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Like a bunch of people who have no idea what to do with their “Fuck Trudeau” stickers, there is now a relatively massive subculture of hockey fans who don’t know what to do with their “Alexander Mogilny is a Hall of Famer” pins, signs, and buttons. (Gulty as charged.)

Today, Mogilny was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, 15 years after he was first eligible for the honour. It’s a shock, as hockey fans and media members had been banging the drum for Mogilny’s inclusion for several years. In later years, it was thought that international relations with Russia was the main impediment to the honour. That was debunked last year when Pavel Datsyuk made it in. Rumours also circulated that because Mogilny didn’t show up for some other award ceremonies that he would skip the Hall of Fame one as well and that wouldn’t reflect well on the organization. 

But no real reason was known or given—the Hall of Fame selection process is notoriously secretive—why Mogilny and his 1032 points in 990 games (an absurd average that’s better than many players that have statues in the Hall) was consistently passed over. 

While his lack of individual awards may have been a reason, Mogilny did win the goal scoring title in the 1992-93 season. He also grabbed the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct near the end of his career. 

The fact that it’s happening now is both validating and surprising, as this particular year was one of the strongest for eligible men’s players in recent history. Defencemen Duncan Keith and Zdeno Chara, forwards Joe Thronton and Ryan Getlzaf, and goaltenders Carey Price and Tuukka Rask were all thought to be strong candidates. (The Hall can only elect four each year.)

In the end, Mogilny will join Keith, Chara, and Thornton as this year’s men’s inductees. Women players Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker, as well as builders Jack Parker and Danièle Sauvageau, will also be inducted. Getzlaf, Price, and Rask will all likely be under very strong consideration for next year.

Mogilny spent parts of five seasons with the Canucks, including scoring 107 points in 79 games in 1995-96 while would-be linemate Pavel Bure spent most of the season on the injured list.