Ron Francis isn't just the epitome of a hockey player.
He's the personification of everything a man should be off the ice.
Quiet and understated. Consistent (in his performance and persona), competitive and classy.
And unique.
When it comes to the NHL, there have not been many like Ron Francis. There probably won't be in the future. He's as close to being one-of-a-kind as you'll find in the game.
That's why, in my opinion, he is the most deserving of this year's inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Don't get me wrong, the other inductees — Al MacInnis, Scott Stevens, Mark Messier and Jim Gregory (as a builder) — are indeed worthy.
MacInnis had a shot so hard that the goalies he faced developed facial tics, Stevens was his generation's most feared hitter, and Messier could make teammates crap their pants with a single glance.
It's one of the most talented HOF classes ever. Every one of the aforementioned trio would be recognized by a granny in Fairbanks, Alaska.
But Ron Francis?
He could walk down Broadway naked and not get noticed, even though he's one of the best offensive players ever to lace up a pair of Bauers. He's Mr. Anonymity, always has been.
Almost everywhere Francis played, the spotlight followed around a teammate, not him. Or it avoided his team altogether, which is what happened in Hartford and, to a certain extent, in Carolina.
But mull some of these numbers over for a while.
- 1,249 assists, second all-time to Wayne Gretzky
- 1,798 points, fourth most in league history and just 52 shy of Gordie Howe's total that was once thought untouchable
- Two Stanley Cups
- Five major NHL awards (three Lady Byngs, one Selke and a King Clancy Memorial)
Were you aware of those stats?
If you said no, don't fret. You're not alone.
But don't expect Francis to clue you in. It's not his style.