The Detroit Red Wings are not in action right now as they have embarked on their trip overseas to take part in the NHL Global Series in Sweden. However, they were still making news this week when a former player was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Former Detroit Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon was officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night. There were seven inductees from Monday night, but the two-time Stanley Cup Champion was officially inducted.
He spent three years in Detroit from 1994-95 to the 1996-97 season. He was awarded the Conn Smythe in ’96-97 when he helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup Championship. He may have only spent three years of his 19-year NHL career in Detroit, but many remember him fondly.
Vernon has been immortalized in hockey history from his 19 years in the league, making history to his official induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, joining an elite crowd. Vernon may have been drafted by his hometown Calgary Flames, where he spent 13 years of his career, but he’ll always be a special part of Red Wings history.
Former Detroit Red Wings goalie Mike Vernon inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame.
Vernon joined the Hockey Hall of Fame alongside two other historically dominant goalies, making a trio of goalies part of this year’s class of inductees. Vernon goes in alongside longtime goalie Tom Barrasso and the King of New York, Henrik Lundqvist.
Over his 19 years in the NHL, Vernon played 782 games between the pipes. He played to a 385-274-92 record, with a career 2.76 goals-against average and a career .899 save percentage. He may not be littered with career accolades or even have a Vezina Trophy to his name, but Vernon was a longtime netminder who was solid between the crease wherever he played.
As mentioned above, Red Wings fans will likely always have fond memories of Vernon during his time in Detroit. Whether it’s the famous “Vernon and Roy” line or the fact that they took home the Conn Smythe to help Detroit capture a Stanley Cup Championship, Vernon’s name will always resonate with Red Wings fans.
He was rewarded for his 19-year career in the NHL with his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, joining an elite crowd, and going in with some good company around him. Congratulations to Vernon on the honor; I’m sure Red Wings fans all over would tip their cap to the former Detroit netminder.