DingDongCharlie
Registered User
- Sep 12, 2010
- 11,393
- 9,375
RIP. An absolute legend of the game. 11 Cups is a tremendous accomplishment. Many players today are happy with 1.
Yes, the same video tribute and a short moment of silence in Edmonton tonight, too. Classy.
Saw that in Edmonton--nice touch!Yes, the same video tribute and a short moment of silence in Edmonton tonight, too. Classy.
I love this aspect of hockey!
I don't know if the induction process was any different in the '70s than it is now. But we have to remember that the HHOF induction process doesn't operate on a "pecking order" as the baseball process does (for the most part).Here is an interesting thing and I myself am trying to dissect the reasons behind it. He gets inducted into the HHOF in 1979. No brainer right? Here is the thing though, he waited a year after being a 1st ballot. I am trying to figure out why, because there are players that get inducted and you wonder why it wasn't done right away (Dale Hawerchuk strangely had to wait a year despite there being more room for eligible players).
My theory on this revolves around a couple of questions. For starters, someone like Mike Bossy got in by 1991 but retired by 1987. If I remember correctly the rules stipulate that a player had to announce his retirement to start his eligibility process and he announced it in 1988. That has been scrapped since and it is just three years regardless but did Henri have some injuries and not announce it until 1976?
The other theory I have is that in looking at the inductions there was a gap where it looks like only a maximum of three guys got in. In 1975 5 players got in and in years previous there were those numbers too (probably dealing with backlog). But then no year has more than three up until 1988 when 4 got in again and that remains the maximum amount today.
In 1978 the year you figure Henri is eligible is the year Plante, Pronovost and Bathgate got in. No issues with any of them of course. Pronovost's career ended in 1970 so he was more of a backlog pick. Plante and Bathgate finished their pro careers in 1975. So while there is no issue with putting Plante ahead of Richard I am guessing they may have thought Bathgate was slightly better than Henri and this is the reason for it. Just guessing.
The Rocket himself called Henri a much more "complete" hockey player than himself.Also being the kid brother to hockey royalty and playing under his shadow during those dynasty years