This year’s hat trick of inductees included Summit Series hero Paul Henderson, quarter-century NHLer Mark Messier, and longtime National Team coach Dave King.

The inaugural celebrations honoured Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau, Gord Renwick, and Cassie Campbell-Pascall.

The Order of Hockey in Canada celebrates people "who have made an extraordinary contribution to hockey in Canada.”

Henderson, who will be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame next month in Stockholm, scored the game-winning goal in games 6, 7, and 8 of the 1972 Summit Series. His witty speech included first praise for Messier’s post-career efforts to design better helmets to combat concussions and then pointing out that, “you probably caused more concussions than you received,” which drew laughs and applause throughout the room.

King, who coached an unprecedented three Olympics for Canada had special words of praise for Clare Drake and the late Wayne Fleming. King was not only a remarkable coach but teacher to hundreds of world-class players who skated through the Hockey Canada system over the years, including Dave Tippett. Tippett is the current coach of the Phoenix Coyotes—and King is his assistant.

Messier’s career is in a class of its own. Second all-time in points and games played, he also played on the 1984 Canada Cup-winning Team Canada and is the only player to captain two NHL teams to the Stanley Cup.

Prime Minister Harper stayed for the entire ceremony and then participated in a Hot Stove discussion on stage, asking the inductees questions about their achievements with a familiarity that was as genuine as it was passionate.