Wings’ Osgood, Colleen Howe don't make Hall of Fame

Detroit — There is no Red Wings’ connection to this year’s Hockey Hall of Fame class.

Monday’s announcement saw Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya, Dave Andreychuk, Mark Recchi and Danielle Goyette getting voted in for enshrinement, along with Clare Drake (Canadian collegiate coach) and Jeremy Jacobs (Boston Bruins owner) in the Builders category.

That meant another miss for former Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood.

A three-time Stanley Cup winner with 401 career victories, Osgood missed in his fourth year of eligibility on the ballot.

This year’s miss ended a streak of nine years with at least one Hall of Fame entrant having some sort of ties to the Red Wings organization.

Also missing this year were forward Daniel Alfredsson, who spent the final year of his career with the Red Wings after starring with the Ottawa Senators, and goaltender Curtis Joseph, who played two years with the Red Wings after brilliant years in Edmonton and Toronto.

In the builders’ category, Colleen Howe, wife of the legendary Gordie Howe, was left out.

But it was Osgood who some analysts felt had a good opportunity to finally get the congratulatory phone call from the Hall.

But it didn’t happen, despite having the 10th most victories (401), the three Stanley Cups, and possessing a 2.49 goal-against average and .905 save percentage over 16 seasons with the Red Wings, New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues.

Osgood won two Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed in regular season) — with Mike Vernon in 1996, and Dominik Hasek in 2008) and was a two-time NHL All-Star (1996, 2008).

What is holding Osgood back from induction?

Some analysts feel Osgood was the beneficiary of playing on Red Wings teams filled with Hall of Famers and superstars who could have won with any goaltender in net.

While many of his teammates received immediate entrance into the Hall of Fame, Osgood continues to wait — and his chances could get slimmer as the years go by.

Howe would have been the first woman inducted to the Builders category, a division for those who have helped build the game.

Howe has been receiving support in recent years for her development of the sport in Michigan and her managing of the playing careers of husband Gordie and sons Mark and Marty.

The highlight of Monday’s announcement, for many, was seeing the inclusion of Selanne and Kariya together.

The longtime teammates with the Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche were two of the most electrifying and prolific scorers in NHL history.

Selanne scored 76 goals in his rookie season and had 684 in his career, putting him 11th all time.
Kariya’s career was cut short because of concussions, but he had 989 points over his 15-year career and was a seven-time NHL All-Star.

“We clicked right away and it was just an incredible run for us,” said Kariya, of his work with Selanne.

Said Selanne: “I played my best years as a hockey player with Paul and the chemistry we had was m magical every night.”

ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com

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