TORONTO (AP) — Shea Weber is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. The former defenseman headlined the 2024 class inducted Monday night, joining Pavel Datsyuk, Jeremy Roenick, Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell in the player category. David Poile and Colin Campbell entered as builders.
Weber, whose career ended prematurely because of a long list of injuries, has been unable to play since helping drag the underdog Montreal Canadiens to the 2021 Stanley Cup final. “My love for the game remains strong,” he said during his speech. “Even if my body didn’t hold up as long as I had hoped.
” The 39-year-old registered 589 points in 1,038 games with the Canadiens and Nashville Predators. He added 42 points in 97 playoff contests. “There’s so much to be grateful for when playing this game,” Weber said.
“And it’s not just the big moments, grinding out a playoff win or taking home Olympic gold. It’s in the small — seemingly routine — moments that matter the most. “It’s those friendships built during countless plane and bus rides, team dinners, breaking things down in the trainer’s room.
It’s when a veteran player takes you under his wing and shows you what it truly means to be a professional. I want to thank all those players for demonstrating the importance of hard work and dedication.” Datsyuk, 46, put up 918 points in 953 games with the Detroit Red Wings.
He chipped in 113 points across 157 playoff contests that included Stanley Cup victories in 200.