Gartner ‘honored’ to be the next chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame

Mike Gartner and Lanny McDonald call members of the Class of 2023 from the Founders Room of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

McDonald, a member of the Class of 1992, was appointed Hall president in March 2015 and was elected by the board of directors to succeed the late Pat Quinn with a 10-year term that officially began July 1.

With the end of his term in sight, McDonald couldn’t think of anyone better for the role than Gartner. Along with Jeff Denomee, the Hall’s president and CEO, he made a midsummer call to Gartner to make the pitch.

“I said how honored I was that they thought of me to take the job and that I would seriously consider it,” said Gartner, whose 708 NHL goals during a 19-season career from 1979-98 ranked him eighth posted. time. “I had a lot of questions, most of them about the time commitment required.”

(He also had 627 assists with his five NHL teams, tallying 43 goals and 50 assists in 122 Stanley Cup Playoff games.)

There’s a lot to balance: Gartner and his wife Colleen, parents of three and grandparents of five. His business interests also play a role.