The initial six selections for the NHL Quarter-Century Team have been announced.
Hockey legends Jarome Iginla, Nicklas Lidstrom, Joe Sakic, Zdeno Chara, Teemu Selanne, and Joe Thornton, all of whom began their NHL careers prior to the year 2000, were named to this distinguished team by the league on Thursday.
Between 2000 and 2017, Iginla amassed 556 goals and 1,148 points over 1,285 games. Notably, during the 2001-02 season, the former captain of the Calgary Flames topped the league in both goals (52) and points (96), earning him the Ted Lindsay Award.
From 2000 to 2012, Lidstrom contributed 691 points from the blue line for the Detroit Red Wings. The esteemed Swedish defenseman secured four Stanley Cups during his career, two of which came after 2000. In 2017, he was recognized as one of the NHL`s 100 Greatest Players.
Joe Sakic served as captain of the Colorado Avalanche for 17 seasons. From 2000 to 2009, he led the team with 244 goals and 639 points in 567 games. His playoff performance was also remarkable, adding 96 points in 94 post-season contests and playing a key role in both Avalanche Stanley Cup victories (1996, 2001).
The imposing figure of Zdeno Chara was a dominant force throughout his career. Standing at six-foot-nine and weighing 250 pounds, the longtime Boston Bruins defenseman was instrumental in the team`s Stanley Cup win and received the Norris Trophy as the league`s best defenseman in the 2008-09 season.
Teemu Selanne was a driving force behind the Anaheim Ducks` sole Stanley Cup triumph in 2007, while also scoring 356 goals during the 2000s. The `Finnish Flash` was also included among the NHL`s 100 Greatest Players, alongside Nicklas Lidstrom.
Joe Thornton appeared in an impressive 1,541 regular season games within this quarter-century span, playing for the Bruins, Sharks, Maple Leafs, and Panthers. He accumulated 402 goals and 1,057 assists. In the 2005-06 season, Thornton achieved a unique feat, becoming the only player in NHL history to win both the Hart Trophy (MVP) and Art Ross Trophy (scoring leader) in a season where he was traded.
The Quarter-Century Team is intended to recognize the top 25 players from the period spanning 2000 to 2025, as voted by hockey fans. The announcement of the remaining team members is scheduled to continue on Friday.
