The 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Toronto became an emotional celebration of hockey careers built on family support and lifelong friendships, with Duncan Keith's heartfelt speech capturing the evening's spirit.
Keith's Tribute to Family and Teammates
Three-time Stanley Cup champion Duncan Keith moved attendees with personal stories about his parents' sacrifices during his childhood in Fort Frances, Ontario. He recalled his mother Jean driving him to early morning practices before working 12-hour shifts at a nursing home, and his father instilling a strong work ethic.
Keith saved special recognition for his Chicago Blackhawks defense partner Brent Seabrook, noting they each played 1,000 games together. "I don't think we get to that number with Brent outside my house honking his horn," Keith shared about their travel routines that often included late-night conversations over chicken fingers and Diet Coke.
The emotional inductee emphasized that championships are collective achievements, stating: "You can't lift a Cup or a gold medal alone. You lift it with everyone who lifted you."
Notable Absences and Hall Updates
Alex Mogilny's decision not to attend his induction became a talking point throughout the weekend. The former NHL star instead sent a humorous video message from Eastern Russia, recalling how he celebrated his Hall call in June with Russian vodka after being awakened by the early morning notification.
New Hockey Hall of Fame chairman Mike Gartner acknowledged the communication issue, promising future calls would display "Hockey Hall of Fame" rather than a Toronto area code to prevent confusion with robocalls.
Breaking Barriers and Future Considerations
The ceremony marked Daniele Sauvageau becoming the first female builder elected to the Hall. Jayna Hefford, executive vice-president of the Professional Women's Hockey League, celebrated this historic moment for women's hockey and predicted more female inductees would follow as the PWHL gains visibility.
Discussion also turned to the lack of recent officiating inductees, with no referee or linesperson honored since Bill McCreary in 2014. McCreary suggested the selection committee continues evaluating officials annually, though builder categories sometimes limit available spots.
Among other inductees, Zdeno Chara revealed his extraordinary post-retirement passion for endurance sports, including mountain climbing, cycling, and marathon running. The former defenseman described waking up "super-happy" at 4 a.m. for training sessions and going to bed sad because he didn't want to stop his active days.
