Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

TORONTO, ONT – UVM Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis joined hockey’s all-time greats as one of six members of the Class of 2018 inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday night at the 2018 Induction Celebration in Toronto.

St. Louis, elected in his first year of eligibility, joins Martin Brodeur, Willie O’Ree, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Alexander Yakushey, and Jayna Hefford in the Class of 2018. He becomes the first Catamount inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and just the seventh undrafted player in the Hall of Fame.

“From the day he arrived on campus as a freshman in 1993, Marty has been an immense source of pride for UVM, our amazing fans, and the entire state of Vermont,” said Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman ’89. “Today, all of Catamount Country joins the hockey world in congratulating Marty on taking his rightful place alongside the greatest to have ever played the game. Marty’s remarkable achievements on the ice have only been matched by his character, generosity and loyalty off it. What a fitting honor for one of the great players and people to have ever played the game.”

St. Louis, whose number 8 was retired at Vermont on Jan. 8, 2016 at Gutterson Fieldhouse, became the first player in the history of the Lightning franchise to have his number 26 retired a year later on Jan. 14, 2017. He was a Class of 2007 inductee to the University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Catamounts reached the NCAA tournament three times in St. Louis’ four years and made Vermont’s first-ever Frozen Four appearance in 1996. The Laval, Québec native was a three-time All-American and three-time Hobey Baker finalist for the Catamounts and finished his career with a program-best 267 points.

“On behalf of our current team and staff members, I would like to congratulate Marty and his family on being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame,” Head Coach Kevin Sneddon said. “A true professional, great player, supportive alum, great Dad, and a true gentleman. Congrats Marty!!! Number 8 always in our rafters!”

He played 16 seasons in the NHL for the Calgary Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning, and New York Rangers and finished his NHL career with 391 goals and 642 assists for 1,033 points in 1,134 regular season games. He won the 2004 Stanley Cup in Tampa with UVM classmate Eric Perrin ’97. That same season, St. Louis captured the Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, and Ted Lindsay Award.

During his final NHL season, St. Louis became the 81st player in NHL history and only the sixth undrafted player to notch 1,000 career points. He won a total of seven major NHL awards, including three Lady Byng Trophies, and skated in six NHL All-Star Games. St. Louis and former Catamount Patrick Sharp ’02 also captured gold medals for Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

“Deciding to go to University of Vermont was a great life decision for me,” St. Louis said in his induction speech. “Mike Gilligan, I know some of my celebrations don’t look like that but you taught me to be so humble, and I’m thankful for that. Roger Grillo, you taught me about the details of the game, and they were so important for me at the next level, so thank you. But the best thing ahout UVM was meeting my wife, Heather.”