An ironman and an anchor will be honored in Chicago forever.
The Blackhawks revealed their inaugural 11-player Hall of Fame class Friday morning, with forward Steve Larmer and defenseman Duncan Keith voted in by fans, media and former players to join the nine others announced in May.
“We are beyond proud to announce the inaugural Blackhawks Hall of Fame class will include Steve Larmer and Duncan Keith,” Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said in a statement. “The incredible participation we saw from Blackhawks fans, alumni and media is a testament to the lasting influence that each of these individuals have had on our storied franchise.”
Larmer, who topped the voting on the heritage-era ballot, received the “Ironman” moniker for his streak of 884 consecutive games played from 1982-83 through 1992-93. Keith, voted in from the modern-era ballot, was the defensive anchor of three Stanley Cup championship teams in the 2010s.
The nine Hawks whose numbers are retired — Glenn Hall, Pierre Pilote, Keith Magnuson, Chris Chelios, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito and Marian Hossa — were automatically included in the inaugural class when the team announced plans to celebrate its centennial season.
The Hall of Fame will occupy space in the expanding Fifth Third Arena, and the players will be honored during an April 11 game against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center.
Keith finished his 17-year career — 16 with the Hawks — with 646 points (106 goals and 540 assists). He erupted for a career-best 69 points (14 goals and 55 assists) in 2009-10, when he won the first of two Norris Trophies (also 2013-14) as the NHL’s best defenseman and helped the Hawks win the first of three Stanley Cups in a six-season span.
A four-time All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist for Canada and 2015 Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the postseason MVP, Keith was named one of the NHL’s 100 greatest players in 2017. A month later, he became the third Hawks defenseman to score 500 career points.
This is Keith’s second honor this year as he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in June.
“Duncan’s impact on the game of hockey is nothing short of astounding,” Wirtz said. “Through his elite playmaking, grit and leadership both on and off the ice, Duncan helped shape a modern dynasty while cementing himself as one of the best to ever play.”
Larmer isn’t in the Hockey Hall of Fame, but many fans would tell you he should be. He played 1,006 games over 15 seasons — 13 with the Hawks — and finished with 1,012 points (441 goals and 571 assists). Teams were ultraefficient with the right wing on the ice; he had a plus-203 rating for his career.
During his ironman streak, Larmer scored at least 70 points in each of 11 full seasons. He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie in the 1982-83 season, and after a trade to the New York Rangers in the 1993-94 season, he helped them win their first Stanley Cup since 1940.
“One of the most prolific scorers the team has ever seen, Steve set the bar for what it means to be a Blackhawk,” Wirtz said. “From his remarkable production to his extraordinary ironman streak, Steve quietly laid the foundation for generations of future Blackhawks players and fans alike.”