New York (AFP) - Eric Lindros headlines the 2016 ice hockey Hall of Fame class announced on Monday, after missing out on five prior appearances on the ballot.
"I haven't stopped smiling," Lindros, 43, said in a conference call to discuss his selection, along with that of Sergei Makarov and Rogie Vachon in the players category and the late Pat Quinn in the builders category.
Lindros won one Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player in 1995 and finished in the top-10 five times.
He played in parts of 13 seasons, but because of concussions, he played in 70 or more games just four seasons in a career spent with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars.
Canada's Lindros had his detractors because he couldn't stay healthy, but there is no denying he revolutionized the power-forward position with a rare combination of size and skills for a player his size.
"I was very fortunate to have coaches, teammates, billets and parents who supported me throughout my career," Lindros said.
He finished his career with 865 points and 372 goals in 760 games. His points-per-game average (1.14) is 19th-best in NHL history.
Russia's Makarov scored 134 goals and produced 250 assists in 424 regular-season NHL games.
But it was playing for the Soviet national team where Makarov left his mark, teaming with Vladimir Krutov and Igor Larionov to form the famed KLM Line.
The trio won Olympic gold in 1984 and 1988 after the heartbreak of losing to the United States' "Miracle On Ice" team at Lake Placid in 1980.
In 519 games in the Soviet Championship League, Makarov compiled 710 points on 322 goals and 388 assists.
Canada's Vachon was a standout goalie for the Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings.
He retired in 1982 after a career in which he won 355 of 795 regular season games and recorded 51 shutouts.
In post-season play, he added another 23 wins, two by shutout, and 23 losses in 48 games.
Quinn will be most remembered for being behind the bench during the Philadelphia Flyers' record 35-game unbeaten streak.
He coached for 15 seasons and led Philadelphia and the Vancouver Canucks to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1980 and 1994.
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