The National Hockey League (NHL) introduces four new members into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

As Joe Nieuwendyk, Ed Belfour, Doug Gilmour and Mark Howe took their place in the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, they reflected on careers that had them standing together on the sport’s grandest stage.

“It’s what makes it such a special place,” Nieuwendyk said.

“It doesn’t discriminate. I think the common bond with a lot of these faces that I see on the walls, especially the recent ones that I have some history with, is a real genuine passion and a love for the game and high competitive spirit in all of us.”

Nieuwendyk attended Cornell at a time when the NCAA route was far less traveled and went on to an NHL career that included three Stanley Cups with three different teams.

Belfour was considered eccentric — even for a goaltender — but managed to compile the third-most victories in NHL history despite never being drafted.

Gilmour was passed over by just about everyone before being selected in the seventh round in 1982 and wound up playing almost 1,500 career NHL games with a heart-and-soul style that belied his modest size.