In a groundbreaking announcement on Monday, the Hockey Hall of Fame revealed that Mike Gartner is set to take over the reins from current Chair of the Board, Lanny McDonald, when his 10-year term limit concludes next June. This news has sent shockwaves through the hockey world, as fans eagerly anticipate the transition of power.
Commencing on October 1, Gartner will step into the role of Chair-elect to facilitate a smooth handover and lend his expertise to the search committee tasked with finding a new President and CEO for the prestigious institution. The prospect of Gartner assuming such a pivotal position has generated a buzz of excitement within the hockey community.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the changing of the guard, McDonald stated, “I am thrilled to pass the torch to Mike whose stature as an Honoured Member will bring continuity and strong leadership during this transitional period for the Hockey Hall of Fame. His experience and perspective in the business of hockey and longtime service on the Selection Committee will be a tremendous asset to the Board.”
Gartner, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame since 2001, boasts an illustrious career spanning 19 seasons in the NHL, where he tallied an impressive 708 goals, 627 assists, and 1,335 points. His legacy was further solidified in 2017 when he was honored as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in the League’s esteemed 100-year history. Gartner’s contributions extend beyond the ice, as he served as President of the NHLPA and later represented the organization on the Hockey Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
In response to McDonald’s praise, Gartner humbly remarked, “Lanny has been an incredible leader for everyone involved with the Hockey Hall of Fame over the past ten years. I look forward to continuing his excellent work carrying out the Hall’s mission of both honouring individuals who have brought special distinction to the game while preserving and telling the story of hockey’s rich history.”
McDonald, a hockey legend hailing from Hanna, Alberta, left an indelible mark on the sport during his 17-year NHL career with the Leafs, Colorado Rockies, and Calgary Flames. As co-captain of the Flames, McDonald played a pivotal role in leading the team to a Stanley Cup victory in 1989, solidifying his status as a revered figure in the hockey world. His contributions were duly recognized with an induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992 and a subsequent appointment to the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2022.
The upcoming transition of leadership at the Hockey Hall of Fame promises to usher in a new era of excellence and innovation, with Gartner poised to build upon McDonald’s remarkable legacy. The hockey community eagerly anticipates the unfolding of this historic transition and the continued celebration of the game’s most revered figures.
