Photo credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
A former Vancouver Canucks forward has earned a massive honour on the international stage following a stellar career representing his country.
Representing your nation is something that every athlete wants to do throughout their respective careers and for hockey players that means the IIHF World Junior Championship, the IIHF World Championship and the Winter Olympics.
For Thomas Vanek, who appeared in 61 games during the 2017-18 season with the Vancouver Canucks, his international career spanned 15 years and in the spring, he’s set to be honoured for his contributions to the game of hockey.
Former Vancouver Canuck Thomas Vanek earns massive honour on international stage
“The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is proud to announce that seven exceptional figures from the world of hockey will be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2026. This extraordinary class features six Players and one Builder, representing a remarkable span of international achievement across eras, nations, and competitions. The induction ceremony will take place on the final day of the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Zurich, Switzerland.
There is simply no doubting that Vanek is the greatest player in the long history of hockey in Austria. He is only the fourth Austrian inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame and second player after Sepp Puschnig.” the IIHF said in their press release.
Vanek, a native of Baden bei Wien, represented Austria on several occasions throughout his career including three World Juniors (one top division, two D1A), four World Championships (three top division, one D1A), as well as the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia where he served as team captain.
According to Joey Kenward of Sportsnet 650, Vanek will become just the sixth Vancouver Canucks alumni to be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame, joining Pat Quinn, Pavel Bure, Igor Larionov, Vladimir Krutov and Ivan Hlinka.
“Former #Canucks forward Thomas Vanek 🇦🇹 among those in the latest group of inductees heading to @IIHFHockey Hall of Fame
Vanek joins this list of @canucksalumni who are in #IIHF HoF
Pat Quinn
Pavel Bure
Igor Larionov
Vladimir Krutov
Ivan Hlinka” Kenward shared on X.
Joining Thomas Vanek in the 2026 IIHF Hall of Fame class are former Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron, former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall, Swiss hockey legend Andres Ambuhl, two-time Olympic gold medalist Cassie Campbell-Pascall, one of the greatest woman’s goaltenders of all time – Florence Schelling, as well as former Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres & Swiss national team Head Coach Ralph Krueger.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
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Former Vancouver Canucks forward earns massive honour on the international stage
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