Russian Rocket to be inducted into NHL’s Hall of Fame

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Published time: June 27, 2012 09:06
Edited time: November 13, 2012 15:53

One of the brightest Russian stars in the NHL’s history, Pavel Bure, has been voted to be included into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

­The names of Adam Oates, Joe Sakic and Mats Sundin will also be immortalized after the vote, which took place at the annual Selection Committee meeting in Toronto.

Bure debuted in the NHL in the 1991-92 season with the Vancouver Canucks, grabbing the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year.

“Pavel came in with a bang and that’s how he played,” Ryan Walter, Bure's teammate in the Canucks told Canada.com. “His speed was incredible. I had a chance late in his career to play on the same line with Guy Lafleur and people were the same with Pavel when he got the puck. The fans stood up and they expected something to happen. Pavel was like that. Really, an amazing player.”

During his 12-year NHL career, the player, nicknamed the Russian Rocket for his great speed, defended the colors of the Vancouver Canucks (1991–1998), Florida Panthers (1999–2002) and New York Rangers (2002–2003), collecting an impressive 702 points (437 goals and 342 assists).

The 41-year-old led the NHL in goal scoring three times and made six appearances on the league’s All-Star squad.   

Bure retired from hockey in 2003 due to a chronic knee injury, without winning the Stanley Cup trophy.

This year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be in Toronto on November 12.