Messier and Stevens are joined by Ron Francis, who ranks second to Wayne Gretzky in assists in National Hockey League history, and Al MacInnis, third all-time in scoring among NHL defenseman.

Messier won five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers before leading the Rangers to victory in 1994. Stevens captained the Devils to three titles. Francis was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins championship teams in 1991-92, and McInnis won a title with Calgary in 1989.

The four comprise one of the most successful and award- winning classes of inductees in the Hall of Fame's history. All retired in 2005 after a lockout canceled the previous season, and were selected in their first year of eligibility by an 18- member committee of former players, coaches, officials and media representatives.

"We starred in an era that produced some amazing players," Messier said on a conference call. "Players that had incredibly long careers, with numerous Stanley Cups that go along with them."

They, along with former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager and current NHL executive Jim Gregory in the Builders category, will be inducted in Toronto on Nov. 12.

Among eligible players who weren't selected were Igor Larionov, the Russian center who won two Olympic gold medals and three Stanley Cup titles; Adam Oates, who ranks sixth in career assists; and Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup winner and former playoff most valuable player.

`Impressive List'

"With the players that were available to get in this year, not only first-time players that were eligible, it's a very impressive list," MacInnis said. "I wasn't going to hold my breath."

Messier is second on the NHL's all-time scoring list behind Gretzky, his former Oilers and Rangers teammate, with 1,886 points. He won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player twice and played 25 seasons in the NHL with the Oilers, Rangers and Vancouver Canucks.

Along with his statistics, he's known for a guarantee.

When the Rangers faced elimination from the Eastern Conference finals against New Jersey in 1994, Messier said there was no way New York would lose, then scored three goals in the third period to lead the team to a 4-2 win in Game 6. He's the only player to captain two different teams to Stanley Cup titles.

Stevens's Career

Stevens set the record for games played by a defenseman with 1,635 during his 22-year career with Washington, St. Louis and the Devils. He finished with 908 points, 10th all-time among defensemen.

Stevens was better known for hard, open-ice hits like the one that knocked out Philadelphia's Eric Lindros in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals in 2000. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy that year as the playoff MVP.

Francis had 1,249 assists in 23 seasons with Toronto, Carolina, Pittsburgh and Hartford. He added 549 goals to finish with 1,798 points, fourth in NHL history.

His two Stanley Cup titles came when he teamed with Hall of Fame player Mario Lemieux in Pittsburgh. He earned the Lady Byng Award for sportsmanship three times and the Frank Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward in 1995.

MacInnis, who had one of hockey's hardest slap shots, ranks third in scoring among NHL defenseman with 1,274 points during his 23 seasons with the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues.