The IIHF has announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2018 and among the players to be inducted include two former NCAA standouts.
Defensemen Rob Blake (Bowling Green, 1987-90) and Chris Chelios (Wisconsin, 1981-83) have been selected to be enshrined.
“Chris is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Team USA jersey” said USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher in a statement. “His remarkable skill, tenacity, and leadership shined for our teams for four decades, and he is tremendously deserving to be included in the IIHF Hall of Fame.”
Also inducted as players are Daniel Alfredsson and Jere Lehtinen, while the two builders are Philippe Lacarriere and Bob Nadin. As well, Jesper Damgaard will receive the Richard “Bibi” Torriani Award and Kirovs Lipmans will get the Paul Loicq Award.
“This is our 22nd year of inducting those who have given so much to the game, and you’d be hard pressed to find a more deserving group of players and builders,” said IIHF president Rene Fasel in a statement.
The induction ceremony will take place in Copenhagen during the final weekend of next year’s 2018 World Championship in Denmark.
