Beliveau, Richard, Howe honoured as NHL starts naming its 100 greatest players
TORONTO — Montreal greats Jean Beliveau and Maurice Richard and Detroit legend Gordie Howe were among the Hall of Famers honoured by the NHL on Sunday as the league started unveiling a list of its 100 greatest players as part of its centennial season celebration.
The 33 players announced prior to the Centennial Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs played primarily during the league’s first 50 years (1917-1966).
“It’s hard to come up with a 100 players because there’s probably two or three hundred great players so for all the 100 guys who are on this list, it is pretty special,” said Wayne Gretzky, the league’s centennial ambassador. “Each and every guy that gets to play in the National Hockey League always feels honoured, but to be a part of this hundred, is really unique.
“I think each and every guy will be honoured and thrilled. It’ll be something that’s talked about for a long time ’cause there’s a lot of great players, who could be part of that hundred.”