TORONTO — The Hockey Hall of Fame is no longer just for male inductees.
Cammi Granato and Angela James changed that Tuesday when they became the first women elected to be enshrined in Toronto. Along with former NHL all-star Dino Ciccarelli, Granato and James will go in as part of the players category during an induction ceremony in November.
Longtime Red Wings executive Jimmy Devellano and the late Daryl (Doc) Seaman — a founding owner of the Flames — were elected as builders.
While women had always been eligible for induction, the Hall made it easier for them to be voted in when it established a women’s subcategory this year.
Up to four male players are eligible for induction annually, but only Ciccarelli was voted in. Eric Lindros and Joe Nieuwendyk were potential contenders among NHL players in their first year of eligibility who didn’t receive enough support.
Women were given their own player category this year, and James and Granato filled the maximum of two female inductees per year.
“This is a day I never really thought would ever happen,” James said. “I’m really honored to represent the female hockey players from all over the world.”
Granato played on the U.S. women’s hockey team for 15 years and led the club to a gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. Her brother, Tony, played in the NHL as well as coached the Avalanche.
“I dreamed of being in the NHL my entire life, and this certainly makes up for those dreams,” Granato said. “Being amongst the first women to play at college and later at the Olympics, it certainly was worthwhile being a hockey pioneer.”
Ciccarelli played 19 NHL seasons with five teams, recording 608 goals and 592 assists in 1,232 games.
