The formal induction ceremony will be held in November
Martin Brodeur, Jayna Hefford, Martin St. Louis and Alexander Yakushev will be inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame later this year.
Willie O'Ree, the first black player in NHL history, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will enter in the builder category.
Brodeur is a three-time Stanley Cup winner, a four-time Vezina Trophy winner, and a five-time winner of the Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed in a season. The NHL's all-time leader in wins with 691 and shutouts with 125, Brodeur gets the nod in his first year of eligibility.
Bettman has been commissioner since 1993 — during which time, the NHL has expanded its footprint across North America and increased from 24 to 31 teams.
During Bettman's tenure, the league has gone from a $437-million business to one with almost $5 billion in revenue.
O'Ree will be the third black player in the Hall of Fame, joining Edmonton Oilers goalie Grant Fuhr and Canadian women's national team captain Angela James.
A native of Fredericton, New Brunswick, O'Ree made his NHL debut in 1958 as a call-up for the Boston Bruins.
The winger put up four goals and 10 assists in 45 NHL games during the 1957-58 and 1960-61 seasons despite being 95% blind in his right eye.
The formal induction ceremony will be held in November.
— with files from The Canadian Press & Metro Source