The Chicago Blackhawks have officially announced the first class of their newly created Blackhawks Hall of Fame,. Two names stand tall among the inaugural inductees: Duncan Keith and Steve Larmer. Voted in by fans, media, and alumni, the pair represent different eras of Blackhawks hockey. Meanwhile. both left indelible marks on Hawks history.
Blackhawks Roll Call of Legends
This new Hall of Fame will not only celebrate Keith and Larmer, but also automatically enshrine the nine players who already had their jerseys retired by the club: Glenn Hall, Pierre Pilote, Keith Magnuson, Chris Chelios, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito, and Marian Hossa.
On April 11, 2025, the Blackhawks host the rival St. Louis Blues. Before opening faceoff, the legends will be honored in front of the fans. It creates another chapter in the team’s long, proud history.
Duncan Keith: The Cornerstone of a Modern Dynasty
Few defensemen in NHL history could match Duncan Keith’s combination of endurance, consistency, and big-game performance. A native of Winnipeg, Keith spent 16 of his 17 NHL seasons in Chicago, patrolling the blue line through an era that saw the Blackhawks rise from a struggling franchise to a modern dynasty.
- 1,256 games played
- 646 points (106 goals, 540 assists)
- Averaged 24:40 TOI across his career
- 3-time Stanley Cup Champion (2010, 2013, 2015)
- 2-time Norris Trophy winner (2010, 2014)
- Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2015
Keith wasn’t just a defenseman — he was the engine that made the Blackhawks’ possession game work. His ability to skate out of trouble, deliver crisp first passes, and log massive minutes gave Chicago a weapon few other teams could counter.
His playoff impact was legendary: 135 postseason games, 86 points, and a Conn Smythe run in 2015 where he averaged more than 30 minutes a night and seemed simply unbreakable. Keith ranks first among Blackhawks defensemen in career playoff assists and points, underlining just how much he drove the team’s success.
When fans think of Chicago’s Stanley Cup runs, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews provided the flash and leadership. However, Duncan Keith was the heartbeat. His induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025 and now into the Blackhawks Hall of Fame cements his place as one of the greatest blueliners to ever wear the sweater.
Steve Larmer: The Forgotten Blackhawks Superstar
Duncan Keith’s legacy is fresh in modern memory. However, Steve Larmer represents a different chapter in Blackhawks history — one where his greatness sometimes went underappreciated on the national stage.
From 1980s Chicago through the early 1990s, Larmer was the model of consistency and production. He played 13 of his 15 NHL seasons in Chicago, recording:
- 1,012 points in 1,006 career games
- 441 goals, 571 assists
- Five 40-goal seasons
- Seven 80-point campaigns
- Calder Trophy winner (1983)
- 11 consecutive 70-point seasons, a mark achieved by only nine players in NHL history
What truly defined Larmer, however, was his iron-man streak. Between 1982 and 1993, he played 884 straight regular-season games, still one of the longest streaks in NHL history. For Blackhawks fans, that streak represented Larmer’s quiet toughness and reliability — game after game, season after season.
Despite never winning a Cup in Chicago, Larmer’s offensive firepower and steady leadership made him one of the greatest forwards in team history. He remains one of the best players never to have his jersey retired, and this Hall of Fame induction finally gives him the recognition he has long deserved.
Impact on Blackhawks History
Together, Keith and Larmer symbolize the two pillars of Blackhawks hockey:
- Larmer carried the franchise through the 1980s and early 90s, delivering offense, durability, and professionalism when the team desperately needed stability.
- Keith became the backbone of the Blackhawks’ return to glory in the 2010s, helping end a nearly 50-year Stanley Cup drought and establishing a new dynasty.
One played through an era where the Blackhawks fell short of the ultimate prize, but still kept the franchise competitive. The other was a critical piece of one of the NHL’s most dominant dynasties. Both proved what it means to be a Blackhawk — commitment, excellence, and passion.
Looking Ahead
When April 11 arrives, the United Center will be filled with history. Fans will not only celebrate Keith and Larmer, but also the legends already honored with retired numbers. This is more than a ceremony — it’s a chance to connect generations of fans and remind everyone what this franchise has meant to hockey.
For Larmer, it’s long-overdue recognition. For Keith, it’s the next step in a career that already guaranteed his place among the greatest. Together, they represent what the Blackhawks Hall of Fame should be: a celebration of excellence, of commitment, and of those who helped define this franchise.
Final Thoughts
The Blackhawks’ decision to create a team Hall of Fame is more than symbolic. It gives fans a way to celebrate the players who shaped different eras of the team’s history. Meanwhile, Duncan Keith and Steve Larmer are the perfect choices for the inaugural class — one from the dynasty years, one from the pre-dynasty days, both unforgettable.
As Danny Wirtz said, “From Duncan’s grit and leadership to Steve’s remarkable production and iron-man streak, both players shaped generations of Blackhawks hockey.”
Two legends. Two eras. One franchise forever grateful.
