Carlsberg WHL Alumni Spotlight: WHL moguls Iginla, Sutter, and Weber celebrated across hockey community
With over 100 graduates currently featured on NHL rosters, the Western Hockey League prides itself as one of the finest development leagues in the World.
By way of the Carlsberg WHL Alumni Spotlight, we aim to highlight notable achievements set by our alumni at the highest level of professional hockey.
Two-time WHL Champion Jarome Iginla appointed to Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee
Kamloops Blazers icon Jarome Iginla continues to cement his legacy in the hockey community, as it was announced on Nov. 12 that the two-time WHL Champion had been appointed to the Hockey Hall of Fame’s (HHOF) Selection Committee.
The news comes just four years after the WHL alumnus and longtime Calgary Flames captain was inducted into ‘The Hall,’ alongside hockey greats, Marian Hossa, Kevin Lowe, Kim St‐Pierre, Doug Wilson, and builder, Ken Holland, in 2020.
Congrats, Iggy!
Earlier today, Jarome Iginla was appointed to the @HockeyHallFame Selection Committee!
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) November 12, 2024
Iginla, 47, called the Western League home for three seasons, suiting up with the Blazers on 183 occasions. In that time, he celebrated back-to-back WHL Championships and Memorial Cup triumphs and was named the WHL’s Player of the Year following the 1995-96 season.
Iginla is set to join the Selection Committee beginning with the 2025 nomination and election proceedings. He is one of two Selection Committee additions, joining former NHL player, coach, and current broadcaster, Eddie Olczyk.
Iginla and Olcyzk will replace outgoing Committee members David Branch and Mike Gartner.
“One of the things that makes the Selection Committee so strong is the regular inclusion of new voices and the opportunity for highly knowledgeable hockey people to contribute in the process of honouring excellence in our game,” said the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Chair of the Board, Lanny McDonald.
McDonald, a former player for the Calgary Centennials and Medicine Hat Tigers of the then-Western Canadian Hockey League (WCHL), is part of a respectable contingency of League alumni who are currently a part of the HHOF’s Selection Committee. He now sits on the Committee next to newcomer Iginla and Swift Current Broncos alumnus and fellow Hockey Hall of Fame member, Joe Sakic.
Rebels President and General Manager Brent Sutter named to Islanders’ Hall of Fame
The New York Islanders are expanding their Hall of Fame ranks in January, as the organization announced that Red Deer Rebels President and General Manager Brent Sutter was the Club’s latest inductee.
Sutter, one of six brothers hailing from the small town of Viking, Alta., was a staple in Long Island for parts of 12 seasons. Selected 17th overall by the Islanders at the 1980 NHL Draft, it wasn’t long before the hard-nosed forward became a legend amongst the talented list of players to don the Islander’s iconic blue, orange, and white uniforms.
Two years after his selection at the draft, Sutter had already become an integral piece of the Islanders’ early-80s dynasty – hoisting the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons from 1982 to 1983. Now, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, Sutter stuck around the New York area, eventually becoming the fourth captain in Islanders history (1987 to 1991).
We are excited to announce that #Isles great Brent Sutter has been selected to become our 16th inductee into the Islanders Hall of Fame.
We look forward to celebrating Sutter's induction during our Hall of Fame Night presented by @SoloStove on January 18th.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 8, 2024
After a dozen seasons with the Islanders, Sutter moved to the Windy City, posting up with the Chicago Blackhawks for seven seasons. And, despite his departure, Sutter left a lasting impression on the New York-based hockey club.
He currently sits sixth in most points in franchise history, with 610 points in 694 games, and ranks in the top ten for even strength points, even strength goals, game-winning goals, power-play points, power-play goals, and short-handed goals.
Sutter is set to become the 16th member added to the Islanders’ Hall of Fame and the sixth with ties to the Western League – joining fellow WHL alumni, Bob Bourne, Clark Gillies, Butch Goring, Bob Nystrom, and Bryan Trottier.
“I’m obviously and certainly very, very honoured,” said Sutter to the Islanders’ media. “It’s not something you ever think about or expect it and when [Islanders President and General Manager] Lou [Lamoriello] called me and let me know… I was pretty emotional through it all.”
Sutter’s induction ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 18 at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
Kelowna Rockets alumnus Shea Weber inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame
After an illustrious NHL career spanning 16 seasons and over 1,000 games, Kelowna Rockets luminary Shea Weber has officially entered the Hockey Hall of Fame.
With his Honoured Member plaque in his hand and his Honoured Member ring around his finger, Weber’s professional hockey achievements were celebrated as a part of the HHOF’s Class of 2024 Induction Celebration on Nov. 11. The towering blueliner enters The Hall alongside fellow inductees Colin Campbell, Natalie Darwitz, Pavel Datsyuk, David Poile, Jeremy Roenick, and Krissy Wendell.
Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame Shea Weber!
Shea receives his Honoured Member plaque from Serge Savard #HHOF1986.#HHOF2024 | #HHOF | 📸 Dave Sandford/HHOF pic.twitter.com/ppWLwDc6OO
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) November 12, 2024
Split between the Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens, Weber starred in 1,038 NHL games, recording 224 goals, 365 assists, and 589 points. The defenceman also served as captain for both clubs, before departing the NHL following the 2020-21 season. Weber leaves a legacy that extends past his individual performances, having captured gold with Canada at the Winter Olympics (2010, 2014) and at the World Cup of Hockey (2016). He was also the recipient of the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award at the conclusion of the 2015-16 NHL Season.
At the WHL level, Weber’s career accolades include two WHL Championships (2003, 2005) and a Memorial Cup triumph (2004) with Kelowna. He was also named the WHL Playoffs MVP in 2005, leading the Rockets to their second championship in three years by netting 17 points in 18 games.
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