Cuatro Capitanes Grace NHL's Hall

Bruisers, character, class and fortitude are four choice words one might, as of Thursday, choose to describe the newest additions to the National Hockey League's Hall of Fame in Toronto. This year's class of captains hoisted a combined 12 Stanley Cups while tallying 5667 career points.

There are countless other staggering statistics to mention about this foursome; suffice it to say that the league has seldom seen a class of this caliber elected, each in his first year of eligibility.

Mark Messier, the New York Ranger icon, skated with some talent in his days. He also helped New York end a 50-year drought by bringing home Lord Stanley's trophy. His career point tally of 1887 falls shy of one other player, that wily cat on his left of this SI cover. Mess' notched 16 All-Star game appearances, finished seventh all time in goals (694) and third all time in assists (1193).

An inspection of the cup reveals his name a stellar six times.

The other three figures were also icons to the franchises for whom they played. Scott Stevens, drafted by the Washington Capitals, in the early 80s, was shipped to the St. Louis Blues for one brief season prior to being traded to the New Jersey Devils. It was there that he captained his club to three Stanley Cup titles.

Al McInnis hoisted the goods in '89 with the Calgary Flames before becoming a St. Louis Blue, a team he would captain until the end of his career.

Ron Francis was the icon of the Hartford Whalers, and even stayed with the club when they re-located to Carolina. His brief stopover with the Pittsburgh Penguins didn't hurt that team as they won consecutive championships.

This crew of captains is truly the epitome of leadership.