GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Another Detroit Red Wing has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame: former goaltender Mike Vernon.

“Vernie” was one of seven people inducted Monday night, alongside former goalies Tom Barrasso and Henrik Lundqvist, forwards Pierre Turgeon and Caroline Ouellette, coach Ken Hitchcock and general manager Pierre Lacroix.

Standing only 5 foot 9, Vernon was small in stature, but he stood tall in net, using his speed and quick reflexes to shut down opposing offenses.

The Calgary native was drafted in the third round by his hometown Flames in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. He played 11 seasons with the Flames and helped the team win the Stanley Cup in 1989 before being traded to the Red Wings, helping them surge to the top of the Western Conference.

Partnered with Chris Osgood, the two won an NHL-record 62 games in the 1995-96 regular season and shared the William Jennings Trophy for the lowest goals-against average. After splitting time during the 1996-97 season, Vernon was named the starter heading into the playoffs and dominated for Detroit, winning 16 of 20 games en route to the team’s first Stanley Cup championship in more than 40 years. Vernon was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason’s most valuable player.

The following offseason, with the younger Osgood ready to take the starting job, Vernon was traded to San Jose. He spent parts of three seasons there before being traded to Florida and eventually back to his hometown Flames.

  • Mike Vernon lunges to his right and makes a save with the blade of his stick.
    Calgary goaltender Mike Vernon leaps to make a stick save during a 1994 game against the Buffalo Sabres. (Rick Stewart/AllSport/Getty Images file)
  • Mike Vernon makes a kick save with his right leg, deflecting the puck away from the net.
    Detroit Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon makes a save against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on Dec. 20, 1995. (AP file)
  • Mike Vernon crouches down with his left leg and glove hand sticking out, while his stick blocks the ice between his legs.
    Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon crouches down in net during Game 1 of the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals. (Al Bello/AllSport/Getty Images file)
  • Mike Vernon stands in net with his arms raised above his head after the clock hits zero, giving the Red Wings their first Stanley Cup championship in more than 40 years.
    Detroit Red Wings goalie Mike Vernon, left, celebrates after beating the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 to claim the 1997 Stanley Cup. (AP file)
  • Mike Vernon smiles as he lifts the Conn Smythe Trophy above his head and skates around the rink to show off his new prize to cheering fans.
    Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon lifts the Conn Smythe Trophy over his head. The Conn Smythe Trophy is given to the postseason MVP. (Rick Stewart/AllSport/Getty Images file)
  • Mike Vernon shuts his eyes and turns his head away from the champagne celebration while popping the cork on his own bottle following the team's 1997 Stanley Cup-clinching win.
    Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon celebrates with his teammates after winning the 1997 Stanley Cup. (Getty Images file)
  • Mike Vernon covers the right post while tracking the puck with his eyes.
    San Jose goaltender Mike Vernojn fights for a sight line during a 1998 game against his former team, the Calgary Flames. (Ian Tomlinson/AllSport/Getty Images)
  • The Calgary Flames raise a banner that reads Vernon, Number 30, 1982-2002.
    The Calgary Flames retired Mike Vernon’s jersey number on February 6, 2007. (Getty Images file)

Vernon retired following the 2001-2002 season. The two-time champion and five-time All-Star finished his career with 385 wins, which is currently 16th-best in league history.

“Like most kids growing up, I started playing hockey having fun. (It was) a chance to hang out with my friends, with all of my buddies, and dreaming one day of playing in the NHL,” Vernon said in his induction speech. “Everybody that is here tonight understands one thing about hockey: It is the ultimate sport and that I had great teammates along the way. (There are) too many to name, but I’d like to thank them all. From Al (MacInnis) to (Steve) Yzerman, you have pushed me to be my best, you taught me what it meant to be a teammate and what it took to become a pro.”

Vernon is now one of 57 former Red Wings players to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.