Two former Detroit Red Wings players are being honored for their excellence on hockey’s world stage. Defenseman Niklas Kronwall and forward Tomas Vanek are among the seven people announced as the latest inductees to the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame.

Kronwall was Detroit’s first-round pick in the 2000 NHL entry draft. He spent his entire 15-season NHL career with the Red Wings, playing in 953 games. Such a punishing open-ice bodychecker was Kronwall that to be Kronwalled became part of the hockey lexicon.

Six Players. One Builder. Seven icons who shaped the international game. The 2026 #IIHF Hall of Fame Class is here!🌟

Read more: https://t.co/WaBcXokOTf pic.twitter.com/cvzTOhSmTg

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 4, 2025

Skating in Detroit’s second defense pairing with Brad Stuart, Kronwall won the Stanley Cup with the 2007-08 Red Wings. That win made him the 20th member of the elusive Triple Gold Club – players who’ve won the Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, and a IIHF World Championship.

Kronwall won his gold medal with Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. He was one of five Red Wings on the Swedish team, joining Nicklas Lidstrom, Mikael Samuelsson, Henrik Zetterberg, and Tomas Holmstrom.

That spring, after the Wings were eliminated from the playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers, Kronwall crossed the Atlantic Ocean to join Sweden for the World Tourney. He would play a starring role as Sweden won the title.

So ummm how many of these Kronwall hits would still be legal in today’s NHL??
pic.twitter.com/bAO0NIcMl0

— despicable ryan (@TheKlenkster) November 10, 2025

Kronwall would be earning MVP and best defenseman of the tournament honors. He was also earning a place on the tournament all-star team.

Overall, Kronwall suited up for his country in four World Tourneys and three Olympic Games. He captained Sweden at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Today, Kronwall is in charge of European player development for the Red Wings.

Former Red Wings Forward Was Austria’s Greatest Player

Before Marco Kasper came along, Vanek was the first Austrian star to play for the Red Wings. Unquestionably Austria’s greatest player, Vanek captained his country at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. He also played for Austria in three IIHF World Championships.

Vanek was part of Team Europe in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, helping that team reach the final against Canada.

Eight times during his NHL career, Vanek scored at least 25 goals. Twice, he topped 30 goals, and in 2008-09, he tallied 40 goals for the Buffalo Sabres.

The Austrian would serve two stints with the Red Wings. Vanek joined Detroit for the 2016-17 season, scoring 15 goals. He also signed with Detroit for his final NHL campaign in 2018-19. That season, he would account for 16 goals.