The Hockey Hall of Fame announced its 2026 inductees on Monday, June 22, naming Patrice Bergeron and Carey Price among the players entering the Hall of Fame class. The group also includes Brian Burke as a builder, Pekka Rinne and Keith Tkachuk, and Cindy Curle
When the Hockey Hall of Fame announced its 2026 inductees on Monday, June 22, it didn’t just confirm familiar names—it set a deadline for an emotional milestone for some of hockey’s most accomplished figures.
Patrice Bergeron, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, and Keith Tkachuk were among the former NHL players named to the class of 2026. Brian Burke was selected in the builder category, while Cindy Curley became the only female representative in this year’s group.
The selection committee is led by chair Ron Francis, who announced the class of 2026.
Bergeron made it on his first year of eligibility, becoming the only inductee to do so in the class. “This honor is the pinnacle of my career and represents the coaches and players that I went to battle with. ” Patrice Bergeron said. “It’s a surreal honor, and I’m thankful that hockey has given so much to me and my family.”.
Across 19 regular seasons, Bergeron played 1,294 games, all with the Boston Bruins, and served as captain in his final three years. He finished with 427 goals and 1,040 points. Drafted 45th overall in 2003 by Boston, he won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011.
Bergeron is widely recognized as one of the best defensive forwards of his generation, competing for that title across NHL history. He holds the most Selke Trophies in history with six, winning the award in back-to-back campaigns on two separate occasions.
Carey Price. meanwhile. returned to the spotlight after being overlooked in 2025 and entering the Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility. “Hockey has taught me a lot of life lessons, especially persistence and never giving up,” Price said. “The game has given me the opportunity to work with dedicated and talented people. and I’m especially grateful to live a dream playing my entire career in Montreal.”.
During 712 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, Price established himself as one of the best goaltenders of his generation. While he never won a Stanley Cup, his individual resume stands out, especially his 2014-15 season. In 66 games. Price posted a 1.96 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage. numbers that earned him the Vezina Trophy. the William M. Jennings Trophy, the Ted Lindsay Award, and the Hart Trophy.
Outside that season. Price also won Olympic gold. World Cup of Hockey gold. world juniors gold. the AHL’s Calder Cup. and the Masterton Trophy. He has not played since the 2021-22 season but remains under contract with the San Jose Sharks. Across his career, Price went 361-261-79 and recorded a .917 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average.
Pekka Rinne was inducted in his third year of eligibility. “The honor represents me and all of the members of the Nashville Predators organization,” Rinne said. “It’s surreal to think I will be joining my teammate Shea Weber in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”
Like Price, Rinne is tied for 12th in NHL history for the best career save percentage among goalies who played at least 100 games. Over 683 regular-season games with the Nashville Predators, Rinne recorded a .917 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average.
Rinne won the Vezina Trophy in 2017-18, putting up a career-high 42 wins while posting a .927 SP and a 2.31 GAA. The year before. he nearly carried the Predators to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. but the team fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the final. Internationally. Rinne stepped up for Finland several times. never dropping below a .926 SP at four World Championship tournaments. winning silver in 2014.
Keith Tkachuk was inducted 16 years after retiring from the NHL. “I was blessed to play in the greatest sports league in the world,” Tkachuk said. “Through good times and bad times, it was always the best experience imaginable.”
He played 1,201 career NHL games, totaling 538 goals and 527 assists for 1,065 points. His path included parts of 10 seasons with the original Winnipeg Jets and Phoenix Coyotes franchise. then parts of nine seasons with the St. Louis Blues. He briefly suited up for the Atlanta Thrashers in 2006-07, then rejoined the Blues the following season.
At 54 years old, Tkachuk is the father of current NHL stars Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, and of former college field hockey player Taryn Tkachuk. He became the first American-born player to lead the NHL in goals, scoring 52 in the 1996-97 season.
Tkachuk did not win the Stanley Cup, but his accolades include winning the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and earning silver at the 2002 Olympics. He also made the second all-star team twice.
Cindy Curley was the only female representative in the class of 2026. and she was recognized as a pioneer for women’s hockey. particularly for Team USA. “I’m shocked and grateful to receive this award. especially given how many great players have played the game. ” Curley said. “So many people are responsible for the growth of women’s hockey. and I am humbled to benefit from their efforts.”.
Curley competed in the inaugural women’s IIHF World Championship in 1990 and won three consecutive silver medals with the Americans. In that competition, she scored 11 goals and 23 points in five contests, a single-tournament record in the history of the women’s competition.
She is also a member of the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame, Providence College’s Athletic Hall of Fame, and the USA Hockey Hall of Fame.
Outside the playing ranks, Brian Burke was named the class of 2026 builder. Burke has a long and deep history as an executive in the NHL. leading hockey operations as a GM or director for the Vancouver Canucks. Hartford Whalers. Anaheim Ducks. Toronto Maple Leafs. Calgary Flames. and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
He also served as director of hockey operations for the NHL from 1993-94 to 1998-99. Burke’s international work included being GM for Team USA at three World Championships and the 2010 Olympics. along with director of player personnel for the 2014 Winter Games and a senior advisor at the 2016 World Cup.
One defining moment for Burke came when he managed to acquire the picks needed to draft the Sedin twins for the Canucks together in the 1999 draft. “I am grateful to all of the people who helped me throughout my career,” Burke said. “Especially the Big Three: Lou Lamoriello, Pat Quinn and Gary Bettman.”.
The announcement of this class brings together multiple careers built in different ways—players recognized for on-ice dominance, a pioneer who advanced women’s hockey, and a builder whose decisions shaped franchises—yet the ceremony ties them all to the same date.
The Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9.
Hockey Hall of Fame 2026 Patrice Bergeron Carey Price Pekka Rinne Keith Tkachuk Cindy Curley Brian Burke Ron Francis