Jarome Iginla, Eddie Olczyk join Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee

The Hockey Hall of Fame has added two new members to its selection committee.

Former NHL forwards Jarome Iginla and Eddie Olczyk have joined the committee, replacing David Branch and Mike Gartner, who have each served a full 15-year term, the Hall announced on Tuesday.

Additionally, Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis will replace Gartner as chair of the committee. Gartner will transition to chair of the board at the Hall of Fame in June, replacing Lanny McDonald.

“One of the things that makes the selection committee so strong is the regular inclusion of new voices and the opportunity for highly knowledgeable hockey people to contribute in the process of honouring excellence in our game,” said McDonald in a statement issued by the Hall. “To this end, we are very pleased to welcome Jarome and Ed to the committee, and thrilled that Ron, a long-time member and one of hockey’s great leaders, has agreed to serve as chair. I would also like to express our appreciation and gratitude to David and Mike for their outstanding contributions over the past several years.”

Iginla was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020. The Edmonton native recorded 1,300 points in 1,554 NHL games with the Flames, Penguins, Bruins, Avalanche and Kings, and won two Olympic gold medals representing Canada.

Olczyk recorded 794 points across 16 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Jets, Rangers, Kings and Penguins. Since retiring from playing, he has served as both an NHL head coach and won two Emmy awards as a broadcaster.

The Hall of Fame also announced Tuesday that Brian Burke, Marc de Foy, Anders Hedberg and Pierre McGuire have been reappointed to the board on new three-year terms.

The committee will next meet in late June to elect new members to the Hall of Fame. Duncan Keith, Zdeno Chara, Carey Price and Joe Thornton are among the notable players who are eligible to be elected for the first time.