot. He used his gifts to play a stunning 1,064 consecutive games — the most in NHL history. Jettisoned from Boston and Toronto in his 20s, he was perfectly cast in Pittsburgh where his two exceptional playoff runs led to consecutive rings — and a memorable photo with a Stanley Cup full of hot dogs. The introverted Kessel’s dry, clever persona was loved by teammates. The Everyman Iron Man is first-team Hall of Awesome for this tweet alone after Team USA’s World Cup of Hockey elimination.

Just sitting around the house tonight w my dog. Felt like I should be doing something important, but couldn't put my finger on it.

— Phil Kessel (@PKessel81) September 21, 2016

Forward: Jonathan Cheechoo

Why He’s Awesome: The 2006 Rocket Richard winner is famous for his breakout 56-goal year where he teamed with Joe Thornton to make magic in San Jose. But Cheechoo isn’t in My Hall of Awesome for his signature season. Born in Moose Factory, a tiny, remote island on the James Bay coast, Cheechoo is an inspiration to Indigenous youth. The main road in the town of 2,500 is now known as Jonathan Cheechoo Drive. I know firsthand, having travelled there a few dozen times over the years. It’s a 10-minute boat, snowmobile, or helicopter ride, followed by a one-hour plane ride, and then an eight-hour drive to Scotiabank Arena. Cheechoo moved from home at 14 to pursue — and achieve — his longshot hockey dreams.

Forward: Nick Foligno

Why He’s Awesome: While Nick was born in Buffalo, my hometown of Sudbury has long adopted the Foligno family as its own. Nick, his brother Marcus, and his father Mike, each starred for the Wolves, the local OHL team. A respected veteran of nearly 1,200 NHL games, Nick is known as the epitome of class and philanthropy, particularly around pediatric causes. He’s now well into his ‘Team Dad’ era, and the Blackhawk captain’s grounded, down-to-earth character and commitment to community have earned him the King Clancy Memorial Trophy (on and off-ice leadership) and the Messier Leadership Award.

Defenceman: Cheryl Pounder

Why She’s Awesome: On the ice, Pounder was a rock-solid defender internationally on Team Canada for 14 seasons, earning six IIHF World Championships and Olympic golds in Salt Lake City and Turin. She’s best known today as a leading broadcast voice in both men’s and women’s hockey. Pounder is confident and razor sharp, capably blending both new and old school in-game analysis. She also became a color commentator for NHL24 last year — the first female voice to contribute to the revered video game franchise in its 30-plus-year history.

Defenceman: P.K. Subban

Why He’s Awesome: Subban’s outspoken nature hasn’t always been celebrated in an often robotic hockey culture. But that’s what makes him special. As a player, he was dripping with style, skill, and charisma. The 2013 Norris Trophy winner and three-time Norris finalist, Subban at his peak was electric. He played aggressively. He wasn’t afraid to play physical. He chirped tirelessly and had the game to back it up. Off the ice, he was a fashion-conscious star, a brand ambassador, and a philanthropist. In 2015, P.K. made a $10 million fundraising commitment to Montreal’s Children Hospital. One of a kind, a player you went to the rink to see, and unapologetically himself.

Bonus: Builders

Lastly, just for fun, we’ll name an off-ice Hall of Awesome team of Builders: the broadcast duo of trailblazing play-by-play man Harnarayan Singh and best-in-class color man Ray Ferraro will be inducted; head coach and O.G. inspiration for the Hall of Awesome, Rod Brind’Amour; and since it’s my Hall of Awesome, we’ll add Brock McGillis — hockey’s leading LGBT+ advocate (and my own goalie mentor and friend growing up).

Let’s hear your #HallofAwesome.

Follow @AdjustedHockey on X; visit www.adjustedhockey.com