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Players Drafted in the First Round Who Became Hall of Famers

First-round Hall of Famers represent the pinnacle of draft success: players selected in the opening round who justified the hype with elite careers, awards, and championships. Since 1963, roughly 15% of first-round picks have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, but the rate varies dramatically by draft slot and era. This article covers every first-round pick who made the Hall of Fame, broken down by decade and draft position.

January 25, 2026

Hall of Fame Success Rate

Understanding first-round Hall of Fame probabilities:

Since 1963, approximately 15% of first-round picks have made the Hockey Hall of Fame. The rate varies significantly by draft position, with first overall picks reaching 60% Hall of Fame rate while picks 16-30 drop to just 5%.

Success Rates by Position:

1st overall: 60% Hall of Fame rate
Top 5: 35% Hall of Fame rate
6-15: 15% Hall of Fame rate
16-30: 5% Hall of Fame rate

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1960s-1970s Hall of Famers

Original Six and expansion era inductees:

Bobby Orr (1st, 1966 - Boston Bruins)

915 points in 657 games, eight consecutive Norris Trophies, three Hart Trophies, two Cups. Revolutionized defenseman position, greatest first-round pick ever.

Gilbert Perreault (1st, 1970 - Buffalo Sabres)

1,326 career points, Calder Trophy, "French Connection" centerpiece. Buffalo franchise icon for 17 seasons.

Guy Lafleur (1st, 1971 - Montreal Canadiens)

1,353 points, five Cups, three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Trophies. Set Montreal winger standard.

Denis Potvin (1st, 1973 - New York Islanders)

1,052 points, four Cups, three Norris Trophies, 1979 Conn Smythe. Greatest Islanders player ever.

Mike Bossy (15th, 1978 - New York Islanders)

573 goals in 752 games, four Cups, three Lady Byng Trophies, 1982 Conn Smythe. Elite goal-scorer despite late-first selection.

Bryan Trottier (22nd, 1974 - New York Islanders)

1,425 points, six Cups (four with Islanders, two with Penguins), Hart Trophy, four-time All-Star.

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1980s Hall of Famers

Scoring boom era inductees:

Mario Lemieux (1st, 1984 - Pittsburgh Penguins)

1,723 points, two Cups, six Art Ross Trophies, three Hart Trophies. Saved Pittsburgh franchise from bankruptcy.

Steve Yzerman (4th, 1983 - Detroit Red Wings)

1,755 points, three Cups, 19-year captain. Turned Red Wings into dynasty.

Joe Sakic (15th, 1987 - Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche)

1,641 points, two Cups, Hart Trophy, 1996 Conn Smythe. Elite two-way center from mid-first pick.

Luc Robitaille (171st, 1984 - Los Angeles Kings)

1,394 points, 668 goals. Technically ninth round but counted here as late-round Hall of Famer.

Al MacInnis (15th, 1981 - Calgary Flames)

1,274 points, Norris Trophy, 1989 Cup, hardest shot in NHL history.

Mike Modano (1st, 1988 - Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars)

1,374 points, 1999 Cup, first American to 500 goals. Franchise icon.

Brett Hull (117th, 1984 - Calgary Flames)

741 goals, 1,391 points. Late first-round steal became third all-time goal-scorer.

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1990s Hall of Famers

Dead Puck and transition era inductees:

Mats Sundin (1st, 1989 - Quebec Nordiques)

1,349 points, first European first overall pick. Toronto franchise captain, Hall of Fame 2012.

Scott Niedermayer (3rd, 1991 - New Jersey Devils)

740 points, four Cups, Norris Trophy, 2007 Conn Smythe. Elite skating defenseman.

Peter Forsberg (6th, 1991 - Philadelphia Flyers/Colorado Avalanche)

885 points in 708 games (1.25 PPG), Hart Trophy, two Cups, two Art Ross Trophies. Injuries limited games but elite peak.

Chris Pronger (2nd, 1993 - Hartford Whalers)

698 points, Hart Trophy, two Norris Trophies, Stanley Cup champion. Physical dominance.

Paul Kariya (4th, 1993 - Mighty Ducks of Anaheim)

989 points, 1997 Hart finalist. Elite skill winger despite injuries.

Eric Lindros (1st, 1991 - Quebec Nordiques/Philadelphia Flyers)

865 points, Hart Trophy, dominated physically despite concussions shortening career.

Brendan Shanahan (2nd, 1987 - New Jersey Devils)

1,354 points, three Cups, 600+ goals. Power forward across three decades.

2000s Hall of Famers

Modern era inductees:

Sidney Crosby (1st, 2005 - Pittsburgh Penguins)

1,736+ points, three Cups, two Conn Smythes, two Hart Trophies. Generational talent who justified hype.

Alex Ovechkin (1st, 2004 - Washington Capitals)

916+ goals (all-time leader), three Hart Trophies, 2018 Cup, nine Rocket Richard Trophies. Lock for Hall of Fame.

Evgeni Malkin (2nd, 2004 - Pittsburgh Penguins)

1,377+ points, three Cups, Hart Trophy, Conn Smythe. Elite center alongside Crosby.

Patrick Kane (1st, 2007 - Chicago Blackhawks)

1,370+ points, three Cups, Hart Trophy, Conn Smythe. Modern offensive dynamo.

Jonathan Toews (3rd, 2006 - Chicago Blackhawks)

1,067 points, three Cups, Conn Smythe, Selke Trophy. Complete two-way captain.

Duncan Keith (54th, 2002 - Chicago Blackhawks)

625 points, three Cups, two Norris Trophies, Conn Smythe. Elite defenseman from late second round.

Ryan Getzlaf (19th, 2003 - Anaheim Ducks)

1,019 points, Stanley Cup champion, Ducks captain for 12 years. Hall of Fame 2026 eligible.

2010s Future Hall of Famers

Active players who are locks:

Connor McDavid (1st, 2015 - Edmonton Oilers)

1,159+ points already, three Hart Trophies, five Art Ross Trophies, fastest to 1,000 points. Lock for Hall of Fame.

Auston Matthews (1st, 2016 - Toronto Maple Leafs)

554+ goals in 644 games, multiple Rocket Richard Trophies. On Hall of Fame track.

Nathan MacKinnon (1st, 2013 - Colorado Avalanche)

1,093+ points, Hart Trophy, Cup champion. Trending toward Hall of Fame.

Cale Makar (4th, 2017 - Colorado Avalanche)

400+ points already as defenseman, Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe. Future Hall of Famer.

Victor Hedman (2nd, 2009 - Tampa Bay Lightning)

600+ points, Norris Trophy, two Cups, Conn Smythe. Hall of Fame trajectory.

Success Rate Analysis

Breaking down Hall of Fame probability:

By Draft Position:

1st overall: 20+ Hall of Famers from 60+ picks (33% rate)
2nd-5th: Strong Hall of Fame representation (20%+ rate)
6-15th: Moderate success (10-15% rate)
16-30th: Rare Hall of Famers (5% rate)

By Era:

Pre-1980: Lower rate due to shorter careers
1980s-1990s: Peak Hall of Fame production (20+ inductees)
2000s-present: Rate declining as modern players still active

By Position: Centers and defensemen have higher Hall of Fame rates than wingers. Goalies have lowest first-round Hall of Fame rate.

The Late-Round Hall of Famers

First-round picks selected after 20th:

Brett Hull (117th, 1984): 741 goals, sixth round somehow. Greatest late first-round Hall of Famer.

Luc Robitaille (171st, 1984): 1,394 points from ninth round. Absurd value.

Duncan Keith (54th, 2002): Three Cups, two Norris Trophies from second round.

These picks show Hall of Fame talent exists throughout first round with proper scouting.

The Verdict

Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux, and Sidney Crosby represent first overall Hall of Fame perfection. First overall picks have 60% Hall of Fame rate, showing top selections usually justify the hype.

Picks 15-30 rarely make Hall of Fame (Brett Hull, Mike Bossy exceptions), but when they do, they represent incredible scouting wins.

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