Gail’s Votes for the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2026-27 Hall of Fame Class – The Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks, as part of their 2025-26 Centennial Celebration, launched their own personal Hall of Fame, honoring players and individuals who have shaped this storied franchise over the past 100 years. Steve Larmer (Heritage era), Duncan Keith (Modern era) and Troy Murray (Builder era) were selected for the inaugural class.

Each year moving forward, the fans, media and Blackhawks’ alumni can cast their vote for one Heritage era player and one Modern era player. I received the honor of voting as a member of the media this year. For the second class of Blackhawks Hall of Fame member inductees, here is the ballot information and my personal selections.

Hall of Fame Ground Rules & Candidates

Heritage era inductees must have completed their Blackhawks career in the 2000-2001 season or earlier. Modern era inductees must have completed their Blackhawks career in the 2001-2002 season or later. All players must be retired for three or more years from the National Hockey League in order to be eligible for a ballot.

Heritage Era Candidates

• Ed Belfour
• Doug Bentley
• Charlie Gardiner
• Johnny Gottselig
• Dirk Graham
• Dennis Hull
• Cliff Koroll
• Chico Maki
• Mush March
• Pit Martin
• Bill Mosienko
• Bob Murray
• Eric Nesterenko
• Jeremy Roenick
• Doug Wilson

Modern Era Candidates

• Tony Amonte
• Brian Campbell
• Corey Crawford
• Eric Daze
• Niklas Hjalmarsson
• Brent Seabrook
• Patrick Sharp
• Andrew Shaw
• Steve Sullivan
• Jocelyn Thibault
• Alexei Zhamnov

My Heritage Era Player Vote: Jeremy Roenick

Jeremy Roenick was inducted into the official Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024 for his esteemed 20-year NHL career, the first eight of which were in Chicago. These were arguably also his best.

Drafted eighth overall by the Blackhawks in the 1988 Draft, Roenick started his NHL career the same year he was drafted, at the ripe young age of 19. He showed early on that he had a nose for the net, often-times leading the team in goals despite his young age. His most productive years were the three seasons between 1991 and 1994, where Roenick’s goal marks were 53, 50 and 46, respectively. He also notched 103, 107 and 107 points in that span.

Furthermore, the center contributed 35 goals and 77 points in 82 playoff games for the Blackhawks, leading them to the Conference Finals twice. Sadly, Roenick never raised the Stanley Cup in his career.

The Boston, Massachusetts native was a controversial character, because he was full of spit and vinegar and had a very high compete level. If he was on your side, you loved him. If not, you pretty much hated him.  As referenced above, he knew how to score points. But he was still defensively responsible, and wasn’t afraid to back down from physical contact. All reasons for Chicago to fall in love with him.

Roenick is well-deserving to become a member of the Blackhawks Hall of Fame.

My Modern Era Player Vote: Brent Seabrook

With Keith selected last year, it only made sense to go with his sidekick and long-time defensive partner, Brent Seabrook, for my Modern era vote.

Seabrook was a pillar of Blackhawks’ hockey for the 15 years he wore the Indianhead; incidentally the only team he played for in his NHL career. Drafted in the first round (14^th overall) of the 2003 Draft, he joined Keith who had been selected in the second round (54^th overall) the year before.

The two started their careers with little or no fanfare, as the Blackhawks were horrific at the time. But add one Jonathan Toews in 2006 (third overall) and Patrick Kane in 2007 (first overall), and the rest is history. These four players went on to the be core of the Blackhawks’ dynasty years, where they brought Stanley Cup championships to Chicago in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Keith and Seabrook were pretty much joined at the hip, becoming best friends off the ice and a dynamic pairing on the ice. They complemented each other well, with Keith using his speed and quickness and Seabrook using his body and his strength.

Seabrook, for his part, was a consistent defenseman with some offensive punch. I remember what I called “the Seabrook slide”, where he would lay himself out on the ice to block a shot. On the offensive side, who can forget the way he could wind up for a lethal shot from the point (modern day D-man Louis Crevier probably took lessons!).

Seabrook always showed up in the playoffs; he’s the franchise leader in playoff goals by a defenseman (20), as well as overtime goals (3). Not to mention he was the one to talk Toews off a ledge in the 2013 Western Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Red Wings. This was just one example of Seabrook’s extensive leadership qualities with the Blackhawks.

For those of you that are regular followers of my work, you might know Niklas Hjalmarsson is one of my favorite all-time blueliners. He was a warrior on the ice and arguably one of the best defensive defensemen in the history of the game. But I’ll have to save that vote for another time, because Seabrook should be the next member of the Blackhawks Modern era Hall of Fame.

Don’t forget that fans can vote too! Voting will be open until June 30, 2026. You can fill out your ballot here.

Who are your selections for the second class of Blackhawks Hall of Fame?!