Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023

CLASS OF 2023 ENSHRINEMENT CEREMONY

November 13, 2023 – We at Baron® are grateful to be part of the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Enshrinement.

The Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Enshrinement Ceremony festivities will be from Friday, November 10, 2023, to Monday, November 13, 2022. The Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee announced on June 21, 2023, the Class of 2026 will enshrine 7 honourees during the festivities in Toronto, Canada.

• Hockey Hall Of Fame Class Of 2022

The Induction Weekend Schedule:

• Friday, November 10, 2023 – Hockey Hall of Fame Game at 7:00 p.m. at the Scotiabank Arena, Toronto. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Calgary Flames.
• Saturday, November 11, 2023 – Inductee Fan Forum at 1:30 p.m. at the Hockey Hall of Fame, Brookfield Palace, Toronto. Partake in a special Q&A session featuring Class of 2023 inductees.
• Sunday, November 12, 2023 – Hundai Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classics at 3:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto. Highlighting the Sunday afternoon schedule of the 2023 Hyundai Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend Celebration. Two star‐studded teams led by Adam Oates & Joe Nieuwendyk face off in this annual Induction classic.
• Monday, November 13, 2023 – 2023 Induction Celebration at Meridian Hall, Toronto.
• Induction Celebration/DoorOpen at 5:30 p.m. Enter via the Brookfield Place concourse level and experience our renowned hospitality.
• Induction Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Live from the Allen Lambert Galleria and shown throughout the Hockey Hall of Fame. To be broadcast at 8:00 p.m. ET on TSN and NHL Network.

Born March 31, 1965, in Boston, Massachusetts, Tom Barrasso grew up in nearby Stow, Massachusetts, and began his goaltending career playing on outdoor rinks at the age of five.

He progressed rapidly, and by 16 he was tending goal for the Acton‐Boxborough Colonials, his high school team that in 1982‐83, won 22 and tied one during the 23‐game season with Tom recording 10 shutouts and a goals-against average of 0.99. That season, he shared the goal crease on the United States’ World Junior squad with John Vanbiesbrouck.

In 2009, Tom Barrasso was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. One more honour surfaced in 2023 ‐ induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Player Category.

View more details of Tom Barrasso’s hockey career

The fourth winningest coach in NHL history at the time of his Hockey Hall of Fame induction, Ken Hitchcock’s outstanding career included stints with the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers through 22 NHL seasons.

Born December 17, 1951, in Edmonton, Alberta, Ken Hitchcock began his coaching career at various levels of hockey in his hometown, which led to ten years behind the bench of a Midget AAA team. Through that time, he amassed an incredible record of 575 wins against just 69 losses. At the same time, he was also teaching fundamentals to girls learning to play hockey.

In 2019, Ken was named a recipient of the Order of Hockey in Canada and he added another honour in 2023 when he was inducted into the Builder Category of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

View more details of Ken Hitchcock’s hockey career

Pierre Lacroix had two Stanley Cups sitting on his mantle at home, recognizing the work he put into constructing the Colorado Avalanche rosters that captured hockey’s greatest reward in 1996 and 2001.

Born August 3, 1948, in Montreal, Quebec, Lacroix’s hockey dreams began as a player. In 1960, his Rosemont Youth Committee team was one of the first participants in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey tournament. The legendary tournament gave players 12 and under the opportunity to enjoy international competition and was created in 1960 to coincide with the Quebec Winter Carnival.

Pierre Lacroix was only 72 years old when he passed away on December 13, 2020. While the hockey world lost a giant, he left behind an extraordinary legacy that was recognized in 2023 when he was posthumously inducted into the Builder Category of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

View more details of Pierre Lacroix’s hockey career

Henrik and his twin brother Joel were born on March 2, 1982, in Are, Sweden. Both discovered a love for hockey as children. During the winter, their kindergarten teacher used a sandpit to freeze and create an ice rink where the twins learned to skate. Their father often took them to watch Frölunda play, and that team became the boys’ favourite.

In 1990, the twins began playing organized hockey for the first time. During one practice, the coach asked if anyone wanted to be a goalie and Joel raised Henrik’s hand.

Both boys were scouted by Frölunda while playing for Rögle BK in the 1998 Scandinavium Cup and joined the team for the 1999‐2000 season. That year, they also played for Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championship, winning the bronze medal.

After a sterling goaltending career, Henrik Lundqvist was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Player Category in 2023.

View more details of Henrik Lundqvist’s hockey career

Caroline Ouellette was a pillar at forward on Canada’s National Women’s Team, winning four Olympic gold medals, six IIHF Women’s World Championship golds as well as six silver, and is a four‐time winner of the Clarkson Cup.

Born May 25, 1979, in Montreal, Québec, Caroline Ouellette began playing hockey at nine, learning the basics and developing her skills until she was 16 and invited to play for Team Québec at the 1995 Canada Winter Games, taking the bronze medal. As a member of Québec’s Under‐18 team in 1997, Ouellette won a gold medal at the National Women’s Under‐18 Championship.

She represented Québec at many Esso Women’s Hockey Nationals, winning gold in 1999 and 2002, and silver in 2000, 2001, and 2006. Caroline was named MVP at the 2001 tournament and Top Forward in 1999.

2023 was a very special year for Caroline Ouellette. She was inducted into the IIHF Hockey Hall of Fame, and University of Minnesota Duluth Athletic Hall of Fame, named to the Ordre national du Québec and was selected as an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Player Category.

View more details of Caroline Ouellette’s hockey career

Pierre Turgeon, born August 28, 1969, in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, is the highest-scoring retired player in NHL history who, up to 2023, had not been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. That status has now changed.

Turgeon was a Junior sensation with the Granby Bisons. In 1985-86, he collected 115 points, was named to the QMJHL’s Third All-Star Team, and received the Michel Bergeron Trophy as the Offensive Rookie of the Year. He followed that with a 154-point performance in 1986-87, again was named to the QMJHL’s Third All-Star Team, and was the winner of the Michael Bossy Trophy as the Best Professional Prospect in the league.

In 2023, the Selection Committee elected Pierre Turgeon to the Player Category of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

View more details of Pierre Turgeon’s hockey career

A two-time Stanley Cup champion and the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy and the William Jennings Trophy, Mike Vernon backstopped his NHL teams to 385 victories through an outstanding 19-season career.

Born February 24, 1963, in Calgary, Alberta, his destiny was established by the age of four. “I had three brothers,” he laughed. “When it came time to play hockey, they always said the same thing: ‘Get Mikey. He’ll play net.'”

Mike Vernon represented Canada at two international tournaments. At the IIHF World Junior Championship in 1983, Team Canada took the bronze medal. At the 1991 IIHF World Championship, the Canadians won the silver medal.

To honour his outstanding career, Mike Vernon was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Player Category in 2023.

View more details of Mike Vernon’s hockey career

Congratulations to the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023 inductees! We greatly appreciate and recognize your multiple achievements in the hockey community.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony becomes not only a recognition of past achievements but a celebration of the enduring spirit of the sport. The 2023 Class represents the culmination of years of dedication, skill, and passion for hockey.

It is a night to honour the legends and builders who have enriched the game and left an indelible impact on the hearts of fans worldwide.

The Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 embodies the essence of excellence, sportsmanship, and dedication. From Lundqvist’s unparalleled goaltending feats to Ouellette’s trailblazing achievements in women’s hockey, and the remarkable contributions of Vernon, Barrasso, Turgeon, Hitchcock, and Lacroix.

We celebrate the remarkable careers that have forever etched these names in hockey history.

Are you looking to design a custom Hall of Fame Ring? Contact us through the form and we’ll guide you to creating your own Hall of Fame Ring.

Let us know on Facebook and Twitter your favourite moment of the ceremony. Which 2023 Inductee’s acceptance speech stood out the most to you? Don’t forget to share Baron®‘s Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023 blog.