TORONTO, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Jari Kurri joined Viacheslav Fetisov, Mike Gartner, Dale Hawerchuk and Craig Patrick on Monday as the newest members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The Class of 2001 represents four countries, 1,935 NHL goals, eight Stanley Cup championships and three Olympic gold medals.
Kurri owns five of the Stanley Cup titles and nearly a third of the goals. He is the highest-scoring European-born player in NHL history with 601 goals and 797 assists in 1,251 games.
A native of Finland, Kurri spoke of playing hockey as a child and how he always was surrounded by "good people." One of them was Wayne Gretzky, his teammate on the Edmonton Oilers' dynasty of the 1980s.
"He's a big part of my life," Kurri said of Gretzky, a Hall of Famer and the greatest player in NHL history. "That's one of the reasons why I'm here now."
Kurri played three seasons in Finland prior to joining the Oilers. He spent 10 years in Edmonton before following Gretzky to Los Angeles, then had brief stints with the New York Rangers, Anaheim and Colorado.
Playing on a line with Gretzky for most of his time in Edmonton, Kurri registered four straight 50-goal seasons, including a 71-goal campaign in 1984-85. He is the first player from Finland to make it to the Hall.
"It's a great honor, since so few players are able to make it to this level," said Kurri, who retired in 1998 after one season with the Avalanche. "To be the first Finnish player elected is especially gratifying."
Fetisov anchored the Soviet Union's dominant hockey team for nearly two decades. He started his professional career in 1975 with the Soviet Red Army and led the team to 12 straight league championships.
A solid defenseman and team leader, Fetisov made a name for himself in his native Soviet Union during the Cold War and makes a living in the United States as an assistant coach with New Jersey during turbulent times in the world.
"I accept this tribute on behalf of the people of my country and dedicate it to those families affected by the recent tragedy around the world," said Fetisov, who last played in 1998. "It's a great honor to be selected to the Hockey Hall of Fame."
Fetisov captured 11 world championships and Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1988, finally made it to the NHL with the Devils in 1989 and won two Stanley Cup titles with Detroit--a career worthy of Monday's honor.
"This is unbelievable and the best day of my life," said Fetisov, who won another title as an assistant coach with the Devils in 2000. "This is a wonderful recognition and as a player something I have worked for all my life."
Gartner did not enjoy the team success of Kurri or Fetisov, failing to win a Stanley Cup during a 19-year NHL career. But he ranks fifth all-time with 708 goals and holds the record with 17 30-goal seasons, including 15 in a row from 1980-1994.
"I strove for consistency in all aspects of my life and am proud to be recognized over my career as being a player that produced for both my teammates and my fans," said Gartner, who totaled 1,335 points before retiring in 1998.
Always one of the league's fastest skaters, Gartner trails only Hall of Famers Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Marcel Dionne and Phil Esposito on the all-time goal-scoring list, thanks in part to his durability and love of the game.
Gartner began his career in 1978 with the Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association, finishing as runner-up to Gretzky for Rookie of the Year honors.
His NHL career began with nine-plus seasons in Washington and included stints with Minnesota, the Rangers, Toronto and Phoenix. The Rangers sent him to the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline in 1994, then won the Stanley Cup.
Like Gartner, Hawerchuk failed to win a Cup during 16 seasons in the NHL. He spent his first nine years toiling in obscurity with the Winnipeg Jets, who made him the top overall pick in the 1981 draft.
Hawerchuk reached the 100-point mark five times in his first six seasons, winning the 1982 Calder Trophy as rookie of the year after a 103-point campaign. He is 13th all time with 1,409 points, recording 518 goals and 891 assists.
A five-time All-Star center, Hawerchuk also played for Buffalo, St. Louis and Philadelphia. Many believe he should have been elected to the Hall of Fame last year. He retired in 1997.
Elected in the builder category, Patrick is the fourth member of his family to be enshrined, joining grandfather Lester, father Lynn and great uncle Frank. The Penguins thought so much of the honor, the entire team was present for the ceremony.
Patrick has been Penguins general manager since December 1989, building back-to-back Stanley Cup championship teams in 1991 and 1992. Pittsburgh has reached the playoffs 11 consecutive years under Patrick, capturing five division titles.
Patrick was an assistant coach and assistant general manager of the 1980 United States Olympic team that won the gold medal at the "Miracle at Lake Placid." He also is serving as general manager of the U.S. team for the 2002 Winter Games.
Long-time Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange will received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award and Calgary-based Eric Duhatschek got the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for distinguished hockey journalism.
