Red Wings great Pavel Datsyuk, a 'dynamic force,' earns Hockey Hall of Fame nod
Ted KulfanDetroit — Pavel Datsyuk is the latest Red Wings player headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Datsyuk, in his first year on the ballot, gained enshrinement Tuesday when the Hall unveiled its latest class.
A player needs 75%, or 14 of the 18 votes of the HHOF committee, to gain enshrinement.
Joining Datsyuk are defenseman Shea Weber, forward Jeremy Roenick, women's players Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl, and in the builder category Colin Campbell and David Poile.
As a player, Campbell played two seasons for the Wings from 1982-84. Datsyuk and Campbell become the 59th and 60th Red Wings' player in the Hall of Fame.
"I am pumped," said Datsyuk in a teleconference after the Hall revealed the new inductees. "It's exciting. (I was) a little bit nervous before; now I'm a happy boy."
Datsyuk made a point of recognizing all the coaches and teammates who helped him throughout his career.
"(All the) people around me, who helped me to make it right here," Datsyuk said. "Every hour (they spent) what is going on with me. Good people, and not just hockey, but good people around me who were nice to me."
Datsyuk is the 10th player off the star-studded, legendary 2002 Stanley Cup-winning team now in the Hall. Others are Chris Chelios, Sergei Fedorov, Dominik Hasek, Brett Hull, Igor Larionov, Nicklas Lidstrom, Luc Robitaille, Brendan Shanahan and Steve Yzerman, while owner Mike Ilitch, vice president Jimmy Devellano, general manager Ken Holland and coach Scotty Bowman have been enshrined in the builders' category.
"It's a good memory," said Datsyuk, a rookie that season of playing on the legendary team. "I didn't know who (to go to) and try and show me around. I was so nervous. But they started talking me and I feel better. They helped me on and off the ice and helped me grow."
That particular Wings team was "scary," and Datsyuk was partly the reason.
"Playing against Pavel Datsyuk was probably one of the most frustrating things for any player, whether a forward, defenseman or goaltender," Roenick said. "Not many people had the brains and talent and creativity of Pavel Datsyuk. You looked like you could catch him and next thing you know, you're embarrassed seeing him go right by you. It's pretty cool to be going in (the same Hall class). He's one of my idols.
"I was probably five seconds away from signing a contract with Detroit in 2001 and instead I signed with Philly. I never won a Stanley Cup and the year I was going to go to Detroit, they win a Stanley Cup so I guess it's one of those things I will always look back on and say I could have been a part of one of the great teams ever, because that was one hell of a hockey team and extremely hard to beat in any capacity."
Datsyuk won two Stanley Cups with the Wings, and won seven NHL individual trophies, including three Selke Trophies (best defensive forward) and four Lady Byngs (gentlemanly play). He played 14 NHL seasons, amassing 314 goals and 604 assists (918 points) in 953 games. Datsyuk also won the 2012 world championship with Russia, along with the 2018 Olympics and also won the KHL's Gagarin Cup (Russia's Stanley Cup).
"It's not only me, it's a team game," Datsyuk said. "You have to have good people around you who do things that you do and I appreciated the people around me."
Datsyuk, won or tied for the Wings' scoring lead in six consecutive seasons (2003-04 to 2009-10), including back-to-back 97-point campaigns in 2007-08 and 2008-09. Datsyuk was honored as one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players as part of the league’s centennial celebration in 2017.
"I would like to congratulate Pavel on his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame,” Chris Ilitch, Red Wings Governor and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "Pavel was one of the most talented players in league history and had Red Wings fans around the world on the edge of their seats every time he touched the puck. Throughout his career, he was consistently recognized for his stellar defensive play, a testament to how great of an all-around talent he truly was.
"The ‘Magic Man’ created so many incredible memories for our fans and played an integral part in bringing two Stanley Cup championships to the city of Detroit. Congratulations again, Pavel, on this tremendous achievement."
Induction Weekend festivities will run from Friday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 10 culminating with the induction ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, in Toronto.
“Congratulations to Pavel on this extremely well-deserved honor,” Steve Yzerman, executive vice president and general manager, said in a statement. "Pavel's world-class skills made him one of the best one-on-one players of all time, but his high-end compete and work ethic separated him from his peers. He was a dynamic force who excelled at both ends of the ice and in all situations. He was an exceptional player and will rightfully take his place amongst the game's greats in November."
Datsyuk's teammates Henrik Zetterberg, Chris Osgood and Niklas Kronwall didn't get the required votes. Zetterberg, who starred with the Wings during Datsyuk's career, was on his third year of eligibility.
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