This afternoon the 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame class was announced, and there will be seven members Colin Campbell, David Poile, Natalie Darwitz, Jeremy Roenick, Shea Weber, Krissy Wendell-Pohl, and former Detroit Red Wings Pavel Datsyuk.
Pavel Datsyuk Career
Datsyuk was born on July 20, 1978, in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), Russia, playing for HC Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Superleague (now KHL). The Detroit Red Wings drafted him in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft (6th round, 171st overall). He made his NHL debut during the 2001-02 season. Datsyuk was known as the magic man for his stickhandling, creativity, and playmaking ability, he became a fan favorite and a key part of the Red Wings success. Datsyuk won two Stanley Cups winning in 2002 and 2008 with the Red Wings. He won the Selke Trophy three times winning in 2008, 2009, and 2010; he was also a finalist for the award numerous times. He was an All-Star only once in 2008-09 and also won four Lady Byng Memorial trophies winning them in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. In his career with the Red Wings, he played in 953 games recording 918 points on 314 goals and 604 assists; he was a plus 249 for his career, and he also had 330 points on the power play. In the Stanley Cup playoffs, he would play in 157 games recording 113 points on 42 goals and 71 assists, he was a plus 34; he recorded 15 power-play goals. He would represent Russia in multiple International tournaments including the Olympics, World Championship, and World Cup of Hockey. Following the 2015-16 NHL season, Datsyuk returned to Russia to play in the KHL with SKA Saint Petersburg. He continued to play professionally in the KHL until retiring in 2020. Datsyuk is remembered as one of the most talented and versatile players of his era, admired for his two-way play, sportsmanship, and leadership both on and off the ice, now he is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.