Early NHL

Does Chuck Rayner Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

National Hockey League / New York Rangers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Chuck Rayner was one of the better goalies of his era.

But…he wasn’t the best. And given lack of accomplishments, and the relative brevity of his career compared to some other, bigger names, as well as how high the Hall of Fame’s standards on goalies have grown stricter, it’s really hard to understand why Rayner is in the Hall of Fame when some other goalies aren’t.

Listen to us talk about Chuck Rayner’s Hall of Fame case here:

Does Billy Burch Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

The Winnipeg Tribune, Dec. 24, 1923 (pg. 13), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Billy Burch won the Hart in a year when he was the 3rd best offensive player on his own team and the 6th best overall. That’s basically his only case for Hall of Fame inclusion.

But what if he did something else?

Listen to us talk about Billy Burch’s Hall of Fame case here:

Does Irvine Ace Bailey Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Ace Bailey was briefly the best forward in the league. But he had only really great year and three good years. And he didn’t perform well in the playoffs

Listen to us talk about Ace Bailey’s Hall of Fame case:

Does Herbie Lewis Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Herbie Lewis led the playoffs in Goals twice. So, as the second old timer inducted by the Veteran’s Committee, it makes some sense he was admitted to the Hall of Fame.

But did he do enough else to really belong? He was never really a regular season star.

In this episode, we discuss Herbie Lewis’ Hockey Hall of Fame case:

Is Lionel Conacher Canada’s Greatest Athlete of All Time?

Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Lionel Conacher was one of the best defenders of his era.

But that’s not what impresses when you look back at his career. Rather, it’s his incredible versatility.

Listen to us talk about the greatest Canadian athlete of the first half of the 20th century here:

Does Frederick Bun Cook Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Frederick “Bun” Cook, Bill Cook’s younger brother, does not have his brother’s stats or achievements.

But he does has some periodic individual success. And he may have had a hand in inventing both the slap-shot and the drop-pass.

So, does Bun Cook belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Listen to us talk about his case here:

Category: Early NHL

Does Chuck Rayner Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Does Billy Burch Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Does Irvine Ace Bailey Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Does Herbie Lewis Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Is Lionel Conacher Canada’s Greatest Athlete of All Time?

Does Frederick Bun Cook Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Does Bert Corbeau Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Does Carson Cooper Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Does Cully Wilson Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Does Bernie Morris Belong in the Hockey Hall of Fame?