Francis a No-Brainer for Hockey Hall of Fame

According to the Hockey Hall of Fame's website, the following attributes are the basis for the election of players to the hall: Playing ability, sportsmanship, character and their contribution to the team or teams and to the game of hockey itself.

That remind you of anyone?

There was never any doubt that Ron Francis would be a first-ballot hall-of-famer. But what's really refreshing is to hear him speak with humility about his achievements.

Just as he did as a player, Francis refuses to brag. He's matter-of-fact when discussing a career which landed him 2nd all-time in assists and 4th all-time in points.

Not too shabby for a guy critics claimed "wasn't a very good skater."

Francis jokes about that label, saying, "I found it comical that when I came in, I didn't skate well enough. Then early in my career, I didn't skate well enough. And 23 years later, maybe I still don't skate well enough."

I think it's safe to say Ron Francis skated well enough.

And yet, despite all his accomplishments... Francis never really became a household name outside hockey circles. His best statistical seasons came while playing with Mario Lemieux -- a star who would overshadow just about anyone not named Gretzky. Even now, the headliner of the Hockey Hall of Fame class is considered to be Mark Messier -- not Francis.

Imagine that. The #4 point-scorer of all-time just happens to go in the Hall in the same year as the #2 player on that list.

In a way, that's fitting. Francis himself says he relied on his teammates to do the goal scoring, and they cashed in on 1249 of his assists.

If anyone's deserving of a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame, it's Ron Francis. The induction's set for November 12th in Toronto.