Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2024: Speech Highlights and Twitter Reaction
Andrew PetersNovember 12, 2024
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
The Hockey Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony for the Class of 2024 on Monday, welcoming a new group of members who defined the game for years.
This year’s class includes Pavel Datsyuk, Shea Weber, Jeremy Roenick, Natalie Darwitz, Krissy Wendell-Pohl, Colin Campbell and David Poile.
In his speech, Weber thanked the two teams he played for, the Nashville Predators and the Montreal Canadians. He also joked about his fellow inductee, Poile, who traded him from the Preds to the Canadians in 2016.
“I’d like to thank David Poile, Barry Trotz and the Predators for giving me a chance to live out my childhood dream in a city I now consider a second home,” he said. “Trotzy and David, I’m forever grateful for the lessons in life, hockey and leadership you guys shared with me. I would also like to thank Mark Bergevin, Jeff Molson and the Montreal Canadians for giving me a chance to play in the most passionate hockey city I think I’ve ever seen. I think I should be thanking David Poile for that too.”
NHL @NHL”I think I should be thanking David Poile for that, too” đ
Shea Weber gives thanks to those who helped him along the way during his induction into the @HockeyHallFame. pic.twitter.com/F17UR10yCg
Weber’s two former teams showed him love ahead of his induction:
Nashville Predators @PredsNHLFrom one Captain to another, congrats Shea! đ«Ą
đ° » https://t.co/Gglep98N9n pic.twitter.com/nNNM9wHCWv
Canadiens MontrĂ©al @CanadiensMTLFĂ©licitations Ă Shea Weber pour une intronisation bien mĂ©ritĂ©e au Temple de la renommĂ©e du hockey đ
Congratulations to Shea Weber on a well-deserved induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame!
#GoHabsGo
Darwitz and Wendell-Pohl, two legendary Team USA members, spent a decade playing on the same ice. Ahead of their induction, Darwitz described the unique relationship the two had.
“Krissy’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen play the game. Krissy and I also couldn’t be more opposite off the ice,” Darwitz said. “She was so social, I was quiet. She shot before games, I napped. We played 10 years together, most of them as linemates, but most importantly, we were good friends off the ice. There’s no way I would be here without Krissy, so it’s fitting we’re entering the Hall of Fame together.”
TSN @TSN_SportsNatalie Darwitz shares heartfelt words about her special bond growing up with fellow 2024 HHOF inductee Krissy Wendell-Pohl! đâ€ïž pic.twitter.com/zVIjE4njp4
Wendell-Pohl spoke about all her parents did for her throughout her career, including helping her navigate all that came with playing the sport as a woman:
TSN @TSN_SportsKrissy Wendell-Pohl gets emotional as she reflects on the profound impact her parents had on her hockey career! đâ€ïž pic.twitter.com/v8LNNWLYNE
A pair of Detroit Red Wings joined the Hall of Fame on Monday in Datsyuk and Campbell. Datsyuk spent 14 years in Detroit while Campbell was both a player and a member of the Red Wings’ coaching staff.
Detroit Red Wings @DetroitRedWingsOlympic Gold Medalist.
Stanley Cup Champion.
Magic Man.
Hall of Famer.
Congratulations, @Datsyuk13! đȘ pic.twitter.com/c3AHrH8Q0g
Detroit Red Wings @DetroitRedWingsCongrats to Colin Campbell on his official induction into the @HockeyHallFame! đ pic.twitter.com/DDGjIuBEzv
Some of the players Datsyuk played with and against had high praise for the legendary forward:
NHL @NHLThey don’t call him Magic Man for nothing đ«
Welcome to the @HockeyHallFame, Pavel Datsyuk!
More from @NHLdotcom âĄïž https://t.co/Nima0zQECd… pic.twitter.com/75hYP6awiq
Datsyuk showed a similar respect to the players he went up against:
TSN @TSN_SportsPavel Datsyuk shows the utmost respect for all the players he faced throughout his storied career during his HHOF induction speech! đ pic.twitter.com/dwarGtPwcw
Roenick showed a love for the sport in his speech while also making fans laugh and sparking some emotions. He shared a story about a moment before the NHL draft that was pure gold:
TSN @TSN_SportsJeremy Roenick shares a hilarious pre-draft moment with Mike Keenan at the 2024 HHOF induction! đđ pic.twitter.com/onMnyFaOUt
Eric Engels @EricEngelsThat Jeremy Roenick speech is an all-timer. Thank goodness they made him the closer. No one could possibly follow that act.
Katrina @TR1N1TY3Tearing up and laughing at the same time listening to @Jeremy_Roenick’s @HockeyHallFame acceptance speech.
What a humble, funny, and gracious HoF inducteeâŠ
Mark Cortesi @MarkCortesi@Jeremy_Roenick Wonderful speech JR! Thank you for all of the memories at the Madhouse on Madison and congratulations! @patio44
Poile, who had a fruitful career as an executive for the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals, took some time to show his appreciation for his wife.
“I could not have asked for or found a better teammate in life than my wife, Elizabeth, who has been with me every step of the way,” he said. “I was able to score the hat trick of life – who you marry and share your journey with, the job you have and the places you live. Elizabeth and I have been on a team from Atlanta to Calgary to Washington and ultimately to Nashville. She’s been the rock of our family throughout our shared hockey journey.”
