By Wayne Baggs & Additional Photography By YYZ Events
As a lifelong hockey fan now in my late sixties, the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony felt deeply meaningful. It offered a chance to reflect on decades of watching the game evolve and to appreciate the players and builders who shaped so many eras of the sport. Walking into the Hall, I felt the same sense of respect and admiration I’ve carried since childhood, when I first began following the game closely.
Seeing Zdeno Chára inducted was especially powerful. His leadership, discipline, and longevity defined an entire generation of defensemen. Joe Thornton’s induction carried similar weight.
Over the years, his playmaking ability and presence on the ice became a model for consistency and dedication. Duncan Keith’s enshrinement brought back memories of watching him excel in crucial moments, his defensive awareness and quiet intensity marking him as one of the most dependable players of his time.
Alexander Mogilny’s induction was particularly significant. For those of us who witnessed his career from the beginning, his skill, determination, and trailblazing journey left a lasting impression. It felt important to see his achievements formally recognized.
Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker being honoured made me grin. I’ve watched the women’s game grow from a distant whisper to a roar, and these two helped make that happen. As for the builders, Parker and Sauvageau reminded me that hockey isn’t just about the stars—it’s about the people who shape the sport from behind the curtain.
All in all, the ceremony felt like a warm handshake with hockey history—familiar, emotional, and exactly the kind of night that makes an old fan like me proud to have watched it all unfold.
BKonthescene 