Rob Blake Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame (HoF chat)

[Ziggy Stardust]

From SI:
The cornerstone blueliner spent 14 seasons with the Kings after they chose him with the 70th overall pick in the 1988 NHL Draft. During his time with the team, he was a four-time All-Star and the winner of the 1997-98 Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman. He was traded to Colorado in February 2001, but returned as a free agent in July 2006, spending two more seasons in LA. He ranks fourth all-time in games played and penalty minutes for the Kings.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nhl/photos/1205/iconic-los-angeles-kings//15/#ixzz35UWEyBGC

Congrats Blakey.

Click to read more...

 

[kingskring]

Rob Blake to the HOF

The Mayor John Hoven ‏@mayorNHL 7m
Official Hockey Hall of Fame class for 2014 just announced... Rob Blake gets in.


Number will be getting retired I bet

 

[Captain Mittens*]

His Number retirement next...watch out for it

 

[jfont]

Congrats to Rob Blake!

I never booed the guy and think that people here over-react sometimes...

 

[Reclamation Project]

*obligatory negative comment*

 

[HYORI 1963]

No doubt about it!!! Has there ever been a HOF NOT to have their jersey retired? :

And unlike others I forgave you unconditionally.

 

[Hatter]

Booooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Buddy The Elf]

No doubt about it!!! Has there ever been a HOF NOT to have their jersey retired? :

I'm not sure. But I'm sure Colorado will go ahead and retire it now that he has made the HOF.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Blake's credentials:

- NCAA (CCHA) All-Tournament Team 89/90
- NCAA (CCHA) Best Offensive Defenseman 89/90
- NCAA (CCHA) Champion 87/88
- NCAA (CCHA) First All-Star Team 89/90
- NCAA (CCHA) Second All-Star Team 88/89
- NCAA (West) First All-American Team 89/90
- NCAA Top Collegiate Player "Hobey Baker Award" Finalist 89/90
- NHL All-Rookie Team 90/91
- NHL Best Defenseman "Norris Trophy" 97/98
- NHL First All-Star Team 97/98
- NHL Most Goals by Defenseman 97/98
- NHL Second All-Star Team 99/00, 00/01, 01/02
- NHL Stanley Cup Champion 00/01
- Olympic Best Defenseman 97/98
- Olympic Gold Medal 01/02
- Triple Gold Club 01/02
- World Championship All-Star Team 96/97
- World Championship Best Defenseman 96/97
- World Championship Gold Medal 93/94
- World Championship Silver Medal 90/91
- World Cup Runner Up 95/96

From his LA Kings' staff profile:

On the ice, Blake played 14 of his 20 NHL seasons with the Kings (1990-01 and 2006-08), the San Jose Sharks (2008-10) and the Colorado Avalanche (2001-06), where he won a Stanley Cup in 2001. He recorded 777 points (240-537=777) in 1,270 regular season games while in 146 playoff games he registered 73 points (26-47=73).

Blake, 43 (12/10/69), served as the Kings captain from 1996-01 and again from 2007-08 (six total seasons). He helped lead the Kings to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993; won the franchise’s first Norris Trophy in 1998; captured a gold medal at the 2002 Olympics; and he made seven trips to the NHL All-Star Game including four as a King.

He also is a two-time winner of the Kings Most Valuable Player Award (1997-98 and 1999-00); a six-time winner of the Kings Outstanding Defenseman Award (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1997-98 and 1999-00); a winner of the Most Popular Player Award (1997-98); a winner of the Most Inspirational Award (1997-98); and he is a three-time winner of the Kings Community Service Award (1995-96, 1998-99 and 1900-00). He was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 1991; named to NHL’s First All-Star Team in 1998; and he was named to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team three times including twice with the Kings.

Blake was originally selected by the Kings in the fourth round (70th overall) of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. A native of Simcoe, Ontario, Blake played college hockey at Bowling Green State University. He made his NHL debut with the Kings during the 1989-90 season and his final game came in the 2010 postseason with the Sharks.

 

[Face Wash]

His Number retirement next...watch out for it

He wore #666 right? Can't wait to see it up in the rafters.

 

[Hatter]

Yeah. We've already been over this

 

[cyclones22]

Congrats to Blake. He'll have his name on the Cup as a King now too. That being said, I'm already dreading the jersey retirement ceremony because of the potential booing.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Congrats to Blake. He'll have his name on the Cup as a King now too. That being said, I'm already dreading the jersey retirement ceremony because of the potential booing.

I'd be embarrassed if that happens. In fact, I know I'll be embarrassed.

 

[tsanuri]

Congrats to Blake. He'll have his name on the Cup as a King now too. That being said, I'm already dreading the jersey retirement ceremony because of the potential booing.

Remember we're classless fans anyway. And when this happens it will add to it. We don't boo Bettman but will boo a former player when his jersey is retired.
And we get it right on Bettman unlike the rest of the league as far as I am concerned.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=723529

Rob Blake, the all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points by a Los Angeles Kings defenseman, on Monday learned that he will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Blake, currently serving as Assistant General Manager for the 2014 Stanley Cup Champion Kings, joins players Peter Forsberg, Dominik Hasek and Mike Modano as part of the 2014 selection class, with induction ceremonies set for Nov. 17 in Toronto. Also selected as new members of the Hall of Fame on Monday were Pat Burns in the Builder Category; and Bill McCreary in the Referee and Linesman Category.

“It’s a great honor to be included in the group selected today and to join all the great players that reside in the Hockey Hall of Fame,” said Blake. “I feel fortunate and thankful as the game of hockey has been very good to me and my family over the past 25 years.”

KINGS REGULAR SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 1st all-time among defensemen in games played (805), 4th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in goals (161), 13th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in assists (333), 8th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in points (494), 8th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in power play goals (92), 5th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in game-winning goals (29), 4th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in shots (2,468), 3rd overall

• 3rd all-time among defensemen in penalty minutes (1,231), 4th overall

• Led all defensemen in scoring six times (1992-93, 1993-94, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-00)

• Recorded 12 power-play goals in 1999-00, the most-ever scored in one season by a defenseman

• Recorded six game-winning goals in 1993-94, the most-ever scored in one season by a defenseman

• Attempted 327 shots on goal in 1999-00, the most-ever attempted in one season by a defenseman

• His 23 goals in 1997-98 rank 2nd all-time among defensemen

• His 68 points (20-48=68) in 1993-94 rank 3rd all-time among defensemen

• Scored a career-high five points (3-2=5) and notched his only career hat trick vs. the New York Rangers on December 14, 2000

• Served as the Kings captain from 1996-01 and again from 2007-08 (six seasons)

• Two-time winner of the Kings Most Valuable Player “Bill Libby Memorial Award” (1997-98 and 1999-00)

• Six-time winner of the Kings Outstanding Defenseman Award (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1997-98 and 1999-00)

• Winner of the Most Popular Player Award (1997-98)

• Winner of the Most Inspirational “Ace Bailey Memorial Award” (1997-98)

• Three-time winner of the Kings Community Service Award (1995-96, 1998-99 and 1900-00)

• Named to NHL All-Rookie Team in 1991

• Norris Trophy Winner in 1998

• Named to NHL First All-Star Team in 1998

• Named to NHL Second All-Star Team in 2000 and 2001 (2002 with Colorado)

• Four-time NHL All-Star with the Kings (six total)

KINGS PLAYOFFS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 6th all-time in games played among defensemen (57)

• 4th all-time among defensemen in goals (8)

• T-4th all-time among defensemen in assists (16)

• 4th all-time among defensemen in points (24)

• 3rd all-time among defensemen in penalty minutes (98)

• T-3rd all-time among defensemen in power play goals (3)

• One of only two Kings defensemen to score a short-handed goal

• Member of the 1993 Kings team that reached the Stanley Cup Final

ADDITIONAL NHL REGULAR SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 21st all-time among defensemen in games played (1,270)

• 11th all-time among defensemen in goals (240)

• 24th all-time among defensemen in assists (537)

• 19th all-time among defensemen in points (777)

• 3rd all-time among defensemen in power play goals (136)

• 6th all-time among defensemen in game-winning goals (41)

• 4th all-time among defensemen in shots (3,896)

ADDITIONAL NHL PLAYOFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2001 Stanley Cup Champion with Colorado in 2001

• T-13th all-time among defensemen in goals (26)

• 25th all-time among defensemen in points (73)

INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Represented Canada at three Winter Olympic Games: 1998 (named top defenseman of tournament), 2002 (gold medal) and 2006

• Represented Canada at the World Championships five times: 1991 (silver medal), 1994 (gold medal), 1997 (gold medal, named best defensemen of tournament), 1998 and 1999

• Represented Canada at the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 and 2004 (DNP due to injury)

 

[KingsFanInRI]

in a related story, the wall I painted yesterday is nearly dry.

I was never a huge Blake fan to begin with, so my apathy does not surprise me.

 

[The Butcher]

http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=723529


KINGS REGULAR SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 1st all-time among defensemen in games played (805), 4th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in goals (161), 13th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in assists (333), 8th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in points (494), 8th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in power play goals (92), 5th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in game-winning goals (29), 4th overall

• 1st all-time among defensemen in shots (2,468), 3rd overall

• 3rd all-time among defensemen in penalty minutes (1,231), 4th overall

• Led all defensemen in scoring six times (1992-93, 1993-94, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-00)

• Recorded 12 power-play goals in 1999-00, the most-ever scored in one season by a defenseman

• Recorded six game-winning goals in 1993-94, the most-ever scored in one season by a defenseman

• Attempted 327 shots on goal in 1999-00, the most-ever attempted in one season by a defenseman

• His 23 goals in 1997-98 rank 2nd all-time among defensemen

• His 68 points (20-48=68) in 1993-94 rank 3rd all-time among defensemen

• Scored a career-high five points (3-2=5) and notched his only career hat trick vs. the New York Rangers on December 14, 2000

• Served as the Kings captain from 1996-01 and again from 2007-08 (six seasons)

• Two-time winner of the Kings Most Valuable Player “Bill Libby Memorial Award†(1997-98 and 1999-00)

• Six-time winner of the Kings Outstanding Defenseman Award (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1997-98 and 1999-00)

• Winner of the Most Popular Player Award (1997-98)

• Winner of the Most Inspirational “Ace Bailey Memorial Award†(1997-98)

• Three-time winner of the Kings Community Service Award (1995-96, 1998-99 and 1900-00)

• Named to NHL All-Rookie Team in 1991

• Norris Trophy Winner in 1998

• Named to NHL First All-Star Team in 1998

• Named to NHL Second All-Star Team in 2000 and 2001 (2002 with Colorado)

• Four-time NHL All-Star with the Kings (six total)

KINGS PLAYOFFS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 6th all-time in games played among defensemen (57)

• 4th all-time among defensemen in goals (8)

• T-4th all-time among defensemen in assists (16)

• 4th all-time among defensemen in points (24)

• 3rd all-time among defensemen in penalty minutes (98)

• T-3rd all-time among defensemen in power play goals (3)

• One of only two Kings defensemen to score a short-handed goal

• Member of the 1993 Kings team that reached the Stanley Cup Final

ADDITIONAL NHL REGULAR SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 21st all-time among defensemen in games played (1,270)

• 11th all-time among defensemen in goals (240)

• 24th all-time among defensemen in assists (537)

• 19th all-time among defensemen in points (777)

• 3rd all-time among defensemen in power play goals (136)

• 6th all-time among defensemen in game-winning goals (41)

• 4th all-time among defensemen in shots (3,896)

ADDITIONAL NHL PLAYOFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2001 Stanley Cup Champion with Colorado in 2001

• T-13th all-time among defensemen in goals (26)

• 25th all-time among defensemen in points (73)

INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Represented Canada at three Winter Olympic Games: 1998 (named top defenseman of tournament), 2002 (gold medal) and 2006

• Represented Canada at the World Championships five times: 1991 (silver medal), 1994 (gold medal), 1997 (gold medal, named best defensemen of tournament), 1998 and 1999

• Represented Canada at the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 and 2004 (DNP due to injury)

AND, the first ever to relinquish his captaincy in a Kings uniform! Go Blake go!

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

http://lakingsinsider.com/2014/06/23/rob-blake-named-to-the-hockey-hall-of-fame/

Blake, perhaps the most versatile top-tier defensemen of his generation, was known for the ferocity of his open ice hits, the heaviness and accuracy of his shot, and leadership intangibles that led him to serve as Los Angeles’ and San Jose’s team captain and as an alternate captain with Colorado. Having claimed the 1997-98 Norris Trophy – the only Norris Trophy won by a King – Blake also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics and the 2014 Stanley Cup as Los Angeles’ assistant general manager, earned his Hall of Fame nod in his second opportunity. Chris Chelios, Brendan Shanahan and Scott Niedermayer were the players inducted in the 2013 class.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Blake told the Hockey Hall of Fame. “I am fortunate to have been around the game of hockey and have it be a key part of my life for as long as I can remember.”

I'd say it is a safe bet #4 will be retired eventually. Maybe once all of the boo-birds die off.

 

[Reclamation Project]

 

[TwzKing]

*slowgolfclap* I will boo untill I pass our if they try to retire his jersey.

 

[Reclamation Project]

You guys would seriously boo at a sweater retirement ceremony? Come on.

 

[The Butcher]

You guys would seriously boo at a sweater retirement ceremony? Come on.

I won't boo but I will probably skip attending the game.

I don't hate the guy but not everyone who puts up numbers is a hero.

 

[Winger23]

F him. Even worse is there are now 2 threads about this *******.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I won't boo but I will probably skip attending the game.

I don't hate the guy but not everyone who puts up numbers is a hero.

He's one of the all-time great defenseman in NHL history. So much more than numbers. Ziggy's post regarding his career is insane.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I won't boo but I will probably skip attending the game.

I don't hate the guy but not everyone who puts up numbers is a hero.

Same. If I'm there, I won't boo, but I sure won't be making noise.

The guy deserves the HoF for what he's done--his entire body of work is impressive--since we're often focused on his time with the Kings we often forget his international and college experience. I didn't think he'd be in so soon but good for him. Congrats for that.

That being said, it's just my opinion that a guy needs to do a lot for a franchise to be honored with a jersey retirement. HoF shouldn't be automatic. Character stuff aside, being a good player on crappy teams is setting a pretty low bar for that. Bonus points for longevity, but it's like making a "B" student valedictorian of the continuation school.