Eligible since 2009, Alexander Mogilny has been announced as an inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame, part of the Class of 2025. The call came at 3 a.m. Russia time from Ron Francis and Lanny MacDonald.
Francis humorously asked Mogilny if he still had a bottle of red wine given to him in Toronto, suggesting it might be the right moment to open it as he was officially named to the Hall of Fame. Mogilny responded with surprise and happiness, saying, “Oh wow, happy to be part of it.”
Mogilny will join other notable inductees including Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith, Zdeno Chara, Brianna Decker, Danièle Sauvageau, Jennifer Botterill, and coach Jack Parker. He is also a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Triple Gold Club.
The New Jersey Devils acknowledged his achievement on social media: “Stanley Cup Champion. Triple Gold Club member. Hockey Hall of Famer. Alexander Mogilny is where he belongs.”
In 1989, Mogilny became the first Soviet player to defect to play in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres. His career includes playing 990 NHL games with 473 goals and 559 assists for a total of 1032 points. He is one of only six players in NHL history with over 70 goals in a single season and more than 1000 career points.
Mogilny will become the 12th player who wore a New Jersey Devils jersey to enter the Hall of Fame since Martin Brodeur in 2018. He joined the Devils initially on March 14, 2000 through a trade with Vancouver Canucks and contributed significantly during their Stanley Cup win that year.
His performance during his time with the Devils includes a breakout season scoring 43 goals and achieving 83 points in just one season. Over three years with New Jersey, he played in 121 games tallying up impressive statistics.
The induction ceremony for this year’s class will take place on November 8th in Toronto.
