Hockey legend among eight named to 2024 IIHF Hall of Fame class

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Cooper Godin
January 15, 2024 (1:56 PM)

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The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has announced their Hall of Fame class for 2024, which features seven players and one builder.

Among those named to the 2024 Hall of Fame class are Jaromir Jagr, who had plenty of success on the international stage with the Czech Republic (now Czechia), as well as Ryan Smyth, aka "Captain Canada".

"Jaromir Jagr is a legend, plain and simple, and even at age 51 he still plays some games for his club team, Kladno. His last appearance with the national team was eight years ago, in Prague, where he was named tournament MVP at the Men's World Championship, the culmination of a career that started in 1990 when he helped Czechoslovakia win a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship." The IIHF said.

Jagr played in five Winter Olympics, taking home the gold medal at Nagano 1998 following a shootout win in the Final against Team Canada. Additionally, he represented his nation at nine World Championships, winning the gold medal on two occasions.

As for Ryan Smyth, who was initially named to the 2020 class but COVID-19 prevented him to be inducted, he represented Canada at eight World Championships, the 2002 Winter Olympics and 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Along with Jaromir Jagr and Ryan Smyth, the following players will be inducted in 2024:

- Natalie Darwitz (United States)
- Kenny Jonsson (Sweden)
- Igor Liba (Czechia)
- Petteri Nummelin (Finland)
- Jaroslav Pouzar (Czechia)
- Mel Davidson (Canada) - Builder Category.

Congratulations to all of the inductees into the IIHF's 2024 Hall of Fame class. A ceremony will be held at the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Czechia in May.