On this date in hockey history, November 1st 1945 a 16 year old Gordie Howe signed his first professional hockey contract with the Omaha Knights of the United States Hockey League.
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On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1947, the "Production Line" of right wing Gordie Howe, center Sid Abel and left wing Ted Lindsay became a regular line for the first time, connecting for two goals in a 4-3 Detroit Red Wings loss to the Boston Bruins.


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On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1952, Jacques Plante, played in his first NHL game defeating the New York Rangers 4-1 after being called up by Montreal to replace injured goalie Gerry McNeil. In his three game replacement trial he went 2-0-1 giving up only four goals, before being returned to the Montrea​l Royals
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This day in hockey history, November 1st 1952, the first nationwide hockey telecast from Maple Leaf Gardens took place on CBC, with the Toronto Maple Leafs defeating the Boston Bruins, 3-2.

Jacques Plante became the first NHL goalie to use a full facemask. Plante had been hit in the face that night against the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden. Play was delayed for 20 minutes while Plante's face was sewn up because teams in that era didn't have backup goaltenders. Coach Toe Blake was infuriated when Plante refused to go back into the game withouit wearing a facemask but relented when Plante agreed to wear the mask only until his injuries healed. While wearing the mask, Plante led Montreal on an 18 game unbeaten streak but lost the first game he played after removing the mask. Blake knew he had lost this confrontation with his star goalie and the mask became part of hockey history. Plante and the Candiens finished the season winning their fifth straight Stanley Cup championship.



On November 1 1976 Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 beginning a 34 game home unbeaten streak (28 wins and 6 ties) which remains an NHL record. He streak ended only with the end of the regular season the last game being an 11-0 defeat of the Washington Capitals. The streak continues into the next season and ended on October 29, 1977 at 37 games with a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

The 1976-77 Canadiens finished 60-8-12 for an astonishing 132 points. The Candiens lost only one home game that season and it was to their chief rival the hated Boston Bruins. The team did not lose another home game for 364 days.
On this date in hockey history, November 1st 1984, Mike Bossy scored four times to extend his team-record goal scoring streak to 10 games in the New York Islanders' 6-5 loss at Montreal. Bossy scored 17 goals during the 10 game streak, tying his own team record set in 1978-79.


November 1 1969 Tahir Domi was born in Belle River Ontario. More commonly known as Tie Domi, over his career he accumulated the third highest penalty minute total in NHL history, 3515 in 1020 games. As a Toronto Maple Leaf he accumulated more penalty minutes that any other player in Maple Leafs history.

Domi's parents were born in Albania and fled the communist country after WW II for a better life in Canada. Domi climbed the ladder in junior hockey from the Jr. C Belle River Canadiens of the Great Lakes Junior C League to the Jr. B Windsor Bulldogs of the Western Jr. B League to the Jr. A Peterborough Roadrunners of the Metro Jr. A League and the OHL Peterborough Petes. With 292 penalty minutes for the Petes in 1987-88 the reputation of Tie Domi the enforcer began to grow.

Domi was drafted by the Leafs in the second round in 1988, 27th overall but only played two games for them somehow accumulating 42 penalty minutes. He was traded to the New York Rangers where he spent two seasons and 12 games of a third year when he was traded to Winnipeg during the 1992-93 season. Domi was traded back to the Leafs in 1995.

Tie Domi's Greatest Hits:

1995-96 Suspended eight games for sucker punching Rangers Ulf Samuelsson which was called by some one of the cheapest shots in league history.

1997-98 His 395 penalty minutes set a new Leafs single season record previously held by Dave “Tiger” Williams

2001-01 Fined $1,000 for an altercation with a fan in Philadelphia. While serving a penalty Domi was being heckled by a fan. Domi sprayed the fan from a water bottle. Another fan joined the altercation and climbed up on the glass separating the penalty area from the seats when the glass and the fan toppled into the penalty box. Domi was quoted after the game, “It's nice to see the fans get involved, I guess.”

May 3, 2001 During game four of the Eastern Conference semi finals, Domi knocked Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer unconscious with an elbow to the head incurring a five minute attempt to injure penalty and a suspension for the duration of the playoffs.

Domi scored his 100th career goal and played in his 1,000th career game om March 3rd during the 2005-06 season. On March 10th Domi was a healthy scratch. He was so unhappy with his benching that he didn't arrive at the game until the second period had ended. The Leafs bought out his conratc at the end of the season ending Domi's NHL career.


This day in Buffalo Sabres history, November 1st 1981, the Sabres defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 6-2 with Tony McKegney scoring twice and Bob Sauve blocking 37 shots.

On this date in hockey history, November 1st 1984, Mike Bossy scored four times to extend his team-record goal scoring streak to 10 games in the New York Islanders' 6-5 loss at Montreal. Bossy scored 17 goals during the 10 game streak, tying his own team record set in 1978-79.


On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1992, the Pittsburgh Penguins' defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-4 with Mario Lemieux scoring two goals extending his team record goal scoring streak to 12 games. Lemieux scored 18 goals during the 12 game streak.



On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 4, 1917, Pete Langelle was born in Winnipeg Manitoba. Langelle scored the biggest goal in Toronto's franchise history. In 1942 The Leafs trailed the Redwings 3-0 in the Stanley Cup finals then won four straight times to win the Stanley Cup with Langelle scoring the cup winning goal in game seven. His cup winner was the last goal of his career.


Pictured at left are Pete Langelle, Conn Smythe, Dave 'Sweeney' Schriner and Lorne Carr, all aglow after their historic comeback.



On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1985, rookie goaltender Daren Puppa became the 17th goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout in his first career game as the Buffalo Sabres won 2-0 at Edmonton. Puppa stopped Wayne Gretzky ten times among his 37 saves that night. Puppa started that game because the Oilers were gunning for the brash Tom Barasso who had the phrase "All World" inscribed on his helmet. Coach Jim Schoenfeld wisely defused the Oilers ire by starting the relatively unknown Puppa. Interestingly Puppa's helmet that night displayed the phrase "All Universe." In addition to his exceptional skills as a goaltender Puppa was known for his haircut, which is still the same today, and his nickname "Poops."





On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1992, the Pittsburgh Penguins' defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-4 with Mario Lemieux scoring two goals extending his team record goal scoring streak to 12 games. Lemieux scored 18 goals during the 12 game streak.

This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1941, the Brooklyn Americans played their first game in Detroit tying the Red Wings 3-3.







This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1947 After only six games of the 1947-48 season Chicago traded star forward Max Bentley along with Cy Thomas in a blockbuster deal to the Toronto Maple Leafs for five players; Bob Goldham, Ernie Dickens, Gaye Stewart, Gus Bodnar and Bud Poile. While the deal gave the Leafs the all time best bcenter ice corps in NHL history, Ted Kennedy, Syl Apps and Bentley and sparked a pair of Stanley Cup championships for Toronto in 1948 and 1949, after the trade both Poile (52 points) and Stewart (55 points) outsccored Bentley (48 points).

This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1969, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 with 41 year old Gordie Howe becoming the oldest player to ever record a hattrick with his 19th and last three goal game in the NHL.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1972, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2 as Ralph Backstrom scoring two goals in six seconds to set a Kings record for the fastest two goals by a player, The Kings also set a team record with their sixth straight win.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1975, Eddie Giacomin returned to New York and Madison Square Garden just two days after being waived by the Rangers and claimed by Detroit. The Red Wings made it a memorable night by defeating the Rangers 6-4.




Giacomin’s return prompted the fans to root against the Rangers. They chanted “Eddie . . . Eddie . . . Eddie . . . Eddie . . . Eddie . . .” throughout the warmups and into the game. Overcome by emotion, Eddie reached up to wipe the tears from his eyes and the chants grew even louder. Eddie recalled that he couldn't stop crying and thought he would collapse from the emotion.




Peter Stemkowski remembered, “Here's the crazy part. The day of a home game, we’d get rooms at a hotel across the street from the Garden and go down to the lobby coffee shop for some toast and tea. The Red Wings were staying a few blocks away, but who comes into the coffee shop and sits down with us? Eddie.”
John Davidson was in goal for the Rangers that night and remembers, “After the game, Eddie made a point of seeking me out. He couldn’t have been classier.”The Rangers record after losing to Detroit was 4-7-1 and their years as a contender were over. If the fans thought losing Giacomin was a shocker, they were in for an even bigger surprise a few days later when Emile Francis swung a deal with the Boston Bruins.




This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1978 After playing only eight games and scoring six points with the WHA Indianapolis Racers, Wayne Gretzky was sold to the Edmonton Oilers along with Ed Mio and Peter Driscoll. Gretzky was named the WHA rookie of the year with 104 points in 72 games.


This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1979, the New York Rangers acquired defenseman Barry Beck from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Lucien Deblois, Pat Hickey, Mike McEwen, Dean Turner and future considerations (Bobby Crawford).

This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1984, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Hartford Whalers 8-1 at the Aud in Buffalo led by Brent Peterson with four points (1-3-4) and Gilbert Perreault (1-2-3), Ric Seiling (1-2-3) and Phil Housley (0-3-3) each with three points.

This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1989, the Edmonton Oilers traded Jimmy Carson and Kevin McClelland to Detroit in exchange for Petr Klima, Joe Murphy, Adam Graves, and Jeff Sharples.

This day in hockey history, November 2nd, 1985, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Hartford Whalers 8-1 setting a team record for fastest goals scored with five goals in a 5:37 span.

This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1996, in a battle of two of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history, Dominik Hasek and Patrick Roy battled to a scoreless tie as the Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche were both unable to solve their opponents mastery of the nets. Hasek was the star of this game with 32 saves to 20 for Roy. It was Haseks 15th career shutout and the 33rd for Roy. For their careers, Hasek had 81shutouts and 14 in the playoffs while Roy had 66 regular season whitewashes and 23 more in the postseason.

tory, November 3rd 1940, Dick Irvin coached his first game with the Montreal Canadiens, a 1-1 tie against the Bruins, at the Forum. Irvin replaced Pit Lepine as head coach.

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On this day in hockey history, November 3rd 1926, the Toronto St. Patricks signed Irvine "Ace" Bailey.. The future Hall Of Famer Bailey led the NHL in goals and points in 1928-29. Bailey scored the first Cup winning goal in Toronto Maple Leafs history, assisted by another future Hall of Famer Charlie Conacher. Bailey's sweater number 6 was one of only two numbers retired by the Maple Leafs until this season when the club announced a change in policy where all sweater numbers previously designated as "Honored" but still in use would now all be retired..




On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 3rd 1932, Gerry Ehman was born in Cudworth, Saskatchewan. Ehman was traded by Detroit to the Leafs in December, 1958. He had an outstanding playoff year in 1959, recording 6 goals and 7 assists in 12 games including the winning goal in Game seven of the semi finals against Boston to send the Leafs into the Finals. Ehman played his last regular season game with the Leafs in November of 1963, but was recalled for the playoffs and won a Cup with the Leafs in 1964. In January of 1968, Ehman scored the first hat trick in the history of the Oakland Seals. Ehman was immortalized in Robert Shavers famous photo featuring his former Leafs teammate Eddie Shack leaping onto the back of a shocked Ehman while playing for the California Seals.







This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1948 Gordie Howe appeared in his first of 23 NHL all star games. That's right, Gordie Howe appeared in 23 NHL all star games. In those days the all stars played the defending Stanley Cup champions in a preseason game. The all stars defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 that night.




This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1972, the Boston Bruins tied the California Golden Seals 6-6 as Phil Esposito scored his 350th NHL goal. In his career, Phil Esposito scored 717 goals in regular season and 61 goals in playoffs.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1974, Ron Greschner played his first game with the New York Rangers, a 4-3 victory against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1974, in a 10-1 win by the Boston Bruins over the visiting Minnesota North Stars, Johnny Bucyk had two assists to pass Bobby Hull as the highest scoring left wing in NHL history. Hull had 1,153 career points with Chicago.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd November 3 1987 Marcel Dionne scored a goal for the New York Rangers becoming the second NHL player to tally 1,700 career points. Of course Gordie Howe was the NHL's first 1,700 point scorer.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1990, NHL linesman Wayne Bonney officiated two games in one day . First he worked Chicago at Philadelphia in the afternoon, then took a flight to Boston for a game between the Bruins and the Sabres that night to replace the injured Gerard Gauthier.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd November 3, 1990, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1, earning a third consecutive win in Boston for the first time since 1979. Benoit Hogue scored twice and Daren Puppa stopped 30 of 31 shots to lead the blue and gold.





This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1991 the Vancouver Canucks honored Stan Smyl by retiring his number twelve jersey.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd November 3 2002, Mark Messier reached second place on the NHL career games played list passing Larry Murphy. Messier finished his NHL career with 1,756 games played, only 11 games fewer than Gordie Howe. Messier is also second in career points, only 970 points behind Wayne Gretzky.

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On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1972, The Los Angeles Kings played against the New York Islanders for the first time and defeated them 7-2 for their seventh consecutive win. Ralph Backstrom, Mike Corrigan, and Bob Berry set a Kings record for the fastest three goals, scoring in a span of just 45 seconds.

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On this day in New York Rangers history, November 4th 1977, Greg Polis scored a team record two shorthanded goals in a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

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On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1977, Phil Esposito scored his 600th NHL goal in a 5-1 New York Rangers victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Esposito became the third player in NHL history after Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull to score 600 goals.




On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1983, the Montreal Canadiens traded Robert Picard to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Winnipeg's 3rd round pick in the 1984 Entry Draft. The Canadiens used the pick to select goaltender Patrick Roy.











November 4 1987 Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky and New York Ranger Marcel Dionne faced off against each other tied with 998 career assists. Gretzky had two assists to reach 1,000 for his career in only his 645th game, and added three goals for his 46th career hattrick. Marcel picked up one assist to reach 999.

November 4, 1998 The San Jose Sharks scored four goals on nine shots to defeat the Dallas Stars 4-0. This was the lowest total shots on goal ever recorded by a winning team in NHL history. Mike Vernon made 21 saves for his 19th career shutout.

November 4, 2003 Mark Messier passed Gordie Howe for second place in NHL career scoring by scoring a pair of goals in a 3-0 victory against Dallas to reach 1,851 career points. Messier finished his career with 1,887 points, trailing Wayne Gretzky by 970.

On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 4, 1917, Pete Langelle was born in Winnipeg Manitoba. Langelle scored the biggest goal in Toronto's franchise history. In 1942 The Leafs trailed the Redwings 3-0 in the Stanley Cup finals then won four straight times to win the Stanley Cup with Langelle scoring the cup winning goal in game seven. His cup winner was the last goal of his career.

On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1924, Howie Meeker was born in Kitchener, Ontario. Meeker played eight seasons in the NHL, all with the Maple Leafs between 1946 and 1953. In 346 games, he registered 83 goals and 102 assists. He was a solid playoff contributor as well and helped the Leafs win four Stanley Cups in his career. In January of 1947, Meeker became the first rookie in NHL history to record five goals in one game. It helped him secure the Calder trophy as rookie of the year. Howie Meeker also coached the Leafs for one complete season in 1956-57 but the team missed the playoffs with a record of 21-34-15. Meeker was then promoted to GM but fired before the season even started.

Howie was an innovative analyst on Hockey Night in Canada in the 1970's and 80's analyzing plays in detail using a telestrator to show his points on replays. Meeker is the last surviving member of the Leafs 1947 championship team.

November 5, 1955 Jean Beliveau's scoring prowess effected a change in NHL rules when he scored all four goals as Montreal defeated Boston 4-2. Beliveau scored three power play goals in the game, all of them coming in a span of just 44 seconds on the same 2:00 power play! In that era all minor penalties were served in their entirety. The NHL subsequently changed that rule, terminating a minor penalty after a power play goal is scored. Bert Olmsetad assisted on all of Beliveu's power play goals, the second fastest three assists in NHL history.
November 5, 1979 The Montreal Canadiens extended their undefeated streak against the Washington Capitals to 34-0-2 with a 2-0 victory.

October 5, 1900 All time great Maple Leaf goaltender Lorne Chabot was born in Montreal. He had 12 shutouts in 1928-29 his first season as a Leaf. In 1932 Chabot led the Leafs to a Stanley Cup championship playing all seven playoff games. He also won the cup with the Rangers is 1928. Chabot led the NHL with a 1.80 GAA winning the Vezina Trophy in 1935.




On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 5th 1936, Syl Apps and Turk Broda began their careers for the Leafs. together they won three Stanley Cup championships with Toronto. While the Leafs lost that game 3-1 against the Detroit Red Wings Apps and Broda played on three Stanley Cup championship teams in Toronto.





On this day in hockey history, November 5th, 1942, Carl Liscombe scored a hat trick and added four assists to set an NHL record for points in a game with seven in a 12-5 win by the Detroit Red Wings over the New York Rangers. The Red Wings set a team record that night with six power play goals in one game.





On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 5th 1960, Frank Mahovlich scored four goals for the Maple Leaf in a 7-3 win over the New York Rangers. Mahovlich led the Leafs in goal scoring for six consecutive seasons between 1960-61 and 1965-66.

On this date in hockey history, November 5th 1970, the St Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins 2-0 at Boston Garden with goaltenders Glenn Hall and Ernie Wakely combining for the shutout. The game ended a Bruins home unbeaten streak of 24-0-5 and was the first win for the Blues at Boston since they entered the NHL in 1967.

On this date in hockey history, November 5th 1975 Gerry Desjardins earns his first shutout as a Buffalo Sabre.

On this day in hockey history, November 5th 1986, Buffalo’s Phil Housley picked up his 200th career NHL assist as the Sabres won 8-3 over the visiting Boston Bruins.

On November 6 1948 Bill Durnan and the Montreal Canadiens shutout the Detroit Red Wings 2-0. Durnan played only seven seasons in the NHL but won six Vezina trophies and two Stanley Cup championships. During the 1947-48 season Durnan served as captain of the Canadiens. Teams complained that he left his net so often to argue calls with officials that he was giving his team an unfair advantage with these defacto timeouts. As a result, the NHL made a rule preventing goaltenders from serving as team captain. Durnan was an ambidexterous goalie and wore special that permitted him to hold his stick and catch the puck with either hand.

Durnan finished his career with a record of 208 wins and 112 losses and a 2.36 GAA. In the playoffs he went 27-12 with a pair of shutouts. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964.

On this date in hockey history, November 6 1983 Wayne Gretzky scored four goals and set up three for a seven point game when Edmonton beat Winnipeg 8-5.

On November 6, 1988 Wayne Gretzky became the third player in NHL history to reach 1,700 career points when he tallied a pair of goals and a helper as Los Angeles beat Chicago 5-3. Gretzky accomplished this feat in only 711 games.

On this date in hockey history, November 7 1982, Gilbert Perreault scored his 400th career goal. In their inagural season, the expansion Buffalo Sabres chose Gil with the first overall pick in the 1970 NHL amateur draft. Scotty Bowman once called him "The greatest junior player ever". Perreault had captained the Montreal Junior Canadiens to the Memorial Cup championship in 1970 and was a true superstar in every sense of that word. Legendary hockey writer Frank Orr wrote in the mid 1970's that there were only four superstars in the NHL, Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Guy Lafleur and Gilbert Perreault. Perreault was accorded the high honor of great NHL players in the 1970's, being loudly booed every time he touched the puck at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. During a 1975 Hockey Night in Canada broadcast of a Montreal Buffalo playoff game, Broadcaster Dick Irvin asked Danny Gallivan if Perreault was a faster skater than the legendary Howie Morenz. Gallivan responded, "Probably but remember Morenz is 80 years old.

November 7 1925 the NHL announced the institution of it's first salary cap, each team would be limited to $35,000. Would that even pay for an assistant trainer today? Lionel Conacher of the Pittsburgh Pirate s and Dunc Munro of the Montreal Maroons were the leagues highest paid players at $7500. Billy Burch of the New York Americans was the next highest paid player at $6500.

November 7, 1968 – Red Berenson of the St. Louis Blues set a modern NHL record for most goals in a single game with six scores in an 8-0 win over Philadelphia. A guy named Howe who played for the Detroit Red Wings was the last NHL player to score six in one game, that being Syd Howe who did it in 1944.

On this date in hockey history, November 7, 1975, following an 8-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins General Manager Harry Sinden made a blockbuster trade sending Phil Esposito to the New York Rangers getting Jean Rattelle and Brad Park in return. With Bobby Orr's injuries and demise as a hockey player, Sinden sought out another superstar defenseman. Harry always liked having the leagues best d-man and Park was his target. The Rangers demanded a replacement for Park so the Bruins also sent Carol Vadnais to Manhattan along with Espo. When coach Don Cherry and Bobby Orr came to see Phil in his hotel room to tell him about the trade, Espo knew what was coming. He said "If you tell me I've been traded to the Rangers, I'm going to jump out the window. Cherry replied, "Bobby, get away from the window." That evening, Esposito scored two goals and an assist for the Rangers in a 7-5  loss to the California Golden Seals.

November 7 1925, The NHL announced that the Hamilton Tigers would be dropped from the league. The Tigers has finished at the top of yhe NHL standings for the 1924-25 season with a 19-10-1 record and were a favorite to win the Stanley Cup. However the players went on strike. The NHL had increased the schedule from 24 top 30 games but player salaries stayed the same. The players demanded to be paid for the extra games the NHL had added to the schedule. League President Frank Calder responded by warning the players that they would be suspended if they refused to play in the finals and replaced by Ottawa the fourth place team. Meanwhile third place Montreal defetaed second place Torotno St. Patricks. Calder then declared Montreal the league champion and fined the Hamilton players. The NHL revoked the Hamilton franchise on September 22nd and the Hamilton players were purchased by the expansion New York Americans.




This day in Buffalo Sabres history, November 7 1981, the Sabres defeated the New York Islanders 6-2 in Uniondale with John Van Boxmeer scoring three goals and adding two assists for five points. Van Boxmeer shares the franchise record with Phil Housley for most points by a defenseman in a single game.

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This day in Buffalo Sabres history, November 7 1986, during a 7-6 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Gilbert Perreault scored the last two goals of his NHL career. Perreault is the Sabres all time leading scorer with 512 career goals. Rick Martin is second with 382.

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1942 - Montreal Canadiens rookie Maurice Richard scored his first NHL goal in a 10-4 win over NY at the Forum in Montreal. Toe Blake scored twice for the Canadiens, to give him 100 in his NHL career.


On this date in hockey history, November 8 1924, John Kiszkan was born. Of Ukranian descent, he served in the Canadian army in WWII, then played junior hockey for Prince Albert before carving out a career as a professional. He played for 11 season in the AHL primarily for the Cleveland Barons, winning three championships. During his first year with Cleveland, he changed his name to Bower to make it easier for the sportwriters. His career highlights included winning three consectutive Stanley Cup championships with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1962, 1963 and 1964 with another in 1967 where he split goaltending duties with Terry Sawchuck.

November 8, 1952 Maurice Richard set the NHL record for career goals when he scored his 325th goal in a 6-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. This was ten years after “The Rocket” scored his first NHL goal. He passed Nels Stewart who had scored 234 times.

November 8 1963 Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto became the first NHL arena to use separate penalty boxes and doors for each team. The previous week two players, Bob Pulford of Toronto and Terry Harper of Montreal had been given major penalties for fighting and then fought again in the shared penalty box. What's surprising is that didn't happen more often.

November 8, 1934, St. Louis hosted it's first NHL game as the transplanted Ottawa Senators now the St. Louis Eagles hosted the Chicago Black Hawks who were not exactly gracious guests defeating their hosts 3-1. The Eagles folded after one season which they finished 11-31-6.

A total of 29 different players suited up for the 1934-35 St. Louis Eagles. The last active Eagles player was Bill Cowley, who retired in 1947. Wearing patriotic red white and blue uniforms the team played in front of solid crowds at the St. Louis Arena. The Eagles were led offensively by Carl Voss and his team leading 31 points, team captain Syd Howe would lead the club with 14 goals, despite being traded to the Detroit Red Wings late in the season, while Glen Brydson would finish 2nd in team scoring with 29 points.

The once-proud Senators/Eagles franchise never took the ice again, and remain one of two NHL teams to fold after winning a Stanley Cup (the other being the Maroons). In 1938, the Montreal Maroons attempted to move to St. Louis. They were denied by the NHL due to the high travel costs that plagued the Eagles.




On this date in hockey history, November 8th 1978 - Bobby Orr announced his retirement from the NHL at a news conference in Chicago. His final career totals were 270 goals, 645 assists, 915 points in 657 games.

On this date in hockey history, November 8th1990. the Los Angeles Kings retired Marcel Dionne's uniform #16 in a pregame ceremony, before a 5-1 win over the Red Wings at the Forum. Dionne joined Rogie Vachon as the only players in Kings' history to have their number retired.





On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 8th 1986, King Clancy passed away at the age of 83. During his NHL career, Clancy was a player, a coach, an assistant General Manager and a referee. As a player, Clancy once played all six positions on the ice, including goaltender in a Stanley Cup Final game. He lived to the ripe old age of 83 and was an honored member of the Hockey Hall Of Fame.



The 1934-35 NHL season was the 18th season of the National Hockey League. Nine teams each played 48 games. The Montreal Maroons were the Stanley Cup winners

On this date in hockey history, November 9 1957, Claude Provost of the Montreal Canadiens set the NHL record for the fastest goal from the start of a period when he scored in the second period against the Boston Bruins. The record was tied by Chicago Black Hawk Denis Savard on Januuary 12, 1986. Provost won the Stanley Cup nine times during his career with Montreal. Today is induction day for the Hockey Hall of Fame's 2015 induction class so it is interesting to note that Claude Provost is the only player who played on a Stanley Cup championship team at least eight times who is not a member of the Hall of Fame.

On this day in hockey history, November 9, 1996 Craig MacTavish of the St. Louis Blues became the last helmetless player In the NHL to score a goal when the Blues beat Calgary 3-2. McTavish palyed 16 seasons in the NHL was exempt from the rule requiring NHL players to wear helmets because he played before the rule was adopted in the 1979-80 season. Those players were allowed to choose to not wear a helmet but had to sign a waiver releasing the league and teams from liability for injuries related to playing bare headed. At the time of his retirement Mctavish siad he chose to play without a helmet because he felt comfortable and that was lucky he didn't get seriously hurt.

On this date in hockey history, November 9, 1973, Detroit Red Wings great Alex Delvecchio ended his 24 year NHL careeer with the Detroit Red Wings when he announced his retirement. He played his entire career with the Red Wings playing 1,549 games scoring 456 goals and 825 assists during the second longest NHL career at that time.




On this date in hockey history, November 9th 1983, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Washington Capitals 7-4 in Washington with Wayne Gretzky scoring once and adding four assists for five points.




Exactly a year later, Gretzky outdid himself scoring two goals and six points as the Oilers beat the Capitals again 8-5. The win extended the Oilers team record undefeated streak to 15 games (12-0-3), which was the longest undefeated streak to start a season surpassing the 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens.

On this date in hockey history, November 10 1986 the legendary Francis Michael “King” Clancy passed away. Clancy was nicknamed King after his father who played football for Ottawa in an era when the ball was not snapped but rather “heeled” backward from the line of scrimmage. Clancy's father was known as the “King of the heelers” and this was eventually shortened to King.

Clancy played for his hometown Ottawa Senators where he was part of Stanley Cup winning teams in 1933 and 1937. On March 3. 1933 Clancy became the first NHL player to play all six positions in a game. During a Stanley Cup game against the Edmonton Eskimos Ottawa goalie Clint Benedict took a two minute penalty. In those days goalies were required to serve their own penalty time. So Clancy went into the net while Benedict served his penalty.

Following his strong 1929-30 season wher he went 17-23-40 in 44 games, Clancy was sold to the Toronto Maple Leafs with Conn Smythe paying $35,000 and sending two players to Ottawa. Clancy and the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1932. Clancy briefly coached the Montreal Maroons then embarked on an 11 year career as an NHL referee.

He then coached Montreal's Cincinnati Mohawks farm team for two seasons before rejoining the Leafs as coach of their AHL team the Pittsburgh Hornets. Clancy was successful coaching the Hornets who won the AHL title in 1952 and lost in the finals in seven games in 1953.

Clancy was then promoted to coach the Leafs in 1953-54 but had little success in three years at the helm. Conn Smythe appointed him assistant GM where his duties involved chiefly public relations. The Hockey Hall of Fame inducted Clancy as a member in 1958.

Clancy continued as assistant GM in the 1960's with Punch Imlach as GM. He was promoted to vice president after Imlach was fired and had stated that he would also leave the organization. Clancy and Leafs owner Harold Ballard became close friends during the 1970's and watched games from Ballards “bunker” at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Clancy was 83 years old when he passed away from septic shock following gall bladder surgery. He was the last surviving member of the 1922-23 Stanley Cup champion Ottawa Senators. Clancy spents 65 years in professional hockey including 42 with the Maple Leafs. Former Leaf Hap Day had once said that Conn Smythe and Ballard had both paid Clancy to do nothing. His passing was mourned by many and the King Clancy Memorial Award was created in his honor.

November 10, 1963, Gordie Howe passed Maurice “The Rocket” Richard to become the NHL's all time leading goal scorer with his 545th career goal. Ironically Howe scored the goal in a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, Richards former team. Howe finished with 801 career regular season NHL goals and 68 playoff goals. In the WHA he added 174 regular season goals and 28 playoff goals for a total of 1071 major league professional goals. In the NHL he had an incredible 22 consecutive seasons with 23 or more goals, adding five more WHA seasons with 25 or more goals, that makes 27 straight seasons.




This day in hockey history, November 10th 1989, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 at Le Colisee with Guy Lafleur tieing Maurice Richard for eighth place on the NHL’s all time scoring list with his 544th NHL goal.




This day in hockey history, November 10th 1976, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the St. Louis Blues 5–0 with Gerry Desjardins stopping all 38 shots he faced to set team record for most saves in a shutout. Dominik Hasek tied this record on Dec. 5, 1997 with a 4-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning . Hasek then set a new record with 42 saves in a 1-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens two weeks later on Dec. 19, 1997. The current team record is 44 saves by Chad Johnson in a 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 17, 2015.




On this day in hockey history, November 11th 1962, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 with Alex Delevcchio scoring two goals and Terry Sawchuk getting his 350th career victory

On this day in hockey history, November 11th1973, the New York Rangers defeated the New York Islanders 5-2 at Madison Square Garden with Rod Gilbert scoring his 273rd career goal to move ahead of Andy Bathgate and become the Rangers all time goal scoring leader. Gilbert added a second goal later in the game.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 11, 1981, defenseman Ian Turnbull became a west coast resident when Toronto traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. The kings sent former Toronto Marlboro Billy Harris and former Niagara Falls Flyer John Gibson. Thirty one days later, Turnbull became the only LA defenseman to score four goals in a game. Turnbull also set the Toronto record with five goals in one game in a 9-1 victory over Detroit in 1977. He scored the five goals on only five shots, the only player in NHL history to accomplish that feat. Turnbull played ten NHL seasons the and formed a formidable offensive punch from Toronto's bluleine with teammate Broje Salming in the 1970's. In the 1976-77 season Turnbull posted a career high of 79 points on 22 goals and 57 assists and a plus 47.






On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1943, the first empty net goal in NHL history was scored. Coach Art Ross of the Boston Bruins introduced his innovative strategy of pulling his goaltender for an extra attacker late in the game trailing the Chicago Black Hawks 5-4. Unfortunately for the Bruins, Chicago's Clint Smith scored into the empty net. This wasn't the first time Ross and the Bruins tried this strategy, that was March 21st 1931 against Montreal in game two of their Stanley Cup playoff series. The Bruins lost that game 5-4 with no empty net goal scored.

On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1986, Dino Ciccarelli set the modern NHL record for fastest 20 goals to start a season when he dented the twine twice in his 15th game. He finished the season with 52 goals and 103 points. In 1981-82 Ciccarelli started the season with 20 goals in the North Stars first 23 games, finishing with 55 goals and 106 points.

Dino played for the Sarnia Jr B team in 1975-76 as a 15 year old and led the team with 45 goals and 88 points. He is one of two Sarnia Jr. B players in the hockey Hall of Fame, the other being Phil Esposito who led the Legionnaires in scoring in 1961 with 47 goals 61 assists and 108 points in only 32 games..

Dino broke his leg playing junior hockey for the London Knights and had a pin put in. As a result he was never drafted. Minnesota signed him as a free agent and he went on to score 608 career goals, a record for a draft eligible player who was never drafted. Of course Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe don't qualify for this honor because neither player was ever draft eligible.

On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1930, the first NHL game hosted by Philadelphia was played. Yes that.s correct, 1930 when the Philadelphia Quakers lost 3-0 to the New York Rangers. The Quakers folded after that season having posted an unispiring reord of 4-36-4.

On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1981, Bobby Smith scored four goals for the Minnesota North Stars as the Winnipeg Jets suffered an embarassing expansion team defeat by a 15-2 score. That's nearly a months worth of goals for some NHL teams today.

Smith spent three seasons playing junior for the Ottawa 67's before he was drafted 1st overall by the North Stars in 1978. While playing for Ottawa , Smith accomplished something in the 1977-78 season which very few players were ever able to do, he relegated Wayne Gretzky to 2nd place in OHA scoring when Smith posted 69-123-192 numbers while Gretzky had “only” 70-112-182.

In his honor, the Ontario Hockey League awards the Bobby Smith Trophy annually to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence.
Connor McDavid (below) won the award in back to back seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

On this date in hockey history, November 11 1926, Harry “Apple Cheeks” Lumley was born in Owen Sound Ontario. His nickname was given because his face turned red when he was embarassed. As a young amateur he played for a team called the Owen Sound Orphans so nicknamed because they couldn't find a sponsor.

Lumley engineered an improvement in the effectiveness of goaltenders leg pads by making a pocket at shin level so pucks would drop straight on the ice instead of deflecting off them to an opponent.
Lumley won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 1950 with a 1.85 GAA in 14 games including three shutouts. But the Wings traded him to Chicago after re-acquiring Terry Sawchuck.. Chicago traded him to Toronto for the 1953-54 season where he won the Vezina Trophy with a 1.86 GAA and was the NHL first team all star. He posted 13 shutouts which stood as a modern NHL single season record until Tony Esposito had 15 in the 1969-70 season.

On this date in hockey history, November 12 1931, Maple Leaf Gardens made its debut as the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs Opening night tickets ranged in price from $2.75 for the best seats to $0.95 nose bleed seats. A sellout crowd of 13,233 saw the Leafs lose 2-1 to the Chicago Black Hawks. Charlie Conacher scored the first Leafs goal in their new building but Chicago's Harold March scored the first goal in Gardens history.

Leafs owner Conn Smythe had privately financed the arena and had it bulit in five months during the great depression. Smythe and his investors had purchased the Toronto St. Patricks and re named them the Maple Leafs. The Gardens brought good fortune as the Leafs won their third Stanley Cup that season and was the Leafs home arena until 1999 when the team moved to the Air Canada Center.

The Leafs sold out evrery game at the Gardens from 1946 to 1999, earning the nickname “The Carlton Street Cashbox”. It was the only arean to host the Beatles on evry one their North American tours in 1964, 1965 and 1966. Elvis Presely (see picture below of Elvis at MLG) played one of his few concerts at outside of the United States at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1957.

In 1968 under Leafs owner Harold Ballard, the Gardens seating capacity had grown to 16,485 primarily by narrowing the width of the seats. Leafs founder Conn Smythe famously said that the seats were so narrow that only a young man can sit in them and onlt a fat rich man can afford them.

Conn Smythe resigned from the Gardens board of directors in 1966 when Ballard booked a Cassius Clay fight into the Gardens. Smythe was a WWII veteran and he objected to Clays status as a draft dodger in the U.S. And criticized the Gardens for putting “Cash ahead of class”.

“The fight had been kicked out of every place in the U.S. because Clay is a draft dodger and a disgrace to his country. The Gardens was founded by men, sportsmen, who fought for their country. It is no place for those who want to evade conscription in their own country. The Gardens was built for many things, but not for picking up things that no one else wants"

In 1979 Ballard had the Gardens historic gondola where Foster Hewitt had pioneered hockey broadcasting torn down and incinerated to make room for new private boxes. The Toronto Star ran an editorial criticizing Ballard's "barbaric destruction of one of Canada's great cultural monuments,”

On this date in hockey history November 12, 1931, Canadian culture would never be the same as Foster Hewitt began his Saturday night radio broadcasts which introduced Hockey Night in Canada to Canadians “From coast to coast and in Newfoundland.” Broadcasting from the gondola just installed above the ice surface Foster Hewitt's broadcasts made the Toronto players famous and the Leafs became Canada's favorite team.

On this date in hockey history, November 12, 1950, Gilbert Perreault was born in Victoriaville Quebec. He spent 17 years in the NHL all with the Buffalo Sabres who drafted him first overall in the 1970 amateur draft. Perreault won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1971 and the Lady Byng Trophy in 1973. Perreault scored 512 goals and 814 assists for 1326 points in 1191 games.

Perreeault was one of the most skilled players to ever play hockey with blazing speed and dazzling stick handling dekes that often found him skating around defenders as if they were pylons. Bobby Orr called Perreault the best player he ever played against. Wayne Gretzky wore number 11 in youth hockey because of Perreault. Bobby Clarke in a nod to Perreault's skills said that Gilbert was born ten years too early because had he played in his prime years during the high scoring 1980's “... he would have blown the league apart.” But Perreualt's career always seemed less than it should have been.

Perreault was villified in the Canadian press for walking out on Team Canada in mid series in 1972. Canada's coach Harry Sinden revealed in his book on that series that he begged Perreault to stay becaue Gil, Yvan Cournoyer and Paul Henderson were the only three Canadian players who could skate with the Soviets. Some felt that Sinden got his revenge by having Perreault excluded from the 1973 NHL all star game when his Bruins coach Tom Johnson failed to add Perreault to the lineup even though he was a top 5 scorer in the league and his linemates Rick Martin and Rene Robert were on the eastern conference all star team.

Gilbert had the misfortune of playing in his prime years during an era when Phil Esposito, eight times, Bobby Clarke, four times, and Marcel Dionne, four times, dominated the all star voting at center so it was difficullt for Perreault to garner official post season all star status although he was named to the second team twice in 1976 and 1977. While Clarke won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP three times and Esposito was NHL MVP twice, Perreault won the Sabres MVP award only one time, as a rookie in 1970-71.

While the late 1970's Sabres were a legitimate NHL power, other than the trip to the finals in 1975 their playoff results were dissapointing early exits while rivals Boston and Montreal dominated and the Islanders built their future dynasty.

Perreault was the classic French Canadian hockey star in the style of Jean Beliveau, his idol as a young player growing up in Quebec. But Gil was overshadowed during his career by other French Canadien stars like Guy Lafleur who won a Stanley Cup championship five times with three scoring titles, two MVP's and three Lester Pearson Trophies voted by his rivals as the best player.and Marcel Dionne who scored 713 career goals and 1771 poinst along with two Pearson Awards, two scoring titles and four all star selections at center.

Perreault considered leaving the Sabres after his second season and was having contract talks with Quebec of the WHA but resigned with the Sabres. There were rumours of a trade to Toronto involving Darryl Sittler but that never came to fruition. Perreault retired for the first time in 1986 but returned when the NHL improved pension benefits for players who played at meast 20 games in the 1986-87 season. He then retired after scoring 16 points in 20 games stating that he didn't feel that he could play anymore at his former level but having qualified for the new pension benefits. The Hockey News quoted Perreault as saying, “My career could have been better.”

In 1997 the Hockey News ranked Perreault as the 47th greatest NHL player ever.




On this day in hockey history, November 12th 1942, a 16 year old Armand "Bep" Guidolin became the youngest player in NHL history, when he played his first game for the Boston Bruins, a 3-1 loss at Toronto.
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On this day in hockey history, November 12th1955, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings as two unlikely combatants, Mr. Lady Byng Red Kelly and gentleman Jean Beliveau dropped the gloves and fought.

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On this day in hockey history, November 12th1980 , the Montreal Canadiens beat the Los Angeles Kings 8-4 at the Fabulous Forum with Guy Lafleur scoring five points to reach 966 carer points and pass Maurice “Rocket” Richard into third place on the Habs all time scoring list.

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On this date in hockey history, November 13 1934, Scotty Bowman made NHL history when he scored the first penalty shot goal in league play. It was the first goal of his career. No, it wasn't Stanley Cup winning coach William Scott Bowman but rather Ralph “Scotty” Bowman who played seven seasons in the NHL with the St. Louis Eagles, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup twice with Detroit in 1936 and 1937.

On this date in hockey history, November 13 1975, John Marks of the Chicago Black Hawks scored twice within 33 seconds of the opening faceoff in a 5-5 tie against the Philadelphia Flyers. His hot start set an NHL record for fastest two goals from the start of a game.

On this date in hockey history, November 13, 1941,The Brooklyn Americans played their first NHL game. The team had been known as the New York Americans but changed their name. Here is their story from NYMAG.com

During a press conference announcing that the Islanders would move to Brooklyn's Barclays Center in 2015, commissioner Gary Bettman made reference to the 1941–42 Brooklyn Americans, an NHL team that had been known as the New York Americans and continued to play its games at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan even after the name change. They practiced in Brooklyn and had hoped to build an arena there eventually, but the 1941–42 season would be the franchise's last. Said Bettman of that Brooklyn arena plan yesterday: "It got sidetracked then, but 70 years later, the NHL is here with the New York Islanders."

When Bettman says the plans were "sidetracked," of course, he means they were sidetracked by World War II. In their book, Metro Ice, about hockey's history in the New York area, local puck expert Stan Fischler and co-author Tom Sarro explain that Red Dutton, the manager/coach of the New York Americans, had decided in the late-thirties to move the team to Brooklyn.

See, the Amerks actually predated the New York Rangers by a season, but they would quickly become Madison Square Garden's other team. The Americans' original owner, the bootlegger Bill Dwyer, was helpless to keep a second NHL team from playing in its home arena because the fine print in his contract didn't prevent the Garden from bringing one in. And so, after the Americans successfully drew fans in their first season, 1925–26, the Garden realized it could make even more money with a team of its own. And thus the city's second NHL team, the Rangers, was born. (How quickly (How quickly did pro hockey become popular enough in New York for the Garden to want its own team? Fischler and Sarro explain that Tex Rickard's original blueprints for Madison Square Garden III, which opened in 1925, didn't include plans for an ice plant. Will arena owners never learn that they should should plan for hockey?)

From Metro Ice:

Fed up with the second-class treatment accorded his team at the Garden, Dutton had decided as early as 1939 to build a new arena in Brooklyn that would not only compete with the Garden but would be home to his Americans. "I've always regarded Brooklyn as one of the finest sports centers in the world," he said. "The way the fans support the baseball and football Dodgers convinced me that they would be just as rabid for hockey."

Dutton's Hockey Hall of Fame bio page explains thathat he personally arranged for $7 million in financing to build a new arena. But as Fischler and Sarro write, the outbreak of World War II in Europe in 1939 meant that steel for the new building was unavailable, so plans for the arena would have to wait until after the war. In the meantime, though, he went ahead and changed the name of the team anyway to the Brooklyn Americans, even though they'd continue to call the Garden home. (You can check out their snazzy red, white, and blue uniformshere.) Via Metro Ice, the Americans did at least practice in Brooklyn, at the Brooklyn Ice Palace on Atlantic Avenue near Bedford, about a mile down the road from where the Barclays Center is now located. Dutton himself moved to Brooklyn along with his wife, and several of the team's players relocated there as well.

In the franchise's one season as the Brooklyn Americans, it finished with a record of 16-29-3, and its 35 points put it in last place among the  among the league's seven teams, meaning they'd miss out on the six-team playoffs. Defenseman Tom Anderson led the team in scoring with 41 points in 48 games, while winger Norm Larson led the team with sixteen goals.

And while Dutton still planned on building that arena in Brooklyn once the war was over, the Americans franchise wouldn't survive long enough for it to happen. From Metro Ice:

Had the war not erupted when it did, there is every reason to believe that Dutton could have rejuvenated the Americans. With a promising young nucleus, headed by future Hall of Famer Chuck Rayner, the Amerks were about a year away from being a playoff contender and a team with a promising future in Brooklyn. But service enlistments ravaged their roster.

Meanwhile, Fischler and Sarro explain, the Garden wanted the Americans out of the building, believing their 24 home dates could be better used for other events. And so, after the season, the NHL decided the franchise could no longer compete, and its owners voted to shut the team down indefinitely. Dutton returned home to his family's construction company in Calgary, and yet, the dream of a Brooklyn arena remained alive: He was promised by three owners (Montreal, Chicago, and Detroit) that he could revive the franchise after the war and proceed with his plan to move into a new arena in Brooklyn. Dutton would go on to serve as NHL president from 1943 until 1946, and as president, evenfloated the idea that the league could one day expand to fifteen teams divided into three divisions. But when he met with the league governors in 1946 to welcome his successor as president, Clarence Campbell, and try to bring back the Americans, it didn't go as he'd hoped. The Garden wasn't in favor of reviving the franchise, and the Maple Leafs and Bruins sided with the Rangers. The Amerks were dead, this time for good.

In their book, Fischler and Sarro point to an interview Dutton gave to Toronto author Trent Frayne more than a quarter-century after meeting with the league governors in 1946. Recalled Dutton:

"I looked around the room and nobowas looking at me. I got the message. 'Gentlemen,' I said to the governors. 'You can stick your franchise up your ass.' I gathered my papers and left."

The NHL would remain at six teams — the so-called "Original Six' until 1967.

On this date in hockey history, November 13, 1987, The Minnesota North Stars defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-4. Dino Ciccarelli scored his 267th and 268th career goals in that game becoming the North Stars franchise leader in career goals scored.

On this date in hockey history, November 13 1984, Bernie Nichols and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Quebec Nordiques 5-4 in overtime thanks to a four goal game from Bernie Nichols who scored a goal in all four periods of the game becoming the first NHL player to do so.

On this date in hockey history, November 13, 1947, on the advice of Frank Patrick, the NHL legislated a rule that goal scorers raise their sticks when they score a goal. This policy was implemented so that fans who couldn't see the puck in the net would know that a goal had been scored. The Montreal Canadiens Billy Reay was the first player to raise his stick after a goal. The strangest goal celebrastion of all time must belong to Petr Klima who broke his stick after each goal he scored.




On this date in hockey history, November 13th 1968, the St. Louis Blues beat the New York Rangers 3-1, but it took them three goalies to do so!. Starter Glenn Hall had been ejected in the first minute of the game with a misconduct penalty so backup Robbie Irons went in and kept the Rangers scoreless for three minutes. while Jacques Plante dressed hurriedly and replaced Irons for the final 55 minutes of the game. Was that legal to use three goalies in one game? St Louis coach Scotty Bowman had his leather bound volume of NHL rules open to section 32E to make his point. Robbie had a legendary career with the Fort Wayne Komets of the IHL where he sported one of hockey's coolest painted masks and even earned bobble head status.





On this date in hockey history, November 13th 1955 , Detroit Red Wings' rookie goalie Glenn Hall and Boston's Terry Sawchuk , Detroit’s former goalie, battled to a scoreless at the Boston Garden. One week earlier they played in another scoreless draw at Detroit’s Olympia..

On this date in hockey history, November 13th 1970, former Toronto Maple Leaf Bob Baun was traded by the St. Louis blues back to Toronto by for a second go round with the Buds in exchange for Brit Selby who thus concluded his second stint as a Leaf.




On this date in hockey history, November 13th 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs shutout the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 with Felix Potvin getting his first career shutout.


On this day in hockey history, November 14, 1936 King Clancy scored the ;last goal of his NHL career on a penalty shot during a 6-2 win by the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Chicago BlackHawks.

On this date in hockey history, November 14, 1998, Brett Hull reached 1,000 career points when he had a three point game. This made Brett and Bobby Hull the first father son combination to each reach 1,000 career NHL points.

On this date in hockey history, November, 14 2001, Patrick Roy won his 200th game with the Colorado Rockies becoming the first NHL goaltender to win 200 games with two different teams.

On this date in hockey history, November 14, 1985 The Philadelphia Flyers held a pregame ceremony to mourn the loss of goaltender Pelle Lindbergh who had died in an automobile crash on November 11th.

On this date in Boston Bruins history, November 14 1971, the Boston Bruins defeated the Los Angeles Kings 11-2. Phil Esposito led the way with five points with Gerry Cheevers in goal. This was the first game in Cheevers 32 game unbeaten streak where he won 24 games with eight ties.

On this day in hockey history, November 15, 1995, Alex Hicks scored a goal on his first shot in his first game as an NHL player. He finished the game with two gaols and an assist. What makes Hicks feat interesting is that He was one of the rare group of players from RHI (Roller Hockey International) to graduate to the NHL. Hicks and his Toledo Storm teammates won the ECHL title in 1993 and many of them joined coach Chris McSorley and travelled down the thruway to Buffalo in the summer of 1994 to play for the RHI Buffalo Stampede where they also won the championship. Two other Toledo/Stampede Alumni eventaully garduated to the NHL, Tony Martin and Sasha Lakovic. Lakovic portrayed Soviet hockey star Boris Mikhailov in the 1994 move Miracle.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 15 1918, the only dentist ever called in to play an NHL game was born in Port Elgin New Brunswick. Bobby Copp was brought in by The Leafs to play two games on October 21st and 22nd in 1950 when the Leafs were short players due to injuries. During the 1942-43 season Copp had played 38 games for the Leafs. The Leafs won both games that he played in on emregnecy fill in. Dr. Copp was a WWII veteran who practiced dentistry for 58 years. He passed away in Ottawa on December 12, 2006.

On this day in hockey history, November 15, 1973, Bobby Orr set an NHL record for most points in one game by a defenseman when he scored a power play hat trick, three power play goals, and added four assists for seven points in a 10-2 victory over the New York Rangers.

On this date in hockey history, November 15, 1972, Steve Vickers of the New York Rangers scored his second consecutive hat trick becoming the first NHL player to ever score hat trick in consecutive games. Both hat tricks were scored at Madison Square Garden, the first on November 12 1972 against the Los Angeles Kings. Vickers was playing on the “Bulldog Line” with Walt Tkaczuk and Bill Fairbarn, a line known for strong two way play. “On the first hat trick, it was a Sunday night, I just went to the net three times late in the game and the puck found it's way to me each time from Walt or Bill. On the second hat trick I had two in the second and one in the third, I didn't know I was making history. They didn't keep stats then like they do now. About a month after I got the second hat trick they told me I was the first one to have ever done it. The big thing is that it established me as a player. It proved to me that I could play in the league,” Vickers won rookie of the year that season scoring 30 goals and 23 assists for 53 points in 61 games.

On this date in hockey history, November 15th 1967, J.P. Parise played his first and only game as a Maple Leaf. He had one assist as the Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 4-2. Toronto gave up on him too early as he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars where he begame an all-star over the next several years. Parise is most remembered for the pivotal role he played for Team Canada in the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit Series, striking fear in the incompetent officials. In his NHL career, Parise registered 238 goals and 356 assists. He also tallied 58 playoff points in 86 playoff games. His son is NHL left-winger Zach Parise.





On this day in hockey history, November 15th 2002, Dave Andreychuk sets an NHL record with his 250th career power-play goal breaking the record held by Phil Esposito as the Lightning won 4-2 over the visiting San Jose Sharks.




Ironically Esposito is in the building working as a radio broadcaster for the Lightning that night. Espo was also attending the game in Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium when Wayne Gretzky broke his single season scoring record of 76 goals.




Andreychuk totalled 274 power play goals, during his career, ahead of Brett Hull (265) and Teemu Selanne (255) on the all time list.



On this date in hockey history, November 16, 1926, Rookie Eddie Shore made his NHL debut as the Boston Bruins opened their third NHL season with a 4-1 win over the Canadiens. Shore is regarded as one of the greatest players ever but is he also hockeys most underrated player? He won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP four times, more than Bobby Orr. Only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe won the Hart more times than Shore. But Shore isn't regarded as a candidate for best defenseman, often ranked behind Orr (obviously) and Doug Harvey among others. He was ranked only 10th on the Hockey News list of 100 best players but was the highest ranked pre WWII player.

Shore was an NHL all star eight times, including seven first team selections. But for the first five years of Shores career, the NHL didn't select an all star team, so Shore probably would have been a 13 time all star. Shore was the first of the great puck rushing defensemen but was also a stalwart defensively and was renkowned for his tough physical play.

He once had his ear severed while throwing a body check, then resisted several doctors who wanted to amputate until he found one who would sew the ear back in place. He refused anesthetic and watched in amirror as the doctor reattached his ear.

His most infamous act was a hit on Toronto's Ace Bailey, in retaliation for a hit Red Horner had made on Shore. Thinking that Bailey was in fact Horner, Shore's hit resulted in Bailey's head hitting the ice fracturing hs skull. Bailey went into convulsions and it was feared that he could die. He underwent four hours of surgery and recovered but never played again. Shore and Bailey shook hands at a benefit game where the proceeds were given to Bailey, this was the forerunner of the annual NHL all star game.

He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1947. His Massachussetts vanity license plate read MR HOCKEY. Shore became known to new generations of players and fans when his name was used by the Hansons in the movie slapshot along with Toe Blake and Dit Clapper as iconic legands of old time hockey.





On this day in hockey history, November 16th 1926, Hal Winkler of the New York Rangers becomes the first goalie in NHL history to record a shutout in his first career game as the Broadway blueshirts defeat the Montreal Maroons 1-0. This was also the first game in Rangers history, with captain Bill Cook scoring the first goal in franchise history.

On this day in New York Rangers history, November 16th 1926, the Rangers defeat the Montreal Maroons, 1-0, in the first game in franchise history. The first captain of the Blueshirts, Bill Cook, scored the lone goal of the contest. The ceremonial face-off between Frank Boucher of the Rangers and Nels Stewart of the Montreal Maroons was done by Lois Moran, the silent film movie star. The opening night referee was Lou Marsh. The starting lineup was Boucher, Bill Cook, Bun Cook, Ching Johnson, Taffy Abel and Hal Winkler.




On this day in hockey history, November 16th 1929, Nels Stewart scored twice for his 100th NHL goal in the Montreal Maroons' 5-2 win at Pittsburgh.




Happy birthday to Pierre "Lucky Pierre" Larouche, born November 16th 1955.




Larouche played junior ice hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Sorel Éperviers (Blackhawks). In the 1973–74 season he won the Jean Béliveau Trophy as the league's top scorer with an incredible 94 goals, 157 assists, for a total 251 points. This was the Canadian Hockey League record at the time. Only Mario Lemieux has ever scored more when he tallied 282 points ten years later.




Larouche was drafted 8th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft. In 1976 he became the 16th player ever to reach the 50 goal mark. At the time he was the youngest player to hit the 50-goal and 100-points plateau. His record was broken by Wayne Gretzky in 1980.




He was first player to score 50 goals in a season with two different teams: he scored 53 with Pittsburgh in 1975–76 and 50 with Montreal in 1979–80.




He is the only NHL player to have scored more than 45 goals with three separate teams, also scoring 48 with the New York Rangers.




Larouche is one of the few players to score at least a point-per-game average in their final NHL season. He scored 12 points in 10 games, during the 1987–88 NHL season, his last in the league.




He was a member of two Stanley Cup championship teams with Montreal in 1978 and 1979.




In the book 100 Ranger Greats (John Wiley & Sons, 2009) by Russ Cohen, John Halligan and Adam Raider, the authors ranked Larouche No. 94 on the all-time list of New York Rangers.




He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 100 goals (21 years, 61 days) until he was surpassed by Wayne Gretzky (20 years, 40 days).




He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 50 goals (20 years, 139 days) and 100 points (20 years, 129 days) in a season until he was passed by Wayne Gretzky in both categories.




He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 200 career points (21 years, 32 days) until he was surpassed by Wayne Gretzky (19 years, 347 days).




He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 300 career points (22 years, 133 days) until he was surpassed by Bryan Trottier (22 years, 102 days).




He holds the Montreal Canadiens record for most goals in a season by a center with 50 goals in 1979-80.




He holds the New York Rangers record for most goals in a season by a center with 48 goals in 1983-84




He was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals with 2 different teams (PIT & MTL) as well as 45 goals with 3 different teams (PIT, MTL & NYR).




He held the QMJHL record for points in a season with 251 in 1973-74 until he was surpassed by Mario Lemieux with 282 points in 1983-84.




He holds the QMJHL record for assists in a season with 157 in 1973-74




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On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 16, 1988, the Leafs set a team record for one game by scoring three shorthanded goals in an 8-5 win against Pittsburgh. Dan Daoust, Ed Olczyk and Al Iafrete did the honors.

On this date in hockey history, November 17, 1990, Steve Yzerman scored a hat trick in the first period of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored the three goals within the first 12 minutes at 2:21, 10:53 and 11:59.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 18, 1980, Conn Smythe passed away at age 85. Smythe was a legend in the NHL, the founder of the Toronto Maple Leafs and builder of Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. Smythe, was a veteran of both WWI and WWII serving as an artillery officer. While serving as an airborne spotter in WWI, his plane was shot down. Smythe was captured by the German army and spent the rest of the war in a prisoner of war camp. He was caught twice while attempting to escape. Smythe later said of his captivity, "We played so damned much bridge that I never played the game again."

Early in his hockey career, Smythe unsuccessfully applied to coach the Toronto St. Patrick’s. Smythe later saved the team from being sold and moved to Philadelphia by organizng a syndicate of investors to purchase the team and keep it in Toronto. After the purchase on February 14, 1927, the teams named was changed to the Maple Leafs and the rest is history. The Conn Smythe Trophy was introduced by Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. in 1964 to honor the former Leafs owner and would be presented to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs.


On this date in hockey history, November 18th 1973, Bobby Orr picked up four assists as the Bruins defeated the Red Wings 8-0. This gave him 456 assists in his 458th game, more assists than any other defenseman in NHL history.

On this date in hockey history, November 19, 1926, The Detroit Cougars made their NHL dubut in a 2-0 loss to the Boston Bruins. The game was player in Windsor, Ontario at the Border Cities Arena where all Cougars first year home games were played because Olympia Stadium in Detroit was still under construction. There were 6,000 fans in attendance. Goalie Herb Stuart let in a pair of goals in the first three minutes then steadied down for the rest of the game but Detroit couldn't score. The Cougars won their first game 1-0 against their fellow expansion team the Chicago Black Hawks in their third NHL game. The Cougars were renamed the Falcons for the 1930-31 and 1931-32 seasons before becoming the Red Wings in 1932. The Cougars were an expansion franchise granted to the Townsend syndicate of investors who purchased the Victoria Cougars of the bankrupt Western Hockey League, Stanley Cup winners in 1925.

On this date in New York Rangers history, November 19, 1953 rookie Andy Bathgate of the New York Rangers, scores the first goal of his NHL career

On this date in hockey history, Vaclav “Big Ned” Nedomansky signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings,

then picked up three points in his debut, all assists. Nedomansky had been a star with Slovan Bratislava in the Czechoslovakian Extraliga for 12 seasons. He played in the World Hockey championships nine times and was named the top forward in 1974, He then defected to Toronto in 1974. As a result, he was not allowed to return home until the demise of communism in his home country in 1989. He played for the Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association from 1974-77, scoring 56 goals and 98 points for Toronto in 1975-76.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 19, 1929, Maple Leafs defenseman Hap Day scored four goals a 10-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. This was an incredible performance by Day considering that he only had seven goals for the entire season. Even more incredible was that this was the only game in NHL history when two defenseman had four goal games as Pittsburgh defenseman John McKinnon also scored four goals that night.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 19, 1967, Tim Horton played in his 1,000th game as a Maple Leaf. Horton was a star on the Toronto blueline as the Leafs won four Stanley Cups between 1963 and 1967. Horton played 1445 NHL games, 1185 games with the Leafs, 93 with the New York Rangers, 44 with the Pittsburgh Penguins and 124 with the Buffalo Sabres.

On this date in hockey history, November 19, 1983, Wayne Gretzky scored eight points on three goals and five assists during a 13-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils in the infamous “Mickey Mouse” game. Gretzky wanted the league to help get the Devils to be more competitive but his post game comments were misconstrued as aput down of the devils organization and players. “Well, it’s time they got their act together, folks. They’re ruining the whole league. They had better stop running a Mickey Mouse organization and put somebody on ice.” The next time the Oilers played oin New Jersey, the fans jeered Gretzky and mocked him by hoisting “Mickey Mosue” signs.

On this date in hockey history November 20th, two players notched hat tricks in only one period of a regular season game;

In 1934 Harvey “Busher” Jackson of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored three goals in one period.

In 1979 Paul Stewart notched a different kind of hat trick as a rookie playing for the Quebec Nordiques when he fought three Boston Bruins in one period, tangling with Terry O'Rielly, Stan Jonathan and Al Secord.

On this date in hockey history November 20, 1974, Dave Keon played his 1,000th game as a Toronto Maple Leaf. Keon scored a hat trick in that game, his fifth as a Leaf, including a penalty shot.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1971, The New York Rangers wallopped the California Golden Seals 12-1. Pierre Jarry, a Rangers rookie, scored his first NHL goal and then scored again only eight seconds later. Jean Rattelle added four goals.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1992, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Hartford Whalers 8-2 during which they scored four goals in on minute and 33 seconds. This wasn't the fatsets four goals in NHL history, that record belonged to the 1945 Boston Bruins who did it in one minute and 20 seconds.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1930, Guyle Fielder was born in Potlatch, Idaho. Although Fielder played just nine career games in the NHL, he played 23 professional hockey seasons, scoring 1,929 points in 1,487 minor-league games. After winning rookie of the year, he led the WHL in scoring nine times, won league MVP six times, and was voted “most gentlemanly player” three times. Fielder might have been able to crack the NHL if there were more than six potential rosters to join. Fielder was a star for the WHL Seattle Totems and Portland Buckaroos, arch rivals. He was the second greatest minor league hockey palyer ever after Fred Glover of the Cleveland Barons.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1954, Detroit's Terry Sawchcuk dominated the Chicago Black Hawks with back to back shutouts on November 20th and 21st.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1979, Wayne Gretzky played his first NHL game at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. The Oilers and maple Leafs tied at 4-4 and gretzky had four points with a pair of goals and two helpers. Toronto fans always got their moneys worth when they went to see Gretzky play on Carlton Street, Gretzky played 30 games at at Maple Leaf Gardens scoring 30 goals and 47 assists.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1958, George "Punch" Imlach was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs as their new General Manager. On November 29th Imlach took over as the Maple Leafs' head coach.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1991, of the New York Rangers defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-0 and Brian Leetch began his team record 17 game point scoring record.. Rangers goaltender Mike Richter was in the nets earning the first shutout of his career.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1983, The Minnesota North Stars played to an 8-8 tie with the New York Islanders. Two North Stars scored hat tricks, Neal Broten and Steve Payne.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1988, Wayne Gretzky scored his 600th career goal when the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Detroit Red Wings at Olympia Stadium. Gretzky took only 718 games to score 600 goals and was the fifth NHL player to reach that milestone joining Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito and Marcel Dionne in that exclusive club.

November 23, 1988 – Wayne Gretzky scored a goal and five assists to become the fifth player in NHL history to score 600 goals, as the Kings won 8-3 at Detroit. Gordie Howe, Phil Esposito, Marcel Dionne, and Bobby Hull had done it before, but none of them came close to reaching that milestone in the 718games it took Wayne (and he had also hit 900 assists). Exactly three years later, he’d pick up his 49thcareer hat trick. 


Apparently “Old time Hockey” was a bit rougher than today because on this date in hockey history, November 23, 1929, legendary defenseman Eddie Shore of the Boston Bruins was assessed five fighting majors during a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Maroons. Of course this coud never happen in the modern NHL because a player who receives three fighting majors in one game is ejected, fined and suspended. Also, upon ejection his team cannot replace the player on the ice for five minutes.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1961, it was the end of an era in Toronto as Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe sold 45,000 of his 50,000 shares of his stock to his son Stafford, giving up majority ownership of the team he founded. Smythe thought he was keeping the team in the family but unbeknownst to him the Leafs became owned by a trio of Stafford Smythe, Harold Ballard and John Bassett. Stafford lacked the capital to buy the shares, which sold for $40 apiece. So he teamed with Ballard who took a $2,000,000 loan to finance the purchase. John Bassett became a third partner and the three split the shares evenly. They controlled 60% of the teams stock, each with 20% But the key was a deal among the three that if any partner were to sell their shares, they had to first offer it to the other partners. That's how Ballard ended up owning the team and as a result Leafs fans endured many miserable seasons on the ice but still bought the tickets.

On this date in hockey history, November 24, 1986, Gilbert Perreault retired from the NHL Buffalo Sabres.


1954 – Bill Mosienko (Canada, Chicago Black Hawks) became the sixth player in the NHL history to score 250 goals as he scored once against visiting Montreal Canadiens on November 25, 1954 in his final NHL season. He spend all of his 14 seasons in Chicago and scored total 258 goals in regular seasons and 10 in playoffs. He holds record for the fastest hat trick in the whole NHL history.On March 23, 1952, Bill Mosienko scored in the third period at times 4:50, 5:02 and 5:10, i.e., in only 21 seconds!


November 24, 2003 – How about another Panthers fact, since we hardly ever see them do anything neat? Florida defenseman Mathieu Biron became the first NHL player since Phil Esposito in 1980 to score a goal against his brother, scoring against the charismatic Martin Biron! It’s always fun to one-up your brother, especially when he is one of the more notable players in the league and nobody really knows much about you. The goal helped the Panthers beat the Sabers 2-1.

 
On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1917, the NHL was born when five of the six owners of of the National Hockey Association (NHA) held a meeting at Toronto's Windsor hotel The Toronto Arenas, Montreal W anderers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Quebec Bulldogs agreed to form a new league, the NHL. The sole purpose of this agreement was for the owners to be rid of Eddie Livingstone and his NHA Toronto Blueshirts.

Livingstone had alienated himeslf from other league members and even some of his players with a variety of disagreements. In a practice common at the time, the NHA owners suspended operations only to reform as a new legal entity to be rid of the disagreeable Livingstone. The NHA cited a scarcity of players due to WWI and the imractability of operating a five team league.

Shortly after, the NHA owners without Livingstone announced the creation of the NHL which was comprised of former NHA players using NHA rules.

Sam Lichtenstein, owner of the Montreal Wanderers stated, “Don’t get us wrong, we didn’t throw Livingstone out. He’s still got his franchise in the old National Hockey Association. He has his team, and we wish him well. The only problem is he’s playing in a one-team league.” A different owner stated: “Livingstone was always arguing. Without him we can get down to the business of making money.”

On this date in hockey history, November 25, 1981, Wayne Gretzky scored his eight career hat trick in an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He finished the game with four goals.Gretzky hadn't reached his 21st birthday.

On this date in hockey history, November 25 1972, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the California Golden Seals 11-0.s inside their own blue line when the puck

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1925, the NHL introduced a rule designed to add scoring by prohibiting defensive teams from having more than two players inside their own blue line when the puck is outside of the defensive zone. This rule was intended to prevent teams from filling the defensive zone with defenders which made it difficult for attacking players to get the puck to the net and create scoring chances. Hmmmmm. Maybe the league should bring this rule back.

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1961, during a 4-1 loss against Chicago, Gordie Howe became the first NHL player to appear in 1,000 regular season games.

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1986, Petri Skriko of the Vancouver Canucks scored a hat trick in a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the Fabulous Forum. This was his third hat trick in eight days, as Skriko was on a hot streak with twelve goals and two helpers for twelve points in five games.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 26, 1988, Borje Salming suffered a horrific injury when his face was cut during a goalmouth scramble when the Detroit Red Wings Gerrard Gallant accidentally stepped on his face. The cut required 250 stitches.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, Allen Bester faced Dino Cicarelli of the Minnesota North Stars on a penalty shot. The result? Bester stopped all five penalty shots he faced in his NHL career.

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1944, Maurice “Rocket” Richard notched his fifth career hat trick when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 at the Montreal Forum.

2003 - Scott Stevens set an NHL record for defenseman by playing in his 1,616th career NHL game (breaking the record held by Larry Murphy)

On this date in hockey history, November 27, 1960, Playing in his 938th NHL game Gordie Howe became the first player to reach 1,000 career points during a 2-0 Detroit Red Wings victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nov. 27, 1974: The Canadiens began an NHL-record 23 game road undefeated streak (14-0-9), with a 3-2 win over the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

On this date in Minnesota North Stars history, November 27, 1971, Bill Goldsworthy set a team record for the fastest two goals by one player when he scored two goals in seven seconds.

On this date in NHL history, November 27 1984, Mario Lemieux's brother Alain Lemieux scored his first career NHL hat trick. Alain played 119 NHL games scoring 28 goals and 44 assists.

On this date in hockey history, November 27, 1997, Michel Petit made history during his first game as a Phoenix Coyote in a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars as he became the first NHL player to play for ten different teams. He played for Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Quebec, Edmonton, New York Rangers, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Phoenix.k


On this date in hockey history, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Rangers 6-3 with goaltender Bill Durnan running his undefeated streak to 10-0-1, the best ever by a rookie. Durnan's streak would eventually reach 12-0-2 which remains the best streak to begin a career.

On this date in hockey history, November 27, 1943, the New York Rangers lost 6-3 to the Montreal Canadiens for their 11th consecutive loss the most ever by a team at the start of a season.


On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 27, 1970, Darryl Sittler scored his first NHL goal when the Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings 9-4. Sittler slipped the puck past goalie Don “Smokey” McLeod assisted by Mike “Shakey” Walton and Jim McKenny. It was the first shot that McLeod faced in his NHL career.

On this date in Montreal Canadiens history, November 28, 1925, the team was playing the Pittsburgh Pirates with goaltender Georges Vezina between the pipes for his 328th consecutive game. Vezina left the game after collapsing due to a high fever and vomiting in his crease between periods. Vezina had a temperature of 102 prior to the game and had lost 25 pounds in preceeding weeks. He had unknowingly contracted tuberculosis and died on March 27, 1926.

Known as the Chicoutimi cucumber, Vezina played for Montreal for 16 seasons and was the only goalie to play for the Canadiens from 1910 to 1925. He grew up playing informal street hockey games and did not skate until he was 16 years old. His Chicoutimi Hockey Club was in an isolated area and did not compete in a league but travelled around the province playing exhibition games. On February 17, 1910 they played an exhibition game against the Montreal Canadiens. After the Canadiens lost the game failing to score a goal aganst Vezina, they offered him a tryout and then signed him to a contract for $800 per season.

He gave up the fewest goals in the league seven times. After his passing, the Canadiens donated the Vezina Trophy to the NHL to be awarded to the goaltender who gave up the fewest goals in the league. As of 1981 the trophy has been awarded to the most outstanding goalie as voted by league general managers.

On this date in hockey history, November 28, 1979, Billy Smith became the first NHL goaltender to score a goal. He never actually shot the puck but was the last Islander to touch the puck before Rob Ramage of the Colorado Rockies passed the puck to the point on a delayed penalty and the puck slid down the ice into the open net. Despite the own goal, the Rockies won the game 7-4.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 28, 1958, General Manager Punch Imlach replaced Bill Reay as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Imlach had been hired as an assistant GM in July but the team had no General Manager so Imlach reported directly to the “Silver Seven”, the seven member committee headed by Stafford Smythe which oversaw the business of Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. Imlach was promoted to General Manager in November and fired Reay just one week later. Imlach took the Leafs from the last place team in 1958 to the 1959 Stanley Cup finals. The Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963 and 1964 and again in 1967 with Imlach serving as both coach and GM. Imlach was not what is known today as a “players coach”, rather he was a stern authority figure who was beloved by his veteran players but not so much among young players like Carl Brewer and Frank Mahovlich. The 1960's was a time of cultural and social change where the structure of authority began to loose ground to changes in clothing, music and the formalities of the establishment. Old school authoritarians like Imlach faced tremendous challenges trying to contain the expressions of individualism of his young players and responded with verbal abuse. Mahovlich especially was subjected to Imlach's ways and suffered a nervous breakdown at one point.

On this date in hockey history, November 28, 1965 Gordie Howe became the first NHL player to score 600 career goals. Playing at the Montreal Forum and trailing the Canadiens 3-1 with under four minutes to play, Howe beat Gump Worsley with 3:30 remaining to play. The Montreal fans gave Howe a standing ovation to honor his historic achievement, Montreal won the game 3-2.

On this date in hockey history, November 29, 1984, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Vancouver Canucks 12-1. The Kings set team records for goals (12) and power play goals scored (6) in one game. The Canucks went out meekly without even a fight recorded in the game. The Kings were coached by Pat Quinn who had played 606 NHL games as a hard hitting defenseman who was assessed 950 penalty minutes in his career. But Quinn the coach was more a renaissance man than old fashioned. While coaching in Los Angeles, he spent his spare time earning a law degree. His teams were anything but a reflection of his truculent playing style, they demonstrated skill and scoring. Quinn was the quintessential players coach, who won the Jack Adams Award twice as NHL coach of the year by motivating his players. He never won the Stanley Cup as a coach but led two teams to the finals, the 1980 Flyers and 1994 Canuckcs. Quinn's Flyers team set the NHL and North American professional sports record for longest unbeaten streak at 35 games (25-0-10).

On this date in hockey history, November 29, 1967, the St. Louis Blues made a trade that helped establish them as the standard bearer of the NHL's expansion era when they acquired Red Berenson and Barclay Plager from the New York Rangers in exchange for Ron Stewart and Ron Atwell. Berenson went on the become the scoring star of the Blues, finishing in the NHL's top ten scorers in the 1968-69 and 1969-70 seasons, while Plager and his brother Bob, also acquired from the Rangers, were the stars on defense whose hard hitting style made them tremendously popular with the fans.

On this date in Toronto hockey history, November 29, 1924 the Toronto St. Patricks visited Montreal to play the Canadiens in the opening game at the brand new 9,000 seat Montreal Forum. The Canadiens were not very hospitable winning the game 7-1. Billy Boucher opened the scoring 55 seconds into the first period with the first of his three goals that game. Aureal Joliet had two goals, with Howie Morinz and Sylvio Mantha adding singles. Georges Vezina was in goal for Montreal opposite John Roach Ross for Toronto. The Canadiens were an unusual choice to open the new arena because their home rink in 1924 was actually the Mount Royal Arena. The Forum was the home rink of the Montreal Maroons from 1924 until they folded in 1936. Because the natural ice at their home rink wasn't ready, the Canadiens were invited to hold their game on the man made ice at the Forum. In 1926 the Candiens moved into the Forum and shared the arena with the Maroons.

This date in hockey history, November 30 1943, Maurice Richard wore the number 9 for the first time and the Montreal Canadiens famous Punch Line made it's debut in a 2-2 tie with the Boston Bruins at the Montreal Forum. The Punch Line featured Toe Blake at center, Elmer Lach on left wing and the Rocket at right wing. Lach and Richard were both second team all stars that season as Montreal won the regular season title and the Stanley Cup. The Punch Line really hit their stride the next season in 1944-45 when the Rocket scored his famous 50 goals and the line finished 1-2-3 in NHL scoring with Lach 1st (26-54-80), Richard 2nd (50-23-73) and Blake 3rd (29-38-67) in the 50 game season. All three members of the line were first team all stars along with teammates Bill Durnan in goal and Emile Bouchard on defense. The Canadiens won the regular season title again but lost in the playoffs to Toronto 4 games to 2. The Leafs went on to win the Stanley Cup defeating Chicago 4 games to three.


On this date in hockey history, November 30, 1969, Bobby Clarke scored the first goal of his NHL career against the New York Rangers in a 3-3 tie.On this date in hockey history, November 30, 1946, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Chicago Black Hawks 11-0 with Turk Broda earning the shutout. The Hawks featured scoring champion Max Bentley (29-43-72 in 60 games) and his brother Doug Bentley sixth in scoring (21-34-55 in 52 games) but finished in the NHL basement with 42 points and a goal differential of -81. The Leafs finished in second place with 72 points and a +37 goal differential. Toronto won the Stanley Cup defeating Montreal in the finals four games to two.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1924, The Boston Bruins played their first game in the NHL and the first NHL game ever played in the United States, defeating the Montreal Maroons 2-1 at the Boston Arena.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1938, Frank Brimsek made his debut in the nets for the Boston Bruins, losing 2-0 to the Montreal Canadiens. But Brimsek recovered nicely, earning shutouts in six of his next seven games which earned him the nickname “Mister Zero”.





On this date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, Max Bentley scored his first NHL goal with the Chicago Black Hawks during a 4-1 home ice victory against the New York Rangers.

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1949, Conn Smythe benched his starting goalie Turk Broda for being overweight . Gil Mayer made his only start of the season for the Leafs who lost 2-0 to the Detroit Red Wngs. Broda was back in the nets for the next game after he lost enough weight to satisfy Smythe and the Leafs defeated the New York Rangers 2-0.This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1967, Jim McKenny was born in Ottawa Ontario. “Howie” played 594 games with Toronto primarily from 1969 to 1977 scoring 327 points as a puck rushing defenseman. While playing with Toronto's American league affiliate the Rochester Americans, Mckenny's rooomate was Donald S. Cherry. McKenny famously said of hockey that “Half the game is mental. The other half is being mental.”

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1957, Frank Mahovlich was in his rookie season and scored a hat trick during a Leafs 7-2 victory against the Chicago Black Hawks at Chicago stadium. Mahovlich went 20-16-36 in 1957-58, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year over Bobby Hull. His rookie card pictured below is valued at $500.

On this date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, four pairs of brothers played in one NHL game. The Chicago Black Hawks defeated the New York Rangers 4-1. Max and Doug Bentley along with Bob and Bill Carse suited up for the Hawks while Neil and Mac Colville and Lynn and Muzz Patrick played for the Rangers.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1909, the National Hockey Association was established in Montreal consisting of the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers and Renfrew Creamery Kings. The NHA would later eveolve into the NHL.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1909, the National Hockey Association (NHA) was established in Montreal consisting of the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers and Renfrew Creamery Kings. The NHA would later evolve into the NHL. Renfrew was a small mining town in northern Ontario which prospered during the silver mining boom years. M.J. O'Brien and son Ambrose were the owners of the Renfrew team in the semi professional Federal Hockey League and sought to enter the new Canadien Hockey Association (CHA) but were turned down. So they created their own league the NHA. Renfrew boasted the legendary Frank Patrick and Fred “Cyclone” Taylor and Newsy Lalonde the NHA's first scoring champion and finished 8-3-1 that first season. They slipped to 8-8 next season. The Renfrew team folded after two seasons. The CHA folded after 8 weeks.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1925, the New York Americans played their first NHL game in Pittsburgh, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1. Billy Burch scored the first goal with Charlie Langlois netting the winner in overtime.


On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1969, the NHL announced the league would add two expansion team for the 1970-71 season, the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1961, Gerry Cheevers played his first NHL game for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Black Hawks, Cheevers was the winning goalie against Glenn Hall as Billy Harris scored a hat trick in the Leafs 6-4 victory. Cheevers played for the Leafs again the next night then spent the remainder of his career with the Boston Bruins.

​This Date In Hockey History - December


This date in hockey history, December 1, 1924, The Boston Bruins played their first game in the NHL and the first NHL game ever played in the United States, defeating the Montreal Maroons 2-1 at the Boston Arena.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1938, Frank Brimsek made his debut in the nets for the Boston Bruins, losing 2-0 to the Montreal Canadiens. But Brimsek recovered nicely, earning shutouts in six of his next seven games which earned him the nickname “Mister Zero”.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, Max Bentley scored his first NHL goal with the Chicago Black Hawks during a 4-1 home ice victory against the New York Rangers.





This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1949, Conn Smythe benched his starting goalie Turk Broda for being overweight . Gil Mayer made his only start of the season for the Leafs who lost 2-0 to the Detroit Red Wngs. Broda was back in the nets for the next game after he lost enough weight to satisfy Smythe and the Leafs defeated the New York Rangers 2-0.

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1967, Jim McKenny was born in Ottawa Ontario. “Howie” played 594 games with Toronto primarily from 1969 to 1977 scoring 327 points as a puck rushing defenseman. While playing with Toronto's American league affiliate the Rochester Americans, Mckenny's rooomate was Donald S. Cherry. McKenny famously said of hockey that “Half the game is mental. The other half is being mental.”

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1957, Frank Mahovlich
was in his rookie season and scored a hat trick during a Leafs 7-2 victory against the Chicago Black Hawks at Chicago stadium. Mahovlich went 20-16-36 in 1957-58, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year over Bobby Hull. His rookie card pictured below is valued at $500.

On this date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, four pairs of brothers played in one NHL game. The Chicago Black Hawks defeated the New York Rangers 4-1. Max and Doug Bentley along with Bob and Bill Carse suited up for the Hawks while Neil and Mac Colville and Lynn and Muzz Patrick played for the Rangers.



On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1909, the National Hockey Association (NHA) was established in Montreal consisting of the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers and Renfrew Creamery Kings. The NHA would later evolve into the NHL. Renfrew was a small mining town in northern Ontario which prospered during the silver mining boom years. M.J. O'Brien and son Ambrose were the owners of the Renfrew team in the semi professional Federal Hockey League and sought to enter the new Canadien Hockey Association (CHA) but were turned down. So they created their own league the NHA. Renfrew boasted the legendary Frank Patrick and Fred “Cyclone” Taylor and Newsy Lalonde the NHA's first scoring champion and finished 8-3-1 that first season. They slipped to 8-8 next season. The Renfrew team folded after two seasons. The CHA folded after 8 weeks.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1925, the New York Americans played their first NHL game in Pittsburgh, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1. Billy Burch scored the first goal with Charlie Langlois netting the winner in overtime.





On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 4, 1980, Jim Rutherford was acquired by the Leafs from Detroit for Mark Kirton who had been their first round draft pick in 1980. Rutherford was an Ontario boy from Beeton less than an hours drive from Toronto so his first game played for the Red Wings at Maple Leafs Gardens on January 2, 1971 was an emotional moment. Unfortunately for the rookie Rutherford and the Wings, the game was full of bad memories as the Leafs hammered the Wings 13-0. Rutherford gave up three in the first period, then spent the rest of the game on the bench and saw Torotno score three more in the second and seven goals in the third.

Rutherford played 18 game with the Leafs going 4-10-2 with a 5.12 GAA before Toronto traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. With that trade, Rutherford became the first NHL goalie to play for three teams in the same season.

On this date in hockey history, December 3, 1970, Frank Mahovlich of the Detroit Red Wings scored his 400th career goal, becoming the sixth NHL player to reach that milestone. Mahovlich found great individual success in Detroit enjoying his freedom after escaping the Toronto Maple Leafs and Punch Imlach with fellow Leafs refugees Bob Baun and Carl Brewer, scoring a career high 49 goals in 1967-68 and 38 goals in 1968-69, more than he scored in 11 of his 12 seasons with the Leafs.





On this date in Buffalo Sabres history, December 4th 1978, General Manager Punch Imlach was fired along with Coach Marcel Pronovost. Billy Inglis was hired to replace Pronovost.

On this date in hockey history, December 4, 1909, the Montreal Canadiens were founded as the “Club de Hockey Canadien” by J. Ambrose O'Brien and Jack Laviolette. Originally members of the National Hockey Association, the Canadiens were stocked with francophone players to represent Montreal's francophone community. They finished in last place in their first season but won their first Stanley Cup in the 1915-16 season. In 1917, the National Hockey Association (NHA) became ethe NHL. With Howie Morenz leading the way, the NHL Canadiens won their first Stanley Cup in the 1923-24 season.

On this date in hockey history December 5, 1939, Eddie Shore played his last game a Boston Bruin in a 2-1 victory over the New York Americans at the Boston Garden.

On this date in hockey history, December 5 1943, Bill Cowley and Herb Cain both scored three points on a goal and two assists when the Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens and rookie goaltender Bill Durnan. This was Durnans first loss after a record 12-0-2 streak to start his NHL career.

On this date in hockey history, December 5 1983, Wayne Gretzky had three assists during a 4-2 victory at Pittsburgh. This gave Gretzky 1,400 points in 580 games, joining Gordie Howe, Stan Mikita, Phil Espsoito and Marcel Dionne in that exclusive club.

On this date in hockey history, December 5, 1968, the Montreal Canadiens debuted a future Hall of Fame goaltender when Tony Esposito against the Boston Bruins and their future Hall of Famer Phil Esposito, Tony's brother. Phil scored twice against his brother in a 2-2 tie.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 6, 1947, the Leafs hammered the Chicago Black Hawks 12-5 with Max Bentley and Harry Watson scoring hat tricks. The 1947-48 Leafs finished on top of the NHL standings and won their second Stanley Cup in a string of three consecutive championships in 1947, 1948 and 1949.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1987, Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers had a hat trick in the first period against the Minnesota North Stars for his 43rd career hat trick. Then he added two more goals and an assist for a six point game in a 10-4 victory. The five goal game was the fifth of Gretzky's career.

On this date in hockey history, Greg Millen recorded his third consecutive shutout 3-0 over the Minnesota North Stars. Millen finished the season with a 3.38 GAA , six shutouts and a save percentage of .880

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1929, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Harvey “Busher” Jackson. He made his debut at age 18 against the Montreal Canadiens and announced his arrival by knocking down his idol Howie Morenz.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1959, Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks notched his first hat trick in the NHL in a 6-3 victory by the Chicago Black hawks over the Boston Bruins.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1995, a monumental trade took place which altered the competitive balance of the NHL when the Montreal Canadiens sent Patrick Roy and Mike Keane to the Colorado Avalanche for a package of Martin Rucinsky, Andrei Kovalenko and goaltender Jocelyn Thibault. Montreal coach Mario Trembaly and Roy didn't get along when they had played together and their frayed relationship reached it's breaking point when the Detroit Red Wings came to town for a game on December 2nd. Roy had run into Red Wings goalie Mike Vernon that morning at breakfast and Roy had confided that the pressure from the media and fans in Montreal had really gotten to him and he was even considering retirement. Vernon told him that he needed to get traded, that a trade from Calgary had relieved Vernon from the pressure of playing for his hometown team that had been unable to repeat their 1989 Stanley Cup championship. Later that evening, Tremblay left Roy in nets as he endured brutal booing from the fans while the Red Wings piled up a 9-1 lead. Roy pulled himself from the game and stormed past Tremblay over to Canadiens President Ronald Corey and told him he had played his last game for Montreal. Four days later the games greatest goaltender was on his way to Denver where he led the Avalanche to a pair of Stanley Cup championships. Montreal has not been in the finals since the end of the Roy era. Vernon's contribution to this saga is largely unknown but was likely the impetus for this monumental moment in NHL history.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1989, Mario Lemieux passed Jean Pronovost as the Pittsburgh Penguins all time goal scoring leader with his 317th goal in his 395th career game. Lemieux's goal helped the Penguins defeat the Washington Capitals 5-3.





On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1977, Gordie Howe of the WHA New England Whalers scored his 1,000 career professional goal in a 6-3 victory over the Birmingham Bulls. Howe beat goalie John Garrett at 11:36 of the first period ending a scoreless drought of 11 games. It took Howe 30 seasons to score his 1,000th goal and it included all NHL and WHA regular season and playoff games.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1919, the Toronto Arenas changed their name to the Toronto St. Patrick's. In 1926-27 they changed their name to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1961, Jean Beliveau played his first game as the Captain of the Montreal Canadiens. leading the Habs to a 4-1 victory the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Forum.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1975, Johnny Bucyk of the Boston Bruins tied Jean Beliveau of the Montreal Canadiens for sixth place in career NHL scoring when he tallied his 507th goal.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1940, Gerry Cheevers was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. Cheevers was one of the great “money” goaltenders of all time, winning two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972. Cheevers is also famous for his stitch covered face mask which originated after he was hit in the face with a puck during practice. Feigning injury, Cheeevrs went to the locker room where coach Harry Sinden found him smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer. As a joke, Bruins trainer “Frosty” Forristall drew a stitch on his mask. A new stich mark was added every time he was struck in the mask and the legndary mask was created. The Hockey News tallied votes for the best mask design ever and Cheevers mask won in a landslide with 221 votes to 66 for Gilles Gratton's lions face mask. Ron Hextall the former Flyers goalie and current Flyers general manager called Cheevers mask the “greatest piece of sports memorabilia ever.”

Cheevers developed an uncoventional style of play as a flopping goalie which he learned with the Rochester Americans where his coach made him practice without a stick. In 1965, Cheevers set the AHL record for most victories in a single season by a goalie with 48. even so, he was hardly an overnight success in the NHL which consisted of only six teams at that time. Cheevers developed his style during six seasons in the minor leagues before becoming a full time goalie with Boston in 1967. In 1972 He went undefeated for 32 consecutive games which is an NHL record.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1982, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-2 with Wayne Gretzky scoring his 23rd goal of the season at 6:23 of the second period at the Northlands Coliseum. That game marked the end of a 30 game scoring streak for Gretzky during which he collected an amazing 76 points on 24 goals and 54 assists.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1966, Henri Richard joined his brother Maurice “The Rocket” to become the first pair of brothers to each score 250 career NHL goals as the Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3. “The Pocket Rocket” was the seventh player in franchise history with 250 career goals.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 7 , 1929, Harvey “Busher” Jackson played his first game as a Leaf. At age 18, he was the youngest player in the NHL. Jackson played ten years with the Leafs and holds the team recordd for most first team all star selections with four. He played on the famous “Kid Line” with Joe Primeau and Charlie Conacher and was part of the Leafs 1932 cup winning team.





On this date in hockey history, December 8, 1987, Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers became the first NHL goalie to actually shoot and score a goal. Here is his recollection of that game as told to Philadelphia Business Journal: “[Scoring a goal] was not high on my list of wanna-does,” he said. “The fans were on me to shoot — not only that night, but in prior games too. The media kept asking me questions about it. I said it would have to be the right opportunity, and if I had the right opportunity I’d take a shot. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. Then I scored and our whole team came off the bench and guys were hooting and hollering almost like we won a playoff series. That’s what made it special to me, that my teammates were all there celebrating with me. It made it a bigger deal than I ever envisioned it would be. When I think back, I have fond memories of it.”





On this date in hockey history, December 8, 1984, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 3-1 at Boston Gardens to give coach Scotty Bowman his 692nd career win to tie Dick Irvin for most victories by an NHL coach. Bowman coached for another 13 seasons and finished within 1,248 wins. Al Arbour is second with 782 victories. Scotty's nine Stanley Cups are also the most by any NHL coach. He also won five Stanley Cups as an executive, with Pittsburgh as Director Of Player Development in 1991, another with Detroit in 2008 as a Special Advisor, and threee more with Chicago as Senior Advisor of hockey Operation for a career total of 14, second only to Jean Beliveau's 17.





On this date in hockey history, December 9, 1924, the Toronto St. Patrick's signed a pharmacy student from the University of Toronto to play left wing. He moved to defense and played for the St. Pats/Maple Leafs until 1937, 11 years as team captain. His name was Clarence “Hap” Day.

On this date in hockey history, December 9, 1979, the Edmonton Oilers rookie goaltender Eddie Mio recorded the first shutout in the Oilers NHL history. Mio stopped 30 shots for his first career shutout while Wayne Gretzky and Pat Price each added a goal and an assist.

On this date in hockey history, December 9, 1954, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0 at the Montreal Forum. The game featured a brawl where the teams combined for 36 penalties and 15 misconducts, setting a record for most penalties at that time.

On this date in hockey history, December 9 1976, the Philadelphia Flyers played the Boston Bruins at the Boston Gardens winning 3-1. this was the fourth consecutive season in which the Flyers and Bruins played on December 9th. Rick MacLiesh, Gary Dornhoefer on the power play and Bobby Clarke with a shortie into the empty net handled the scoring while Bernie Parent stopped 17 shots.

This date in hockey history, December 10, 1970, the Boston Bruins peppered Buffalo Sabres goaltender Joe Daley with 72 shots. Daley stopped 64 shots in an 8-0 loss. The 64 saves in one game are a Sabres record. The 72 shots were the most by an NHL team since 1943.

On this date in hockey history, December 10, 1924, the Montreal Maroons played the Montreal Canadiens in the first all Montreal game NHL game. The Canadiens won 5-0 with Auriel Joliet scoring four goals and Georges Vezina picking up the shutout. The Candiens won that game and also won the war as the Maroons folded in 1938.





On this date in hockey history, December 10, 1986, Wayne Gretzky had three goals in a 7-4 edmonton Oilers victory over the Winnipeg Jets. This was Gretzky's 40th career hat trick. That's right – 40 hat tricks by age 25. On December 10, 1989 Gretzky tallied his 1,900th point in only his 803rd NHL game, an 8-4 victory for the los Angeles Kings over the Quebec Nordiques.

On this date in hockey history, December 10, 1975, The Montreal Canadiens retired jersey number 16 which had been worn by Henri Richard and Elmer Lach prior to a game against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. The game ended in a 3-3- tie.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 10, 1969, Johnny Bower played his final game for the Leafs, retiring from the NHL at age 45. He only played one game in that 1969-70 season,losing 6-3 to the Montreal Canadiens. His career record with Toronto was 22—161-79 with a 2.49 GAA. He returned to the Leafs as an assistant coach for the 1976-77 and 1977-78 seasons.


On this date in hockey history, December 11, 1982, the Hartford Whalers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 7-4. this became known as the “First Cooperall Game” because both teams wore the long pants style popularized with the introduction of the Cooperall uniform system. Actually both teams wore CCM pants but the Cooperall name has become synonomous with the long pants look. The NHL banned the use of the long pants for safety reasons. The fabric was a sleek nylon like the short pants which created little friction when players slid on the ice as compared to the knit fabric of the hockey sock which acted more like a braking mechanism when players slid. As a result, players wearing the long pants tended to slide faster into the boards raising concerns about an increase in the number and severity of injuries resulting from their use.

On this date in hockey history, December 11, 1985, the Chicago Black Hawks scored nine goals in a single game. And lost. Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers scored 12 goals in a 12-9 victory over Chicago. The Hawks held Gretzky scoreless but he tied an NHL record with seven assists in one game while linemates Jari Kuri and Glenn Anderson each had a hat trick. Chicago outshot Edmonton 46 to 44 and both teams pulled their starting goalies with Murray Bannerman and Bob Suave sharing the net for Chicago while Andy Moog and Grant Fuhr split goaltending duties for the Oilers. The Oilers did not score on their one power play opportunity while the Hawks scored three times on four power plays. The 21 goals tied an NHL record for most total goals in a single game. Here is the game summary:

First Period
1 - EDM : Glenn Anderson 21 (Wayne Gretzky, Randy Gregg) (EV) 1:35
2 - EDM : Dave Lumley 5 (Billy Carroll, Kevin Lowe) (EV) 3:19
3 - EDM : Dave Semenko 5 (Craig MacTavish, Mark Napier) (EV) 4:58
4 - EDM : Marty McSorley 4 (Wayne Gretzky, Don Jackson) (EV) 13:24
Second Period
10 - CHI : Bill Watson 4 (Ken Yaremchuk, Jerry Dupont) (EV) 7:11
11 - CHI : Troy Murray 14 (Behn Wilson, Keith Brown) (PP) 9:36
12 - CHI : Jack O'Callahan 1 (Jerry Dupont, Troy Murray) (EV) 11:36


13 - EDM : Jari Kurri 20 (Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson) (EV) 14:52
14 - CHI : Keith Brown 3 (Ed Olczyk) (EV) 16:07
15 - EDM : Marty McSorley 5 (Lee Fogolin Jr., Kevin McClelland) (EV) 18:58
16 - EDM : Glenn Anderson 23 (Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey) (EV) 19:50
5 - EDM : Glenn Anderson 22 (Don Jackson, Wayne Gretzky) (EV) 1:20
6 - EDM : Kevin McClelland 5 (Marty McSorley, Raimo Summanen) (EV) 3:08
7 - CHI : Denis Savard 15 (Steve Larmer, Al Secord) (PP) 5:38
8 - EDM : Lee Fogolin Jr. 2 (Kevin McClelland, Raimo Summanen) (EV) 6:11
9 - CHI : Curt Fraser 14 (Troy Murray, Doug Wilson) (EV) 6:38
Third Period
17 - CHI : Troy Murray 15 (Ed Olczyk, Keith Brown) (PP) 13:22
18 - EDM : Jari Kurri 21 (Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson) (EV) 15:34
19 - CHI : Ken Yaremchuk 5 (Bill Gardner, Behn Wilson) (EV) 17:59
20 - EDM : Jari Kurri 22 (Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson) (EV) 19:24
21 - CHI : Ken Yaremchuk 6 (Tom Lysiak, Bill Gardner) (EV) 19:37

On this date in hockey history, December 11, 1982, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4. Peter Stastny scored three goals and had three helpers while his brother Marian had two goals and three assists for an 11 point night by the Stastny's. Peter Stastny would finish the season with 124 points, second in NHL scoring only to Wayne Gretzky's 196 points.





On this date in hockey history, December 12, 1970, Orland Kurtenbach scored the first hat trick in Vancouver Canucks history. This was Kurtenbach's pnly NHL career hat trick and he added an assist in the Canucks 5-2 win over the Oakland Seals. Kurtenbach finished the season with 21-32-53 totals in only 52 games. He was well known to old time hockey fans in vancouver having played for the WHL Vancouver Canucks during the the 1957-58, 1959-60 and 1960-61 seasons.

On this date in hockey history, December 12, 1971, Brad Park scored three goals and an assist for the New York Rangers in a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Park was the first Rangers defenseman to score a hat trick. He finished the 1971-72 season with 24-59-73 totals and 130 penalty minutes.

1981 - Ian Turnbull became the first defenseman in Kings history to score a hat trick (the second of his career) as the Kings won 7-5 over the Canucks. Turnbull finished the game with four goals.

On this day in hockey history, December 12, 1933 The Toronto Maple Leafs were playing in Boston against the Bruins. Early in the second period the Leafs were two men short and coach Dick Irvin dispatched his penalty killers, Frank “King” Clancy with Red Horner on defense with Irvine “Ace” Bailey at forward. Bailey proceeded to put on a penalty killing clinic ragging the puck using his exceptional stickhandling skills. Finally, Boston's Hall of Fame defenseman, Eddie Shore gathered the puck in and carried the play into the Toronto zone where he was hip checked by Horner.

Shore was dazed by the hit and sought his revenge. He skated after Ace Bailey perhaps thinking he was Horner. Shore caught Bailey with a viscious check flipping him in the air. Bailey hit the ice head first and went into convulsions, bleeding from a head wound. Horner went after Shore and punched him, knocking him unconscious. Both Bailey and Shore had to be carried of the ice.

While Shore had a small cut on his head, Bailey's injury was far more serious and he was taken to the Bruins dressing room where the Bruins team doctors examined his wound. Shore had regained consciousness and went to Bailey to apologize. Bailey told Shore “It's all part of the game”, before he slipped back into unconsciousness.

Bailey was hospitalized with a cerebral hemmorhage and his death seemed imminent. In the event of Bailey's death, homicide detectives were prepared to charge Shore with manslaughter. Bailey's father travelled to Boston with a pistol intent on avenging his sons injury against Shore but Boston police interceeded and convinced him to abandon his plan.

Bailey underwent two operations after which his death seemed imminent. A priest was summoned to administer the last rites. But by morning his prospects had improved. Within two weeks it was clear that Bailey would survive but would never be able to play again. The Bruins donated $8,000 to Bailey and his family and the NHL held a special game to benefit Bailey and his family, featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs playing at Maple Leaf Gardens against a group of star players selected from other NHL teams. The benefit game raised $20,000 for Bailey. This was the forerunner of what would become the Anuual NHL all star game.

As the all star players skated onto the ice they wore their individual teams jerseys and were then presented with their all star game jersey. The first player onto the ice was goaltender Charlie Gardiner who was given his jersey with number one. When Shore skated onto the ice in his Boston Bruins uniform, he was greeeted at center ice by Ace Bailey in street clothes. Bailey handed Shore his number 2 game jersey and extended his hand. When Shore clasped and shook Bailey's hand the Gardens crowd roared it's approval.

Shore was suspended for 16 games as a result of the incident. Bailey remained in the Leafs organization, serving as the timekeeper at Leafs games from 1938 until 1984. He passed away in 1992 at age 89.

On this date in hockey history, December 13, 1987, rookie Joe Nieuwendyk of the Calgary Flames scored four goals against the Buffalo Sabres. He became the first rookie in the modern NHL (post red line) to have two four goal games. Cully Wilson had a pair of four goal games duirng his initial NHL season in 1919-20 although he was hardly a true “rookie” having played three seasons in the NHA (NHL's predessor league) and four seasons with the seattle Metropolitans of the PCHA.

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1929, Harold “Baldy” Cotton spoiled a history making appearance by the New York Rangers at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens by scoring a pair of overtime goals in Toronto's 7-6 victory. This waspossible because overtime was a ten minute period played in it's entriety, ie not sudden death. But the history making event was that the Rangers became the first team to travel to their game by airplane.

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1974, the New York Rangers Greg Polis set a team record for most penalty minutes in one game with 33. The St. Louis Blues won the game 6-2. The two teams combined for 256 penalty minutes

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1933, Howie Morenz of the Montreal Canadiens scored his 247th goal, making him the NHL's career goal scoring leader as he passed Cy Denneny. Denneny had 245 goals in his first 259 games before finishing his career with only four goals in his final 66 games.

1943 - Boston's Bill Cowley had a goal and two assists to become the NHL's all-time leader in assists. He scored #258 to pass New York's Frank Boucher in a 4-3 win over Chicago. Cowley retired 4 years later with a record 353 career assists.

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1968, Bobby Orr scored his first NHL hat trick at Boston Garden during a 10-5 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks.





On this date in hockey history, December 15, 1917, the first NHL game was played between the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Wanderers. This was an exhibition game to benefit the victims of the Halifax Explosion in which a munitions ship exploded in Halifax harbor Over 1,950 were killed, more than 9,000 were wounded. Every building within a ten mile radius, 12,000 in all, were destroyed. Thirty one thousand people were left homeless or lacking adequate housing. A 1994 study of major non nuclear explosions concluded that "Halifax Harbour remains unchallenged in overall magnitude as long as five criteria are considered together: number of casualties, force of blast, radius of devastation, quantity of explosive material and total value of property destroyed."


This date in hockey history, December 15 1983, the Philadelphia Flyers scored an NHL record three shorthanded goals in one period during a 9-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. Mark Howe, Ilka Sinisalo and Miroslave Dvorak each scored a shortie during the second period.





On this date in hockey history, December 15, 1915, Art Jackson was born in Toronto, Ontario. Art was the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs Hall of Famer Harvey “Busher” Jackson. Art played with his brother on the Leafs from the 1934-35 season to 1936-37. He played for the New York Americans in 1937-38, then the Boston Bruins from 1939-40 to 1940-45 before finishing his career back with the Leafs in 1945-46 where he played on a Stanley Cup winner for his hometown team. He also won a Stanley Cup with Boston in 1941. Art centered the Leafs “Cyclone Line” with Nick Metz and Bob Davidson.

Happy birthday to the NHL's offside rule, drafted on this date in hockey history, December 16, 1929. Hockey had originally been played like rugby with no forward passing allowed anywhere on the playing surface forcing players to caary the puck in order to move it forward. In 1905 the Ontario Hockey Association began allowing defensemen to play the puck forward from rebounds within three feet of the goaltender. Some ice surfaces had a black line painted on the ice at the three foot distance. To promote scoring, the NHL allowed forward passing in the defensive and neutral zones in 1927 but scoring remained low. In 1928-29 the NHL allowed forward passing in the attacking zone and scoring doubled almost immediately as players would position themselves in front of the opposition goal and wait until a teamamte stickhandled over the offensive blue line then passed the puck down low to the player at the net. The league decided that too much scoring was undesireable and instituted the new rule during the season to cut down on these “easier” goals.

On this date in hockey history, December 16, 1950, the Montreal Canadiens debuted two future Hall Of Fame players Jean Beliveau and Bernie Geoffrion in a 1-1 tie with the New York Rangers with Geoffrion scoring Montreal's only goal in his NHL debut.

On this date in hockey history, December 16, 1981, Dave Lumley of the Edmonton Oilers scored a goal in his 12th consecutive game going 2-2-4 during a 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Lumley scored 15 goals during the streak. This was one game fewer than the NHL record at the time held by Charlie Simmer (13 games) as Lumley filled in as a winger on Wayne Gretzky's line.

On this date in hockey history, December 17, 1977, rookie defenseman Barry Beck of the Colorado Rockies scored a hat trick and added an assist in a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota North Stars. He scored 22 goals and 38 assists for 60 points as a rookie, including a stretch of six consecutive games with a goal. The 22 goals was a rookie record for defensemen until Brian Leetch scored 23 in 1988-89.

On this date in hockey history, December 17, 1977, the Hartford Whalers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2-0 for their first NHL shutout away from home. Mike Veisor earned the shutout.

On this date in hockey history, December 17, 1977, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Quebec Nordiques 8-1. Gretzky scored one goal and adding five assists for six points in his 352nd career game. These included his 500th assist and 800th point, an amazing pace of 2.27 points per game.

On this date in Buffalo Sabres history, December 17, 1990, the struggling Sabres (10-15-7) traded Mike Foligno to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Brian Curran and Lou Franschetti. Foligno played 663 games over ten seasons with the Sabres and became a fan favorite scoring 247 goals and 511 points. He earned a reputation as a player who stood up for himself and his teammates, piling up a then team record 1,450 penalty minutes for the blue and gold. Foligno was the team captain when he was traded, having been named captain on February 15, 1989. Foligno only scored 27 goals for Toronto in 129 games but scored twice against the Sabres at Maple Leaf Gardens on January 14, 1991. I wonder if Leafs fans found it as unusual watching Rick Vaive playing for Buffalo that bnight as it looked to see Foligno in a Maple Leafs uniform.

On this date in hockey history, December 18, 1983, Wayne Gretzky had a pair of goals to go along with two assists in an Edmonton Oilers 7-5 victory against the Winnipeg Jets. That sounds like just another day at the office for Wayne as he hit 100 points for the season in his 34th game. That's right, 100 points in only 34 games. In todays NHL standings there are only two teams with 100 goals, Montreal with 101 in 33 games and Dallas with 108 in 32 games.

On this date in hockey history, December 18, 1952, Jean Beliveau and Bernie Geoffrion each scored a ht trick at the Montreal Forum during Montreal's 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers. This was Beliveau's first three goal game, and Geoffrion's second.





On this date in hockey history, Maurice “The Rocket” Richard scored his 400th career goal in a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks He was the first NHL player to reach that milestone.
On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 18, 1965, Bob Pulford and Dave Keon each scored three goals in an 8-4 victory over the New York Rangers. This was the first and only time two Maple Leaf players had hat tricks in the same game.




On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 18, 1971, the Leafs signed free agent goalie Gord McRae. McRae had played three seasons at Michigan Tech from 1967-68 to 1969-70. He worked his way up from the EHL to the AHL Providence Reds before settling in with Toronto's CHL farm team the Tulsa Oilers. He played a total of 71 games in the NHL from 1972-73 to 1977-78, all with the Leafs as he was yanked up and down from the minors. His biggest impact in the NHL was in the 1974-75 season when he played 20 games with a 3.29 GAA going 13-3-6 and 2-5 with a 2.86 GAA in the playoffs including a first round upset over the Los Angeles Kings who had finished the regulat season with 105 points, 27 more than the Leafs 78. When McRae posed for the 1977-78 team picture with a beard, the Leafs owner Harold Ballard had McRae's head removed from the picture and replaced with Gord Shervens clean shaven head from the previous season.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1984, Scotty Bowman was behind the bench when the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-3 to set a record for most victories by a coach with his 691st win. Of course that record was broken by Scotty Bowman himself who finished his career with 1,248 victories.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1984, Wayne Gretzky reached 1,000 career points with a six point game on home ice against the Los Angeles Kings, going 2-4-6. He set a record by accumulating 1,000 career points in only 424 games, breaking Guy Lafleur's previous mark by 296 games. Lafleur had reached 1,000 points in 724 games.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1967, Gary “Suitcase” Smith was beaten for two goals by his brother Brian Smith who led the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-1 victory over the Oakland Seals. While at first glance, Gary Smith is the more familiar player to most, Brian smith was a significant figure in 1960's hockey and his tragic end was shocking.

Smith played for the Memorial Cup in 1960 with the Brockville Canadiens and played in the EPHL from 1960-63 with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens. When he was acquired by the Springfield Indians in 1963 he refused to report because of coach Eddie Shore's reputation for poor treatment of his players. Smith played in Austria but was suspended by the IIHF beacsue he hadn't obtained a release. So he was forced to play for Springfiled from 1964-67 where he and Bill White started Alan Eagleson on his career in hockey by strking against Shore in 1966 with Eagleson representing the players.

Shore was forced to sell the team to Jack Kent Cooke the owner of the expansion Los Angeles Kings and Smith suited up in 1967 as one of the original Kings. He played for Phoenix in the WHL then with the Minnesota North Stars in 1968-69 and finished his playing career with the WHA Houston Aeros in 1972-73. Smith then became a sports broadcaster with CJOH TV in Ottawa where he anchored the 6 PM news until 1995.

On August 1 1985 Smith was shot in the station parking lot by a paranoid schizophrenic who believed that the station had been broadcasting messages in his head.. Smith's death stunned the community. He was honored by the Ottawa Senators who renamed the press box at their home rink Canadien Tire Center the “Brian 'Smitty' Smith Press Box” and the team wore a memorial patch honoring Smith during the 1995-96 season.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1985, Larry Robinson scored the only hat trick of his NHL career during a 5-4 Montreal Canadiens loss to the Quebec Nordiques.

On this date in NHL history, December 19, 1917, the National Hockey League played it's first two games. Dave Ritchie scored the first goal in NHL history one minute into the game as his Montreal Wanderers defeated the Toronto Hockey Club 7-4. Joe Malone scored five goals and an assist for the Montreal Canadiens including Montreal's first ever NHL goal in a 7-4 win over the Ottawa Senators in the other opening day game.





































This day in hockey history, October 2nd 1948, Donald Harold Luce was born in London Ontario. Don played three years of junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers where he led the OHA in assists with 70 in 1967-68. After turning pro he played on the Rangers farm team the Omaha Knights that won the CHL regular season and playoff titles in 1969-70. Luce was named to CHL All-Star First Team.

In spite of two strong seasons in the CHL (1968-69 22 goals and 56 points in 72 games and 1969-70 with 22 goals and 57 points in 64 games), Luce appeared in only 21 NHL games during that time as the Rangers were a strong team and deep at center with Jean Rattelle, Walt Tkaczuk, Juha Widing and Orland Kurtenbach in an era where team employed only three regular forward lines.





On November 2nd 1970 the Rangers traded Don to the Detroit Red Wings for Steve Andrascik.

While with Detroit, Luce assisted on Gordie Howe’s last goal before he retired from the Red Wings. Then on May 15th 1971, Don was traded to the Buffalo Sabres along with defenseman Mike Robitaille for goaltender Joe Daley.

Luce blossomed in Buffalo where he developed into one of the best two way players of the 1970’s. Don won the Buffalo Sabres' Unsung Hero Trophy and Wilkinson Sword Award as team's Most Improved Player in 1971-72. He recorded the first playoff assist in Buffalo Sabres history on April 4, 1973, at Montreal. He was the inaugural winner of the Buffalo Sabres' Charley Barton Silver Stick Award for dedication and spirit in 1972-73.

Don was named an alternate captain during 1973-74 season and wore the "A" through the 1975-75 season. He won the Wilkinson Sword Award as the Buffalo Sabres MVP in 1973-74. He set a Buffalo Sabres team record for the fastest three goals by one player with three goals in span of 3:49 on Dec. 22, 1974, at Washington. He set a Buffalo record (since tied) for the most shorthanded goals in a game with two on Dec. 22, 1974, at Washington.

Luce was voted the Bill Masterson Trophy winner for the 1974-75 season which is awarded to the NHL player annually who best demonstrates the qualities of perseverance, leadership and dedication to the sport of hockey

Don represented Buffalo in 1975 NHL All-Star Game. He set Sabres single season records for shorthanded goals (8) and highest plus-minus rating (plus-61) in 1974-75. The eight shorthanded goals were also an NHL record (since broken), breaking Dave Keon's previous mark of seven. He scored the first postseason shorthanded goal in Buffalo Sabres history on May 3, 1975, at Montreal and played on Buffalo team that went to 1975 Stanley Cup Finals. H e scored the series winning goal at 14:27 of overtime as Buffalo eliminated St. Louis from the first round of the 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Luce was traded by new Sabres GM/coach Scotty Bowman to the Los Angeles Kings March 10th 1981 for a 1982 sixth round draft pick which he used to draft Jeff Parker 111th overall. He left Buffalo ranked third behind Gil Perreault and Craig Ramsay for most games as Sabre with 766. The Kings later traded Don to Toronto where he finished his career.

Don was named as the head coach of the Pine Bridge Bucks in the ACHL prior to 1983-84 season. He was a pro scout for Buffalo for the 1984-85 season and also served as a part time assistant coach for the Sabres that season. He was an assistant coach for Buffalo for parts of 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons. 




Luce was named the director of U.S. Scouting for the Sabres prior to 1985-86 season and remained in position through 1986-87 season. He was named Buffalo’s Director of Amateur Evaluation and Development prior to 1987-88 season and remained in that position through 1989-90 season. Played key role in helping to get Alexander Mogilny out of USSR and into NHL in 1989.

He was then named Buffalo’s Director of Player Personnel prior to 1990-91 season and remained in that position through 2004-05 season. His work was recognized when The Hockey News ranked team's prospects No. 2 in NHL for 1997. He was named Buffalo Director of Player Development prior to 2005-06 season and remained in that position through 2005-06 season. Luce left the Sabres in July 2006, when the team let him go and cut much of its scouting department. Luce had been responsible for bringing in the likes of Alexander Mogilny, Maxim Afinogenov, Martin Biron, Brian Campbell, and Jason Pominville.

Luce was named the Director of Player development for the Philadelphia Flyers in late November 2006. He was a pro scout for the Flyers starting in the 2012-13 season and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in that same capacity on September 20th 2015. He is now retired from hockey





Don Luce played 894 career NHL games, scoring 225 goals and 329 assists for 554 points. His best statistical season was the 1974-75 when he set career highs with 33 goals and 76 points.

Don was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1986 and into the Greater Buffalo Sports hall of Famein 1997.

Happy Birthday to Glenn Hall, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1931. Glenn earner the nickname “Mr. Goalie” over his 21 year career. He developed the innovative Butterfly Style of goaltending is credited with incorporating the butterfly style of goaltending which was revolutionary in its day where goaltenders played a stand up style primarily because keeping their head above the crossbar protected their faces better. As a result goalies would leave a wide open “Five Hole” between their legs and tended to let in some easy shots along the ice. Tony Esposito further popularized this style in the 1970’s and today most goalies use a modernized butterfly style in a golden era of great goaltenders (But boring hockey).





This day in hockey history, October 3rd,1989, Darryl Sittler, Vladislav Tretiak and Herbie Lewis were inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with "builders" Alan Eagleson and Father David Bauer.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd 1953 ,Wally Hergesheimer of the New York Rangers scored twice within 5:25 of the opening faceoff to set an all star record game for the fastest two goals from the start of a game, as the all stars beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens 3-1. Hergesheimer went on to score a career best 30 goals and 59 points that season.





Happy Birthday to Glenn Hall, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1931. Glenn earner the nickname “Mr. Goalie” over his 21 year career. He developed the innovative Butterfly Style of goaltending is credited with incorporating the butterfly style of goaltending which was revolutionary in its day where goaltenders played a stand up style primarily because keeping their head above the crossbar protected their faces better. As a result goalies would leave a wide open “Five Hole” between their legs and tended to let in some easy shots along the ice. Tony Esposito further popularized this style in the 1970’s and today most goalies use a modernized butterfly style in a golden era of great goaltenders (But boring hockey).

Happy Birthday to “Gentleman” Jean Ratelle, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1940. Over his 21 season career with the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins he averaged almost a point a game. Combining a high level of playing ability with great sportsmanship, he twice won the Lady Byng Trophy.

His greatest success came with the linemates Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield to form the GAG line (Goal A Game). He was the annual scoring leader for the Rangers from 1968 and 1973 when the team was a powerhouse and ranked among the best teams in the NHL.





Ratelle’s greatest season was 1971-72 when he led the league’s scorers with 109 points and certainly would have beaten the legendary Phil Esposito for the scoring tittle when he was injured and missed the final 15 games of the season.

At that time only three players had ever scored more than the 109 points in Ratelle’s injury shortend season including Esposito, Bobby Orr and Johnny Bucyk. Ratelle was voted the winner of the Lester Pearson Trophy as the best player in the league as chosen by the NHL players.





In one of the most shocking trades in NHL history, November 1975, Ratelle was traded along with Brad Park and Joe Zanussi to the Rangers hated arch rivals the Boston Bruins for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais. Ratelle Ratelle had started the year relatively slowly going 5-10-15 in 13 games for the blueshirts (1.15 PPG) but picked up the pace with the Bruins with 31 goals and 90 points in 67 games (1.34 PPG). And finished with 105 points, the second best total of his career. He continued his excellent play with the B’s for several more years as the Boston fans marveled at his all around game, slick passing and mastery of the face off circle until he retired in 1981.





Ratelle played twenty one seasons in the NHL scoring 491 goals and adding 776 assists for 1,267 points. ranking him as the sixth all time leading scorer when he retired.. While he never played on a team that won the Stanley Cup championship, he was a member of the 1972 Team Canada squad that defeated the Soviet Union He earned his reputation as a gentlemanly player, finishing in the top-five for the Lady Byng Trophy awarded for sportsmanship and excellence nine times, including a stretch between the 1970 and 1978 seasons where he was in the top three six times and won the trophy twice.

Ratelle was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2009, Ratelle was ranked No. 7 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats. The Rangers plan to retire Ratelle's No. 19 jersey on February 25, 2018.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd,1959, Jean Beliveau scored two goals, and teammate Doug Harvey added three assists, as the Canadiens beat the All Stars 6-1 at the 13th NHL All Star game, in Montreal.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd 1934 , the Montreal Canadiens traded Howie Morenz, Marty Burke and Lorne Chabot to the Chicago Black Hawks in exchange for Lionel Conacher, Roger Jenkins and Leroy Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy was the first American born player to skate for the Red Wings.









On May 15, 1926, the Townsend syndicate of investors was granted a conditional expansion NHL franchise, to begin play in the upcoming season if their arena was ready. For players, the syndicate decided to purchase one of the most successful teams from the bankrupt Western Canada Hockey League, the Victoria Cougars, who had won the Stanley Cup in 1925. On September 25, 1926, the NHL made the franchise purchase permanent, although the arena was not ready.The expansion club kept the Cougars name. The club played in Windsor for the entire season.




















On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1932, the Detroit Falcons are renamed the Red Wings. The team logo is changed to a winged wheel and red uniforms are introduced. It's the third name for the franchise, known as the Detroit Cougars from 1926-30 and the Detroit Falcons from 1930-32.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1976, the Colorado Rockies made their debut in Denver and defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 with rookie forward Larry Skinner scoring the first goal. The franchise had just transferred from Kansas City where they played from 1974-1976 and had been known as the Scouts. The franchise would relocate again in 1982, to New Jersey where on October 4th 1982 the New Jersey Devils would play their first NHL game, a 3-3 tie with the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, Wayne Gretzky scored a goal and added an assist as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 at the Northlands Coliseum. Thus began Gretzky’s famous record 51 game scoring streak where he had at least one point in every Oilers game until January 28th 1984.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, rookie Steve Yzerman scored his first career NHL goal as the Detroit Red Wings' tied the Jets 6-6 in Winnipeg. He finished his career with 692 goals, 1,063 assists and 1,755 points in 1, 514 games. And four Stanley Cup championships.














On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, Marcel Dionne scored his 545th goal during a 3-3 tie against the Minnesota North Stars at the Forum in Inglewood. With that goal he passes Maurice Richard into fifth place on the NHL’s all time goal scoring list.

On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1990, Kevin Stevens sets an NHL record for most points in a season-opening game when he scores twice and added four assists for six points in the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 victory against the Capitals in Washington.

 

On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1993: Neal Broten scored twice and Andy Moog makes 31 saves as the Dallas Stars playing in their first game since relocating from Minnesota defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-4 at Reunion Arena.




On this day in hockey history, October 5th 2005, Alexander Ovechkin made his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals scoring twice in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Verizon Center.

Ovechkin had been the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL entry draft. The goals are the first two of 52 rookie goals by Ovechkin as he won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. He was also named to the first all star team for the first of three consecutive seasons.





This day in hockey history, October 6th, 1955 - Toe Blake made his NHL coaching debut as the Montreal Canadiens beat Toronto 2-0. Jacques Plante got his 11th career shutout.


This day in hockey history, October 6th 1984, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 at the Spectrum with Mike Keenan picking up his first NHL coaching victory.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1992, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers played to a 3-3- tie at the Igloo with Mario Lemieux scoring to begin a team record 12 game goal scoring streak. Flyers rookie Eric Lindros also scored his first NHL goal.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1996 , Tony Granato, in his second game back from a career-threatening brain surgery in February '96, scored his 6th career hat trick, his first with San Jose, and added an assist in the Sharks' 7-6 overtime win, at Los Angeles.




This day in hockey history, October 6th 1955, the Detroit Red Wings lost 3-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks as Detroit goaltender Glenn Hall began an NHL record of 502 consecutive complete games played. He started every game and played all 60 minutes during that streak. The streak ended seven years later when Hall was the goaltender for the Blackhawks.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1976, the Minnesota North Stars lost 6-5 to the New York Rangers in spite of rookie Roland Eriksson tieing an NHL rookie record with four assists in his first NHL game. The mark had been set in 1953 by Earl “Dutch” Reibel of the Detroit Red Wings.





This day in hockey history, October 6th 1989, the New York Rangers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 with Roger Nielson behind the bench making him the first man in history to coach five different NHL teams. Exactly four years later (1993), he’d become the first man to coach six different teams, when his Florida Panthers tied the Blackhawks 4-4 at Chicago in the Panthers first regular season game.





On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1901, Frank Boucher was born in Ottawa, Ontario.

Although later Rangers such as Gilbert and Mark Messier have been more honored by recent fans, Boucher's status as the star of two Ranger Stanley Cup championship teams and the coach of another makes him, except perhaps for team builder Lester Patrick, as the greatest Ranger of them all.





Boucher played for the Rangers until he retired in 1937–38 and Boucher centered the famous Bread Line with the brothers Bill and Bun Cook. Together they helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1928 and 1933, also reaching the Finals in 1932.





Frank was not only a brilliant forward, but was also one of the game's classies players. Lady Byng, wife of Viscount Byng, the Governor-General of Canada, donated a trophy to be awarded to the NHL's "most gentlemanly player." While playing for the New York Rangers, Boucher won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy 7 times in 8 years. He was then given the trophy outright, and Lady Byng donated another trophy to the NHL.





The Rangers hired him to coach the New York Rovers, a minor-league team that also played at Madison Square Garden, as his apprenticeship to coaching the Rangers. When general manager Lester Patrick made the decision to retire from coaching prior to the 1939–40 season, he hired Boucher, who led his Ranger club to the last Stanley Cup. The franchise would be in existence for 68 seasons before they won a Cup without Boucher being directly involved.





After finishing first in the NHL's regular season in 1942, the Rangers lost in the playoffs to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Soon they became victims of the military draft of World War II and went into a steep decline. In 1943–44 NHL season the New York Rangers were so bad that Boucher came out of retirement for 15 games to play where he recorded 14 points; at age 42, he was the oldest position player ever to play in the NHL, a record he held until surpassed by Doug Harvey in 1968. The Rangers finished the 50 game season with only 6 wins. From 1940 to 1972 they reached the Stanley Cup Finals only once.





When Patrick retired, Frank took over as general manager. He got the Rangers into the playoffs in 1947–48 with his trade to get Buddy O'Connor and Frank Eddolls. He stepped down from coaching to concentrate on his manager's job and hired Lynn Patrick, Lester's son and an ex-teammate, to coach the Rangers, and Lynn came very close to winning the Stanley Cup in 1950, proving Boucher astute in hiring him as coach. But the Rangers were an aging team, and eroded. Lynn Patrick resigned to go to Boston, and neither Neil Colville nor Bill Cook, also former teammates of Boucher's, could get the Rangers into the playoffs. General John Kilpatrick, the Rangers' owner, thought about replacing Boucher, but he held off.





During the 1945–46 season, Boucher became the first coach to use two goalies regularly. Alternating Charlie Rayner and Jim Henry every game, and later, every four to six minutes, he proved the usefulness of having two goalies.





Frank went back behind the bench in 1953–54, but could not get the Rangers into the playoffs. He then hired Muzz Patrick, another son of Lester and ex-teammate, to coach the team, but the Rangers won only 17 games and missed the playoffs again. So General Kilpatrick had a talk with Frank and reluctantly expressed that Frank could not build the Rangers into a winner, and recommended Frank resign as general manager. Frank thought it over, realizing that it was better than being fired. He then typed his resignation and handed it in to the General, ending his 29-year association with the Rangers.





He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. In 1998, he was ranked number 61 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. His uniform number 7 hangs in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, although it was retired for a later Ranger, Rod Gilbert.





In 1974, Boucher wrote When the Rangers Were Young, a book about his experiences with the old-time Broadway Blueshirts, giving him one last moment of fame during his lifetime. He died of cancer on December 12, 1977 in the town of Kemptville, Ontario, near Ottawa at the age of 76. In 2009, Boucher was ranked No. 9 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats.





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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1991, Mark Messier was introduced as the 22nd captain in Rangers history in a pre game ceremony prior to the Blueshirts’ home opener. Messier would set up Mike Gartner’s game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2001, In the Rangers’ first regular season game in New York after the 9/11 tragedy, Brian Leetch scores the overtime winner in a 5-4 Rangers victory over the Buffalo Sabres at MSG. Also, Mike Richter becomes the first Rangers goaltender to appear in 600 games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1954, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1, extending their opening-night unbeaten streak to 15 games (14-0-1).

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1955, New York Rangers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 7-4 as rookie Andy Hebenton played his first career game, the first of 630 consecutive games, an NHL record at the time.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1983, the Minnesota North Stars scored four power play goals and the Vancouver Canucks scored six in a 10-9 win by Vancouver.

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This day in hockey history, October 7th 1986, 21 year old Steve Yzerman was named the youngest captain in Detroit Red Wings history and the teams 34th captain. He’d would remain captain for 19 seasons.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1996, the Phoenix Coyotes defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2 with Mike Gartner scoring the first goal in Coyotes history in the first NHL game played in Arizona. He added two more to also score the first hat trick in team history.





On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2001, the first hockey game since the 9/11 tragedy was played in New York City, as the Rangers beat the Sabres 5-4 in overtime. Newly acquired Eric Lindros scored his first goal as a Ranger and added an assist.




On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2000, the Toronto Maple Leafs shutout the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 in the season opener at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. As at the end of the 2006-07 season, the Leafs and Canadiens have played each other a total of 766 times in the regular season, more than any other two teams in NHL history. The Habs lead with 355 wins 285 losses 88 ties and 8 OT losses. In the playoffs the Habs have won seven series and the Leafs six but have not met in the postseason since 1979.

On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1995 , the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey #1 worn by goaltender Jacques Plante three decades earlier, as the Canadiens lost 7-1 in their season opener to the Flyers, at the Forum.
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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1995 , Cam Neely became the first player in NHL history to get an opening night hat trick twice in his career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1972, Nassau Veterans County Coliseum opened in New York, but the Islanders lost their first NHL game, 3-2 to the Atlanta Flames. Eddie Westfall scored the Isles' first goal. Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey

On this day in hockey history, October 7th1976, Bobby Orr played his first game with the Chicago Black Hawks. He scored a goal and added an assist, as the Black Hawks won 6-4 at St. Louis.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1990, Penguins rookie Jaromir Jagr scored the first goal of his NHL career in his second NHL game as Pittsburgh won 7-4 over the Devils. Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey




This day in hockey history, October 10th 1974, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 9-5 at the Aud in Buffalo with rookie right wing Danny Gare opening the scoring with his first NHL goal, only 18 seconds into his first NHL game, the second fastest NHL goal ever scored by a rookie. The record is 15 seconds, set by Gus Bodnar in 1943.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, Wayne Gretzky earned his first NHL point assisting on a goal by Kevin Lowe as the Edmonton Oilers playing their first game as an NHL team lost 4-2 to the Blackhawks at the venerable Chicago Stadium.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, the Quebec Nordiques lost 5-3 to the Atlanta Flames with Real Cloutier scoring three times becoming the second player in NHL history to score a hat trick in his first career game.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1989, the Calgary Flames won 4-2 at the Meadowlands against New Jersey. What made the game historic was that with the Cold War era drawing to a close, four Soviet players faced each other for the first time in an NHL game; Viacheslav Fetisov and Sergei Starikov of the New Jersey Devils went up against Calgary’s Sergei Makarov and Sergei Priakin. Sergei, Sergei, Sergei. And Slava.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, the Winnipeg Jets lost 4-2 at the Igloo against the Penguins with Gary Smith of the Jets becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to play for seven different NHL teams.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1987, the Hartford Whalers lost 6-2 to the New York Rangers as Doug Jarvis played in his NHL record 964th consecutive game. Jarvis’s streak ended that night as he sat out the next game with an injury, and never played another NHL game.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1924, the NHL sold franchises to the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Maroons for $15,000. The Montreal Canadiens received $11,000 of the Maroons fees as compensation for their infringement of their territorial rights in Montreal. The Bruins were the first NHL franchise in the United States. The first managers of these teams also left their mark on the NHL with trophies named after them; Boston’s manager was Art Ross and Montreal’s was Cecil Hart.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1952, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in Montreal. This was the first hockey game ever televised by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1953 , the Detroit Redwings whitewashed the Toronto Maple leafs 3-0 with Dave Gatherum earning the shutout in his first NHL game. He was the seventh goalie to accomplish that feat. He only played two more NHL games allowing only three goals in his three game career, winning two games with one tie and sporting a 1.00 GAA. He had filled in while Terry Sawchuck was injured and never got another chance to play in the NHL. He was number three on the Red Wings depth cart behind Sawchcuk and Glenn Hall, both future Hall Of Famers. That’s just how tough it was to make it in the six team league with only six jobs and each goalie playing the entire schedule.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1967, the Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues tied 2-2 in the first NHL game for each team. Larry Keenan scored the first Blues goal and Bill Masterton scored the first ever goal by the North Stars.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1984, rookie Mario Lemieux scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game, in his first NHL shift, and on his first shot, Pittsburgh rookie Mario Lemieux scored his first NHL goal. And added an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins lost 4-3 to the Boston Bruins.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1979, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Washington Capitals 6-3 with Lindy Ruff scoring his first NHL goal and Scotty Bowman behind the bench coaching his first game for the Sabres.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1930, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired two time Stanley Cup winner (1923, 1927) King Clancy from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Art Smith, Eric Pettinger and $35,000 ($500,000 in 2017 dollars). With the Leafs, Clancy was a four time all star, first team in 1931 and 1934 and 2nd team 1932 and 1933. He won a third Stanley Cup championship with Toronto in 1933.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1973, Kate Smith made her first live appearance at the Spectrum, and the Flyers won 2-0 over Toronto.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th1967, two former Toronto Maple Leafs opened the scoring for the expansion California Seals as Kent Douglas scored the first goal in Seals history assisted by Bobby Baun, the Seals' first captain. Kent Douglas had won the Calder trophy as rookie of the year with the Leafs in 1963.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, October 11th 2007, Leafs captain Mats Sundin scored his 39th goal of the season in the third period of an 8-1 victory against the New York Islanders. He passed Darryl Sittler and became the teams all time leading scorer with his 390th goal and 917th point as a Leaf in his 912th game. Sundin finished his career with 1346 game played scoring 564 goals 785 assists and 1349 points with only 373 PIM. As a Leaf he finished with 981 games played scoring 420 goals and 567 assists for 987 points with only 273 PIM.





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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1967, the Philadelphia Flyers played the first game in franchise history losing 3-1 to the California Seals.





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This day in hockey history, October 12th1940, the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League opened their hockey season in Buffalo’s brand new Memorial Auditorium which opened its doors to hockey for the first time. The team had previously played at the Broadway Arena which is now a municipal garage for the cities snowplows as well as at the Ft. Erie Arena in Ft. Erie Ontario.

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1963, Jacques Plante returned to the Montreal Forum for the first time as a member of the New York Rangers. The fans were happy to see him back in the Forum and cheered him. But they were also probably happy that Plante lost the game 6-2.



This day in hockey history, October 12th 1972, the New York Islanders defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 for their first victory in team history with Germain Gagnon scoring the game winner with just 69 seconds remaining. Rookie Billy Harris scored two goals. The win evened their record at 1-1. They finished the season 12-60-6. 

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1976, New York Rangers' Don Murdoch scored five goals to tie the NHL record for most goals in a game by a rookie, in a 10-4 win over the Minnesota North Stars. The five goals tied the mark set in 1944 by Toronto's Howie Meeker.

This day in New York Rangers history, October 12th 1978, Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg played in their first NHL game as the New York Rangers' tied the Philadelphia Flyers 3-3 at Madison Square Garden.

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1980, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at the Spectrum with Wilf Paiment scoring the 100,000 goal in NHL history into the empty net to clinch the victory.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1988, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 with Greg Adams scoring a hat trick and adding an assist. The win ended an 0-24-3 (27 game) winless streak by the ‘Nucks against the Oilers.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1988, the Chicago Blackhawks knocked off the Winnipeg Jets 10-1. Denis Savard scored two shorties to tie a club record and added three helpers, and Rick Vaive had his 13th career hat trick and an assist.  

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1992, the Vancouver Canucks beat the Winnipeg Jets 8-1. Pavel Bure had four goals including a pair of shorties for his first NHL hat trick and added an assist.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1996, Dale Hunter scored a goal in a 4-3 Washington Capitals loss to the Los Angeles Kings to become the first player in NHL history to score 300 goals and have 3,000 penalty minutes in his career.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1952, Ted "Teeder" Kennedy got his 5th. and final career "hat trick" against Detroit at Olympia Stadium and added an assist in a 4-4 tie.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1971, the Buffalo Sabres lost 4-1 to the St. Louis Blues at the Checkerdome with Rick Martin scoring his first NHL goal.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1989, the Sabres defeated the Hartford Whalers 4-1 withMike Foligno playing in his 500th Sabres game. Foligno would finish his Sabres career with 664 games played, tying Ric Seiling for 10th most in franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1930, the five year old Pittsburgh Pirates franchise was transferred to Philadelphia and renamed the “Quakers.” The Quakers did not inspire much of a following in Philly with a dreadful 4-36-4 record, and folded after just one season.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1947, the NHL held its first All Star Game, which featured the defending Stanley Cup Champions against a selected group of All Stars from the remaining teams. The All Stars won 4-3 with the proceeds benefiting the players’ pension fund.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rebUCMOGRic





This day in hockey history, October 13th 1979, Following his retirement from the NHL and returning to play seen seasons in the WHA, Gordie Howe returned to the NHL and scored his 787th NHL goal and first since 1971, as the Hartford Whalers tied the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-3.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1970, Roger Doucet sang "O Canada" for the first time at the Montreal Forum, before a 4-3 Canadiens' win over the Red Wings. He remained the Forum's national anthem singer for the next 10 years. His stunning renditions of the national anthems of the European participants in the 1976 Canada Cup games held at the Montreal Forum were his crowning achievement. Doucet was so revered and respected that Montreal’s arch rivals in Boston hired their own opera trained French anthem singer Rene Rancourt so that they could compete with the Habs for best anthem singer as well as best on the ice.
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This day in hockey history, October 13th October 1951, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost their season opener 3-1 against the Chicago Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens. Earlier that day, the Leafs and Hawks had played a special exhibition game for Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th,  Leaf President Stafford Smythe, son of Maple Leafs Founder Conn Smythe, passed away. He was 50 years old. It was the morning of the Leafs 1971-72 home opener against the Detroit Red Wings. It became the first and only game in Leaf history that was postponed. The game was re-scheduled for November 1. The Leafs defeated the Wings 6-1.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1967, the Los Angeles Kings played their first NHL game, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at the Long Beach Arena, in California.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14, 1967, the St. Louis Blues defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 earning the first victory in franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14, 1970, Phil Esposito recorded a hat trick with four goals in an 8-5 Bruins win over the Kings. It was his first of seven hat tricks that season when he scored a record 76 goals, passing Bobby Hull’s mark of 58. That record has since been broken. Espo also took 550 shots on goal that season, and that is a record that will never be broken.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1971, Fort Erie Ontario native Tom Reid scored on the first successful penalty shot goal in Minnesota North Stars History in the third period to give the North Stars to a 1-1 tie against the Montreal Canadiens at the Met Center.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14th 1972, the Atlanta Flames and the Buffalo Sabres tied 1-1 at the Omni in the first NHL game played in the American south. Ernie Hicke scored a power play goal for the Flames 2:03 into the first period. Goaltender Phil Myre made 30 saves, 17 in the third period, allowing only a first-period goal by Jim Lorentz.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1978, Darryl Sittler scored three goals and added four assists propelling the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 10-7 win over the New York Islanders. This was the first time since 1917 that Toronto scored double digit goals in a home opener.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1978 - 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky played in his first pro hockey game, a 6-3 Indianapolis Racers' loss to Winnipeg, in the WHA.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, the Edmoton Oilers tied the Vancouver Canucks 4-4 in Edmonton with Wayne Gretzky scoring his first NHL goal victimizing Glen Hanlon.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 at the Spectrum to begin an NHL record 35 game undefeated streak with a . They went 25-0-10 over the next three months.




This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979,the New York Rangers raised Rod Gilbert’s #7 is to the rafters at Madison Square Garden.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, Minnesota’s rookie defenseman Craig Hartsburg scored the first goal of his NHL career, in a 5-4 North Stars’ win in Buffalo.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1982, Dino Ciccarelli and Mike Eaves each scored twice to lead the North Stars to a 6-2 win over Toronto in Minnesota.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14 1988, the Detroit Red Wings scored eight goals in an 8-8 with the st. Louis Blues. This was the first time in franchise history (63 years and 4,052 games) that there was an 8-8 tie.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1991, the New York Rangers' lost 5-3 to the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden with Mike Gartner beating Mike Liut at 3:27 to score his 500th NHL goal. Gartner was the first player to score his 500tth goal as a Ranger and was the 16th player in NHL history to score 500. Ironically Gartner began his NHL career as a Capital.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1992 - Rookie Teemu Selanne scored his first career hat trick, and added an assist to lead the Jets to a 7-3 win over Edmonton in Winnipeg. Phil Housley had three assists to reach the 500 assist mark in his career. 
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This day in hockey history, October 14th 2000, the Colorado Avalanche defeated the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets.Patrick 3-1 with Roy matching Terry Sawchuk's career victory record with his 447th victory.
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This day in hockey history, October 14th 2006, the New York Islanders defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1at Nassau Coliseum with Mike Sillinger scoring to become the first NHL player to score a goal for 12 teams. Sillinger finished his NHL career with 240 goals in 1,049 games.

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This day in hockey history, October 15 1970, The Montreal Canadiens shutout the Buffalo Sabres 3-0 in the first home game in Sabres franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1935 , the NHL Board of Governors purchased the St. Louis Eagles franchise, including the players, for $35,000. The league then sold off the players to seven of the remaining eight NHL clubs (Chicago didn’t make any purchases).

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1935, Former NHL left winger Willie O’Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. O’Ree, as many of you know, was the first African American player to play in an NHL game, making his debut with the Bruins in 1957. He lived a short career but broke a huge and important barrier.


















On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1974, the Atlanta Flames defeated the Detroit Red Wings 10-1 with Curt Bennett and Eric Vail each getting their first career hat tricks. Curt Bennett added a pair of assists for a five point game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1975, the Indianapolis Racers defeated the Houston Aeros 4-0 with Andy Brown stopping 35 shots for his first shutout of the season. Bob Whitlock has a goal and two assists and Reggie Thomas scores twice.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1978, the Indianapolis racers lost 6-3 to the New England Whalers withWayne Gretzky scoring his third and final goal as a Racer, 3:36 into the third period. Mark Howe had a hat trick and Gordie Howe had a single goal. Gretzky also assisted on Peter Driscoll’s first period goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1983, Flyers rookie Rich Sutter scored a goal in his first NHL game, making the Sutters the first family in NHL history with six brothers to each core a goal. Six different players had multiple point nights as the Flyers peppered Mike Palmateer with 50 shots during an 8-5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Spectrum. Ron Sutter, Bill Barber, Rick MacLiesh, Glenn Cochrane, Miroslav Dvorak, Ilka Sinisalo and Tim Kerr also scored for the Flyers.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1988, Dave Newell, in his 22nd NHL season, set an NHL record with his 1,076th career game officiated, an 8-2 Rangers win over the Nordiques. He passed Ron Wicks, who had retired two years earlier.





On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs set an NHL record for the most wins from the start of season with their ninth straight, a 2-0 win at Tampa Bay.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1998, Mark Messier scored his 600th goal as Vancouver won 5-0 at Florida. Messier became the 10th NHL player to reach 600 career goals, and was also the fourth to record 600 goals and 900 career assists.





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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 1988, Mike Bossy retired after 10 NHL seasons at a young age 31. He played his entire career with the New York Islanders and was on four Stanley Cup champions. He scored 573 goals and 553 assists for 1206 points in only 752 games. In comparison, the other great goal scorer of his era Wayne Gretzky played 1,487 career games. If Bossy had played as long as Gretzky and remained productive, he likely would have scored over 1,000 goals.

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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 2002, Patrick Roy passed Terry Sawchuk as the NHL’s all-time leader in games played by a goaltender when he appeared in his 972nd career game, 3-2 Avalanche win over the Coyotes. It wasn’t the only goalie record he’d break.

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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 2003, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Dallas Stars 4-0 with Dominik Hasek recording his 62nd career shutout, o set a franchise record with their 15th consecutive home victory.

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On this date in hockey history, October 25th, 1954, Mike Eruzione was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts. He learned hockey playing for Youth Hockey of Winthrop as part of the GBYHL Greater Boston Youth Hockey League.

He graduated from Winthrop Senior High School in 1972, where he was captain of the varsity hockey team during his senior year. He then spent a year at Berwick Academy to fine tune his hockey skills in a New England Prep environment.

After attending Berwick, Eruzione starred for Boston University, averaging over twenty goals a season for four years. Eruzione also played for Team USA at the 1975 and 1976 Ice Hockey World Championship tournaments. So he was no stranger to the Soviets style of hockey and their players.

He then moved on to the Toledo Goaldiggers of the International Hockey League, winning the rookie of the year award in 1978 and leading the team to the Turner Cup championship in that year.

After his second year in Toledo, Eruzione, who played forward, was named the captain of the 1980 Olympic hockey team, scoring the winning goal against the Soviets and helping the Americans win the gold medal against Finland. Eruzione's winning goal has become one of the most played highlights in American sports, and was voted the greatest highlight of all time by ESPN viewers in March 2008.





On this date in 1969 Tony Esposito recorded his first shutout for the Chicago Blackhawks en route to a rookie record of 15 shutouts, earning the nickname of Tony O.

On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1991, the Buffalo Sabres traded former number one overall pick Pierre Turgeon, along with Benoit Hogue, Uwe Krupp, and Dave McLlwain to the New York Islanders. In return the Sabres received Pat LaFontaine, Randy Hillier and Randy Wood.





On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1974, the Atlanta Flames defeated the Detroit Red Wings 10-1 with Curt Bennett and Eric Vail each getting their first career hat tricks. Curt Bennett added a pair of assists for a five point game





On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1977, Rick Smith of the Boston Bruins scored the10,000th goal in franchise history during a 4-4 tie against the Colorado Rockies. Smith played eight seasons in Boston scoring 36 times for the B’s.





On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1979, the Indianapolis Checkers were shutout 1-0 in their first ever game by Jim Craig and the U.S. Olympic Team in Chicago. Craig stopped 28 shots to outduel Jim Park, who made 32 saves. Dave Silk scored the lone goal for the future gold medalists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1990, the St. Louis Blues beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 8-5 with Brett Hull scoring a hat trick to become the first player in franchise history with back to back hat tricks. He had three goals against the Leafs in the previous game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1991, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 with Vince Riendeau and Tim Cheveldae posting the first shared shutout in the Red Wings history. Riendeau wasreplaced after suffering an injury at 7:09 of the second period. The Leafs made it an easy night for the Wings goalies by putting only 13 shots on goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th June 25, 1992, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they had hired Barry Melrose as their new coach. Melrose had an eleven year year career in professional hockey in the NHL (300 games) , WHA (178 Games) and minor leagues from 1976 -1987. His coaching career, got off to a rousing start reaching the Cup Finals in his first year with the Kings, only to be fired two seasons later. He returned to coaching 14 years later with the Tampa bay Lightning, but was fired after winning only five of the team’s first 16 games. Barry has been primarily known as ESPN’s hockey commentator who switched to the NHL network this season.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1997, the Montreal Canadiens reached 6,000 franchise points in the standings with a 4-2 win over the Senators, making them the first to reach that mark. It was just their 4,986th game. Math fun: that means they had a “career” winning/points percentage of 60.2%. That’s not bad at all.

October 25. 2000 – Ray Bourque picked up two assists in a 2-1 Avalanche win over the Predators to give him 1,529 career points, making him the highest-scoring defenseman in NHL history. He passed Paul Coffey and added 50 more, and still sits atop that list with 1,579.





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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 2002, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1

with defenseman Ken Daneyko scoring to end his NHL record 256 game scoring drought.. Despite scoring only 36 goals in 1,283 career games, the Devils honored Daneyko by retiring his number 3 because they didn’t pay him to score.

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On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1975 – The Sabres beat the Oakland Seals 3-2 to set an NHL record for consecutive wins at the start of a season with eight. The record was broken by the 1993-94 Maple Leafs, who won 10 straight.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1977, Steve Vickers scores four goals as the New York Rangers defeat the St. Louis Blues, 6-2, at Madison Square Garden.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1980, Anders Hedberg scored four goals for his first hattrick as a Ranger in a 7-6 victory by the Broadway Blueshirts victory against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1982, the Buffalo Sabes and Montreal Canadiens each scored five goals in the first period for a 5-5 tie after 20 minutes. The game finished in a 7-7 tie.









On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1984, the Edmonton Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 8-2 with Wayne Gretzky assisting on four goals in the second period, one shy of the NHL record of five assists in a period held by Dale Hawerchuk. Jari Kurri scored twice and added three assists in the same period for five points which was one less than the record of six points in a period held by Bryan Trottier. This is substantial evidence that Gretzky and Kurri were joined at the hip while playing in Edmonton.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1984, the Detroit Red Wings scored three empty net goals in a 7-3 win over the Buffalo Buffalo. That’s got to be some kind of record.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1989, Sergei Mylnikov made 31 saves as the Quebec Nordiques lost 4-2 to the Bruins at the Boston Garden. In so doing, he became the first Soviet goalie to play in an NHL game,

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1990, the Los Angeles Kings lost 6-2 to the Winnipeg Jets with Wayne Gretzky becoming the first player in NHL history to record 2,000 points with 684 goals and 1,316 assists in 857 games. That’s 2.33 points per game! He’s currently the only player to have reached that milestone, and his 2,857 career points are 941 more than second place Jaromir Jagr currently at 1,916.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1997, Wayne Gretzky, the New York Rangers tied the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3-3 with Wayne Gretzky picking up a pair of helpers to give him more career assists, 1851, than anyone else had points. Gordie Howe had the second highest point total at 1,850.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1997, Steve Yzerman passed Alex Delvecchio as the longest serving captain in NHL history at 11 years and 12 games, as the Red Wings improved their road record to 6-0-0 since the start of the season with a 5-1 win at Vancouver. What’s interesting is that they were both captains of the Red Wings (both career Red Wings).

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 2002, the St. Louis Blues became the first team in NHL history to win four straight games with four different goaltenders as Fred Brathwaite led them to a 4-3 overtime win at Calgary.





Fifty years ago in hockey rookie goalie Dave Dryden makes the Chicago Blackhawks roster as backup to Glenn Hall. Dryden, from Hamilton Ontario, played junior hockey for the Toronto Marlboros. he played in one NHL game as the emergency goalie finishing a game for the New York Rangers when Gump Worsley was injured and unable to play. He was then played senior A for the Galt Hornets before signing as a free agent with Chicago. After playing four games with the Hawks farm team the Buffalo Bisons where he sported a 1.50 goals against average, Dryden earned a spot with the NHL club.









This day in hockey history, October 27th 1965, the San Francisco Seals showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Hockey League this season as they demolished the Los Angeles Blades 9-5.









On this date in hockey history, 1979 Wayne Gretzky plays his first NHL game. He earned an assist in a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.





This date in hockey history, October 27 1998, Domink Hasek stopped 16 shots to shutout the New York Rangers. This was the fourth consecutive game the Sabres had shutout the Rangers and Hasek extended his scoreless streak over the Rangers to 263:46. However Rangers goalie Mike Richter was the first star of the game as he earned his 19th career shutout against the Sabres with the game ending in a 0-0 tie.

This day in hockey history, October 27 1971 Vancouver's Dunc Wilson earned his and the franchises first shutout against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canucks didn't score either and the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Bernie Parent was the Toronto goalie that night and he earned his first shutout as a Leaf.

On this day in hockey history, Mike Ricci was born on October 27th 1971. While playing for the Quebec Nordiques, Ricci scored five goals on February 17, 1994 in an 8-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. In the history of the National Hockey League, there have been only 60 games where a player scored five goals. Joe Malone scored five goals in a game on five occasions.

On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1965, Bobby Orr the 17 year old Ontario Hockey Association sensation leads the league in scoring with 15 points on 4 goals and 11 assists in only 6 games.









On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1995, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Calgary Flames 3-0 in the first appearance of the “The Russian Five” with former Red Army and Soviet National Team players: Sergei Fedorov, Viachslav Fetisov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Igor Larionov, and Vyacheslav Kozlov, who played as a five man when Detroit won 3-0 at Calgary.

On this day in hockey history, October 27th1979, Mike Murphy scored four goals and added an assist to lead the L.A. Kings to 7-5 win over the Maple Leafs at the Forum in Los Angeles.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1973, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-0 at the Spectrum with Bernie Parent stopping 23 shots for the shutout. Bobby Clarke scored twice and added a helper for three points game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th1981, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 11-2 at the Forum. It was the worst road loss in franchise history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th1985, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the visiting Vancouver Canucks 7-4. Ilkka Sinisalo ahd a pair of goals and an assist with Brian Propp adding a single goal and an assist. Bob Froese stopped 20 of 24 shots for the shutout.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1996, the New York Rangers defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-4 at Madison Square Garden with Wayne Gretzky scoring one goal and adding three helpers to extend his point streak to 11 games.

On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1943, it’s the first game after the rules change designed to open up the game by allowing teams to pass the puck forward out of their own zone, opening up the game. A 16 year old goaltender from Galt, Ontario, future Hall of Famer Harry Lumley, makes his first career start as a professional and stops 20 shots for the Indianapolis Capitals in a 5-3 victory over the Buffalo Bisons in a rematch of the 1942 Calder Cup finals. Bill Hudson has two goals and Carl “Winky” Smith a goal and two assists.





On this day in hockey history, October 28th1970, the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 at Madison Square Garden to record the 1,000th win in franchise history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1971, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 at the Spectrum with Simon Nolet scoring two goals, including the game-winning goal at 10:25 of the third period, for the 100th regular season win in franchise history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1978, the Chicago Black Hawks lost 7-2 to the Red Wings at Detroit with Bobby Orr scoring his 270th and final goal of his career at age 30.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1978, Wayne Gretzky played his final home game at Market Square Arena as a Racer. Blaine Stoughton scored the game winning goal midway through the third period with Rich Leduc and Michel Parizeau adding singles in 3-2 Indianapolis Racers win against the Winnipeg Jets.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th1993, Adam Graves scored his 100th career NHL goal in a 3-3 tie with the Montreal Canadiens at MSG.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 2000, the New Jerseys Devils beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 9-0 with John Madden and Randy McKay each scoring four goals.





They were the first teammates to score four goals in one game since 1922! when Odie and Sprague Cleghorn did so for the Montreal Canadiens. Madden and McKay each scored 23 goals that season for the NHL’s highest coring team. That’s right, the team known for trapping actually led the NHL with 295 goals in 2000-01.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th2002, Mike Richter made 29 saves for his 300th career game, a 3-2 overtime victory over the Phoenix Coyotes at Madison Square Garden.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th1986, 19 year old German Uwe Krupp was cleared by the International Ice Hockey federation to play for the Buffalo Sabres Krupp had been drafted by Buffalo in 1983 214th overall after being scouted personally by Sabres GM Scotty Bowman. Krupp was cleared two hours before their scheduled game against the Montreal Canadiens and made his debut that night. Standing 6'6" Krupp was the tallest player in the league for seven years. His success made him the prototype for the large skilled puck moving defense man who are so coveted today but he is little remembered for his influence on the game. Krupp was the first German born player to play on a Stanley Cup champion.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1981 Detroit Red Wings Mike Foligno and John Ogrodnick each scored a hat trick as the Red Wings defeated Calgary 12-4.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1953 Denis Potvin was born in Ottawa Ontario. Potvin won the Stanley Cup four times with the Islanders and compiled 1,052 points in 1,060 games on 310 goals and 742 assists. Potvin is considered one of the greatest players in NHL history and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Along with his offensive ability, Potvin played a punishing physical style. Don Cherry described him as a mean player as evidenced by his 1356 penalty minutes.Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey

On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1981 Detroit Red Wings Mike Foligno and John Ogrodnick each scored a hat trick as the Red Wings defeated Calgary 12-4.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1949, Frank Brimsek recorded his 36th career shutout and his first with Chicago Black Hawks in a 2-0 over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.. Metro Prystai and Bill Mosienko scored power play goals in the first four minutes of the game for the victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1959, Mike Gartner was born in Ottawa, Ont. Gartner played in the NHL from 1979-80 thru 1997-98.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1969, Jean Beliveau became the first player in Montreal history to play 1,000 NHL games, when he appeared in a 4-1 Montreal Canadiens’ loss to the North Stars at Minnesota.

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On this day in hockey history in 1939 the first true NHL all star game was played in Montreal with the all stars defeating the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. The game was a memorial for Babe Siebert of the Montreal Canadiens who had just retired and been named Canadiens coach for the 1939-40 season but tragically had drowned in August. This was the first game where the all star team players were chosen based on the official all star voting by the Canadian Press. Previous "All star" memorial games, 1934 for Ace Bailey and 1937 for Howie Morenz, had featured a plethora of star players but not the official all stars.

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On this day in hockey history in 1971, the California Seals set into motion a series of events which demonstrated the art of hiring retread coaches. The Seals fired long time coach Fred Glover three games into the 71-72 season with the Seals going 0-2-1. Twelve days later Glover became the first coach in NHL history to direct two different teams during the same season when he was hired by the Los Angeles Kings. His record with the Kings was 18-42-8. Then the Seals hired him again after 12 games of the 1972-73 season even though they had finished 71-72 with a record of 21-39-18 for 60 points without him, 11 points ahead of Glover's Kings. The Seals finished 16-46-16 for 48 points with Glover back behind the bench.He was fired again the next season.after 57 games (going 11-38-8) to end his NHL coaching career.





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On this day in hockey history in 1983 four Sutter brothers faced off in the same game. Brent and Duane Sutter suited up for the New York Islanders against the Philadelphia Flyers and twins Rich and Ron Sutter. The islanders won that day 6-2. Brent Sutter led the way with two goals and an assist.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, October 30, 1943, Toronto Maple Leafs rookie August "Gus" Bodnar scored 15 seconds after stepping onto the ice for the first time in his NHL career setting a record for the fastest goal by a first year player. He also scored another goal and added an assist helping the Buds to a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. Gus scored 22 rookie goals going 22-40-62 in 50 games for a outstanding rookie season. Bodnar really had a nose for the record book On March 23rd 1952 he assisted on Bill Mosienko's famous hat trick with three assists in only 21 seconds which was a record for the fastest three assists.  

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1943, The famous "Punch Line" made it's debut as Maurice Richard donned his fabled number nine sweater for the first time during the season opening 2-2 tie against the Boston Bruins. Center Elmer Lach was moved by coach Dick Irvin in between left winger Toe Blake and right winger Maurice "The Rocket" Richard. During their time together before a broken leg forced Blake to retire in 1948, the "Punch Line" helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup two times, in 1944 and 1946. Lach set a single season points record in 1944-45 when he scored 80 points in a 50-game schedule. Many of his 54 assists come on goals by Richard, who sets an NHL record with 50 goals in 50 games. During the 1944–45 NHL season, the three finished first (Lach), second (Richard), and third (Blake) in scoring in the league. They were the forward line for the first all star team in that same season. Richard would be the first team all star right wing for all but one year while with Blake and Lach.





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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1964, Emile Francis replaced "Muzz" Patrick as as General Manager of the New York Rangers and remained in that position for the next 11 years

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1969, Bobby Clarke scored his first NHL goal as the Philadelphia Flyers tied the New York Rangers 3-3 at Madison Square Garden..

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1983, the Chicago Black Hawks defeated the Hartford Whalers 6-1 in Chicago. This game was noteworthy for Chicago’s Tom Lysiak tripping linesman Ron Foyt incurring a 20 game suspension.

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This day in hockey history, October 31st 1942, Maurice Richard played his first game in the NHL. It took him 36 seconds from the opening face off to earn his first NHL point in a 3-2 win against Boston.





On this day in hockey history, October 31st 1967, the New York Rangers played the Los Angeles Kings for the first time in franchise history, and defeated them 6-1 in Los Angeles.
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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1981 Wayne Gretzky notched four goals in an 11-4 victory over Quebec. This was Gretzky's seventh hat trick of his young career, he was only 20 years old!

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1987, Marcel Dionne tallies the 700th goal of his NHL career. At the time, Dionne was just the third player in NHL history to reach that plateau, joining Gordie Howe with 801 goals and Phil Esposito at 717 as the NHL’s only 700 goal scorers.. Esposito and Dionne both scored their 700th goals while playing for the Rangers.

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On this date in 1989, Gretzky had his 46th career hat trick in an 8-4 win by the LA Kings over Pittsburgh.

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On this date in hockey history, October 31st 1989, Mario Lemieux picked up two assists in an 8-4 loss to the Los Angeles Kings as Wayne Gretzky tallied four goals. Those two points were the start of a 46 game scoring streak for Mario.

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1991 , the Vancouver Canucks signed Russian forward Pavel Bure to his first NHL contract.

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1995, Mario Tremblay set an NHL record for the best start by a new coach as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 for their sixth straight win, The previous record was five wins by Bep Guidolin with the 1973 Boston Bruins and Marc Crawford with the Colorado Avalanche also in 1995. While Guidolin’s record lasted 22 years Crawfords record only lasted a few days.

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This day in hockey history, October 2nd 1948, Donald Harold Luce was born in London Ontario. Don played three years of junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers where he led the OHA in assists with 70 in 1967-68. After turning pro he played on the Rangers farm team the Omaha Knights that won the CHL regular season and playoff titles in 1969-70. Luce was named to CHL All-Star First Team.

In spite of two strong seasons in the CHL (1968-69 22 goals and 56 points in 72 games and 1969-70 with 22 goals and 57 points in 64 games), Luce appeared in only 21 NHL games during that time as the Rangers were a strong team and deep at center with Jean Rattelle, Walt Tkaczuk, Juha Widing and Orland Kurtenbach in an era where team employed only three regular forward lines.





On November 2nd 1970 the Rangers traded Don to the Detroit Red Wings for Steve Andrascik.

While with Detroit, Luce assisted on Gordie Howe’s last goal before he retired from the Red Wings. Then on May 15th 1971, Don was traded to the Buffalo Sabres along with defenseman Mike Robitaille for goaltender Joe Daley.

Luce blossomed in Buffalo where he developed into one of the best two way players of the 1970’s. Don won the Buffalo Sabres' Unsung Hero Trophy and Wilkinson Sword Award as team's Most Improved Player in 1971-72. He recorded the first playoff assist in Buffalo Sabres history on April 4, 1973, at Montreal. He was the inaugural winner of the Buffalo Sabres' Charley Barton Silver Stick Award for dedication and spirit in 1972-73.

Don was named an alternate captain during 1973-74 season and wore the "A" through the 1975-75 season. He won the Wilkinson Sword Award as the Buffalo Sabres MVP in 1973-74. He set a Buffalo Sabres team record for the fastest three goals by one player with three goals in span of 3:49 on Dec. 22, 1974, at Washington. He set a Buffalo record (since tied) for the most shorthanded goals in a game with two on Dec. 22, 1974, at Washington.

Luce was voted the Bill Masterson Trophy winner for the 1974-75 season which is awarded to the NHL player annually who best demonstrates the qualities of perseverance, leadership and dedication to the sport of hockey

Don represented Buffalo in 1975 NHL All-Star Game. He set Sabres single season records for shorthanded goals (8) and highest plus-minus rating (plus-61) in 1974-75. The eight shorthanded goals were also an NHL record (since broken), breaking Dave Keon's previous mark of seven. He scored the first postseason shorthanded goal in Buffalo Sabres history on May 3, 1975, at Montreal and played on Buffalo team that went to 1975 Stanley Cup Finals. H e scored the series winning goal at 14:27 of overtime as Buffalo eliminated St. Louis from the first round of the 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Luce was traded by new Sabres GM/coach Scotty Bowman to the Los Angeles Kings March 10th 1981 for a 1982 sixth round draft pick which he used to draft Jeff Parker 111th overall. He left Buffalo ranked third behind Gil Perreault and Craig Ramsay for most games as Sabre with 766. The Kings later traded Don to Toronto where he finished his career.

Don was named as the head coach of the Pine Bridge Bucks in the ACHL prior to 1983-84 season. He was a pro scout for Buffalo for the 1984-85 season and also served as a part time assistant coach for the Sabres that season. He was an assistant coach for Buffalo for parts of 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons. 




Luce was named the director of U.S. Scouting for the Sabres prior to 1985-86 season and remained in position through 1986-87 season. He was named Buffalo’s Director of Amateur Evaluation and Development prior to 1987-88 season and remained in that position through 1989-90 season. Played key role in helping to get Alexander Mogilny out of USSR and into NHL in 1989.

He was then named Buffalo’s Director of Player Personnel prior to 1990-91 season and remained in that position through 2004-05 season. His work was recognized when The Hockey News ranked team's prospects No. 2 in NHL for 1997. He was named Buffalo Director of Player Development prior to 2005-06 season and remained in that position through 2005-06 season. Luce left the Sabres in July 2006, when the team let him go and cut much of its scouting department. Luce had been responsible for bringing in the likes of Alexander Mogilny, Maxim Afinogenov, Martin Biron, Brian Campbell, and Jason Pominville.

Luce was named the Director of Player development for the Philadelphia Flyers in late November 2006. He was a pro scout for the Flyers starting in the 2012-13 season and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in that same capacity on September 20th 2015. He is now retired from hockey





Don Luce played 894 career NHL games, scoring 225 goals and 329 assists for 554 points. His best statistical season was the 1974-75 when he set career highs with 33 goals and 76 points.

Don was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1986 and into the Greater Buffalo Sports hall of Famein 1997.

Happy Birthday to Glenn Hall, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1931. Glenn earner the nickname “Mr. Goalie” over his 21 year career. He developed the innovative Butterfly Style of goaltending is credited with incorporating the butterfly style of goaltending which was revolutionary in its day where goaltenders played a stand up style primarily because keeping their head above the crossbar protected their faces better. As a result goalies would leave a wide open “Five Hole” between their legs and tended to let in some easy shots along the ice. Tony Esposito further popularized this style in the 1970’s and today most goalies use a modernized butterfly style in a golden era of great goaltenders (But boring hockey).





This day in hockey history, October 3rd,1989, Darryl Sittler, Vladislav Tretiak and Herbie Lewis were inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with "builders" Alan Eagleson and Father David Bauer.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd 1953 ,Wally Hergesheimer of the New York Rangers scored twice within 5:25 of the opening faceoff to set an all star record game for the fastest two goals from the start of a game, as the all stars beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens 3-1. Hergesheimer went on to score a career best 30 goals and 59 points that season.





Happy Birthday to Glenn Hall, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1931. Glenn earner the nickname “Mr. Goalie” over his 21 year career. He developed the innovative Butterfly Style of goaltending is credited with incorporating the butterfly style of goaltending which was revolutionary in its day where goaltenders played a stand up style primarily because keeping their head above the crossbar protected their faces better. As a result goalies would leave a wide open “Five Hole” between their legs and tended to let in some easy shots along the ice. Tony Esposito further popularized this style in the 1970’s and today most goalies use a modernized butterfly style in a golden era of great goaltenders (But boring hockey).

Happy Birthday to “Gentleman” Jean Ratelle, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1940. Over his 21 season career with the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins he averaged almost a point a game. Combining a high level of playing ability with great sportsmanship, he twice won the Lady Byng Trophy.

His greatest success came with the linemates Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield to form the GAG line (Goal A Game). He was the annual scoring leader for the Rangers from 1968 and 1973 when the team was a powerhouse and ranked among the best teams in the NHL.





Ratelle’s greatest season was 1971-72 when he led the league’s scorers with 109 points and certainly would have beaten the legendary Phil Esposito for the scoring tittle when he was injured and missed the final 15 games of the season.

At that time only three players had ever scored more than the 109 points in Ratelle’s injury shortend season including Esposito, Bobby Orr and Johnny Bucyk. Ratelle was voted the winner of the Lester Pearson Trophy as the best player in the league as chosen by the NHL players.





In one of the most shocking trades in NHL history, November 1975, Ratelle was traded along with Brad Park and Joe Zanussi to the Rangers hated arch rivals the Boston Bruins for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais. Ratelle Ratelle had started the year relatively slowly going 5-10-15 in 13 games for the blueshirts (1.15 PPG) but picked up the pace with the Bruins with 31 goals and 90 points in 67 games (1.34 PPG). And finished with 105 points, the second best total of his career. He continued his excellent play with the B’s for several more years as the Boston fans marveled at his all around game, slick passing and mastery of the face off circle until he retired in 1981.





Ratelle played twenty one seasons in the NHL scoring 491 goals and adding 776 assists for 1,267 points. ranking him as the sixth all time leading scorer when he retired.. While he never played on a team that won the Stanley Cup championship, he was a member of the 1972 Team Canada squad that defeated the Soviet Union He earned his reputation as a gentlemanly player, finishing in the top-five for the Lady Byng Trophy awarded for sportsmanship and excellence nine times, including a stretch between the 1970 and 1978 seasons where he was in the top three six times and won the trophy twice.

Ratelle was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2009, Ratelle was ranked No. 7 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats. The Rangers plan to retire Ratelle's No. 19 jersey on February 25, 2018.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd,1959, Jean Beliveau scored two goals, and teammate Doug Harvey added three assists, as the Canadiens beat the All Stars 6-1 at the 13th NHL All Star game, in Montreal.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd 1934 , the Montreal Canadiens traded Howie Morenz, Marty Burke and Lorne Chabot to the Chicago Black Hawks in exchange for Lionel Conacher, Roger Jenkins and Leroy Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy was the first American born player to skate for the Red Wings.





















On May 15, 1926, the Townsend syndicate of investors was granted a conditional expansion NHL franchise, to begin play in the upcoming season if their arena was ready. For players, the syndicate decided to purchase one of the most successful teams from the bankrupt Western Canada Hockey League, the Victoria Cougars, who had won the Stanley Cup in 1925. On September 25, 1926, the NHL made the franchise purchase permanent, although the arena was not ready.The expansion club kept the Cougars name. The club played in Windsor for the entire season.





On this day in hockey history, October 4th 1926, the Townsend Syndicate, owners of the new Detroit Cougars franchise who would begin NHL play in a month, purchased the Victoria Cougars team from the defunct Western Hockey League for $100,000 because they needed players for their NHL team The Victoria players made up nearly half of the Detroit squad which played it’s first season across the river from Detroit in Windsor, Ontario because the Olympia was not yet ready in Detroit. The Detroit team would be known as the Falcons in 1930 before changing their name to the Red Wings in 1932.





This day in hockey history, October 4th 1934, Connie Madigan was born in Port Arthur, Ontario. Madigan is remembered as the oldest rookie in NHL history at age 38 with the St. Louis Blues. He had been a long time player in the minor leagues primarily for the Portland Buckaroos of the Western Hockey League. Madigan played in 20 games for the Blues during the 1972-73 season and had three assists. He appeared in the movie Slap Shot as “Mad Dog” Madigan,









This day in hockey history, October 4th 1991, the San Jose Sharks lost 4-3 to the Vancouver Canucks in their their first NHL game. Jeff Hackett was besiged with 52 shots and Crag Coxe a native of Chula Vista California, scored the first goal in Sharks history. The sharks lost 58 games that season finishing with a 17-58-5 record. The next year was even worse with an 11-71-2 record. But their teal jersey was the NHL’s best seller.

This day in hockey history October 4th 1991, the Edmonton Oilers traded Mark Messier to the New York Rangers for Bernie Nicholls, Steven Rice, and Louie DeBrusk. Messier had been the Oilers captain and a member of five Stanley Cup championship teams with Edmonton. Messier would be named the Captain of the Rangers lead them the Cup championship in 1994.

This day in hockey history October 4th 2001, the Detroit Red Wings won 4-3 in OT at San Jose against the Sharks with Brendan Shanahan scoring a hat trick for the second time in his career. On a related note, the Hockey News reported that Shanahan holds the unofficial NHL record for most modern day career Gordie Howe hat tricks, with 17.













On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1932, the Detroit Falcons are renamed the Red Wings. The team logo is changed to a winged wheel and red uniforms are introduced. It's the third name for the franchise, known as the Detroit Cougars from 1926-30 and the Detroit Falcons from 1930-32.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1976, the Colorado Rockies made their debut in Denver and defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 with rookie forward Larry Skinner scoring the first goal. The franchise had just transferred from Kansas City where they played from 1974-1976 and had been known as the Scouts. The franchise would relocate again in 1982, to New Jersey where on October 4th 1982 the New Jersey Devils would play their first NHL game, a 3-3 tie with the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, Wayne Gretzky scored a goal and added an assist as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 at the Northlands Coliseum. Thus began Gretzky’s famous record 51 game scoring streak where he had at least one point in every Oilers game until January 28th 1984.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, rookie Steve Yzerman scored his first career NHL goal as the Detroit Red Wings' tied the Jets 6-6 in Winnipeg. He finished his career with 692 goals, 1,063 assists and 1,755 points in 1, 514 games. And four Stanley Cup championships.














On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, Marcel Dionne scored his 545th goal during a 3-3 tie against the Minnesota North Stars at the Forum in Inglewood. With that goal he passes Maurice Richard into fifth place on the NHL’s all time goal scoring list.

On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1990, Kevin Stevens sets an NHL record for most points in a season-opening game when he scores twice and added four assists for six points in the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 victory against the Capitals in Washington.

 

On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1993: Neal Broten scored twice and Andy Moog makes 31 saves as the Dallas Stars playing in their first game since relocating from Minnesota defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-4 at Reunion Arena.




On this day in hockey history, October 5th 2005, Alexander Ovechkin made his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals scoring twice in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Verizon Center.

Ovechkin had been the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL entry draft. The goals are the first two of 52 rookie goals by Ovechkin as he won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. He was also named to the first all star team for the first of three consecutive seasons.





This day in hockey history, October 6th, 1955 - Toe Blake made his NHL coaching debut as the Montreal Canadiens beat Toronto 2-0. Jacques Plante got his 11th career shutout.


This day in hockey history, October 6th 1984, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 at the Spectrum with Mike Keenan picking up his first NHL coaching victory.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1992, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers played to a 3-3- tie at the Igloo with Mario Lemieux scoring to begin a team record 12 game goal scoring streak. Flyers rookie Eric Lindros also scored his first NHL goal.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1996 , Tony Granato, in his second game back from a career-threatening brain surgery in February '96, scored his 6th career hat trick, his first with San Jose, and added an assist in the Sharks' 7-6 overtime win, at Los Angeles.




This day in hockey history, October 6th 1955, the Detroit Red Wings lost 3-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks as Detroit goaltender Glenn Hall began an NHL record of 502 consecutive complete games played. He started every game and played all 60 minutes during that streak. The streak ended seven years later when Hall was the goaltender for the Blackhawks.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1976, the Minnesota North Stars lost 6-5 to the New York Rangers in spite of rookie Roland Eriksson tieing an NHL rookie record with four assists in his first NHL game. The mark had been set in 1953 by Earl “Dutch” Reibel of the Detroit Red Wings.





This day in hockey history, October 6th 1989, the New York Rangers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 with Roger Nielson behind the bench making him the first man in history to coach five different NHL teams. Exactly four years later (1993), he’d become the first man to coach six different teams, when his Florida Panthers tied the Blackhawks 4-4 at Chicago in the Panthers first regular season game.





On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1901, Frank Boucher was born in Ottawa, Ontario.

Although later Rangers such as Gilbert and Mark Messier have been more honored by recent fans, Boucher's status as the star of two Ranger Stanley Cup championship teams and the coach of another makes him, except perhaps for team builder Lester Patrick, as the greatest Ranger of them all.





Boucher played for the Rangers until he retired in 1937–38 and Boucher centered the famous Bread Line with the brothers Bill and Bun Cook. Together they helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1928 and 1933, also reaching the Finals in 1932.





Frank was not only a brilliant forward, but was also one of the game's classies players. Lady Byng, wife of Viscount Byng, the Governor-General of Canada, donated a trophy to be awarded to the NHL's "most gentlemanly player." While playing for the New York Rangers, Boucher won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy 7 times in 8 years. He was then given the trophy outright, and Lady Byng donated another trophy to the NHL.





The Rangers hired him to coach the New York Rovers, a minor-league team that also played at Madison Square Garden, as his apprenticeship to coaching the Rangers. When general manager Lester Patrick made the decision to retire from coaching prior to the 1939–40 season, he hired Boucher, who led his Ranger club to the last Stanley Cup. The franchise would be in existence for 68 seasons before they won a Cup without Boucher being directly involved.





After finishing first in the NHL's regular season in 1942, the Rangers lost in the playoffs to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Soon they became victims of the military draft of World War II and went into a steep decline. In 1943–44 NHL season the New York Rangers were so bad that Boucher came out of retirement for 15 games to play where he recorded 14 points; at age 42, he was the oldest position player ever to play in the NHL, a record he held until surpassed by Doug Harvey in 1968. The Rangers finished the 50 game season with only 6 wins. From 1940 to 1972 they reached the Stanley Cup Finals only once.





When Patrick retired, Frank took over as general manager. He got the Rangers into the playoffs in 1947–48 with his trade to get Buddy O'Connor and Frank Eddolls. He stepped down from coaching to concentrate on his manager's job and hired Lynn Patrick, Lester's son and an ex-teammate, to coach the Rangers, and Lynn came very close to winning the Stanley Cup in 1950, proving Boucher astute in hiring him as coach. But the Rangers were an aging team, and eroded. Lynn Patrick resigned to go to Boston, and neither Neil Colville nor Bill Cook, also former teammates of Boucher's, could get the Rangers into the playoffs. General John Kilpatrick, the Rangers' owner, thought about replacing Boucher, but he held off.





During the 1945–46 season, Boucher became the first coach to use two goalies regularly. Alternating Charlie Rayner and Jim Henry every game, and later, every four to six minutes, he proved the usefulness of having two goalies.





Frank went back behind the bench in 1953–54, but could not get the Rangers into the playoffs. He then hired Muzz Patrick, another son of Lester and ex-teammate, to coach the team, but the Rangers won only 17 games and missed the playoffs again. So General Kilpatrick had a talk with Frank and reluctantly expressed that Frank could not build the Rangers into a winner, and recommended Frank resign as general manager. Frank thought it over, realizing that it was better than being fired. He then typed his resignation and handed it in to the General, ending his 29-year association with the Rangers.





He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. In 1998, he was ranked number 61 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. His uniform number 7 hangs in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, although it was retired for a later Ranger, Rod Gilbert.





In 1974, Boucher wrote When the Rangers Were Young, a book about his experiences with the old-time Broadway Blueshirts, giving him one last moment of fame during his lifetime. He died of cancer on December 12, 1977 in the town of Kemptville, Ontario, near Ottawa at the age of 76. In 2009, Boucher was ranked No. 9 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats.





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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1991, Mark Messier was introduced as the 22nd captain in Rangers history in a pre game ceremony prior to the Blueshirts’ home opener. Messier would set up Mike Gartner’s game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2001, In the Rangers’ first regular season game in New York after the 9/11 tragedy, Brian Leetch scores the overtime winner in a 5-4 Rangers victory over the Buffalo Sabres at MSG. Also, Mike Richter becomes the first Rangers goaltender to appear in 600 games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1954, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1, extending their opening-night unbeaten streak to 15 games (14-0-1).

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1955, New York Rangers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 7-4 as rookie Andy Hebenton played his first career game, the first of 630 consecutive games, an NHL record at the time.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1983, the Minnesota North Stars scored four power play goals and the Vancouver Canucks scored six in a 10-9 win by Vancouver.

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This day in hockey history, October 7th 1986, 21 year old Steve Yzerman was named the youngest captain in Detroit Red Wings history and the teams 34th captain. He’d would remain captain for 19 seasons.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1996, the Phoenix Coyotes defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2 with Mike Gartner scoring the first goal in Coyotes history in the first NHL game played in Arizona. He added two more to also score the first hat trick in team history.





On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2001, the first hockey game since the 9/11 tragedy was played in New York City, as the Rangers beat the Sabres 5-4 in overtime. Newly acquired Eric Lindros scored his first goal as a Ranger and added an assist.




On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2000, the Toronto Maple Leafs shutout the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 in the season opener at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. As at the end of the 2006-07 season, the Leafs and Canadiens have played each other a total of 766 times in the regular season, more than any other two teams in NHL history. The Habs lead with 355 wins 285 losses 88 ties and 8 OT losses. In the playoffs the Habs have won seven series and the Leafs six but have not met in the postseason since 1979.

On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1995 , the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey #1 worn by goaltender Jacques Plante three decades earlier, as the Canadiens lost 7-1 in their season opener to the Flyers, at the Forum.
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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1995 , Cam Neely became the first player in NHL history to get an opening night hat trick twice in his career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1972, Nassau Veterans County Coliseum opened in New York, but the Islanders lost their first NHL game, 3-2 to the Atlanta Flames. Eddie Westfall scored the Isles' first goal. Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey

On this day in hockey history, October 7th1976, Bobby Orr played his first game with the Chicago Black Hawks. He scored a goal and added an assist, as the Black Hawks won 6-4 at St. Louis.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1990, Penguins rookie Jaromir Jagr scored the first goal of his NHL career in his second NHL game as Pittsburgh won 7-4 over the Devils. Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey




This day in hockey history, October 10th 1974, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 9-5 at the Aud in Buffalo with rookie right wing Danny Gare opening the scoring with his first NHL goal, only 18 seconds into his first NHL game, the second fastest NHL goal ever scored by a rookie. The record is 15 seconds, set by Gus Bodnar in 1943.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, Wayne Gretzky earned his first NHL point assisting on a goal by Kevin Lowe as the Edmonton Oilers playing their first game as an NHL team lost 4-2 to the Blackhawks at the venerable Chicago Stadium.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, the Quebec Nordiques lost 5-3 to the Atlanta Flames with Real Cloutier scoring three times becoming the second player in NHL history to score a hat trick in his first career game.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1989, the Calgary Flames won 4-2 at the Meadowlands against New Jersey. What made the game historic was that with the Cold War era drawing to a close, four Soviet players faced each other for the first time in an NHL game; Viacheslav Fetisov and Sergei Starikov of the New Jersey Devils went up against Calgary’s Sergei Makarov and Sergei Priakin. Sergei, Sergei, Sergei. And Slava.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, the Winnipeg Jets lost 4-2 at the Igloo against the Penguins with Gary Smith of the Jets becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to play for seven different NHL teams.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1987, the Hartford Whalers lost 6-2 to the New York Rangers as Doug Jarvis played in his NHL record 964th consecutive game. Jarvis’s streak ended that night as he sat out the next game with an injury, and never played another NHL game.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1924, the NHL sold franchises to the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Maroons for $15,000. The Montreal Canadiens received $11,000 of the Maroons fees as compensation for their infringement of their territorial rights in Montreal. The Bruins were the first NHL franchise in the United States. The first managers of these teams also left their mark on the NHL with trophies named after them; Boston’s manager was Art Ross and Montreal’s was Cecil Hart.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1952, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in Montreal. This was the first hockey game ever televised by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1953 , the Detroit Redwings whitewashed the Toronto Maple leafs 3-0 with Dave Gatherum earning the shutout in his first NHL game. He was the seventh goalie to accomplish that feat. He only played two more NHL games allowing only three goals in his three game career, winning two games with one tie and sporting a 1.00 GAA. He had filled in while Terry Sawchuck was injured and never got another chance to play in the NHL. He was number three on the Red Wings depth cart behind Sawchcuk and Glenn Hall, both future Hall Of Famers. That’s just how tough it was to make it in the six team league with only six jobs and each goalie playing the entire schedule.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1967, the Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues tied 2-2 in the first NHL game for each team. Larry Keenan scored the first Blues goal and Bill Masterton scored the first ever goal by the North Stars.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1984, rookie Mario Lemieux scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game, in his first NHL shift, and on his first shot, Pittsburgh rookie Mario Lemieux scored his first NHL goal. And added an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins lost 4-3 to the Boston Bruins.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1979, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Washington Capitals 6-3 with Lindy Ruff scoring his first NHL goal and Scotty Bowman behind the bench coaching his first game for the Sabres.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1930, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired two time Stanley Cup winner (1923, 1927) King Clancy from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Art Smith, Eric Pettinger and $35,000 ($500,000 in 2017 dollars). With the Leafs, Clancy was a four time all star, first team in 1931 and 1934 and 2nd team 1932 and 1933. He won a third Stanley Cup championship with Toronto in 1933.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1973, Kate Smith made her first live appearance at the Spectrum, and the Flyers won 2-0 over Toronto.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th1967, two former Toronto Maple Leafs opened the scoring for the expansion California Seals as Kent Douglas scored the first goal in Seals history assisted by Bobby Baun, the Seals' first captain. Kent Douglas had won the Calder trophy as rookie of the year with the Leafs in 1963.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, October 11th 2007, Leafs captain Mats Sundin scored his 39th goal of the season in the third period of an 8-1 victory against the New York Islanders. He passed Darryl Sittler and became the teams all time leading scorer with his 390th goal and 917th point as a Leaf in his 912th game. Sundin finished his career with 1346 game played scoring 564 goals 785 assists and 1349 points with only 373 PIM. As a Leaf he finished with 981 games played scoring 420 goals and 567 assists for 987 points with only 273 PIM.





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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1967, the Philadelphia Flyers played the first game in franchise history losing 3-1 to the California Seals.





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This day in hockey history, October 12th1940, the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League opened their hockey season in Buffalo’s brand new Memorial Auditorium which opened its doors to hockey for the first time. The team had previously played at the Broadway Arena which is now a municipal garage for the cities snowplows as well as at the Ft. Erie Arena in Ft. Erie Ontario.

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1963, Jacques Plante returned to the Montreal Forum for the first time as a member of the New York Rangers. The fans were happy to see him back in the Forum and cheered him. But they were also probably happy that Plante lost the game 6-2.



This day in hockey history, October 12th 1972, the New York Islanders defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 for their first victory in team history with Germain Gagnon scoring the game winner with just 69 seconds remaining. Rookie Billy Harris scored two goals. The win evened their record at 1-1. They finished the season 12-60-6. 

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1976, New York Rangers' Don Murdoch scored five goals to tie the NHL record for most goals in a game by a rookie, in a 10-4 win over the Minnesota North Stars. The five goals tied the mark set in 1944 by Toronto's Howie Meeker.

This day in New York Rangers history, October 12th 1978, Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg played in their first NHL game as the New York Rangers' tied the Philadelphia Flyers 3-3 at Madison Square Garden.

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1980, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at the Spectrum with Wilf Paiment scoring the 100,000 goal in NHL history into the empty net to clinch the victory.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1988, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 with Greg Adams scoring a hat trick and adding an assist. The win ended an 0-24-3 (27 game) winless streak by the ‘Nucks against the Oilers.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1988, the Chicago Blackhawks knocked off the Winnipeg Jets 10-1. Denis Savard scored two shorties to tie a club record and added three helpers, and Rick Vaive had his 13th career hat trick and an assist.  

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1992, the Vancouver Canucks beat the Winnipeg Jets 8-1. Pavel Bure had four goals including a pair of shorties for his first NHL hat trick and added an assist.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1996, Dale Hunter scored a goal in a 4-3 Washington Capitals loss to the Los Angeles Kings to become the first player in NHL history to score 300 goals and have 3,000 penalty minutes in his career.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1952, Ted "Teeder" Kennedy got his 5th. and final career "hat trick" against Detroit at Olympia Stadium and added an assist in a 4-4 tie.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1971, the Buffalo Sabres lost 4-1 to the St. Louis Blues at the Checkerdome with Rick Martin scoring his first NHL goal.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1989, the Sabres defeated the Hartford Whalers 4-1 withMike Foligno playing in his 500th Sabres game. Foligno would finish his Sabres career with 664 games played, tying Ric Seiling for 10th most in franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1930, the five year old Pittsburgh Pirates franchise was transferred to Philadelphia and renamed the “Quakers.” The Quakers did not inspire much of a following in Philly with a dreadful 4-36-4 record, and folded after just one season.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1947, the NHL held its first All Star Game, which featured the defending Stanley Cup Champions against a selected group of All Stars from the remaining teams. The All Stars won 4-3 with the proceeds benefiting the players’ pension fund.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rebUCMOGRic





This day in hockey history, October 13th 1979, Following his retirement from the NHL and returning to play seen seasons in the WHA, Gordie Howe returned to the NHL and scored his 787th NHL goal and first since 1971, as the Hartford Whalers tied the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-3.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1970, Roger Doucet sang "O Canada" for the first time at the Montreal Forum, before a 4-3 Canadiens' win over the Red Wings. He remained the Forum's national anthem singer for the next 10 years. His stunning renditions of the national anthems of the European participants in the 1976 Canada Cup games held at the Montreal Forum were his crowning achievement. Doucet was so revered and respected that Montreal’s arch rivals in Boston hired their own opera trained French anthem singer Rene Rancourt so that they could compete with the Habs for best anthem singer as well as best on the ice.
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This day in hockey history, October 13th October 1951, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost their season opener 3-1 against the Chicago Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens. Earlier that day, the Leafs and Hawks had played a special exhibition game for Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th,  Leaf President Stafford Smythe, son of Maple Leafs Founder Conn Smythe, passed away. He was 50 years old. It was the morning of the Leafs 1971-72 home opener against the Detroit Red Wings. It became the first and only game in Leaf history that was postponed. The game was re-scheduled for November 1. The Leafs defeated the Wings 6-1.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1967, the Los Angeles Kings played their first NHL game, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at the Long Beach Arena, in California.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14, 1967, the St. Louis Blues defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 earning the first victory in franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14, 1970, Phil Esposito recorded a hat trick with four goals in an 8-5 Bruins win over the Kings. It was his first of seven hat tricks that season when he scored a record 76 goals, passing Bobby Hull’s mark of 58. That record has since been broken. Espo also took 550 shots on goal that season, and that is a record that will never be broken.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1971, Fort Erie Ontario native Tom Reid scored on the first successful penalty shot goal in Minnesota North Stars History in the third period to give the North Stars to a 1-1 tie against the Montreal Canadiens at the Met Center.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14th 1972, the Atlanta Flames and the Buffalo Sabres tied 1-1 at the Omni in the first NHL game played in the American south. Ernie Hicke scored a power play goal for the Flames 2:03 into the first period. Goaltender Phil Myre made 30 saves, 17 in the third period, allowing only a first-period goal by Jim Lorentz.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1978, Darryl Sittler scored three goals and added four assists propelling the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 10-7 win over the New York Islanders. This was the first time since 1917 that Toronto scored double digit goals in a home opener.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1978 - 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky played in his first pro hockey game, a 6-3 Indianapolis Racers' loss to Winnipeg, in the WHA.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, the Edmoton Oilers tied the Vancouver Canucks 4-4 in Edmonton with Wayne Gretzky scoring his first NHL goal victimizing Glen Hanlon.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 at the Spectrum to begin an NHL record 35 game undefeated streak with a . They went 25-0-10 over the next three months.




This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979,the New York Rangers raised Rod Gilbert’s #7 is to the rafters at Madison Square Garden.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, Minnesota’s rookie defenseman Craig Hartsburg scored the first goal of his NHL career, in a 5-4 North Stars’ win in Buffalo.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1982, Dino Ciccarelli and Mike Eaves each scored twice to lead the North Stars to a 6-2 win over Toronto in Minnesota.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14 1988, the Detroit Red Wings scored eight goals in an 8-8 with the st. Louis Blues. This was the first time in franchise history (63 years and 4,052 games) that there was an 8-8 tie.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1991, the New York Rangers' lost 5-3 to the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden with Mike Gartner beating Mike Liut at 3:27 to score his 500th NHL goal. Gartner was the first player to score his 500tth goal as a Ranger and was the 16th player in NHL history to score 500. Ironically Gartner began his NHL career as a Capital.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1992 - Rookie Teemu Selanne scored his first career hat trick, and added an assist to lead the Jets to a 7-3 win over Edmonton in Winnipeg. Phil Housley had three assists to reach the 500 assist mark in his career. 
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This day in hockey history, October 14th 2000, the Colorado Avalanche defeated the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets.Patrick 3-1 with Roy matching Terry Sawchuk's career victory record with his 447th victory.
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This day in hockey history, October 14th 2006, the New York Islanders defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1at Nassau Coliseum with Mike Sillinger scoring to become the first NHL player to score a goal for 12 teams. Sillinger finished his NHL career with 240 goals in 1,049 games.

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This day in hockey history, October 15 1970, The Montreal Canadiens shutout the Buffalo Sabres 3-0 in the first home game in Sabres franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1935 , the NHL Board of Governors purchased the St. Louis Eagles franchise, including the players, for $35,000. The league then sold off the players to seven of the remaining eight NHL clubs (Chicago didn’t make any purchases).

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1935, Former NHL left winger Willie O’Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. O’Ree, as many of you know, was the first African American player to play in an NHL game, making his debut with the Bruins in 1957. He lived a short career but broke a huge and important barrier.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1955, the Montreal Canadiens' defeated the visiting New York Rangers 4-1 victory at the Forum with the Richard brothers running the Blueshirts out of town. Maurice Richard scored two goals and younger brother Henri Richard, in his rookie season, scored the game winner.

This day in hockey history, October 15th 1964, the Detroit Red Wings lost 5-3 to the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs at Olympia Stadium with Ted Lindsay appearing in his 1,000th NHL game. Only Gordie Howe (1,189), Bill Gadsby (1,129) and Red Kelly (1,122) had played in more games.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th

1972, Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks assisted on Cliff Koroll's goal in a3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues at Chicago Stadium to become the sixth NHL player with 1,000 career points.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1974, The Washington Capitals played their first home game, at the Capital Center, in Landover, Maryland. The Caps tied the Kings 1-1. The Capitals finished with one of the worst records of all time: 8-67-5, scoring 181 goals while surrendering 446 for an incredible -265 goal differential. It took them nine seasons to qualify for the playoffs.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1983, the Chicago BlackHawks scored 8 goals and lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs who scored 10. The two teams to established a record for the fastest five goals by two teams 1:24 (84 seconds).

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This day in hockey history, October 15th1987 – Dan Quinn and Mario Lemieux each scored hat tricks for the Penguins…but Pittsburgh ended up tying the Rangers 6-6 (Mario also had two assists). That’s kind of ridiculous.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1988, Oh, more Super Mario? Lemieux, clearly upset from a year ago that his hat trick came in a tying effort, scored a total of eight points: two goals and six assists. Yes, that was one game. The Pens did manage to win this one though: 9-2 against the Blues was the final.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1989, the Los Angels Kings defeated the Edmonton Oilers at Northlands Coliseum. Wayne Gretzky picked up his 1,850th career NHL point, to tie Gordie Howe for the most career points. Then he scored the record breaking goal late in the game to tie the score and send the contest to overtime and officially become the NHL’s all-time leading scorer. He also scored the OT winner for the Kings.


The Kings rally from down 2-1 and 3-2, but the Oilers score again and take a 4-3 lead into the final minute of the third period. With time running out, Gretzky picks up a loose puck to the left of the crease and flips a backhand shot past Oilers goaltender Bill Ranford with 53 seconds remaining to tie the game and pass Howe. "My initial reaction was, 'Hey, we've tied it,'" Gretzky says. "Then it struck me, 'Wow, that's the record breaker.'" Gretzky received a three minute standing ovation from the crowd of 17,503. The game is stopped for a 15 minute celebration that includes Howe and Gretzky's parents.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1991, Derek King scored the fastest hat trick in New York Islanders’ history, scoring three times in 1:18. Mario Lemiex also had a hat trick as the Pittsburgh Penguins won 7-6 in overtime.

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Oct. 15

On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1926, the NHL was re-aligned into two divisions: the Canadian Division (Canadiens, Maroons, Ottawa, Toronto and NY Americans -- relocated from Hamilton) and the American Division (Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh and Rangers).

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1946, a teenage 18 year old Gordie Howe scored his first NHL goal during his first game as the Detroit Red Wings tied the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-3. Howe wore uniform #17 and also had two fights for a hat trick of sorts.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1960, the Toronto Maple Leafs' defeated the New York Rangers 7-2 at Madison Square Garden with rookie Dave Keon scoring the first goal of his NHL career. 
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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1960, the Boston Bruins lost 5-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks. Bruins goalie Don Simmons was injured during the game and was replaced by forward Jerry Toppazzini in the Bruins net. Toppazzini was the last non goaltender to play in an NHL game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1968, Toronto rookie defenseman Jim Dorey picked up 48 penalty minutes in his first NHL game; four minors, two majors, two misconducts and a game misconduct, as the Maple Leafs tied the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-2 at Maple Leafs Gardens.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1971, the Detroit Red Wings lost 9-2 at St. Louis with rookie Marcel Dionne scoring his first NHL goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1988, Guy Lafleur of the New York Rangers scored a goal and added a helper in a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square garden. It was his first goal as a Ranger and first goal in three years, 11 months, and 22 days.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1973, linesman Neil Armstrong set an NHL record for most games officiated with 1,314, breaking linesman George Hayes’ record, in a 3-2 Blues win at Detroit.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1989, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a terrible decision when they traded their first round pick in the 1991 entry draft to the New Jersey Devils for Tom Kurvers. That pick ended up being the third overall pick which the Devils used it to select Hall Of fame defenseman Scott Niedermayer.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th1971, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 5-3 to the New York Rangers at Maple Leaf Gardens despite Norm Ullman recording a pair of helpers become the fourth NHL player to reach 1,000 career points.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1979, the Washington Capitals defeated the visiting Los Angeles Kings 8-6 with rookie forward Mike Gartner scoring his first NHL goal en route to a 36 goal rookie season and 708 career tallies.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1986, the New York Islanders defeated the Washington Capitals 7-4 at the Nassau Coliseum with Denis Potvin recording his 684th assist to break a tie with Brad Park for the most by a defenseman in NHL history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1996, Alexei Kovalev records a hat trick and Niklas Sundstrom adds two goals as the New York Rangers defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 8-1, at Madison Square Garden.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1956, Ken Morrow was born in Flint, Michigan. Morrow was a part of the Miracle on Ice team that won the Gold Medal in 1980 at Lake Placid, and he was also a part of the Islanders dynasty that won four consecutive Cups from 1980-83.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1974, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Oakland Seals 6-1 with Lee Fogolin and Don Luce scored only four seconds apart in. The two goals in four seconds by one team tied the NHL record set in 1931 by the Montreal Maroons.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1974, the Washington Capitals picked up the franchise’s first win, a 4-3 victory over the Black Hawks. The wins wouldn’t come easy for the eventual 8-67-5 Capitals in their inaugural year.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1988, the Calgary Flames defeated the Los Angeles Kings 11-4 setting a team record with seven goals in the third period.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1989, the Calgary Flames trailed 8-3 with four minutes remaining against the Nordiques at quebec City. They scored three goals in :27, then added the two shorthanded goals in :04 to finish tied 8-8 with Doug Gilmour and rookie Paul Ranheim setting an NHL record for fastest two shorthanded goals.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1990, the Buffalo Sabres retired uniform #11 worn by Gilbert Perreault, in a pre-game ceremony before a game against Montreal. The Sabres lost 4-3 to the Canadiens.
On this day in hockey history, October 17th 2000, Colorado's Patrick Roy earned career victory number 448, moving him past Terry Sawchuk on the all-time wins list.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1964, during the Toronto Maple Leafs home opener, Ron Ellis playing his rookie season and wearing jersey number 11 scored his first NHL goal on goalie Eddie Johnston helping the Leafs to a 7-2 win over the Boston Bruins 7-2. Ellis played 1,034 games for the Leafs and scored 331 more goals for them.

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The plan was for the Ace Bailey's number 6 and Bill Barilko's number 5 to be raised to the rafters on October 17th 1992 in a pre game ceremony.

But there was a players strike on March 30th which closed the league down for 10 days. Unfortunately Bailey suffered a stroke on April 1st and passed away six days later at age 89. On October 17th Barilko’s number 5 and Baileys number 6 were finally honored with Ron Ellis who wore Bailey’s number 6 through most of his career and Bailey’s daughter Joyce both on the ice for the ceremony.
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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1930, four years after entering the NHL, Detroit changed their name from the “Cougars” to the “Falcons.” They’d change to permanently to the Red Wings just two years later. The change to the Falcons came from a poll conducted by newspapers, beating out the Trojans, the Wanderers, and the Magnetos.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1984, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Minnesota North Stars 7-5 with Wayne Gretzky scoring his 29th career hat trick. Gretzky was already a six year NHL veteran at age 24 with 29 career hattricks.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1984, the Philadelphia Flyers outshot the Vancouver Canucks 58-19 in a 13-2 victory. The Flyers scored at least four goals in each period.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1986, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 earning their 5,000th all time NHL point. This gave Montreal an all time franchise record of 2,174-1,290-653 in 4,117 games a winning percentage of 0.627 among all non tied games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1944, the Detroit Red Wings signed amateur Ted Lindsay to his first pro contract.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1967, Portland Buckaroos' veteran Andy Hebenton missed his first pro-game since March 8, 1952, due to the death of his father. Hebenton had played in 1,062 consecutive pro games to set a record.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1946, the Detroit Red Wings lost 6-3 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto with Gordie Howe picking up his first NHL assist and his first fighting penalty as the. All he needed was a goal to invent the Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1957, Maurice “Rocket” Richard took a pass from Jean Beliveau and beats Glenn Hall with a wrist shot a first period goal in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at he Montreal Forum. The Montreal fans cheered Richard with a rousing ovation. No other NHL player had even 400 goals at the time. The Rocket finished his career in 1960 with 544 regular season goals and 82 playoff goals.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1960, the Chicago Black Hawks lost 2-0 to the New York Rangers as rookie Reggie Fleming set an NHL record with 37 penalty minutes. He had a minor, three majors, a misconduct and a game misconduct (2+5+5+5+10+10=37).

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th1966, Bobby Orr picked up an assist in his first NHL game as the Boston Bruins defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-2 at Boston Garden.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1967, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in their first home game at the Spectrum. Bill Sutherland scored the game's only goal 2:59 into the third period. And Doug Favell made 17 saves for his first NHL shutout and

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1966, Gordie Howe picked up an assist as the Detroit Red Wings lost 6-2 to the Boston Bruins. The game marked Howe’s record 21st consecutive NHL season passing Dit Clapper and Bill Gadsby.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1974, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-1 with Grant Mulvey scoring at the 5:15mark of the first period. Mulvey was a forward drafted 16th overall in the 1974 NHL amateur draft and he became the youngest player since World War II to score an NHL goal at 18 years, one month and two days old.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1978, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota North Stars 6-2 with Bobby Orr getting the 645th and final assist of his career exactly 12 years after playing his first NHL game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1979, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Quebec Nordiques 6-3 powered by Blair McDonald’s hattrick for their first NHL victory following the 1979 “expansion.”

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1979, Mark Howe scored his first two NHL goals as the Hartford Whalers beat the Los Angeles Kings 6-3 It was Hartford’s first NHL victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1989, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 at Chicago Stadium as Peter Stastny scored an empty net goal becoming the first European player and 24th in NHL history to score 1,000 career points in his career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1982, the Leafs acquired left winger Greg Terrion from the L.A. Kings in exchange for a 4th round draft choice. Terrion played 427 regular season games for the Leafs in difficult times for the club between 1982 and 1988 and put up 169 points. He was a strong defensive forward and in the 32 playoff games he played for the Leafs, he contributed solidly to the little playoff success the Leafs enjoyed in the 1980's. He holds the distinction of being the only Leaf in team history to score on two penalty shots in one season, 1983-84. 

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1983, the Leafs were beaten soundly by the Quebec Nordiques 8-1. After this, their 7th game of the 1983-84 season, the Leafs had already given up 36 goals, an average of more than 5 per game. The Leafs went on to set a team record for one season of 387 goals allowed. The NHL record for most goals allowed by one team in one season is 446, set by the Washington Capitals of 1975-75.

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1963: Montreal goaltender Gump Worsley recorded his 25th career shutout in the Canadiens 2-0 win over the Boston Bruins , at the Forum. It was Worsley's first shutout with Montreal.

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1967: Worsley recorded his 30th career shutout in the Canadiens' 1-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yvan Cournoyer scored the goal in the 1st period.

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1983: Montreal's Mats Naslund scored twice and added three assists as the Canadiens won 12-2 against the Winnipeg Jets.






Oct 20--------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1963, Phil Goyette set a New York Rangers record with four assists in one period as the Broadway Blueshirts defeated the Boston Bruins 5-1 at Madison Square Garden.

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On this date in Habs history, October 20th 1963, future Leaf Garry Monahan was born in Barrie, Ontario. Monahan has the distinction of being the first ever player to be drafted in the NHL Entry Draft when he was selected first overall by Montreal in 1963. He joined the Leafs for the 1970-71 season and played four consecutive seasons without missing a game. His first stint with the Leafs lasted until he was traded after just one game in October of 1974. He returned to Toronto and played one more complete season in 1978-79. In 375 games as a Leaf, Monahan collected 55 goals and 80 assists.

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http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/…/flashback-habs-made-garry-…









On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1965, Gordie Howe scores two goals and adds an assist for the NHL All Stars to a 5-2 victory against the Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens at the Forum in the 19th and last preseason all star game. After the League's first expansion adds six teams in 1967-68 the format was changed to east vs West and the game is shifted to midseason. The game was notable for the bizarre goalie rotation used by Toe Blake who switched goaltenders Charlie Hodge Hodge and Gump Worsley every five minutes by their coach during the Canadiens' 5-2 loss. "What I mostly recall about the game in my day was its intensity," said Hodge, "The players who didn't win the Cup were ticked off about it all summer, and the Cup champion was determined to win. It was still an exhibition game, but there was a little more to it than there is now. The pride today is probably a little more of an individual thing. Back then, it was for the team."





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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1971, during a 7-2 Toronto Maple Leafs victory over the Buffalo Sabres, Leaf Paul Henderson was granted a penalty shot but was unable to beat Roger Crozier. Exactly two years later to the day, during a Leafs 3-2 win against the New York Rangers at Maple Leaf Garden, Henderson was awarded another penalty shot, this time against goalie Gilles Villemure who also stopped him.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1971, the Minnesota North Stars set a team record with 57 shots in a 7-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks at the Met Center. Cesare Maniago recorded his 17th career shutout and Doug Mohns and Jude Drouin each had a goal and added three assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1973, the Minnesota North Stars tied the St. Louis Blues 4-4 at the Met Center with J.P. Parise scoring two goals and an assist.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1974, the New York Islanders defeated the Washington Capitals 5-0 at Capital Center with Billy Smith stopping 26 shots for his first NHL shutout. This was also the first shutout for the Islanders franchise which they didn’t get until their 161st game in their third season.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1976, the Minnesota North Stars defeated the Atlanta Flames 4-3 at the Met Center with Bill Hogaboam leading the way with three assists.

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This day in Buffalo Sabres history, October 20th 1976, the Sabres shut out the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 with Gerry Desjardins stopping 29 shots andGilbert Perreault scoring twice.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1977, the Minnesota North Stars lost 7-4 to the visiting Cleveland Barons with Roland Eriksson setting a Minnesota North Stars’ franchise record for fastest goal from the start of a game, when he scored just 12 seconds into the game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1978, the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association lost 4-3 to the Edmonton Oilers as Wayne Gretzky scored his first two WHA goals in his second league game and scored them against his future team, the Oilers, in a 4-3 loss. Gretzky played six more games for Indianapolis before being traded to Edmonton. Exactly 15 years later, Gretzky is now with the Los Angeles Kings and plays an NHL game against his brother Brent, a 21 year-old center for Tampa Bay and scores one goal with two helpers for the Kings in a 4-3 victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1983, the Minnesota North Stars lost 5-4 to the visiting Montreal Canadiens despite Brian Bellows scoring twice and adding a pair of assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1993, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 4-0 with rookie goaltender Martin Brodeur stopping 17 shots for his first shutout. He had 125 career shutouts when he retired.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 2001, Luc Robitaille scored the game winning goal as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 at Joe Louis Arena with Scotty Bowman behind the bench for his 1,200th regular season NHL victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1961 – Danny Olesevich helped the Rangers to a 4-4 tie against the Red Wings in his first career game. The problem? Olesevich was the trainer…for Detroit. Rangers goalie Gump Worsley was injured and left the game after the first period. Apparently that was cool back then. “Our goalie is hurt? Uhh well we don’t carry backups so just pull anyone off the bench and have them strap on the pads. No, he doesn’t have to be on the roster. From which bench should you get one? Uhh I don’t know, that one I guess, who cares, it’s 1961.”





On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1987, Buffalo Sabres rookie Pierre Turgeon played against his older brother, Sylvain of the Hartford Whalers for the first time in an NHL game. While the Whalers won the game 5-3, Pierre got the better of his big brother by scoring the first two goals of his NHL career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1988, the Buffalo Sabres reacquired Larry Playfair from the Los Angeles Kings in a trade for Bob Logan and a ninth round draft choice in 1989 which turned out to be 182nd overall which the Kings used to draft Jim Giacin. The Sabres had originally drafted Playfair in 1978 amateur draft ,13th overall after he “earned” 402 PIM with Portalnd of the WCHL where he also earned 1st team all star status along with Brad Mcrimmon. The Sabres needed his toughness to bolster a soft lineup. Playfair went on to become perhaps the most feared fighter of his era despite his inauspicious debut suffering a concussion on his first NHL shift when hit by John Wensink at the Boston Garden. The Sabres originally traded him to Los Angeles along with Sean Mckenna and Ken Baumgartner on Januray 29th 1986 for Doug Smith and Brian Engblom.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1989, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 withRob Ray scoring a goal on his first NHL shot with a slap shot between Tom Barasso’s pads. Ray added an assist later.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime to tie an NHL record with their eighth consecutive victory from start of the season. But how many Leafs fans watched the game as the Blue Jays were playing game five of the 1993 World Series in Philadelphia that night.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1993, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 as two brothers worked the same game as officials for the first time in NHL history: Paul Devorski was the head referee and his younger brother, Greg, was a linesman.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 2000, two franchises reached milestones on the same day: The Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings both played their 5,000thgame played. Chicago lost 1-0 at St. Louis, and the Detroit beat Buffalo 4-1. Both teams entered the league in 1926 (although the Red Wings entered as the Detroit Cougars).

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1967, the Metropolitan Sports Center opened in Bloomington, Minnesota and the North Stars won their first home game, taking a team record 53 shots in a 3-1 victory over the Oakland Seals, before a crowd of 12,951. Bill Goldsworthy scored the first goal at Met Center at 8:23 of the second period.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1989: Brian Bellows took 9 shots on goal for the Minnesota North Stars in a 7-2 loss at Quebec.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1993: the Dallas Stars set a franchise record for fastest four goals when Brent Gilchrist, Grant Ledyard, Neal Broten and Mike Craig combined to score four times in a span of 3:08 during a 6-5 overtime win at Ottawa.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1962, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Chicago Black Hawks 3-1 with Bill Gadsby joining Gordie Howe as the second player in NHL history to appear in 1,000 career games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1972 , the New York Rangers played the New York Islanders for the first time ever, and won 2-1 at Nassau Coliseum.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1979 , the New York Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 with Phil Esposito joining Gordie Howe as the only players in NHL history to score 1,500 career points.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1981, the Edmonton Oilers defeatedthe visiting Hartford Whalers 5-2 with rookie goaltender Grant Fuhr picking up his first career NHL victory after losing his first game. This started a 23 game unbeaten streak (15-0-8) for Fuhr.

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OCT 22nd--------------------------------------------------------------

On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1966, The New York Rangers tied the Toronto Maple Leafs. 4-4 with Rod Gilbert netting the first hat trick of his NHL career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1953, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Black Hawks 3-2 at Chicago with Dick Irvin becoming the first coach in NHL history to win 600 career games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1957 , the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the visiting Boston Bruins 2-1 with rookie Bobby Hull scoring his first career NHL goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 2002 , the Colorado Avalanche tied the visiting Edmonton Oilers 3-3 with Patrick Roy in goal for his 971st game, to tie Terry Sawchuk's NHL record for career appearances by a goalie.

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Happy Birthday to Butch Goring, born on this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1949.

If Butch Goring had a trademark, it was undoubtedly his unique helmet. He began wearing the Spaps helmet as a 12-year-old in Manitoba. The Spaps helmet was from Europe and had been created by the great Swedish player Sven “Tumba” Johansson. As Goring advanced up the ladder as a profesional player, he decided he would continue to use it for his whole career. As the years went by, not only did Goring's helmet appear wildly outdated, but it also appeared tight on his head and offered little protection, although that didn't seem to matter in an era when most players didn't wear helmets. Goring said he wore the helmet for comfort, and because he got used to having it on his head in minor hockey, rather than protection. He was intensely loyal to his Spaps helmet. He had two of the helmets, one for home games and one for the road. Each time he changed teams, he had the equipment managers repaint his prized helmets in the appropriate colors rather than get a new one.

He was also involved in creating one of the NHL’s great traditions, the trade deadline deal which was born on March 10th 1980 when the New York Islanders acquired Goring from the Los Angeles Kings. The Islanders had been a strong team but hadn't been able to advance through the playoffs against Boston and Montreal in the late 1970's. With the addition of Goring the Islanders, reeled off 12 straight wins and advanced to the finals where they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers for their first of four consecutive Stanley Cups.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1980, Bobby Smith scored twice and added an assist to lead the Minnesota North Stars to a 4-2 win over the Quebec Nordiques.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1981, Minnesota’s Dino Ciccarelli scored his second career hat trick as the North Stars tied the St. Louis Blues, 5-5.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1983, the Buffalo Sabres beat the Whalers 5-2 at Hartford behind Phil Housley’s goal and two assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1985, Brian Bellows fired nine shots on goal in the second period to set a North Stars’ team record during a 5-4 win over the Blues at the Met Center.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1986, Dino Ciccarelli scored a goal and added two assists as the North Stars won 8-3 at St. Louis.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1987, Minnesota’s Dino Ciccarelli scored a goal and added four assists to lead the North Stars to a 5-3 win over the Nordiques at Quebec City.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1988, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Blackhawks 7-4. with Tom Barrasso tying his own goalie record by recording an assist in his third consecutive game. Mario Lemieux had two goals and two assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1990, Morris Belzberg sells his North Stars 25% team shares to Norman N. Green, with this transaction Green became the sole owner of the Stars.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1991, Basil McRae picked up 37 penalty minutes for the Minnesota North Stars in a 4-2 loss vs the Calgary Flames.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1944, the Indianapolis Capitals beat the Hershey Bears 7-3 but forfeit because Ted Lindsay played in that game and was immediately called back up to Detroit. AHL rules required players sent down from the NHL to be in the league for two weeks before being called up. It would be the only game played by “Terrible Ted” in a Capitals uniform. 

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1949, Terry Sawchuk made 26 saves to post his fourth shutout as a Indianapolis Capital and the second of the season in a 7-0 win over Pittsburgh. Don Morrison has two goals and two assists. Doug McKay and Pat Lundy score twice each, and the Caps converted four times on the power play.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1974, the Atlanta Flames defeated the Detroit Red Wings 10-1 with Curt Bennett and Eric Vail each getting their first career hat tricks. Curt Bennett added a pair of assists for a five point game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1975, the Indianapolis Racers defeated the Houston Aeros 4-0 with Andy Brown stopping 35 shots for his first shutout of the season. Bob Whitlock has a goal and two assists and Reggie Thomas scores twice.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1978, the Indianapolis racers lost 6-3 to the New England Whalers withWayne Gretzky scoring his third and final goal as a Racer, 3:36 into the third period. Mark Howe had a hat trick and Gordie Howe had a single goal. Gretzky also assisted on Peter Driscoll’s first period goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1983, Flyers rookie Rich Sutter scored a goal in his first NHL game, making the Sutters the first family in NHL history with six brothers to each core a goal. Six different players had multiple point nights as the Flyers peppered Mike Palmateer with 50 shots during an 8-5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Spectrum. Ron Sutter, Bill Barber, Rick MacLiesh, Glenn Cochrane, Miroslav Dvorak, Ilka Sinisalo and Tim Kerr also scored for the Flyers.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1988, Dave Newell, in his 22nd NHL season, set an NHL record with his 1,076th career game officiated, an 8-2 Rangers win over the Nordiques. He passed Ron Wicks, who had retired two years earlier.





On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs set an NHL record for the most wins from the start of season with their ninth straight, a 2-0 win at Tampa Bay.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1998, Mark Messier scored his 600th goal as Vancouver won 5-0 at Florida. Messier became the 10th NHL player to reach 600 career goals, and was also the fourth to record 600 goals and 900 career assists.





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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 1988, Mike Bossy retired after 10 NHL seasons at a young age 31. He played his entire career with the New York Islanders and was on four Stanley Cup champions. He scored 573 goals and 553 assists for 1206 points in only 752 games. In comparison, the other great goal scorer of his era Wayne Gretzky played 1,487 career games. If Bossy had played as long as Gretzky and remained productive, he likely would have scored over 1,000 goals.

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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 2002, Patrick Roy passed Terry Sawchuk as the NHL’s all-time leader in games played by a goaltender when he appeared in his 972nd career game, 3-2 Avalanche win over the Coyotes. It wasn’t the only goalie record he’d break.

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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 2003, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Dallas Stars 4-0 with Dominik Hasek recording his 62nd career shutout, o set a franchise record with their 15th consecutive home victory.

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On this date in hockey history, October 25th, 1954, Mike Eruzione was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts. He learned hockey playing for Youth Hockey of Winthrop as part of the GBYHL Greater Boston Youth Hockey League.

He graduated from Winthrop Senior High School in 1972, where he was captain of the varsity hockey team during his senior year. He then spent a year at Berwick Academy to fine tune his hockey skills in a New England Prep environment.

After attending Berwick, Eruzione starred for Boston University, averaging over twenty goals a season for four years. Eruzione also played for Team USA at the 1975 and 1976 Ice Hockey World Championship tournaments. So he was no stranger to the Soviets style of hockey and their players.

He then moved on to the Toledo Goaldiggers of the International Hockey League, winning the rookie of the year award in 1978 and leading the team to the Turner Cup championship in that year.

After his second year in Toledo, Eruzione, who played forward, was named the captain of the 1980 Olympic hockey team, scoring the winning goal against the Soviets and helping the Americans win the gold medal against Finland. Eruzione's winning goal has become one of the most played highlights in American sports, and was voted the greatest highlight of all time by ESPN viewers in March 2008.





On this date in 1969 Tony Esposito recorded his first shutout for the Chicago Blackhawks en route to a rookie record of 15 shutouts, earning the nickname of Tony O.

On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1991, the Buffalo Sabres traded former number one overall pick Pierre Turgeon, along with Benoit Hogue, Uwe Krupp, and Dave McLlwain to the New York Islanders. In return the Sabres received Pat LaFontaine, Randy Hillier and Randy Wood.





On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1974, the Atlanta Flames defeated the Detroit Red Wings 10-1 with Curt Bennett and Eric Vail each getting their first career hat tricks. Curt Bennett added a pair of assists for a five point game





On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1977, Rick Smith of the Boston Bruins scored the10,000th goal in franchise history during a 4-4 tie against the Colorado Rockies. Smith played eight seasons in Boston scoring 36 times for the B’s.





On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1979, the Indianapolis Checkers were shutout 1-0 in their first ever game by Jim Craig and the U.S. Olympic Team in Chicago. Craig stopped 28 shots to outduel Jim Park, who made 32 saves. Dave Silk scored the lone goal for the future gold medalists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1990, the St. Louis Blues beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 8-5 with Brett Hull scoring a hat trick to become the first player in franchise history with back to back hat tricks. He had three goals against the Leafs in the previous game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1991, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 with Vince Riendeau and Tim Cheveldae posting the first shared shutout in the Red Wings history. Riendeau wasreplaced after suffering an injury at 7:09 of the second period. The Leafs made it an easy night for the Wings goalies by putting only 13 shots on goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th June 25, 1992, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they had hired Barry Melrose as their new coach. Melrose had an eleven year year career in professional hockey in the NHL (300 games) , WHA (178 Games) and minor leagues from 1976 -1987. His coaching career, got off to a rousing start reaching the Cup Finals in his first year with the Kings, only to be fired two seasons later. He returned to coaching 14 years later with the Tampa bay Lightning, but was fired after winning only five of the team’s first 16 games. Barry has been primarily known as ESPN’s hockey commentator who switched to the NHL network this season.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1997, the Montreal Canadiens reached 6,000 franchise points in the standings with a 4-2 win over the Senators, making them the first to reach that mark. It was just their 4,986th game. Math fun: that means they had a “career” winning/points percentage of 60.2%. That’s not bad at all.

October 25. 2000 – Ray Bourque picked up two assists in a 2-1 Avalanche win over the Predators to give him 1,529 career points, making him the highest-scoring defenseman in NHL history. He passed Paul Coffey and added 50 more, and still sits atop that list with 1,579.





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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 2002, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1

with defenseman Ken Daneyko scoring to end his NHL record 256 game scoring drought.. Despite scoring only 36 goals in 1,283 career games, the Devils honored Daneyko by retiring his number 3 because they didn’t pay him to score.

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On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1975 – The Sabres beat the Oakland Seals 3-2 to set an NHL record for consecutive wins at the start of a season with eight. The record was broken by the 1993-94 Maple Leafs, who won 10 straight.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1977, Steve Vickers scores four goals as the New York Rangers defeat the St. Louis Blues, 6-2, at Madison Square Garden.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1980, Anders Hedberg scored four goals for his first hattrick as a Ranger in a 7-6 victory by the Broadway Blueshirts victory against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1982, the Buffalo Sabes and Montreal Canadiens each scored five goals in the first period for a 5-5 tie after 20 minutes. The game finished in a 7-7 tie.









On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1984, the Edmonton Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 8-2 with Wayne Gretzky assisting on four goals in the second period, one shy of the NHL record of five assists in a period held by Dale Hawerchuk. Jari Kurri scored twice and added three assists in the same period for five points which was one less than the record of six points in a period held by Bryan Trottier. This is substantial evidence that Gretzky and Kurri were joined at the hip while playing in Edmonton.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1984, the Detroit Red Wings scored three empty net goals in a 7-3 win over the Buffalo Buffalo. That’s got to be some kind of record.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1989, Sergei Mylnikov made 31 saves as the Quebec Nordiques lost 4-2 to the Bruins at the Boston Garden. In so doing, he became the first Soviet goalie to play in an NHL game,

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1990, the Los Angeles Kings lost 6-2 to the Winnipeg Jets with Wayne Gretzky becoming the first player in NHL history to record 2,000 points with 684 goals and 1,316 assists in 857 games. That’s 2.33 points per game! He’s currently the only player to have reached that milestone, and his 2,857 career points are 941 more than second place Jaromir Jagr currently at 1,916.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1997, Wayne Gretzky, the New York Rangers tied the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3-3 with Wayne Gretzky picking up a pair of helpers to give him more career assists, 1851, than anyone else had points. Gordie Howe had the second highest point total at 1,850.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1997, Steve Yzerman passed Alex Delvecchio as the longest serving captain in NHL history at 11 years and 12 games, as the Red Wings improved their road record to 6-0-0 since the start of the season with a 5-1 win at Vancouver. What’s interesting is that they were both captains of the Red Wings (both career Red Wings).

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 2002, the St. Louis Blues became the first team in NHL history to win four straight games with four different goaltenders as Fred Brathwaite led them to a 4-3 overtime win at Calgary.





Fifty years ago in hockey rookie goalie Dave Dryden makes the Chicago Blackhawks roster as backup to Glenn Hall. Dryden, from Hamilton Ontario, played junior hockey for the Toronto Marlboros. he played in one NHL game as the emergency goalie finishing a game for the New York Rangers when Gump Worsley was injured and unable to play. He was then played senior A for the Galt Hornets before signing as a free agent with Chicago. After playing four games with the Hawks farm team the Buffalo Bisons where he sported a 1.50 goals against average, Dryden earned a spot with the NHL club.









This day in hockey history, October 27th 1965, the San Francisco Seals showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Hockey League this season as they demolished the Los Angeles Blades 9-5.









On this date in hockey history, 1979 Wayne Gretzky plays his first NHL game. He earned an assist in a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.





This date in hockey history, October 27 1998, Domink Hasek stopped 16 shots to shutout the New York Rangers. This was the fourth consecutive game the Sabres had shutout the Rangers and Hasek extended his scoreless streak over the Rangers to 263:46. However Rangers goalie Mike Richter was the first star of the game as he earned his 19th career shutout against the Sabres with the game ending in a 0-0 tie.

This day in hockey history, October 27 1971 Vancouver's Dunc Wilson earned his and the franchises first shutout against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canucks didn't score either and the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Bernie Parent was the Toronto goalie that night and he earned his first shutout as a Leaf.

On this day in hockey history, Mike Ricci was born on October 27th 1971. While playing for the Quebec Nordiques, Ricci scored five goals on February 17, 1994 in an 8-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. In the history of the National Hockey League, there have been only 60 games where a player scored five goals. Joe Malone scored five goals in a game on five occasions.

On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1965, Bobby Orr the 17 year old Ontario Hockey Association sensation leads the league in scoring with 15 points on 4 goals and 11 assists in only 6 games.









On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1995, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Calgary Flames 3-0 in the first appearance of the “The Russian Five” with former Red Army and Soviet National Team players: Sergei Fedorov, Viachslav Fetisov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Igor Larionov, and Vyacheslav Kozlov, who played as a five man when Detroit won 3-0 at Calgary.

On this day in hockey history, October 27th1979, Mike Murphy scored four goals and added an assist to lead the L.A. Kings to 7-5 win over the Maple Leafs at the Forum in Los Angeles.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1973, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-0 at the Spectrum with Bernie Parent stopping 23 shots for the shutout. Bobby Clarke scored twice and added a helper for three points game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th1981, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 11-2 at the Forum. It was the worst road loss in franchise history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th1985, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the visiting Vancouver Canucks 7-4. Ilkka Sinisalo ahd a pair of goals and an assist with Brian Propp adding a single goal and an assist. Bob Froese stopped 20 of 24 shots for the shutout.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1996, the New York Rangers defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-4 at Madison Square Garden with Wayne Gretzky scoring one goal and adding three helpers to extend his point streak to 11 games.

On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1943, it’s the first game after the rules change designed to open up the game by allowing teams to pass the puck forward out of their own zone, opening up the game. A 16 year old goaltender from Galt, Ontario, future Hall of Famer Harry Lumley, makes his first career start as a professional and stops 20 shots for the Indianapolis Capitals in a 5-3 victory over the Buffalo Bisons in a rematch of the 1942 Calder Cup finals. Bill Hudson has two goals and Carl “Winky” Smith a goal and two assists.





On this day in hockey history, October 28th1970, the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 at Madison Square Garden to record the 1,000th win in franchise history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1971, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 at the Spectrum with Simon Nolet scoring two goals, including the game-winning goal at 10:25 of the third period, for the 100th regular season win in franchise history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1978, the Chicago Black Hawks lost 7-2 to the Red Wings at Detroit with Bobby Orr scoring his 270th and final goal of his career at age 30.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1978, Wayne Gretzky played his final home game at Market Square Arena as a Racer. Blaine Stoughton scored the game winning goal midway through the third period with Rich Leduc and Michel Parizeau adding singles in 3-2 Indianapolis Racers win against the Winnipeg Jets.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th1993, Adam Graves scored his 100th career NHL goal in a 3-3 tie with the Montreal Canadiens at MSG.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 2000, the New Jerseys Devils beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 9-0 with John Madden and Randy McKay each scoring four goals.





They were the first teammates to score four goals in one game since 1922! when Odie and Sprague Cleghorn did so for the Montreal Canadiens. Madden and McKay each scored 23 goals that season for the NHL’s highest coring team. That’s right, the team known for trapping actually led the NHL with 295 goals in 2000-01.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th2002, Mike Richter made 29 saves for his 300th career game, a 3-2 overtime victory over the Phoenix Coyotes at Madison Square Garden.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th1986, 19 year old German Uwe Krupp was cleared by the International Ice Hockey federation to play for the Buffalo Sabres Krupp had been drafted by Buffalo in 1983 214th overall after being scouted personally by Sabres GM Scotty Bowman. Krupp was cleared two hours before their scheduled game against the Montreal Canadiens and made his debut that night. Standing 6'6" Krupp was the tallest player in the league for seven years. His success made him the prototype for the large skilled puck moving defense man who are so coveted today but he is little remembered for his influence on the game. Krupp was the first German born player to play on a Stanley Cup champion.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1981 Detroit Red Wings Mike Foligno and John Ogrodnick each scored a hat trick as the Red Wings defeated Calgary 12-4.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1953 Denis Potvin was born in Ottawa Ontario. Potvin won the Stanley Cup four times with the Islanders and compiled 1,052 points in 1,060 games on 310 goals and 742 assists. Potvin is considered one of the greatest players in NHL history and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Along with his offensive ability, Potvin played a punishing physical style. Don Cherry described him as a mean player as evidenced by his 1356 penalty minutes.Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey

On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1981 Detroit Red Wings Mike Foligno and John Ogrodnick each scored a hat trick as the Red Wings defeated Calgary 12-4.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1949, Frank Brimsek recorded his 36th career shutout and his first with Chicago Black Hawks in a 2-0 over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.. Metro Prystai and Bill Mosienko scored power play goals in the first four minutes of the game for the victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1959, Mike Gartner was born in Ottawa, Ont. Gartner played in the NHL from 1979-80 thru 1997-98.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1969, Jean Beliveau became the first player in Montreal history to play 1,000 NHL games, when he appeared in a 4-1 Montreal Canadiens’ loss to the North Stars at Minnesota.

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On this day in hockey history in 1939 the first true NHL all star game was played in Montreal with the all stars defeating the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. The game was a memorial for Babe Siebert of the Montreal Canadiens who had just retired and been named Canadiens coach for the 1939-40 season but tragically had drowned in August. This was the first game where the all star team players were chosen based on the official all star voting by the Canadian Press. Previous "All star" memorial games, 1934 for Ace Bailey and 1937 for Howie Morenz, had featured a plethora of star players but not the official all stars.

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On this day in hockey history in 1971, the California Seals set into motion a series of events which demonstrated the art of hiring retread coaches. The Seals fired long time coach Fred Glover three games into the 71-72 season with the Seals going 0-2-1. Twelve days later Glover became the first coach in NHL history to direct two different teams during the same season when he was hired by the Los Angeles Kings. His record with the Kings was 18-42-8. Then the Seals hired him again after 12 games of the 1972-73 season even though they had finished 71-72 with a record of 21-39-18 for 60 points without him, 11 points ahead of Glover's Kings. The Seals finished 16-46-16 for 48 points with Glover back behind the bench.He was fired again the next season.after 57 games (going 11-38-8) to end his NHL coaching career.





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On this day in hockey history in 1983 four Sutter brothers faced off in the same game. Brent and Duane Sutter suited up for the New York Islanders against the Philadelphia Flyers and twins Rich and Ron Sutter. The islanders won that day 6-2. Brent Sutter led the way with two goals and an assist.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, October 30, 1943, Toronto Maple Leafs rookie August "Gus" Bodnar scored 15 seconds after stepping onto the ice for the first time in his NHL career setting a record for the fastest goal by a first year player. He also scored another goal and added an assist helping the Buds to a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. Gus scored 22 rookie goals going 22-40-62 in 50 games for a outstanding rookie season. Bodnar really had a nose for the record book On March 23rd 1952 he assisted on Bill Mosienko's famous hat trick with three assists in only 21 seconds which was a record for the fastest three assists.  

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1943, The famous "Punch Line" made it's debut as Maurice Richard donned his fabled number nine sweater for the first time during the season opening 2-2 tie against the Boston Bruins. Center Elmer Lach was moved by coach Dick Irvin in between left winger Toe Blake and right winger Maurice "The Rocket" Richard. During their time together before a broken leg forced Blake to retire in 1948, the "Punch Line" helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup two times, in 1944 and 1946. Lach set a single season points record in 1944-45 when he scored 80 points in a 50-game schedule. Many of his 54 assists come on goals by Richard, who sets an NHL record with 50 goals in 50 games. During the 1944–45 NHL season, the three finished first (Lach), second (Richard), and third (Blake) in scoring in the league. They were the forward line for the first all star team in that same season. Richard would be the first team all star right wing for all but one year while with Blake and Lach.





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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1964, Emile Francis replaced "Muzz" Patrick as as General Manager of the New York Rangers and remained in that position for the next 11 years

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1969, Bobby Clarke scored his first NHL goal as the Philadelphia Flyers tied the New York Rangers 3-3 at Madison Square Garden..

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1983, the Chicago Black Hawks defeated the Hartford Whalers 6-1 in Chicago. This game was noteworthy for Chicago’s Tom Lysiak tripping linesman Ron Foyt incurring a 20 game suspension.

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This day in hockey history, October 31st 1942, Maurice Richard played his first game in the NHL. It took him 36 seconds from the opening face off to earn his first NHL point in a 3-2 win against Boston.





On this day in hockey history, October 31st 1967, the New York Rangers played the Los Angeles Kings for the first time in franchise history, and defeated them 6-1 in Los Angeles.
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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1981 Wayne Gretzky notched four goals in an 11-4 victory over Quebec. This was Gretzky's seventh hat trick of his young career, he was only 20 years old!

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1987, Marcel Dionne tallies the 700th goal of his NHL career. At the time, Dionne was just the third player in NHL history to reach that plateau, joining Gordie Howe with 801 goals and Phil Esposito at 717 as the NHL’s only 700 goal scorers.. Esposito and Dionne both scored their 700th goals while playing for the Rangers.

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On this date in 1989, Gretzky had his 46th career hat trick in an 8-4 win by the LA Kings over Pittsburgh.

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On this date in hockey history, October 31st 1989, Mario Lemieux picked up two assists in an 8-4 loss to the Los Angeles Kings as Wayne Gretzky tallied four goals. Those two points were the start of a 46 game scoring streak for Mario.

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1991 , the Vancouver Canucks signed Russian forward Pavel Bure to his first NHL contract.

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1995, Mario Tremblay set an NHL record for the best start by a new coach as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 for their sixth straight win, The previous record was five wins by Bep Guidolin with the 1973 Boston Bruins and Marc Crawford with the Colorado Avalanche also in 1995. While Guidolin’s record lasted 22 years Crawfords record only lasted a few days.

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 ​This date in hockey history November

This Day In Hockey History





On this date in hockey history, November 1st 1945 a 16 year old Gordie Howe signed his first professional hockey contract with the Omaha Knights of the United States Hockey League.













On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1947, the "Production Line" of right wing Gordie Howe, center Sid Abel and left wing Ted Lindsay became a regular line for the first time, connecting for two goals in a 4-3 Detroit Red Wings loss to the Boston Bruins.




On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1952, Jacques Plante, played in his first NHL game defeating the New York Rangers 4-1 after being called up by Montreal to replace injured goalie Gerry McNeil. In his three game replacement trial he went 2-0-1 giving up only four goals, before being returned to the Montreal Royals.





On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1952, the first nationwide hockey telecast from Maple Leaf Gardens took place on CBC, with the Toronto Maple Leafs defeating the Boston Bruins, 3-2.





On November 1 1959 Jacques Plante became the first NHL goalie to use a full facemask. Plante had been hit in the face that night against the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden. Play was delayed for 20 minutes while Plante's face was sewn up because teams in that era didn't have backup goaltenders. Coach Toe Blake was infuriated when Plante refused to go back into the game withouit wearing a facemask but relented when Plante agreed to wear the mask only until his injuries healed. While wearing the mask, Plante led Montreal on an 18 game unbeaten streak but lost the first game he played after removing the mask. Blake knew he had lost this confrontation with his star goalie and the mask became part of hockey history. Plante and the Candiens finished the season winning their fifth straight Stanley Cup championship.



On November 1 1976 Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 beginning a 34 game home unbeaten streak (28 wins and 6 ties) which remains an NHL record. He streak ended only with the end of the regular season the last game being an 11-0 defeat of the Washington Capitals. The streak continues into the next season and ended on October 29, 1977 at 37 games with a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

The 1976-77 Canadiens finished 60-8-12 for an astonishing 132 points. The Candiens lost only one home game that season and it was to their chief rival the hated Boston Bruins. The team did not lose another home game for 364 days.
On this date in hockey history, November 1st 1984, Mike Bossy scored four times to extend his team-record goal scoring streak to 10 games in the New York Islanders' 6-5 loss at Montreal. Bossy scored 17 goals during the 10 game streak, tying his own team record set in 1978-79.


November 1 1969 Tahir Domi was born in Belle River Ontario. More commonly known as Tie Domi, over his career he accumulated the third highest penalty minute total in NHL history, 3515 in 1020 games. As a Toronto Maple Leaf he accumulated more penalty minutes that any other player in Maple Leafs history.

Domi's parents were born in Albania and fled the communist country after WW II for a better life in Canada. Domi climbed the ladder in junior hockey from the Jr. C Belle River Canadiens of the Great Lakes Junior C League to the Jr. B Windsor Bulldogs of the Western Jr. B League to the Jr. A Peterborough Roadrunners of the Metro Jr. A League and the OHL Peterborough Petes. With 292 penalty minutes for the Petes in 1987-88 the reputation of Tie Domi the enforcer began to grow.

Domi was drafted by the Leafs in the second round in 1988, 27th overall but only played two games for them somehow accumulating 42 penalty minutes. He was traded to the New York Rangers where he spent two seasons and 12 games of a third year when he was traded to Winnipeg during the 1992-93 season. Domi was traded back to the Leafs in 1995.

Tie Domi's Greatest Hits:

1995-96 Suspended eight games for sucker punching Rangers Ulf Samuelsson which was called by some one of the cheapest shots in league history.

1997-98 His 395 penalty minutes set a new Leafs single season record previously held by Dave “Tiger” Williams

2001-01 Fined $1,000 for an altercation with a fan in Philadelphia. While serving a penalty Domi was being heckled by a fan. Domi sprayed the fan from a water bottle. Another fan joined the altercation and climbed up on the glass separating the penalty area from the seats when the glass and the fan toppled into the penalty box. Domi was quoted after the game, “It's nice to see the fans get involved, I guess.”

May 3, 2001 During game four of the Eastern Conference semi finals, Domi knocked Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer unconscious with an elbow to the head incurring a five minute attempt to injure penalty and a suspension for the duration of the playoffs.

Domi scored his 100th career goal and played in his 1,000th career game om March 3rd during the 2005-06 season. On March 10th Domi was a healthy scratch. He was so unhappy with his benching that he didn't arrive at the game until the second period had ended. The Leafs bought out his conratc at the end of the season ending Domi's NHL career.

On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1985, rookie goaltender Daren Puppa became the 17th goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout in his first career game as the Buffalo Sabres won 2-0 at Edmonton. Puppa stopped Wayne Gretzky ten times among his 37 saves that night. Puppa started that game because the Oilers were gunning for the brash Tom Barasso who had the phrase "All World" inscribed on his helmet. Coach Jim Schoenfeld wisely defused the Oilers ire by starting the relatively unknown Puppa. Interestingly Puppa's helmet that night displayed the phrase "All Universe." In addition to his exceptional skills as a goaltender Puppa was known for his haircut, which is still the same today, and his nickname "Poops."





On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1992, the Pittsburgh Penguins' defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-4 with Mario Lemieux scoring two goals extending his team record goal scoring streak to 12 games. Lemieux scored 18 goals during the 12 game streak.

This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1941, the Brooklyn Americans played their first game in Detroit tying the Red Wings 3-3.







This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1947 After only six games of the 1947-48 season Chicago traded star forward Max Bentley along with Cy Thomas in a blockbuster deal to the Toronto Maple Leafs for five players; Bob Goldham, Ernie Dickens, Gaye Stewart, Gus Bodnar and Bud Poile. While the deal gave the Leafs the all time best bcenter ice corps in NHL history, Ted Kennedy, Syl Apps and Bentley and sparked a pair of Stanley Cup championships for Toronto in 1948 and 1949, after the trade both Poile (52 points) and Stewart (55 points) outsccored Bentley (48 points).

This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1969, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 with 41 year old Gordie Howe becoming the oldest player to ever record a hattrick with his 19th and last three goal game in the NHL.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1972, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2 as Ralph Backstrom scoring two goals in six seconds to set a Kings record for the fastest two goals by a player, The Kings also set a team record with their sixth straight win.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1975, Eddie Giacomin returned to New York and Madison Square Garden just two days after being waived by the Rangers and claimed by Detroit. The Red Wings made it a memorable night by defeating the Rangers 6-4.




Giacomin’s return prompted the fans to root against the Rangers. They chanted “Eddie . . . Eddie . . . Eddie . . . Eddie . . . Eddie . . .” throughout the warmups and into the game. Overcome by emotion, Eddie reached up to wipe the tears from his eyes and the chants grew even louder. Eddie recalled that he couldn't stop crying and thought he would collapse from the emotion.




Peter Stemkowski remembered, “Here's the crazy part. The day of a home game, we’d get rooms at a hotel across the street from the Garden and go down to the lobby coffee shop for some toast and tea. The Red Wings were staying a few blocks away, but who comes into the coffee shop and sits down with us? Eddie.”




John Davidson was in goal for the Rangers that night and remembers, “After the game, Eddie made a point of seeking me out. He couldn’t have been classier.”




The Rangers record after losing to Detroit was 4-7-1 and their years as a contender were over. If the fans thought losing Giacomin was a shocker, they were in for an even bigger surprise a few days later when Emile Francis swung a deal with the Boston Bruins.



This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1978 After playing only eight games and scoring six points with the WHA Indianapolis Racers, Wayne Gretzky was sold to the Edmonton Oilers along with Ed Mio and Peter Driscoll. Gretzky was named the WHA rookie of the year with 104 points in 72 games.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1979, the New York Rangers acquired defenseman Barry Beck from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Lucien Deblois, Pat Hickey, Mike McEwen, Dean Turner and future considerations (Bobby Crawford).

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1984, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Hartford Whalers 8-1 at the Aud in Buffalo led by Brent Peterson with four points (1-3-4) and Gilbert Perreault (1-2-3), Ric Seiling (1-2-3) and Phil Housley (0-3-3) each with three points.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1989, the Edmonton Oilers traded Jimmy Carson and Kevin McClelland to Detroit in exchange for Petr Klima, Joe Murphy, Adam Graves, and Jeff Sharples.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd, 1985, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Hartford Whalers 8-1 setting a team record for fastest goals scored with five goals in a 5:37 span.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1996, in a battle of two of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history, Dominik Hasek and Patrick Roy battled to a scoreless tie as the Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche were both unable to solve their opponents mastery of the nets. Hasek was the star of this game with 32 saves to 20 for Roy. It was Haseks 15th career shutout and the 33rd for Roy. For their careers, Hasek had 81shutouts and 14 in the playoffs while Roy had 66 regular season whitewashes and 23 more in the postseason.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1940, Dick Irvin coached his first game with the Montreal Canadiens, a 1-1 tie against the Bruins, at the Forum. Irvin replaced Pit Lepine as head coach.

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On this day in hockey history, November 3rd 1926, the Toronto St. Patricks signed Irvine "Ace" Bailey.. The future Hall Of Famer Bailey led the NHL in goals and points in 1928-29. Bailey scored the first Cup winning goal in Toronto Maple Leafs history, assisted by another future Hall of Famer Charlie Conacher. Bailey's sweater number 6 was one of only two numbers retired by the Maple Leafs until this season when the club announced a change in policy where all sweater numbers previously designated as "Honored" but still in use would now all be retired..




On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 3rd 1932, Gerry Ehman was born in Cudworth, Saskatchewan. Ehman was traded by Detroit to the Leafs in December, 1958. He had an outstanding playoff year in 1959, recording 6 goals and 7 assists in 12 games including the winning goal in Game seven of the semi finals against Boston to send the Leafs into the Finals. Ehman played his last regular season game with the Leafs in November of 1963, but was recalled for the playoffs and won a Cup with the Leafs in 1964. In January of 1968, Ehman scored the first hat trick in the history of the Oakland Seals. Ehman was immortalized in Robert Shavers famous photo featuring his former Leafs teammate Eddie Shack leaping onto the back of a shocked Ehman while playing for the California Seals.







This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1948 Gordie Howe appeared in his first of 23 NHL all star games. That's right, Gordie Howe appeared in 23 NHL all star games. In those days the all stars played the defending Stanley Cup champions in a preseason game. The all stars defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 that night.




This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1972, the Boston Bruins tied the California Golden Seals 6-6 as Phil Esposito scored his 350th NHL goal. In his career, Phil Esposito scored 717 goals in regular season and 61 goals in playoffs.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1974, Ron Greschner played his first game with the New York Rangers, a 4-3 victory against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1974, in a 10-1 win by the Boston Bruins over the visiting Minnesota North Stars, Johnny Bucyk had two assists to pass Bobby Hull as the highest scoring left wing in NHL history. Hull had 1,153 career points with Chicago.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd November 3 1987 Marcel Dionne scored a goal for the New York Rangers becoming the second NHL player to tally 1,700 career points. Of course Gordie Howe was the NHL's first 1,700 point scorer.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1990, NHL linesman Wayne Bonney officiated two games in one day . First he worked Chicago at Philadelphia in the afternoon, then took a flight to Boston for a game between the Bruins and the Sabres that night to replace the injured Gerard Gauthier.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd November 3, 1990, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1, earning a third consecutive win in Boston for the first time since 1979. Benoit Hogue scored twice and Daren Puppa stopped 30 of 31 shots to lead the blue and gold.





This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1991 the Vancouver Canucks honored Stan Smyl by retiring his number twelve jersey.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd November 3 2002, Mark Messier reached second place on the NHL career games played list passing Larry Murphy. Messier finished his NHL career with 1,756 games played, only 11 games fewer than Gordie Howe. Messier is also second in career points, only 970 points behind Wayne Gretzky.

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On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1972, The Los Angeles Kings played against the New York Islanders for the first time and defeated them 7-2 for their seventh consecutive win. Ralph Backstrom, Mike Corrigan, and Bob Berry set a Kings record for the fastest three goals, scoring in a span of just 45 seconds.

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On this day in New York Rangers history, November 4th 1977, Greg Polis scored a team record two shorthanded goals in a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

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On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1977, Phil Esposito scored his 600th NHL goal in a 5-1 New York Rangers victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Esposito became the third player in NHL history after Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull to score 600 goals.




On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1983, the Montreal Canadiens traded Robert Picard to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Winnipeg's 3rd round pick in the 1984 Entry Draft. The Canadiens used the pick to select goaltender Patrick Roy.











November 4 1987 Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky and New York Ranger Marcel Dionne faced off against each other tied with 998 career assists. Gretzky had two assists to reach 1,000 for his career in only his 645th game, and added three goals for his 46th career hattrick. Marcel picked up one assist to reach 999.

November 4, 1998 The San Jose Sharks scored four goals on nine shots to defeat the Dallas Stars 4-0. This was the lowest total shots on goal ever recorded by a winning team in NHL history. Mike Vernon made 21 saves for his 19th career shutout.

November 4, 2003 Mark Messier passed Gordie Howe for second place in NHL career scoring by scoring a pair of goals in a 3-0 victory against Dallas to reach 1,851 career points. Messier finished his career with 1,887 points, trailing Wayne Gretzky by 970.

On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 4, 1917, Pete Langelle was born in Winnipeg Manitoba. Langelle scored the biggest goal in Toronto's franchise history. In 1942 The Leafs trailed the Redwings 3-0 in the Stanley Cup finals then won four straight times to win the Stanley Cup with Langelle scoring the cup winning goal in game seven. His cup winner was the last goal of his career.

On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1924, Howie Meeker was born in Kitchener, Ontario. Meeker played eight seasons in the NHL, all with the Maple Leafs between 1946 and 1953. In 346 games, he registered 83 goals and 102 assists. He was a solid playoff contributor as well and helped the Leafs win four Stanley Cups in his career. In January of 1947, Meeker became the first rookie in NHL history to record five goals in one game. It helped him secure the Calder trophy as rookie of the year. Howie Meeker also coached the Leafs for one complete season in 1956-57 but the team missed the playoffs with a record of 21-34-15. Meeker was then promoted to GM but fired before the season even started.

Howie was an innovative analyst on Hockey Night in Canada in the 1970's and 80's analyzing plays in detail using a telestrator to show his points on replays. Meeker is the last surviving member of the Leafs 1947 championship team.

November 5, 1955 Jean Beliveau's scoring prowess effected a change in NHL rules when he scored all four goals as Montreal defeated Boston 4-2. Beliveau scored three power play goals in the game, all of them coming in a span of just 44 seconds on the same 2:00 power play! In that era all minor penalties were served in their entirety. The NHL subsequently changed that rule, terminating a minor penalty after a power play goal is scored. Bert Olmsetad assisted on all of Beliveu's power play goals, the second fastest three assists in NHL history.
November 5, 1979 The Montreal Canadiens extended their undefeated streak against the Washington Capitals to 34-0-2 with a 2-0 victory.

October 5, 1900 All time great Maple Leaf goaltender Lorne Chabot was born in Montreal. He had 12 shutouts in 1928-29 his first season as a Leaf. In 1932 Chabot led the Leafs to a Stanley Cup championship playing all seven playoff games. He also won the cup with the Rangers is 1928. Chabot led the NHL with a 1.80 GAA winning the Vezina Trophy in 1935.




On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 5th 1936, Syl Apps and Turk Broda began their careers for the Leafs. together they won three Stanley Cup championships with Toronto. While the Leafs lost that game 3-1 against the Detroit Red Wings Apps and Broda played on three Stanley Cup championship teams in Toronto.





On this day in hockey history, November 5th, 1942, Carl Liscombe scored a hat trick and added four assists to set an NHL record for points in a game with seven in a 12-5 win by the Detroit Red Wings over the New York Rangers. The Red Wings set a team record that night with six power play goals in one game.





On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 5th 1960, Frank Mahovlich scored four goals for the Maple Leaf in a 7-3 win over the New York Rangers. Mahovlich led the Leafs in goal scoring for six consecutive seasons between 1960-61 and 1965-66.

On this date in hockey history, November 5th 1970, the St Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins 2-0 at Boston Garden with goaltenders Glenn Hall and Ernie Wakely combining for the shutout. The game ended a Bruins home unbeaten streak of 24-0-5 and was the first win for the Blues at Boston since they entered the NHL in 1967.

On this date in hockey history, November 5th 1975 Gerry Desjardins earns his first shutout as a Buffalo Sabre.

On this day in hockey history, November 5th 1986, Buffalo’s Phil Housley picked up his 200th career NHL assist as the Sabres won 8-3 over the visiting Boston Bruins.

On November 6 1948 Bill Durnan and the Montreal Canadiens shutout the Detroit Red Wings 2-0. Durnan played only seven seasons in the NHL but won six Vezina trophies and two Stanley Cup championships. During the 1947-48 season Durnan served as captain of the Canadiens. Teams complained that he left his net so often to argue calls with officials that he was giving his team an unfair advantage with these defacto timeouts. As a result, the NHL made a rule preventing goaltenders from serving as team captain. Durnan was an ambidexterous goalie and wore special that permitted him to hold his stick and catch the puck with either hand.

Durnan finished his career with a record of 208 wins and 112 losses and a 2.36 GAA. In the playoffs he went 27-12 with a pair of shutouts. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964.

On this date in hockey history, November 6 1983 Wayne Gretzky scored four goals and set up three for a seven point game when Edmonton beat Winnipeg 8-5.

On November 6, 1988 Wayne Gretzky became the third player in NHL history to reach 1,700 career points when he tallied a pair of goals and a helper as Los Angeles beat Chicago 5-3. Gretzky accomplished this feat in only 711 games.

On this date in hockey history, November 7 1982, Gilbert Perreault scored his 400th career goal. In their inagural season, the expansion Buffalo Sabres chose Gil with the first overall pick in the 1970 NHL amateur draft. Scotty Bowman once called him "The greatest junior player ever". Perreault had captained the Montreal Junior Canadiens to the Memorial Cup championship in 1970 and was a true superstar in every sense of that word. Legendary hockey writer Frank Orr wrote in the mid 1970's that there were only four superstars in the NHL, Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Guy Lafleur and Gilbert Perreault. Perreault was accorded the high honor of great NHL players in the 1970's, being loudly booed every time he touched the puck at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. During a 1975 Hockey Night in Canada broadcast of a Montreal Buffalo playoff game, Broadcaster Dick Irvin asked Danny Gallivan if Perreault was a faster skater than the legendary Howie Morenz. Gallivan responded, "Probably but remember Morenz is 80 years old.

November 7 1925 the NHL announced the institution of it's first salary cap, each team would be limited to $35,000. Would that even pay for an assistant trainer today? Lionel Conacher of the Pittsburgh Pirate s and Dunc Munro of the Montreal Maroons were the leagues highest paid players at $7500. Billy Burch of the New York Americans was the next highest paid player at $6500.

November 7, 1968 – Red Berenson of the St. Louis Blues set a modern NHL record for most goals in a single game with six scores in an 8-0 win over Philadelphia. A guy named Howe who played for the Detroit Red Wings was the last NHL player to score six in one game, that being Syd Howe who did it in 1944.

On this date in hockey history, November 7, 1975, following an 8-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins General Manager Harry Sinden made a blockbuster trade sending Phil Esposito to the New York Rangers getting Jean Rattelle and Brad Park in return. With Bobby Orr's injuries and demise as a hockey player, Sinden sought out another superstar defenseman. Harry always liked having the leagues best d-man and Park was his target. The Rangers demanded a replacement for Park so the Bruins also sent Carol Vadnais to Manhattan along with Espo. When coach Don Cherry and Bobby Orr came to see Phil in his hotel room to tell him about the trade, Espo knew what was coming. He said "If you tell me I've been traded to the Rangers, I'm going to jump out the window. Cherry replied, "Bobby, get away from the window." That evening, Esposito scored two goals and an assist for the Rangers in a 7-5  loss to the California Golden Seals.

November 7 1925, The NHL announced that the Hamilton Tigers would be dropped from the league. The Tigers has finished at the top of yhe NHL standings for the 1924-25 season with a 19-10-1 record and were a favorite to win the Stanley Cup. However the players went on strike. The NHL had increased the schedule from 24 top 30 games but player salaries stayed the same. The players demanded to be paid for the extra games the NHL had added to the schedule. League President Frank Calder responded by warning the players that they would be suspended if they refused to play in the finals and replaced by Ottawa the fourth place team. Meanwhile third place Montreal defetaed second place Torotno St. Patricks. Calder then declared Montreal the league champion and fined the Hamilton players. The NHL revoked the Hamilton franchise on September 22nd and the Hamilton players were purchased by the expansion New York Americans.




This day in Buffalo Sabres history, November 7 1981, the Sabres defeated the New York Islanders 6-2 in Uniondale with John Van Boxmeer scoring three goals and adding two assists for five points. Van Boxmeer shares the franchise record with Phil Housley for most points by a defenseman in a single game.

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This day in Buffalo Sabres history, November 7 1986, during a 7-6 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Gilbert Perreault scored the last two goals of his NHL career. Perreault is the Sabres all time leading scorer with 512 career goals. Rick Martin is second with 382.

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1942 - Montreal Canadiens rookie Maurice Richard scored his first NHL goal in a 10-4 win over NY at the Forum in Montreal. Toe Blake scored twice for the Canadiens, to give him 100 in his NHL career.


On this date in hockey history, November 8 1924, John Kiszkan was born. Of Ukranian descent, he served in the Canadian army in WWII, then played junior hockey for Prince Albert before carving out a career as a professional. He played for 11 season in the AHL primarily for the Cleveland Barons, winning three championships. During his first year with Cleveland, he changed his name to Bower to make it easier for the sportwriters. His career highlights included winning three consectutive Stanley Cup championships with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1962, 1963 and 1964 with another in 1967 where he split goaltending duties with Terry Sawchuck.

November 8, 1952 Maurice Richard set the NHL record for career goals when he scored his 325th goal in a 6-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. This was ten years after “The Rocket” scored his first NHL goal. He passed Nels Stewart who had scored 234 times.

November 8 1963 Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto became the first NHL arena to use separate penalty boxes and doors for each team. The previous week two players, Bob Pulford of Toronto and Terry Harper of Montreal had been given major penalties for fighting and then fought again in the shared penalty box. What's surprising is that didn't happen more often.

November 8, 1934, St. Louis hosted it's first NHL game as the transplanted Ottawa Senators now the St. Louis Eagles hosted the Chicago Black Hawks who were not exactly gracious guests defeating their hosts 3-1. The Eagles folded after one season which they finished 11-31-6.

A total of 29 different players suited up for the 1934-35 St. Louis Eagles. The last active Eagles player was Bill Cowley, who retired in 1947. Wearing patriotic red white and blue uniforms the team played in front of solid crowds at the St. Louis Arena. The Eagles were led offensively by Carl Voss and his team leading 31 points, team captain Syd Howe would lead the club with 14 goals, despite being traded to the Detroit Red Wings late in the season, while Glen Brydson would finish 2nd in team scoring with 29 points.

The once-proud Senators/Eagles franchise never took the ice again, and remain one of two NHL teams to fold after winning a Stanley Cup (the other being the Maroons). In 1938, the Montreal Maroons attempted to move to St. Louis. They were denied by the NHL due to the high travel costs that plagued the Eagles.




On this date in hockey history, November 8th 1978 - Bobby Orr announced his retirement from the NHL at a news conference in Chicago. His final career totals were 270 goals, 645 assists, 915 points in 657 games.

On this date in hockey history, November 8th1990. the Los Angeles Kings retired Marcel Dionne's uniform #16 in a pregame ceremony, before a 5-1 win over the Red Wings at the Forum. Dionne joined Rogie Vachon as the only players in Kings' history to have their number retired.





On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 8th 1986, King Clancy passed away at the age of 83. During his NHL career, Clancy was a player, a coach, an assistant General Manager and a referee. As a player, Clancy once played all six positions on the ice, including goaltender in a Stanley Cup Final game. He lived to the ripe old age of 83 and was an honored member of the Hockey Hall Of Fame.



The 1934-35 NHL season was the 18th season of the National Hockey League. Nine teams each played 48 games. The Montreal Maroons were the Stanley Cup winners

On this date in hockey history, November 9 1957, Claude Provost of the Montreal Canadiens set the NHL record for the fastest goal from the start of a period when he scored in the second period against the Boston Bruins. The record was tied by Chicago Black Hawk Denis Savard on Januuary 12, 1986. Provost won the Stanley Cup nine times during his career with Montreal. Today is induction day for the Hockey Hall of Fame's 2015 induction class so it is interesting to note that Claude Provost is the only player who played on a Stanley Cup championship team at least eight times who is not a member of the Hall of Fame.

On this day in hockey history, November 9, 1996 Craig MacTavish of the St. Louis Blues became the last helmetless player In the NHL to score a goal when the Blues beat Calgary 3-2. McTavish palyed 16 seasons in the NHL was exempt from the rule requiring NHL players to wear helmets because he played before the rule was adopted in the 1979-80 season. Those players were allowed to choose to not wear a helmet but had to sign a waiver releasing the league and teams from liability for injuries related to playing bare headed. At the time of his retirement Mctavish siad he chose to play without a helmet because he felt comfortable and that was lucky he didn't get seriously hurt.

On this date in hockey history, November 9, 1973, Detroit Red Wings great Alex Delvecchio ended his 24 year NHL careeer with the Detroit Red Wings when he announced his retirement. He played his entire career with the Red Wings playing 1,549 games scoring 456 goals and 825 assists during the second longest NHL career at that time.




On this date in hockey history, November 9th 1983, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Washington Capitals 7-4 in Washington with Wayne Gretzky scoring once and adding four assists for five points.




Exactly a year later, Gretzky outdid himself scoring two goals and six points as the Oilers beat the Capitals again 8-5. The win extended the Oilers team record undefeated streak to 15 games (12-0-3), which was the longest undefeated streak to start a season surpassing the 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens.

On this date in hockey history, November 10 1986 the legendary Francis Michael “King” Clancy passed away. Clancy was nicknamed King after his father who played football for Ottawa in an era when the ball was not snapped but rather “heeled” backward from the line of scrimmage. Clancy's father was known as the “King of the heelers” and this was eventually shortened to King.

Clancy played for his hometown Ottawa Senators where he was part of Stanley Cup winning teams in 1933 and 1937. On March 3. 1933 Clancy became the first NHL player to play all six positions in a game. During a Stanley Cup game against the Edmonton Eskimos Ottawa goalie Clint Benedict took a two minute penalty. In those days goalies were required to serve their own penalty time. So Clancy went into the net while Benedict served his penalty.

Following his strong 1929-30 season wher he went 17-23-40 in 44 games, Clancy was sold to the Toronto Maple Leafs with Conn Smythe paying $35,000 and sending two players to Ottawa. Clancy and the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1932. Clancy briefly coached the Montreal Maroons then embarked on an 11 year career as an NHL referee.

He then coached Montreal's Cincinnati Mohawks farm team for two seasons before rejoining the Leafs as coach of their AHL team the Pittsburgh Hornets. Clancy was successful coaching the Hornets who won the AHL title in 1952 and lost in the finals in seven games in 1953.

Clancy was then promoted to coach the Leafs in 1953-54 but had little success in three years at the helm. Conn Smythe appointed him assistant GM where his duties involved chiefly public relations. The Hockey Hall of Fame inducted Clancy as a member in 1958.

Clancy continued as assistant GM in the 1960's with Punch Imlach as GM. He was promoted to vice president after Imlach was fired and had stated that he would also leave the organization. Clancy and Leafs owner Harold Ballard became close friends during the 1970's and watched games from Ballards “bunker” at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Clancy was 83 years old when he passed away from septic shock following gall bladder surgery. He was the last surviving member of the 1922-23 Stanley Cup champion Ottawa Senators. Clancy spents 65 years in professional hockey including 42 with the Maple Leafs. Former Leaf Hap Day had once said that Conn Smythe and Ballard had both paid Clancy to do nothing. His passing was mourned by many and the King Clancy Memorial Award was created in his honor.

November 10, 1963, Gordie Howe passed Maurice “The Rocket” Richard to become the NHL's all time leading goal scorer with his 545th career goal. Ironically Howe scored the goal in a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, Richards former team. Howe finished with 801 career regular season NHL goals and 68 playoff goals. In the WHA he added 174 regular season goals and 28 playoff goals for a total of 1071 major league professional goals. In the NHL he had an incredible 22 consecutive seasons with 23 or more goals, adding five more WHA seasons with 25 or more goals, that makes 27 straight seasons.




This day in hockey history, November 10th 1989, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 at Le Colisee with Guy Lafleur tieing Maurice Richard for eighth place on the NHL’s all time scoring list with his 544th NHL goal.




This day in hockey history, November 10th 1976, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the St. Louis Blues 5–0 with Gerry Desjardins stopping all 38 shots he faced to set team record for most saves in a shutout. Dominik Hasek tied this record on Dec. 5, 1997 with a 4-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning . Hasek then set a new record with 42 saves in a 1-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens two weeks later on Dec. 19, 1997. The current team record is 44 saves by Chad Johnson in a 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 17, 2015.




On this day in hockey history, November 11th 1962, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 with Alex Delevcchio scoring two goals and Terry Sawchuk getting his 350th career victory

On this day in hockey history, November 11th1973, the New York Rangers defeated the New York Islanders 5-2 at Madison Square Garden with Rod Gilbert scoring his 273rd career goal to move ahead of Andy Bathgate and become the Rangers all time goal scoring leader. Gilbert added a second goal later in the game.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 11, 1981, defenseman Ian Turnbull became a west coast resident when Toronto traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. The kings sent former Toronto Marlboro Billy Harris and former Niagara Falls Flyer John Gibson. Thirty one days later, Turnbull became the only LA defenseman to score four goals in a game. Turnbull also set the Toronto record with five goals in one game in a 9-1 victory over Detroit in 1977. He scored the five goals on only five shots, the only player in NHL history to accomplish that feat. Turnbull played ten NHL seasons the and formed a formidable offensive punch from Toronto's bluleine with teammate Broje Salming in the 1970's. In the 1976-77 season Turnbull posted a career high of 79 points on 22 goals and 57 assists and a plus 47.






On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1943, the first empty net goal in NHL history was scored. Coach Art Ross of the Boston Bruins introduced his innovative strategy of pulling his goaltender for an extra attacker late in the game trailing the Chicago Black Hawks 5-4. Unfortunately for the Bruins, Chicago's Clint Smith scored into the empty net. This wasn't the first time Ross and the Bruins tried this strategy, that was March 21st 1931 against Montreal in game two of their Stanley Cup playoff series. The Bruins lost that game 5-4 with no empty net goal scored.

On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1986, Dino Ciccarelli set the modern NHL record for fastest 20 goals to start a season when he dented the twine twice in his 15th game. He finished the season with 52 goals and 103 points. In 1981-82 Ciccarelli started the season with 20 goals in the North Stars first 23 games, finishing with 55 goals and 106 points.

Dino played for the Sarnia Jr B team in 1975-76 as a 15 year old and led the team with 45 goals and 88 points. He is one of two Sarnia Jr. B players in the hockey Hall of Fame, the other being Phil Esposito who led the Legionnaires in scoring in 1961 with 47 goals 61 assists and 108 points in only 32 games..

Dino broke his leg playing junior hockey for the London Knights and had a pin put in. As a result he was never drafted. Minnesota signed him as a free agent and he went on to score 608 career goals, a record for a draft eligible player who was never drafted. Of course Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe don't qualify for this honor because neither player was ever draft eligible.

On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1930, the first NHL game hosted by Philadelphia was played. Yes that.s correct, 1930 when the Philadelphia Quakers lost 3-0 to the New York Rangers. The Quakers folded after that season having posted an unispiring reord of 4-36-4.

On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1981, Bobby Smith scored four goals for the Minnesota North Stars as the Winnipeg Jets suffered an embarassing expansion team defeat by a 15-2 score. That's nearly a months worth of goals for some NHL teams today.

Smith spent three seasons playing junior for the Ottawa 67's before he was drafted 1st overall by the North Stars in 1978. While playing for Ottawa , Smith accomplished something in the 1977-78 season which very few players were ever able to do, he relegated Wayne Gretzky to 2nd place in OHA scoring when Smith posted 69-123-192 numbers while Gretzky had “only” 70-112-182.

In his honor, the Ontario Hockey League awards the Bobby Smith Trophy annually to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence.
Connor McDavid (below) won the award in back to back seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

On this date in hockey history, November 11 1926, Harry “Apple Cheeks” Lumley was born in Owen Sound Ontario. His nickname was given because his face turned red when he was embarassed. As a young amateur he played for a team called the Owen Sound Orphans so nicknamed because they couldn't find a sponsor.

Lumley engineered an improvement in the effectiveness of goaltenders leg pads by making a pocket at shin level so pucks would drop straight on the ice instead of deflecting off them to an opponent.
Lumley won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 1950 with a 1.85 GAA in 14 games including three shutouts. But the Wings traded him to Chicago after re-acquiring Terry Sawchuck.. Chicago traded him to Toronto for the 1953-54 season where he won the Vezina Trophy with a 1.86 GAA and was the NHL first team all star. He posted 13 shutouts which stood as a modern NHL single season record until Tony Esposito had 15 in the 1969-70 season.

On this date in hockey history, November 12 1931, Maple Leaf Gardens made its debut as the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs Opening night tickets ranged in price from $2.75 for the best seats to $0.95 nose bleed seats. A sellout crowd of 13,233 saw the Leafs lose 2-1 to the Chicago Black Hawks. Charlie Conacher scored the first Leafs goal in their new building but Chicago's Harold March scored the first goal in Gardens history.

Leafs owner Conn Smythe had privately financed the arena and had it bulit in five months during the great depression. Smythe and his investors had purchased the Toronto St. Patricks and re named them the Maple Leafs. The Gardens brought good fortune as the Leafs won their third Stanley Cup that season and was the Leafs home arena until 1999 when the team moved to the Air Canada Center.

The Leafs sold out evrery game at the Gardens from 1946 to 1999, earning the nickname “The Carlton Street Cashbox”. It was the only arean to host the Beatles on evry one their North American tours in 1964, 1965 and 1966. Elvis Presely (see picture below of Elvis at MLG) played one of his few concerts at outside of the United States at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1957.

In 1968 under Leafs owner Harold Ballard, the Gardens seating capacity had grown to 16,485 primarily by narrowing the width of the seats. Leafs founder Conn Smythe famously said that the seats were so narrow that only a young man can sit in them and onlt a fat rich man can afford them.

Conn Smythe resigned from the Gardens board of directors in 1966 when Ballard booked a Cassius Clay fight into the Gardens. Smythe was a WWII veteran and he objected to Clays status as a draft dodger in the U.S. And criticized the Gardens for putting “Cash ahead of class”.

“The fight had been kicked out of every place in the U.S. because Clay is a draft dodger and a disgrace to his country. The Gardens was founded by men, sportsmen, who fought for their country. It is no place for those who want to evade conscription in their own country. The Gardens was built for many things, but not for picking up things that no one else wants"

In 1979 Ballard had the Gardens historic gondola where Foster Hewitt had pioneered hockey broadcasting torn down and incinerated to make room for new private boxes. The Toronto Star ran an editorial criticizing Ballard's "barbaric destruction of one of Canada's great cultural monuments,”

On this date in hockey history November 12, 1931, Canadian culture would never be the same as Foster Hewitt began his Saturday night radio broadcasts which introduced Hockey Night in Canada to Canadians “From coast to coast and in Newfoundland.” Broadcasting from the gondola just installed above the ice surface Foster Hewitt's broadcasts made the Toronto players famous and the Leafs became Canada's favorite team.

On this date in hockey history, November 12, 1950, Gilbert Perreault was born in Victoriaville Quebec. He spent 17 years in the NHL all with the Buffalo Sabres who drafted him first overall in the 1970 amateur draft. Perreault won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1971 and the Lady Byng Trophy in 1973. Perreault scored 512 goals and 814 assists for 1326 points in 1191 games.

Perreeault was one of the most skilled players to ever play hockey with blazing speed and dazzling stick handling dekes that often found him skating around defenders as if they were pylons. Bobby Orr called Perreault the best player he ever played against. Wayne Gretzky wore number 11 in youth hockey because of Perreault. Bobby Clarke in a nod to Perreault's skills said that Gilbert was born ten years too early because had he played in his prime years during the high scoring 1980's “... he would have blown the league apart.” But Perreualt's career always seemed less than it should have been.

Perreault was villified in the Canadian press for walking out on Team Canada in mid series in 1972. Canada's coach Harry Sinden revealed in his book on that series that he begged Perreault to stay becaue Gil, Yvan Cournoyer and Paul Henderson were the only three Canadian players who could skate with the Soviets. Some felt that Sinden got his revenge by having Perreault excluded from the 1973 NHL all star game when his Bruins coach Tom Johnson failed to add Perreault to the lineup even though he was a top 5 scorer in the league and his linemates Rick Martin and Rene Robert were on the eastern conference all star team.

Gilbert had the misfortune of playing in his prime years during an era when Phil Esposito, eight times, Bobby Clarke, four times, and Marcel Dionne, four times, dominated the all star voting at center so it was difficullt for Perreault to garner official post season all star status although he was named to the second team twice in 1976 and 1977. While Clarke won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP three times and Esposito was NHL MVP twice, Perreault won the Sabres MVP award only one time, as a rookie in 1970-71.

While the late 1970's Sabres were a legitimate NHL power, other than the trip to the finals in 1975 their playoff results were dissapointing early exits while rivals Boston and Montreal dominated and the Islanders built their future dynasty.

Perreault was the classic French Canadian hockey star in the style of Jean Beliveau, his idol as a young player growing up in Quebec. But Gil was overshadowed during his career by other French Canadien stars like Guy Lafleur who won a Stanley Cup championship five times with three scoring titles, two MVP's and three Lester Pearson Trophies voted by his rivals as the best player.and Marcel Dionne who scored 713 career goals and 1771 poinst along with two Pearson Awards, two scoring titles and four all star selections at center.

Perreault considered leaving the Sabres after his second season and was having contract talks with Quebec of the WHA but resigned with the Sabres. There were rumours of a trade to Toronto involving Darryl Sittler but that never came to fruition. Perreault retired for the first time in 1986 but returned when the NHL improved pension benefits for players who played at meast 20 games in the 1986-87 season. He then retired after scoring 16 points in 20 games stating that he didn't feel that he could play anymore at his former level but having qualified for the new pension benefits. The Hockey News quoted Perreault as saying, “My career could have been better.”

In 1997 the Hockey News ranked Perreault as the 47th greatest NHL player ever.




On this day in hockey history, November 12th 1942, a 16 year old Armand "Bep" Guidolin became the youngest player in NHL history, when he played his first game for the Boston Bruins, a 3-1 loss at Toronto.
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On this day in hockey history, November 12th1955, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings as two unlikely combatants, Mr. Lady Byng Red Kelly and gentleman Jean Beliveau dropped the gloves and fought.

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On this day in hockey history, November 12th1980 , the Montreal Canadiens beat the Los Angeles Kings 8-4 at the Fabulous Forum with Guy Lafleur scoring five points to reach 966 carer points and pass Maurice “Rocket” Richard into third place on the Habs all time scoring list.

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On this date in hockey history, November 13 1934, Scotty Bowman made NHL history when he scored the first penalty shot goal in league play. It was the first goal of his career. No, it wasn't Stanley Cup winning coach William Scott Bowman but rather Ralph “Scotty” Bowman who played seven seasons in the NHL with the St. Louis Eagles, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup twice with Detroit in 1936 and 1937.

On this date in hockey history, November 13 1975, John Marks of the Chicago Black Hawks scored twice within 33 seconds of the opening faceoff in a 5-5 tie against the Philadelphia Flyers. His hot start set an NHL record for fastest two goals from the start of a game.

On this date in hockey history, November 13, 1941,The Brooklyn Americans played their first NHL game. The team had been known as the New York Americans but changed their name. Here is their story from NYMAG.com

During yesterday's press conference announcing that the Islanders would move to Brooklyn's Barclays Center in 2015, commissioner Gary Bettman made reference to the 1941–42 Brooklyn Americans, an NHL team that had been known as the New York Americans and continued to play its games at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan even after the name change. They practiced in Brooklyn and had hoped to build an arena there eventually, but the 1941–42 season would be the franchise's last. Said Bettman of that Brooklyn arena plan yesterday: "It got sidetracked then, but 70 years later, the NHL is here with the New York Islanders."

When Bettman says the plans were "sidetracked," of course, he means they were sidetracked by World War II. In their book, Metro Ice, about hockey's history in the New York area, local puck expert Stan Fischler and co-author Tom Sarro explain that Red Dutton, the manager/coach of the New York Americans, had decided in the late-thirties to move the team to Brooklyn.

See, the Amerks actually predated the New York Rangers by a season, but they would quickly become Madison Square Garden's other team. The Americans' original owner, the bootlegger Bill Dwyer, was helpless to keep a second NHL team from playing in its home arena because the fine print in his contract didn't prevent the Garden from bringing one in. And so, after the Americans successfully drew fans in their first season, 1925–26, the Garden realized it could make even more money with a team of its own. And thus the city's second NHL team, the Rangers, was born. (How quickly (How quickly did pro hockey become popular enough in New York for the Garden to want its own team? Fischler and Sarro explain that Tex Rickard's original blueprints for Madison Square Garden III, which opened in 1925, didn't include plans for an ice plant. Will arena owners never learn that they should should plan for hockey?)

From Metro Ice:

Fed up with the second-class treatment accorded his team at the Garden, Dutton had decided as early as 1939 to build a new arena in Brooklyn that would not only compete with the Garden but would be home to his Americans. "I've always regarded Brooklyn as one of the finest sports centers in the world," he said. "The way the fans support the baseball and football Dodgers convinced me that they would be just as rabid for hockey."

Dutton's Hockey Hall of Fame bio page explains thathat he personally arranged for $7 million in financing to build a new arena. But as Fischler and Sarro write, the outbreak of World War II in Europe in 1939 meant that steel for the new building was unavailable, so plans for the arena would have to wait until after the war. In the meantime, though, he went ahead and changed the name of the team anyway to the Brooklyn Americans, even though they'd continue to call the Garden home. (You can check out their snazzy red, white, and blue uniformshere.) Via Metro Ice, the Americans did at least practice in Brooklyn, at the Brooklyn Ice Palace on Atlantic Avenue near Bedford, about a mile down the road from where the Barclays Center is now located. Dutton himself moved to Brooklyn along with his wife, and several of the team's players relocated there as well.

In the franchise's one season as the Brooklyn Americans, it finished with a record of 16-29-3, and its 35 points put it in last place among the  among the league's seven teams, meaning they'd miss out on the six-team playoffs. Defenseman Tom Anderson led the team in scoring with 41 points in 48 games, while winger Norm Larson led the team with sixteen goals.

And while Dutton still planned on building that arena in Brooklyn once the war was over, the Americans franchise wouldn't survive long enough for it to happen. From Metro Ice:

Had the war not erupted when it did, there is every reason to believe that Dutton could have rejuvenated the Americans. With a promising young nucleus, headed by future Hall of Famer Chuck Rayner, the Amerks were about a year away from being a playoff contender and a team with a promising future in Brooklyn. But service enlistments ravaged their roster.

Meanwhile, Fischler and Sarro explain, the Garden wanted the Americans out of the building, believing their 24 home dates could be better used for other events. And so, after the season, the NHL decided the franchise could no longer compete, and its owners voted to shut the team down indefinitely. Dutton returned home to his family's construction company in Calgary, and yet, the dream of a Brooklyn arena remained alive: He was promised by three owners (Montreal, Chicago, and Detroit) that he could revive the franchise after the war and proceed with his plan to move into a new arena in Brooklyn. Dutton would go on to serve as NHL president from 1943 until 1946, and as president, evenfloated the idea that the league could one day expand to fifteen teams divided into three divisions. But when he met with the league governors in 1946 to welcome his successor as president, Clarence Campbell, and try to bring back the Americans, it didn't go as he'd hoped. The Garden wasn't in favor of reviving the franchise, and the Maple Leafs and Bruins sided with the Rangers. The Amerks were dead, this time for good.

In their book, Fischler and Sarro point to an interview Dutton gave to Toronto author Trent Frayne more than a quarter-century after meeting with the league governors in 1946. Recalled Dutton:

"I looked around the room and nobowas looking at me. I got the message. 'Gentlemen,' I said to the governors. 'You can stick your franchise up your ass.' I gathered my papers and left."

The NHL would remain at six teams — the so-called "Original Six' until 1967.

On this date in hockey history, November 13, 1987, The Minnesota North Stars defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-4. Dino Ciccarelli scored his 267th and 268th career goals in that game becoming the North Stars franchise leader in career goals scored.

On this date in hockey history, November 13 1984, Bernie Nichols and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Quebec Nordiques 5-4 in overtime thanks to a four goal game from Bernie Nichols who scored a goal in all four periods of the game becoming the first NHL player to do so.

On this date in hockey history, November 13, 1947, on the advice of Frank Patrick, the NHL legislated a rule that goal scorers raise their sticks when they score a goal. This policy was implemented so that fans who couldn't see the puck in the net would know that a goal had been scored. The Montreal Canadiens Billy Reay was the first player to raise his stick after a goal. The strangest goal celebrastion of all time must belong to Petr Klima who broke his stick after each goal he scored.

On this day in hockey history, November 14, 1936 King Clancy scored the ;last goal of his NHL career on a penalty shot during a 6-2 win by the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Chicago BlackHawks.

On this date in hockey history, November 14, 1998, Brett Hull reached 1,000 career points when he had a three point game. This made Brett and Bobby Hull the first father son combination to each reach 1,000 career NHL points.

On this date in hockey history, November, 14 2001, Patrick Roy won his 200th game with the Colorado Rockies becoming the first NHL goaltender to win 200 games with two different teams.

On this date in hockey history, November 14, 1985 The Philadelphia Flyers held a pregame ceremony to mourn the loss of goaltender Pelle Lindbergh who had died in an automobile crash on November 11th.

On this date in Boston Bruins history, November 14 1971, the Boston Bruins defeated the Los Angeles Kings 11-2. Phil Esposito led the way with five points with Gerry Cheevers in goal. This was the first game in Cheevers 32 game unbeaten streak where he won 24 games with eight ties.

On this day in hockey history, November 15, 1995, Alex Hicks scored a goal on his first shot in his first game as an NHL player. He finished the game with two gaols and an assist. What makes Hicks feat interesting is that He was one of the rare group of players from RHI (Roller Hockey International) to graduate to the NHL. Hicks and his Toledo Storm teammates won the ECHL title in 1993 and many of them joined coach Chris McSorley and travelled down the thruway to Buffalo in the summer of 1994 to play for the RHI Buffalo Stampede where they also won the championship. Two other Toledo/Stampede Alumni eventaully garduated to the NHL, Tony Martin and Sasha Lakovic. Lakovic portrayed Soviet hockey star Boris Mikhailov in the 1994 move Miracle.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 15 1918, the only dentist ever called in to play an NHL game was born in Port Elgin New Brunswick. Bobby Copp was brought in by The Leafs to play two games on October 21st and 22nd in 1950 when the Leafs were short players due to injuries. During the 1942-43 season Copp had played 38 games for the Leafs. The Leafs won both games that he played in on emregnecy fill in. Dr. Copp was a WWII veteran who practiced dentistry for 58 years. He passed away in Ottawa on December 12, 2006.

On this day in hockey history, November 15, 1973, Bobby Orr set an NHL record for most points in one game by a defenseman when he scored a power play hat trick, three power play goals, and added four assists for seven points in a 10-2 victory over the New York Rangers.

On this date in hockey history, November 15, 1972, Steve Vickers of the New York Rangers scored his second consecutive hat trick becoming the first NHL player to ever score hat trick in consecutive games. Both hat tricks were scored at Madison Square Garden, the first on November 12 1972 against the Los Angeles Kings. Vickers was playing on the “Bulldog Line” with Walt Tkaczuk and Bill Fairbarn, a line known for strong two way play. “On the first hat trick, it was a Sunday night, I just went to the net three times late in the game and the puck found it's way to me each time from Walt or Bill. On the second hat trick I had two in the second and one in the third, I didn't know I was making history. They didn't keep stats then like they do now. About a month after I got the second hat trick they told me I was the first one to have ever done it. The big thing is that it established me as a player. It proved to me that I could play in the league,” Vickers won rookie of the year that season scoring 30 goals and 23 assists for 53 points in 61 games.

On this date in hockey history, November 15 1967, J.P. Parise played his first and only game as a Maple Leaf. He had one assist as the Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 4-2. Toronto gave up on him too early as he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars where he begame an all-star over the next several years. Parise is most remembered for the pivotal role he played for Team Canada in the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit Series, striking fear in the incompetent officials. In his NHL career, Parise registered 238 goals and 356 assists. He also tallied 58 playoff points in 86 playoff games. His son is NHL left-winger Zach Parise.

On this date in hockey history, November 16, 1926, Rookie Eddie Shore made his NHL debut as the Boston Bruins opened their third NHL season with a 4-1 win over the Canadiens. Shore is regarded as one of the greatest players ever but is he also hockeys most underrated player? He won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP four times, more than Bobby Orr. Only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe won the Hart more times than Shore. But Shore isn't regarded as a candidate for best defenseman, often ranked behind Orr (obviously) and Doug Harvey among others. He was ranked only 10th on the Hockey News list of 100 best players but was the highest ranked pre WWII player.

Shore was an NHL all star eight times, including seven first team selections. But for the first five years of Shores career, the NHL didn't select an all star team, so Shore probably would have been a 13 time all star. Shore was the first of the great puck rushing defensemen but was also a stalwart defensively and was renkowned for his tough physical play.

He once had his ear severed while throwing a body check, then resisted several doctors who wanted to amputate until he found one who would sew the ear back in place. He refused anesthetic and watched in amirror as the doctor reattached his ear.

His most infamous act was a hit on Toronto's Ace Bailey, in retaliation for a hit Red Horner had made on Shore. Thinking that Bailey was in fact Horner, Shore's hit resulted in Bailey's head hitting the ice fracturing hs skull. Bailey went into convulsions and it was feared that he could die. He underwent four hours of surgery and recovered but neevr played again. Shore and Bailey shook hands at a benefit game where the proceeds were given to Bailey, this was the forerunner of the annual NHL all star game.

He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1947. His Massachussetts vanity license plate read MR HOCKEY. Shore became known to new generations of players and fans when his name was used by the Hansons in the movie slapshot along with Toe Blake and Dit Clapper as iconic legands of old time hockey.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 16, 1988, the Leafs set a team record for one game by scoring three shorthanded goals in an 8-5 win against Pittsburgh. Dan Daoust, Ed Olczyk and Al Iafrete did the honors.

On this date in hockey history, November 17, 1990, Steve Yzerman scored a hat trick in the first period of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored the three goals within the first 12 minutes at 2:21, 10:53 and 11:59.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 18, 1980, Conn Smythe passed away at age 85. Smythe was a legend in the NHL, the founder of the Toronto Maple Leafs and builder of Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. Smythe, was a veteran of both WWI and WWII sewrving as an artillery officer. While serving as an airborne spotter in WWI, his plane was shot down. Smythe was captured by the German army and spent the rest of the war in a prisoner of war camp. He was caught twice while attempting to escape. Smythe later said of his captivity, "We played so damned much bridge that I never played the game again."

Early in his hockey career, Smythe unsuccessfully applied to coach the Toronto St. Patricks. Smythe later saved the team from being sold and moved to Philadelphia by organizng a syndicate of investors to purchase the team and keep it in Toronto. After the purchase on February 14, 1927, the teams named was changed to the Maple Leafs and the rest is history. The Conn Smythe Trophy was introduced by Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. in 1964 to honor the former Leafs owner and would be presented to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs.


On this date in hockey history, November 18th 1973, Bobby Orr picked up four assists as the Bruins defeated the Red Wings 8-0. This gave him 456 assists in his 458th game, more assists than any other defenseman in NHL history.

On this date in hockey history, November 19, 1926, The Detroit Cougars made their NHL dubut in a 2-0 loss to the Boston Bruins. The game was player in Windsor, Ontario at the Border Cities Arena where all Cougars first year home games were played because Olympia Stadium in Detroit was still under construction. There were 6,000 fans in attendance. Goalie Herb Stuart let in a pair of goals in the first three minutes then steadied down for the rest of the game but Detroit couldn't score. The Cougars won their first game 1-0 against their fellow expansion team the Chicago Black Hawks in their third NHL game. The Cougars were renamed the Falcons for the 1930-31 and 1931-32 seasons before becoming the Red Wings in 1932. The Cougars were an expansion franchise granted to the Townsend syndicate of investors who purchased the Victoria Cougars of the bankrupt Western Hockey League, Stanley Cup winners in 1925.

On this date in New York Rangers history, November 19, 1953 rookie Andy Bathgate of the New York Rangers, scores the first goal of his NHL career

On this date in hockey history, Vaclav “Big Ned” Nedomansky signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings,

then picked up three points in his debut, all assists. Nedomansky had been a star with Slovan Bratislava in the Czechoslovakian Extraliga for 12 seasons. He played in the World Hockey championships nine times and was named the top forward in 1974, He then defected to Toronto in 1974. As a result, he was not allowed to return home until the demise of communism in his home country in 1989. He played for the Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association from 1974-77, scoring 56 goals and 98 points for Toronto in 1975-76.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 19, 1929, Maple Leafs defenseman Hap Day scored four goals a 10-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. This was an incredible performance by Day considering that he only had seven goals for the entire season. Even more incredible was that this was the only game in NHL history when two defenseman had four goal games as Pittsburgh defenseman John McKinnon also scored four goals that night.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 19, 1967, Tim Horton played in his 1,000th game as a Maple Leaf. Horton was a star on the Toronto blueline as the Leafs won four Stanley Cups between 1963 and 1967. Horton played 1445 NHL games, 1185 games with the Leafs, 93 with the New York Rangers, 44 with the Pittsburgh Penguins and 124 with the Buffalo Sabres.

On this date in hockey history, November 19, 1983, Wayne Gretzky scored eight points on three goals and five assists during a 13-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils in the infamous “Mickey Mouse” game. Gretzky wanted the league to help get the Devils to be more competitive but his post game comments were misconstrued as aput down of the devils organization and players. “Well, it’s time they got their act together, folks. They’re ruining the whole league. They had better stop running a Mickey Mouse organization and put somebody on ice.” The next time the Oilers played oin New Jersey, the fans jeered Gretzky and mocked him by hoisting “Mickey Mosue” signs.

On this date in hockey history November 20th, two players notched hat tricks in only one period of a regular season game;

In 1934 Harvey “Busher” Jackson of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored three goals in one period.

In 1979 Paul Stewart notched a different kind of hat trick as a rookie playing for the Quebec Nordiques when he fought three Boston Bruins in one period, tangling with Terry O'Rielly, Stan Jonathan and Al Secord.

On this date in hockey history November 20, 1974, Dave Keon played his 1,000th game as a Toronto Maple Leaf. Keon scored a hat trick in that game, his fifth as a Leaf, including a penalty shot.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1971, The New York Rangers wallopped the California Golden Seals 12-1. Pierre Jarry, a Rangers rookie, scored his first NHL goal and then scored again only eight seconds later. Jean Rattelle added four goals.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1992, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Hartford Whalers 8-2 during which they scored four goals in on minute and 33 seconds. This wasn't the fatsets four goals in NHL history, that record belonged to the 1945 Boston Bruins who did it in one minute and 20 seconds.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1930, Guyle Fielder was born in Potlatch, Idaho. Although Fielder played just nine career games in the NHL, he played 23 professional hockey seasons, scoring 1,929 points in 1,487 minor-league games. After winning rookie of the year, he led the WHL in scoring nine times, won league MVP six times, and was voted “most gentlemanly player” three times. Fielder might have been able to crack the NHL if there were more than six potential rosters to join. Fielder was a star for the WHL Seattle Totems and Portland Buckaroos, arch rivals. He was the second greatest minor league hockey palyer ever after Fred Glover of the Cleveland Barons.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1954, Detroit's Terry Sawchcuk dominated the Chicago Black Hawks with back to back shutouts on November 20th and 21st.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1979, Wayne Gretzky played his first NHL game at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. The Oilers and maple Leafs tied at 4-4 and gretzky had four points with a pair of goals and two helpers. Toronto fans always got their moneys worth when they went to see Gretzky play on Carlton Street, Gretzky played 30 games at at Maple Leaf Gardens scoring 30 goals and 47 assists.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1958, George "Punch" Imlach was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs as their new General Manager. On November 29th Imlach took over as the Maple Leafs' head coach.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1991, of the New York Rangers defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-0 and Brian Leetch began his team record 17 game point scoring record.. Rangers goaltender Mike Richter was in the nets earning the first shutout of his career.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1983, The Minnesota North Stars played to an 8-8 tie with the New York Islanders. Two North Stars scored hat tricks, Neal Broten and Steve Payne.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1988, Wayne Gretzky scored his 600th career goal when the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Detroit Red Wings at Olympia Stadium. Gretzky took only 718 games to score 600 goals and was the fifth NHL player to reach that milestone joining Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito and Marcel Dionne in that exclusive club.

November 23, 1988 – Wayne Gretzky scored a goal and five assists to become the fifth player in NHL history to score 600 goals, as the Kings won 8-3 at Detroit. Gordie Howe, Phil Esposito, Marcel Dionne, and Bobby Hull had done it before, but none of them came close to reaching that milestone in the 718games it took Wayne (and he had also hit 900 assists). Exactly three years later, he’d pick up his 49thcareer hat trick. 


Apparently “Old time Hockey” was a bit rougher than today because on this date in hockey history, November 23, 1929, legendary defenseman Eddie Shore of the Boston Bruins was assessed five fighting majors during a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Maroons. Of course this coud never happen in the modern NHL because a player who receives three fighting majors in one game is ejected, fined and suspended. Also, upon ejection his team cannot replace the player on the ice for five minutes.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1961, it was the end of an era in Toronto as Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe sold 45,000 of his 50,000 shares of his stock to his son Stafford, giving up majority ownership of the team he founded. Smythe thought he was keeping the team in the family but unbeknownst to him the Leafs became owned by a trio of Stafford Smythe, Harold Ballard and John Bassett. Stafford lacked the capital to buy the shares, which sold for $40 apiece. So he teamed with Ballard who took a $2,000,000 loan to finance the purchase. John Bassett became a third partner and the three split the shares evenly. They controlled 60% of the teams stock, each with 20% But the key was a deal among the three that if any partner were to sell their shares, they had to first offer it to the other partners. That's how Ballard ended up owning the team and as a result Leafs fans endured many miserable seasons on the ice but still bought the tickets.

On this date in hockey history, November 24, 1986, Gilbert Perreault retired from the NHL Buffalo Sabres.


1954 – Bill Mosienko (Canada, Chicago Black Hawks) became the sixth player in the NHL history to score 250 goals as he scored once against visiting Montreal Canadiens on November 25, 1954 in his final NHL season. He spend all of his 14 seasons in Chicago and scored total 258 goals in regular seasons and 10 in playoffs. He holds record for the fastest hat trick in the whole NHL history.On March 23, 1952, Bill Mosienko scored in the third period at times 4:50, 5:02 and 5:10, i.e., in only 21 seconds!


November 24, 2003 – How about another Panthers fact, since we hardly ever see them do anything neat? Florida defenseman Mathieu Biron became the first NHL player since Phil Esposito in 1980 to score a goal against his brother, scoring against the charismatic Martin Biron! It’s always fun to one-up your brother, especially when he is one of the more notable players in the league and nobody really knows much about you. The goal helped the Panthers beat the Sabers 2-1.

 
On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1917, the NHL was born when five of the six owners of of the National Hockey Association (NHA) held a meeting at Toronto's Windsor hotel The Toronto Arenas, Montreal W anderers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Quebec Bulldogs agreed to form a new league, the NHL. The sole purpose of this agreement was for the owners to be rid of Eddie Livingstone and his NHA Toronto Blueshirts.

Livingstone had alienated himeslf from other league members and even some of his players with a variety of disagreements. In a practice common at the time, the NHA owners suspended operations only to reform as a new legal entity to be rid of the disagreeable Livingstone. The NHA cited a scarcity of players due to WWI and the imractability of operating a five team league.

Shortly after, the NHA owners without Livingstone announced the creation of the NHL which was comprised of former NHA players using NHA rules.

Sam Lichtenstein, owner of the Montreal Wanderers stated, “Don’t get us wrong, we didn’t throw Livingstone out. He’s still got his franchise in the old National Hockey Association. He has his team, and we wish him well. The only problem is he’s playing in a one-team league.” A different owner stated: “Livingstone was always arguing. Without him we can get down to the business of making money.”

On this date in hockey history, November 25, 1981, Wayne Gretzky scored his eight career hat trick in an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He finished the game with four goals.Gretzky hadn't reached his 21st birthday.

On this date in hockey history, November 25 1972, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the California Golden Seals 11-0.s inside their own blue line when the puck

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1925, the NHL introduced a rule designed to add scoring by prohibiting defensive teams from having more than two players inside their own blue line when the puck is outside of the defensive zone. This rule was intended to prevent teams from filling the defensive zone with defenders which made it difficult for attacking players to get the puck to the net and create scoring chances. Hmmmmm. Maybe the league should bring this rule back.

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1961, during a 4-1 loss against Chicago, Gordie Howe became the first NHL player to appear in 1,000 regular season games.

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1986, Petri Skriko of the Vancouver Canucks scored a hat trick in a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the Fabulous Forum. This was his third hat trick in eight days, as Skriko was on a hot streak with twelve goals and two helpers for twelve points in five games.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 26, 1988, Borje Salming suffered a horrific injury when his face was cut during a goalmouth scramble when the Detroit Red Wings Gerrard Gallant accidentally stepped on his face. The cut required 250 stitches.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, Allen Bester faced Dino Cicarelli of the Minnesota North Stars on a penalty shot. The result? Bester stopped all five penalty shots he faced in his NHL career.

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1944, Maurice “Rocket” Richard notched his fifth career hat trick when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 at the Montreal Forum.

2003 - Scott Stevens set an NHL record for defenseman by playing in his 1,616th career NHL game (breaking the record held by Larry Murphy)

On this date in hockey history, November 27, 1960, Playing in his 938th NHL game Gordie Howe became the first player to reach 1,000 career points during a 2-0 Detroit Red Wings victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nov. 27, 1974: The Canadiens began an NHL-record 23 game road undefeated streak (14-0-9), with a 3-2 win over the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

On this date in Minnesota North Stars history, November 27, 1971, Bill Goldsworthy set a team record for the fastest two goals by one player when he scored two goals in seven seconds.

On this date in NHL history, November 27 1984, Mario Lemieux's brother Alain Lemieux scored his first career NHL hat trick. Alain played 119 NHL games scoring 28 goals and 44 assists.

On this date in hockey history, November 27, 1997, Michel Petit made history during his first game as a Phoenix Coyote in a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars as he became the first NHL player to play for ten different teams. He played for Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Quebec, Edmonton, New York Rangers, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Phoenix.k


On this date in hockey history, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Rangers 6-3 with goaltender Bill Durnan running his undefeated streak to 10-0-1, the best ever by a rookie. Durnan's streak would eventually reach 12-0-2 which remains the best streak to begin a career.

On this date in hockey history, November 27, 1943, the New York Rangers lost 6-3 to the Montreal Canadiens for their 11th consecutive loss the most ever by a team at the start of a season.


On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 27, 1970, Darryl Sittler scored his first NHL goal when the Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings 9-4. Sittler slipped the puck past goalie Don “Smokey” McLeod assisted by Mike “Shakey” Walton and Jim McKenny. It was the first shot that McLeod faced in his NHL career.

On this date in Montreal Canadiens history, November 28, 1925, the team was playing the Pittsburgh Pirates with goaltender Georges Vezina between the pipes for his 328th consecutive game. Vezina left the game after collapsing due to a high fever and vomiting in his crease between periods. Vezina had a temperature of 102 prior to the game and had lost 25 pounds in preceeding weeks. He had unknowingly contracted tuberculosis and died on March 27, 1926.

Known as the Chicoutimi cucumber, Vezina played for Montreal for 16 seasons and was the only goalie to play for the Canadiens from 1910 to 1925. He grew up playing informal street hockey games and did not skate until he was 16 years old. His Chicoutimi Hockey Club was in an isolated area and did not compete in a league but travelled around the province playing exhibition games. On February 17, 1910 they played an exhibition game against the Montreal Canadiens. After the Canadiens lost the game failing to score a goal aganst Vezina, they offered him a tryout and then signed him to a contract for $800 per season.

He gave up the fewest goals in the league seven times. After his passing, the Canadiens donated the Vezina Trophy to the NHL to be awarded to the goaltender who gave up the fewest goals in the league. As of 1981 the trophy has been awarded to the most outstanding goalie as voted by league general managers.

On this date in hockey history, November 28, 1979, Billy Smith became the first NHL goaltender to score a goal. He never actually shot the puck but was the last Islander to touch the puck before Rob Ramage of the Colorado Rockies passed the puck to the point on a delayed penalty and the puck slid down the ice into the open net. Despite the own goal, the Rockies won the game 7-4.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 28, 1958, General Manager Punch Imlach replaced Bill Reay as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Imlach had been hired as an assistant GM in July but the team had no General Manager so Imlach reported directly to the “Silver Seven”, the seven member committee headed by Stafford Smythe which oversaw the business of Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. Imlach was promoted to General Manager in November and fired Reay just one week later. Imlach took the Leafs from the last place team in 1958 to the 1959 Stanley Cup finals. The Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963 and 1964 and again in 1967 with Imlach serving as both coach and GM. Imlach was not what is known today as a “players coach”, rather he was a stern authority figure who was beloved by his veteran players but not so much among young players like Carl Brewer and Frank Mahovlich. The 1960's was a time of cultural and social change where the structure of authority began to loose ground to changes in clothing, music and the formalities of the establishment. Old school authoritarians like Imlach faced tremendous challenges trying to contain the expressions of individualism of his young players and responded with verbal abuse. Mahovlich especially was subjected to Imlach's ways and suffered a nervous breakdown at one point.

On this date in hockey history, November 28, 1965 Gordie Howe became the first NHL player to score 600 career goals. Playing at the Montreal Forum and trailing the Canadiens 3-1 with under four minutes to play, Howe beat Gump Worsley with 3:30 remaining to play. The Montreal fans gave Howe a standing ovation to honor his historic achievement, Montreal won the game 3-2.

On this date in hockey history, November 29, 1984, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Vancouver Canucks 12-1. The Kings set team records for goals (12) and power play goals scored (6) in one game. The Canucks went out meekly without even a fight recorded in the game. The Kings were coached by Pat Quinn who had played 606 NHL games as a hard hitting defenseman who was assessed 950 penalty minutes in his career. But Quinn the coach was more a renaissance man than old fashioned. While coaching in Los Angeles, he spent his spare time earning a law degree. His teams were anything but a reflection of his truculent playing style, they demonstrated skill and scoring. Quinn was the quintessential players coach, who won the Jack Adams Award twice as NHL coach of the year by motivating his players. He never won the Stanley Cup as a coach but led two teams to the finals, the 1980 Flyers and 1994 Canuckcs. Quinn's Flyers team set the NHL and North American professional sports record for longest unbeaten streak at 35 games (25-0-10).

On this date in hockey history, November 29, 1967, the St. Louis Blues made a trade that helped establish them as the standard bearer of the NHL's expansion era when they acquired Red Berenson and Barclay Plager from the New York Rangers in exchange for Ron Stewart and Ron Atwell. Berenson went on the become the scoring star of the Blues, finishing in the NHL's top ten scorers in the 1968-69 and 1969-70 seasons, while Plager and his brother Bob, also acquired from the Rangers, were the stars on defense whose hard hitting style made them tremendously popular with the fans.

On this date in Toronto hockey history, November 29, 1924 the Toronto St. Patricks visited Montreal to play the Canadiens in the opening game at the brand new 9,000 seat Montreal Forum. The Canadiens were not very hospitable winning the game 7-1. Billy Boucher opened the scoring 55 seconds into the first period with the first of his three goals that game. Aureal Joliet had two goals, with Howie Morinz and Sylvio Mantha adding singles. Georges Vezina was in goal for Montreal opposite John Roach Ross for Toronto. The Canadiens were an unusual choice to open the new arena because their home rink in 1924 was actually the Mount Royal Arena. The Forum was the home rink of the Montreal Maroons from 1924 until they folded in 1936. Because the natural ice at their home rink wasn't ready, the Canadiens were invited to hold their game on the man made ice at the Forum. In 1926 the Candiens moved into the Forum and shared the arena with the Maroons.

This date in hockey history, November 30 1943, Maurice Richard wore the number 9 for the first time and the Montreal Canadiens famous Punch Line made it's debut in a 2-2 tie with the Boston Bruins at the Montreal Forum. The Punch Line featured Toe Blake at center, Elmer Lach on left wing and the Rocket at right wing. Lach and Richard were both second team all stars that season as Montreal won the regular season title and the Stanley Cup. The Punch Line really hit their stride the next season in 1944-45 when the Rocket scored his famous 50 goals and the line finished 1-2-3 in NHL scoring with Lach 1st (26-54-80), Richard 2nd (50-23-73) and Blake 3rd (29-38-67) in the 50 game season. All three members of the line were first team all stars along with teammates Bill Durnan in goal and Emile Bouchard on defense. The Canadiens won the regular season title again but lost in the playoffs to Toronto 4 games to 2. The Leafs went on to win the Stanley Cup defeating Chicago 4 games to three.


On this date in hockey history, November 30, 1969, Bobby Clarke scored the first goal of his NHL career against the New York Rangers in a 3-3 tie.On this date in hockey history, November 30, 1946, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Chicago Black Hawks 11-0 with Turk Broda earning the shutout. The Hawks featured scoring champion Max Bentley (29-43-72 in 60 games) and his brother Doug Bentley sixth in scoring (21-34-55 in 52 games) but finished in the NHL basement with 42 points and a goal differential of -81. The Leafs finished in second place with 72 points and a +37 goal differential. Toronto won the Stanley Cup defeating Montreal in the finals four games to two.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1924, The Boston Bruins played their first game in the NHL and the first NHL game ever played in the United States, defeating the Montreal Maroons 2-1 at the Boston Arena.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1938, Frank Brimsek made his debut in the nets for the Boston Bruins, losing 2-0 to the Montreal Canadiens. But Brimsek recovered nicely, earning shutouts in six of his next seven games which earned him the nickname “Mister Zero”.





On this date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, Max Bentley scored his first NHL goal with the Chicago Black Hawks during a 4-1 home ice victory against the New York Rangers.

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1949, Conn Smythe benched his starting goalie Turk Broda for being overweight . Gil Mayer made his only start of the season for the Leafs who lost 2-0 to the Detroit Red Wngs. Broda was back in the nets for the next game after he lost enough weight to satisfy Smythe and the Leafs defeated the New York Rangers 2-0.This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1967, Jim McKenny was born in Ottawa Ontario. “Howie” played 594 games with Toronto primarily from 1969 to 1977 scoring 327 points as a puck rushing defenseman. While playing with Toronto's American league affiliate the Rochester Americans, Mckenny's rooomate was Donald S. Cherry. McKenny famously said of hockey that “Half the game is mental. The other half is being mental.”

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1957, Frank Mahovlich was in his rookie season and scored a hat trick during a Leafs 7-2 victory against the Chicago Black Hawks at Chicago stadium. Mahovlich went 20-16-36 in 1957-58, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year over Bobby Hull. His rookie card pictured below is valued at $500.

On this date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, four pairs of brothers played in one NHL game. The Chicago Black Hawks defeated the New York Rangers 4-1. Max and Doug Bentley along with Bob and Bill Carse suited up for the Hawks while Neil and Mac Colville and Lynn and Muzz Patrick played for the Rangers.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1909, the National Hockey Association was established in Montreal consisting of the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers and Renfrew Creamery Kings. The NHA would later eveolve into the NHL.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1909, the National Hockey Association (NHA) was established in Montreal consisting of the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers and Renfrew Creamery Kings. The NHA would later evolve into the NHL. Renfrew was a small mining town in northern Ontario which prospered during the silver mining boom years. M.J. O'Brien and son Ambrose were the owners of the Renfrew team in the semi professional Federal Hockey League and sought to enter the new Canadien Hockey Association (CHA) but were turned down. So they created their own league the NHA. Renfrew boasted the legendary Frank Patrick and Fred “Cyclone” Taylor and Newsy Lalonde the NHA's first scoring champion and finished 8-3-1 that first season. They slipped to 8-8 next season. The Renfrew team folded after two seasons. The CHA folded after 8 weeks.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1925, the New York Americans played their first NHL game in Pittsburgh, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1. Billy Burch scored the first goal with Charlie Langlois netting the winner in overtime.


On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1969, the NHL announced the league would add two expansion team for the 1970-71 season, the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1961, Gerry Cheevers played his first NHL game for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Black Hawks, Cheevers was the winning goalie against Glenn Hall as Billy Harris scored a hat trick in the Leafs 6-4 victory. Cheevers played for the Leafs again the next night then spent the remainder of his career with the Boston Bruins.

​This Date In Hockey History - December


This date in hockey history, December 1, 1924, The Boston Bruins played their first game in the NHL and the first NHL game ever played in the United States, defeating the Montreal Maroons 2-1 at the Boston Arena.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1938, Frank Brimsek made his debut in the nets for the Boston Bruins, losing 2-0 to the Montreal Canadiens. But Brimsek recovered nicely, earning shutouts in six of his next seven games which earned him the nickname “Mister Zero”.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, Max Bentley scored his first NHL goal with the Chicago Black Hawks during a 4-1 home ice victory against the New York Rangers.





This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1949, Conn Smythe benched his starting goalie Turk Broda for being overweight . Gil Mayer made his only start of the season for the Leafs who lost 2-0 to the Detroit Red Wngs. Broda was back in the nets for the next game after he lost enough weight to satisfy Smythe and the Leafs defeated the New York Rangers 2-0.

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1967, Jim McKenny was born in Ottawa Ontario. “Howie” played 594 games with Toronto primarily from 1969 to 1977 scoring 327 points as a puck rushing defenseman. While playing with Toronto's American league affiliate the Rochester Americans, Mckenny's rooomate was Donald S. Cherry. McKenny famously said of hockey that “Half the game is mental. The other half is being mental.”

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1957, Frank Mahovlich
was in his rookie season and scored a hat trick during a Leafs 7-2 victory against the Chicago Black Hawks at Chicago stadium. Mahovlich went 20-16-36 in 1957-58, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year over Bobby Hull. His rookie card pictured below is valued at $500.

On this date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, four pairs of brothers played in one NHL game. The Chicago Black Hawks defeated the New York Rangers 4-1. Max and Doug Bentley along with Bob and Bill Carse suited up for the Hawks while Neil and Mac Colville and Lynn and Muzz Patrick played for the Rangers.



On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1909, the National Hockey Association (NHA) was established in Montreal consisting of the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers and Renfrew Creamery Kings. The NHA would later evolve into the NHL. Renfrew was a small mining town in northern Ontario which prospered during the silver mining boom years. M.J. O'Brien and son Ambrose were the owners of the Renfrew team in the semi professional Federal Hockey League and sought to enter the new Canadien Hockey Association (CHA) but were turned down. So they created their own league the NHA. Renfrew boasted the legendary Frank Patrick and Fred “Cyclone” Taylor and Newsy Lalonde the NHA's first scoring champion and finished 8-3-1 that first season. They slipped to 8-8 next season. The Renfrew team folded after two seasons. The CHA folded after 8 weeks.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1925, the New York Americans played their first NHL game in Pittsburgh, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1. Billy Burch scored the first goal with Charlie Langlois netting the winner in overtime.





On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 4, 1980, Jim Rutherford was acquired by the Leafs from Detroit for Mark Kirton who had been their first round draft pick in 1980. Rutherford was an Ontario boy from Beeton less than an hours drive from Toronto so his first game played for the Red Wings at Maple Leafs Gardens on January 2, 1971 was an emotional moment. Unfortunately for the rookie Rutherford and the Wings, the game was full of bad memories as the Leafs hammered the Wings 13-0. Rutherford gave up three in the first period, then spent the rest of the game on the bench and saw Torotno score three more in the second and seven goals in the third.

Rutherford played 18 game with the Leafs going 4-10-2 with a 5.12 GAA before Toronto traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. With that trade, Rutherford became the first NHL goalie to play for three teams in the same season.

On this date in hockey history, December 3, 1970, Frank Mahovlich of the Detroit Red Wings scored his 400th career goal, becoming the sixth NHL player to reach that milestone. Mahovlich found great individual success in Detroit enjoying his freedom after escaping the Toronto Maple Leafs and Punch Imlach with fellow Leafs refugees Bob Baun and Carl Brewer, scoring a career high 49 goals in 1967-68 and 38 goals in 1968-69, more than he scored in 11 of his 12 seasons with the Leafs.





On this date in Buffalo Sabres history, December 4th 1978, General Manager Punch Imlach was fired along with Coach Marcel Pronovost. Billy Inglis was hired to replace Pronovost.

On this date in hockey history, December 4, 1909, the Montreal Canadiens were founded as the “Club de Hockey Canadien” by J. Ambrose O'Brien and Jack Laviolette. Originally members of the National Hockey Association, the Canadiens were stocked with francophone players to represent Montreal's francophone community. They finished in last place in their first season but won their first Stanley Cup in the 1915-16 season. In 1917, the National Hockey Association (NHA) became ethe NHL. With Howie Morenz leading the way, the NHL Canadiens won their first Stanley Cup in the 1923-24 season.

On this date in hockey history December 5, 1939, Eddie Shore played his last game a Boston Bruin in a 2-1 victory over the New York Americans at the Boston Garden.

On this date in hockey history, December 5 1943, Bill Cowley and Herb Cain both scored three points on a goal and two assists when the Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens and rookie goaltender Bill Durnan. This was Durnans first loss after a record 12-0-2 streak to start his NHL career.

On this date in hockey history, December 5 1983, Wayne Gretzky had three assists during a 4-2 victory at Pittsburgh. This gave Gretzky 1,400 points in 580 games, joining Gordie Howe, Stan Mikita, Phil Espsoito and Marcel Dionne in that exclusive club.

On this date in hockey history, December 5, 1968, the Montreal Canadiens debuted a future Hall of Fame goaltender when Tony Esposito against the Boston Bruins and their future Hall of Famer Phil Esposito, Tony's brother. Phil scored twice against his brother in a 2-2 tie.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 6, 1947, the Leafs hammered the Chicago Black Hawks 12-5 with Max Bentley and Harry Watson scoring hat tricks. The 1947-48 Leafs finished on top of the NHL standings and won their second Stanley Cup in a string of three consecutive championships in 1947, 1948 and 1949.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1987, Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers had a hat trick in the first period against the Minnesota North Stars for his 43rd career hat trick. Then he added two more goals and an assist for a six point game in a 10-4 victory. The five goal game was the fifth of Gretzky's career.

On this date in hockey history, Greg Millen recorded his third consecutive shutout 3-0 over the Minnesota North Stars. Millen finished the season with a 3.38 GAA , six shutouts and a save percentage of .880

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1929, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Harvey “Busher” Jackson. He made his debut at age 18 against the Montreal Canadiens and announced his arrival by knocking down his idol Howie Morenz.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1959, Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks notched his first hat trick in the NHL in a 6-3 victory by the Chicago Black hawks over the Boston Bruins.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1995, a monumental trade took place which altered the competitive balance of the NHL when the Montreal Canadiens sent Patrick Roy and Mike Keane to the Colorado Avalanche for a package of Martin Rucinsky, Andrei Kovalenko and goaltender Jocelyn Thibault. Montreal coach Mario Trembaly and Roy didn't get along when they had played together and their frayed relationship reached it's breaking point when the Detroit Red Wings came to town for a game on December 2nd. Roy had run into Red Wings goalie Mike Vernon that morning at breakfast and Roy had confided that the pressure from the media and fans in Montreal had really gotten to him and he was even considering retirement. Vernon told him that he needed to get traded, that a trade from Calgary had relieved Vernon from the pressure of playing for his hometown team that had been unable to repeat their 1989 Stanley Cup championship. Later that evening, Tremblay left Roy in nets as he endured brutal booing from the fans while the Red Wings piled up a 9-1 lead. Roy pulled himself from the game and stormed past Tremblay over to Canadiens President Ronald Corey and told him he had played his last game for Montreal. Four days later the games greatest goaltender was on his way to Denver where he led the Avalanche to a pair of Stanley Cup championships. Montreal has not been in the finals since the end of the Roy era. Vernon's contribution to this saga is largely unknown but was likely the impetus for this monumental moment in NHL history.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1989, Mario Lemieux passed Jean Pronovost as the Pittsburgh Penguins all time goal scoring leader with his 317th goal in his 395th career game. Lemieux's goal helped the Penguins defeat the Washington Capitals 5-3.





On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1977, Gordie Howe of the WHA New England Whalers scored his 1,000 career professional goal in a 6-3 victory over the Birmingham Bulls. Howe beat goalie John Garrett at 11:36 of the first period ending a scoreless drought of 11 games. It took Howe 30 seasons to score his 1,000th goal and it included all NHL and WHA regular season and playoff games.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1919, the Toronto Arenas changed their name to the Toronto St. Patrick's. In 1926-27 they changed their name to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1961, Jean Beliveau played his first game as the Captain of the Montreal Canadiens. leading the Habs to a 4-1 victory the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Forum.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1975, Johnny Bucyk of the Boston Bruins tied Jean Beliveau of the Montreal Canadiens for sixth place in career NHL scoring when he tallied his 507th goal.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1940, Gerry Cheevers was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. Cheevers was one of the great “money” goaltenders of all time, winning two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972. Cheevers is also famous for his stitch covered face mask which originated after he was hit in the face with a puck during practice. Feigning injury, Cheeevrs went to the locker room where coach Harry Sinden found him smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer. As a joke, Bruins trainer “Frosty” Forristall drew a stitch on his mask. A new stich mark was added every time he was struck in the mask and the legndary mask was created. The Hockey News tallied votes for the best mask design ever and Cheevers mask won in a landslide with 221 votes to 66 for Gilles Gratton's lions face mask. Ron Hextall the former Flyers goalie and current Flyers general manager called Cheevers mask the “greatest piece of sports memorabilia ever.”

Cheevers developed an uncoventional style of play as a flopping goalie which he learned with the Rochester Americans where his coach made him practice without a stick. In 1965, Cheevers set the AHL record for most victories in a single season by a goalie with 48. even so, he was hardly an overnight success in the NHL which consisted of only six teams at that time. Cheevers developed his style during six seasons in the minor leagues before becoming a full time goalie with Boston in 1967. In 1972 He went undefeated for 32 consecutive games which is an NHL record.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1982, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-2 with Wayne Gretzky scoring his 23rd goal of the season at 6:23 of the second period at the Northlands Coliseum. That game marked the end of a 30 game scoring streak for Gretzky during which he collected an amazing 76 points on 24 goals and 54 assists.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1966, Henri Richard joined his brother Maurice “The Rocket” to become the first pair of brothers to each score 250 career NHL goals as the Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3. “The Pocket Rocket” was the seventh player in franchise history with 250 career goals.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 7 , 1929, Harvey “Busher” Jackson played his first game as a Leaf. At age 18, he was the youngest player in the NHL. Jackson played ten years with the Leafs and holds the team recordd for most first team all star selections with four. He played on the famous “Kid Line” with Joe Primeau and Charlie Conacher and was part of the Leafs 1932 cup winning team.





On this date in hockey history, December 8, 1987, Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers became the first NHL goalie to actually shoot and score a goal. Here is his recollection of that game as told to Philadelphia Business Journal: “[Scoring a goal] was not high on my list of wanna-does,” he said. “The fans were on me to shoot — not only that night, but in prior games too. The media kept asking me questions about it. I said it would have to be the right opportunity, and if I had the right opportunity I’d take a shot. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. Then I scored and our whole team came off the bench and guys were hooting and hollering almost like we won a playoff series. That’s what made it special to me, that my teammates were all there celebrating with me. It made it a bigger deal than I ever envisioned it would be. When I think back, I have fond memories of it.”





On this date in hockey history, December 8, 1984, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 3-1 at Boston Gardens to give coach Scotty Bowman his 692nd career win to tie Dick Irvin for most victories by an NHL coach. Bowman coached for another 13 seasons and finished within 1,248 wins. Al Arbour is second with 782 victories. Scotty's nine Stanley Cups are also the most by any NHL coach. He also won five Stanley Cups as an executive, with Pittsburgh as Director Of Player Development in 1991, another with Detroit in 2008 as a Special Advisor, and threee more with Chicago as Senior Advisor of hockey Operation for a career total of 14, second only to Jean Beliveau's 17.





On this date in hockey history, December 9, 1924, the Toronto St. Patrick's signed a pharmacy student from the University of Toronto to play left wing. He moved to defense and played for the St. Pats/Maple Leafs until 1937, 11 years as team captain. His name was Clarence “Hap” Day.

On this date in hockey history, December 9, 1979, the Edmonton Oilers rookie goaltender Eddie Mio recorded the first shutout in the Oilers NHL history. Mio stopped 30 shots for his first career shutout while Wayne Gretzky and Pat Price each added a goal and an assist.

On this date in hockey history, December 9, 1954, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0 at the Montreal Forum. The game featured a brawl where the teams combined for 36 penalties and 15 misconducts, setting a record for most penalties at that time.

On this date in hockey history, December 9 1976, the Philadelphia Flyers played the Boston Bruins at the Boston Gardens winning 3-1. this was the fourth consecutive season in which the Flyers and Bruins played on December 9th. Rick MacLiesh, Gary Dornhoefer on the power play and Bobby Clarke with a shortie into the empty net handled the scoring while Bernie Parent stopped 17 shots.

This date in hockey history, December 10, 1970, the Boston Bruins peppered Buffalo Sabres goaltender Joe Daley with 72 shots. Daley stopped 64 shots in an 8-0 loss. The 64 saves in one game are a Sabres record. The 72 shots were the most by an NHL team since 1943.

On this date in hockey history, December 10, 1924, the Montreal Maroons played the Montreal Canadiens in the first all Montreal game NHL game. The Canadiens won 5-0 with Auriel Joliet scoring four goals and Georges Vezina picking up the shutout. The Candiens won that game and also won the war as the Maroons folded in 1938.





On this date in hockey history, December 10, 1986, Wayne Gretzky had three goals in a 7-4 edmonton Oilers victory over the Winnipeg Jets. This was Gretzky's 40th career hat trick. That's right – 40 hat tricks by age 25. On December 10, 1989 Gretzky tallied his 1,900th point in only his 803rd NHL game, an 8-4 victory for the los Angeles Kings over the Quebec Nordiques.

On this date in hockey history, December 10, 1975, The Montreal Canadiens retired jersey number 16 which had been worn by Henri Richard and Elmer Lach prior to a game against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. The game ended in a 3-3- tie.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 10, 1969, Johnny Bower played his final game for the Leafs, retiring from the NHL at age 45. He only played one game in that 1969-70 season,losing 6-3 to the Montreal Canadiens. His career record with Toronto was 22—161-79 with a 2.49 GAA. He returned to the Leafs as an assistant coach for the 1976-77 and 1977-78 seasons.


On this date in hockey history, December 11, 1982, the Hartford Whalers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 7-4. this became known as the “First Cooperall Game” because both teams wore the long pants style popularized with the introduction of the Cooperall uniform system. Actually both teams wore CCM pants but the Cooperall name has become synonomous with the long pants look. The NHL banned the use of the long pants for safety reasons. The fabric was a sleek nylon like the short pants which created little friction when players slid on the ice as compared to the knit fabric of the hockey sock which acted more like a braking mechanism when players slid. As a result, players wearing the long pants tended to slide faster into the boards raising concerns about an increase in the number and severity of injuries resulting from their use.

On this date in hockey history, December 11, 1985, the Chicago Black Hawks scored nine goals in a single game. And lost. Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers scored 12 goals in a 12-9 victory over Chicago. The Hawks held Gretzky scoreless but he tied an NHL record with seven assists in one game while linemates Jari Kuri and Glenn Anderson each had a hat trick. Chicago outshot Edmonton 46 to 44 and both teams pulled their starting goalies with Murray Bannerman and Bob Suave sharing the net for Chicago while Andy Moog and Grant Fuhr split goaltending duties for the Oilers. The Oilers did not score on their one power play opportunity while the Hawks scored three times on four power plays. The 21 goals tied an NHL record for most total goals in a single game. Here is the game summary:

First Period
1 - EDM : Glenn Anderson 21 (Wayne Gretzky, Randy Gregg) (EV) 1:35
2 - EDM : Dave Lumley 5 (Billy Carroll, Kevin Lowe) (EV) 3:19
3 - EDM : Dave Semenko 5 (Craig MacTavish, Mark Napier) (EV) 4:58
4 - EDM : Marty McSorley 4 (Wayne Gretzky, Don Jackson) (EV) 13:24
Second Period
10 - CHI : Bill Watson 4 (Ken Yaremchuk, Jerry Dupont) (EV) 7:11
11 - CHI : Troy Murray 14 (Behn Wilson, Keith Brown) (PP) 9:36
12 - CHI : Jack O'Callahan 1 (Jerry Dupont, Troy Murray) (EV) 11:36


13 - EDM : Jari Kurri 20 (Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson) (EV) 14:52
14 - CHI : Keith Brown 3 (Ed Olczyk) (EV) 16:07
15 - EDM : Marty McSorley 5 (Lee Fogolin Jr., Kevin McClelland) (EV) 18:58
16 - EDM : Glenn Anderson 23 (Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey) (EV) 19:50
5 - EDM : Glenn Anderson 22 (Don Jackson, Wayne Gretzky) (EV) 1:20
6 - EDM : Kevin McClelland 5 (Marty McSorley, Raimo Summanen) (EV) 3:08
7 - CHI : Denis Savard 15 (Steve Larmer, Al Secord) (PP) 5:38
8 - EDM : Lee Fogolin Jr. 2 (Kevin McClelland, Raimo Summanen) (EV) 6:11
9 - CHI : Curt Fraser 14 (Troy Murray, Doug Wilson) (EV) 6:38
Third Period
17 - CHI : Troy Murray 15 (Ed Olczyk, Keith Brown) (PP) 13:22
18 - EDM : Jari Kurri 21 (Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson) (EV) 15:34
19 - CHI : Ken Yaremchuk 5 (Bill Gardner, Behn Wilson) (EV) 17:59
20 - EDM : Jari Kurri 22 (Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson) (EV) 19:24
21 - CHI : Ken Yaremchuk 6 (Tom Lysiak, Bill Gardner) (EV) 19:37

On this date in hockey history, December 11, 1982, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4. Peter Stastny scored three goals and had three helpers while his brother Marian had two goals and three assists for an 11 point night by the Stastny's. Peter Stastny would finish the season with 124 points, second in NHL scoring only to Wayne Gretzky's 196 points.





On this date in hockey history, December 12, 1970, Orland Kurtenbach scored the first hat trick in Vancouver Canucks history. This was Kurtenbach's pnly NHL career hat trick and he added an assist in the Canucks 5-2 win over the Oakland Seals. Kurtenbach finished the season with 21-32-53 totals in only 52 games. He was well known to old time hockey fans in vancouver having played for the WHL Vancouver Canucks during the the 1957-58, 1959-60 and 1960-61 seasons.

On this date in hockey history, December 12, 1971, Brad Park scored three goals and an assist for the New York Rangers in a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Park was the first Rangers defenseman to score a hat trick. He finished the 1971-72 season with 24-59-73 totals and 130 penalty minutes.

1981 - Ian Turnbull became the first defenseman in Kings history to score a hat trick (the second of his career) as the Kings won 7-5 over the Canucks. Turnbull finished the game with four goals.

On this day in hockey history, December 12, 1933 The Toronto Maple Leafs were playing in Boston against the Bruins. Early in the second period the Leafs were two men short and coach Dick Irvin dispatched his penalty killers, Frank “King” Clancy with Red Horner on defense with Irvine “Ace” Bailey at forward. Bailey proceeded to put on a penalty killing clinic ragging the puck using his exceptional stickhandling skills. Finally, Boston's Hall of Fame defenseman, Eddie Shore gathered the puck in and carried the play into the Toronto zone where he was hip checked by Horner.

Shore was dazed by the hit and sought his revenge. He skated after Ace Bailey perhaps thinking he was Horner. Shore caught Bailey with a viscious check flipping him in the air. Bailey hit the ice head first and went into convulsions, bleeding from a head wound. Horner went after Shore and punched him, knocking him unconscious. Both Bailey and Shore had to be carried of the ice.

While Shore had a small cut on his head, Bailey's injury was far more serious and he was taken to the Bruins dressing room where the Bruins team doctors examined his wound. Shore had regained consciousness and went to Bailey to apologize. Bailey told Shore “It's all part of the game”, before he slipped back into unconsciousness.

Bailey was hospitalized with a cerebral hemmorhage and his death seemed imminent. In the event of Bailey's death, homicide detectives were prepared to charge Shore with manslaughter. Bailey's father travelled to Boston with a pistol intent on avenging his sons injury against Shore but Boston police interceeded and convinced him to abandon his plan.

Bailey underwent two operations after which his death seemed imminent. A priest was summoned to administer the last rites. But by morning his prospects had improved. Within two weeks it was clear that Bailey would survive but would never be able to play again. The Bruins donated $8,000 to Bailey and his family and the NHL held a special game to benefit Bailey and his family, featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs playing at Maple Leaf Gardens against a group of star players selected from other NHL teams. The benefit game raised $20,000 for Bailey. This was the forerunner of what would become the Anuual NHL all star game.

As the all star players skated onto the ice they wore their individual teams jerseys and were then presented with their all star game jersey. The first player onto the ice was goaltender Charlie Gardiner who was given his jersey with number one. When Shore skated onto the ice in his Boston Bruins uniform, he was greeeted at center ice by Ace Bailey in street clothes. Bailey handed Shore his number 2 game jersey and extended his hand. When Shore clasped and shook Bailey's hand the Gardens crowd roared it's approval.

Shore was suspended for 16 games as a result of the incident. Bailey remained in the Leafs organization, serving as the timekeeper at Leafs games from 1938 until 1984. He passed away in 1992 at age 89.

On this date in hockey history, December 13, 1987, rookie Joe Nieuwendyk of the Calgary Flames scored four goals against the Buffalo Sabres. He became the first rookie in the modern NHL (post red line) to have two four goal games. Cully Wilson had a pair of four goal games duirng his initial NHL season in 1919-20 although he was hardly a true “rookie” having played three seasons in the NHA (NHL's predessor league) and four seasons with the seattle Metropolitans of the PCHA.

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1929, Harold “Baldy” Cotton spoiled a history making appearance by the New York Rangers at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens by scoring a pair of overtime goals in Toronto's 7-6 victory. This waspossible because overtime was a ten minute period played in it's entriety, ie not sudden death. But the history making event was that the Rangers became the first team to travel to their game by airplane.

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1974, the New York Rangers Greg Polis set a team record for most penalty minutes in one game with 33. The St. Louis Blues won the game 6-2. The two teams combined for 256 penalty minutes

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1933, Howie Morenz of the Montreal Canadiens scored his 247th goal, making him the NHL's career goal scoring leader as he passed Cy Denneny. Denneny had 245 goals in his first 259 games before finishing his career with only four goals in his final 66 games.

1943 - Boston's Bill Cowley had a goal and two assists to become the NHL's all-time leader in assists. He scored #258 to pass New York's Frank Boucher in a 4-3 win over Chicago. Cowley retired 4 years later with a record 353 career assists.

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1968, Bobby Orr scored his first NHL hat trick at Boston Garden during a 10-5 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks.





On this date in hockey history, December 15, 1917, the first NHL game was played between the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Wanderers. This was an exhibition game to benefit the victims of the Halifax Explosion in which a munitions ship exploded in Halifax harbor Over 1,950 were killed, more than 9,000 were wounded. Every building within a ten mile radius, 12,000 in all, were destroyed. Thirty one thousand people were left homeless or lacking adequate housing. A 1994 study of major non nuclear explosions concluded that "Halifax Harbour remains unchallenged in overall magnitude as long as five criteria are considered together: number of casualties, force of blast, radius of devastation, quantity of explosive material and total value of property destroyed."


This date in hockey history, December 15 1983, the Philadelphia Flyers scored an NHL record three shorthanded goals in one period during a 9-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. Mark Howe, Ilka Sinisalo and Miroslave Dvorak each scored a shortie during the second period.





On this date in hockey history, December 15, 1915, Art Jackson was born in Toronto, Ontario. Art was the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs Hall of Famer Harvey “Busher” Jackson. Art played with his brother on the Leafs from the 1934-35 season to 1936-37. He played for the New York Americans in 1937-38, then the Boston Bruins from 1939-40 to 1940-45 before finishing his career back with the Leafs in 1945-46 where he played on a Stanley Cup winner for his hometown team. He also won a Stanley Cup with Boston in 1941. Art centered the Leafs “Cyclone Line” with Nick Metz and Bob Davidson.

Happy birthday to the NHL's offside rule, drafted on this date in hockey history, December 16, 1929. Hockey had originally been played like rugby with no forward passing allowed anywhere on the playing surface forcing players to caary the puck in order to move it forward. In 1905 the Ontario Hockey Association began allowing defensemen to play the puck forward from rebounds within three feet of the goaltender. Some ice surfaces had a black line painted on the ice at the three foot distance. To promote scoring, the NHL allowed forward passing in the defensive and neutral zones in 1927 but scoring remained low. In 1928-29 the NHL allowed forward passing in the attacking zone and scoring doubled almost immediately as players would position themselves in front of the opposition goal and wait until a teamamte stickhandled over the offensive blue line then passed the puck down low to the player at the net. The league decided that too much scoring was undesireable and instituted the new rule during the season to cut down on these “easier” goals.

On this date in hockey history, December 16, 1950, the Montreal Canadiens debuted two future Hall Of Fame players Jean Beliveau and Bernie Geoffrion in a 1-1 tie with the New York Rangers with Geoffrion scoring Montreal's only goal in his NHL debut.

On this date in hockey history, December 16, 1981, Dave Lumley of the Edmonton Oilers scored a goal in his 12th consecutive game going 2-2-4 during a 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Lumley scored 15 goals during the streak. This was one game fewer than the NHL record at the time held by Charlie Simmer (13 games) as Lumley filled in as a winger on Wayne Gretzky's line.

On this date in hockey history, December 17, 1977, rookie defenseman Barry Beck of the Colorado Rockies scored a hat trick and added an assist in a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota North Stars. He scored 22 goals and 38 assists for 60 points as a rookie, including a stretch of six consecutive games with a goal. The 22 goals was a rookie record for defensemen until Brian Leetch scored 23 in 1988-89.

On this date in hockey history, December 17, 1977, the Hartford Whalers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2-0 for their first NHL shutout away from home. Mike Veisor earned the shutout.

On this date in hockey history, December 17, 1977, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Quebec Nordiques 8-1. Gretzky scored one goal and adding five assists for six points in his 352nd career game. These included his 500th assist and 800th point, an amazing pace of 2.27 points per game.

On this date in Buffalo Sabres history, December 17, 1990, the struggling Sabres (10-15-7) traded Mike Foligno to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Brian Curran and Lou Franschetti. Foligno played 663 games over ten seasons with the Sabres and became a fan favorite scoring 247 goals and 511 points. He earned a reputation as a player who stood up for himself and his teammates, piling up a then team record 1,450 penalty minutes for the blue and gold. Foligno was the team captain when he was traded, having been named captain on February 15, 1989. Foligno only scored 27 goals for Toronto in 129 games but scored twice against the Sabres at Maple Leaf Gardens on January 14, 1991. I wonder if Leafs fans found it as unusual watching Rick Vaive playing for Buffalo that bnight as it looked to see Foligno in a Maple Leafs uniform.

On this date in hockey history, December 18, 1983, Wayne Gretzky had a pair of goals to go along with two assists in an Edmonton Oilers 7-5 victory against the Winnipeg Jets. That sounds like just another day at the office for Wayne as he hit 100 points for the season in his 34th game. That's right, 100 points in only 34 games. In todays NHL standings there are only two teams with 100 goals, Montreal with 101 in 33 games and Dallas with 108 in 32 games.

On this date in hockey history, December 18, 1952, Jean Beliveau and Bernie Geoffrion each scored a ht trick at the Montreal Forum during Montreal's 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers. This was Beliveau's first three goal game, and Geoffrion's second.





On this date in hockey history, Maurice “The Rocket” Richard scored his 400th career goal in a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks He was the first NHL player to reach that milestone.
On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 18, 1965, Bob Pulford and Dave Keon each scored three goals in an 8-4 victory over the New York Rangers. This was the first and only time two Maple Leaf players had hat tricks in the same game.




On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 18, 1971, the Leafs signed free agent goalie Gord McRae. McRae had played three seasons at Michigan Tech from 1967-68 to 1969-70. He worked his way up from the EHL to the AHL Providence Reds before settling in with Toronto's CHL farm team the Tulsa Oilers. He played a total of 71 games in the NHL from 1972-73 to 1977-78, all with the Leafs as he was yanked up and down from the minors. His biggest impact in the NHL was in the 1974-75 season when he played 20 games with a 3.29 GAA going 13-3-6 and 2-5 with a 2.86 GAA in the playoffs including a first round upset over the Los Angeles Kings who had finished the regulat season with 105 points, 27 more than the Leafs 78. When McRae posed for the 1977-78 team picture with a beard, the Leafs owner Harold Ballard had McRae's head removed from the picture and replaced with Gord Shervens clean shaven head from the previous season.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1984, Scotty Bowman was behind the bench when the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-3 to set a record for most victories by a coach with his 691st win. Of course that record was broken by Scotty Bowman himself who finished his career with 1,248 victories.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1984, Wayne Gretzky reached 1,000 career points with a six point game on home ice against the Los Angeles Kings, going 2-4-6. He set a record by accumulating 1,000 career points in only 424 games, breaking Guy Lafleur's previous mark by 296 games. Lafleur had reached 1,000 points in 724 games.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1967, Gary “Suitcase” Smith was beaten for two goals by his brother Brian Smith who led the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-1 victory over the Oakland Seals. While at first glance, Gary Smith is the more familiar player to most, Brian smith was a significant figure in 1960's hockey and his tragic end was shocking.

Smith played for the Memorial Cup in 1960 with the Brockville Canadiens and played in the EPHL from 1960-63 with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens. When he was acquired by the Springfield Indians in 1963 he refused to report because of coach Eddie Shore's reputation for poor treatment of his players. Smith played in Austria but was suspended by the IIHF beacsue he hadn't obtained a release. So he was forced to play for Springfiled from 1964-67 where he and Bill White started Alan Eagleson on his career in hockey by strking against Shore in 1966 with Eagleson representing the players.

Shore was forced to sell the team to Jack Kent Cooke the owner of the expansion Los Angeles Kings and Smith suited up in 1967 as one of the original Kings. He played for Phoenix in the WHL then with the Minnesota North Stars in 1968-69 and finished his playing career with the WHA Houston Aeros in 1972-73. Smith then became a sports broadcaster with CJOH TV in Ottawa where he anchored the 6 PM news until 1995.

On August 1 1985 Smith was shot in the station parking lot by a paranoid schizophrenic who believed that the station had been broadcasting messages in his head.. Smith's death stunned the community. He was honored by the Ottawa Senators who renamed the press box at their home rink Canadien Tire Center the “Brian 'Smitty' Smith Press Box” and the team wore a memorial patch honoring Smith during the 1995-96 season.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1985, Larry Robinson scored the only hat trick of his NHL career during a 5-4 Montreal Canadiens loss to the Quebec Nordiques.

On this date in NHL history, December 19, 1917, the National Hockey League played it's first two games. Dave Ritchie scored the first goal in NHL history one minute into the game as his Montreal Wanderers defeated the Toronto Hockey Club 7-4. Joe Malone scored five goals and an assist for the Montreal Canadiens including Montreal's first ever NHL goal in a 7-4 win over the Ottawa Senators in the other opening day game.





































This day in hockey history, October 2nd 1948, Donald Harold Luce was born in London Ontario. Don played three years of junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers where he led the OHA in assists with 70 in 1967-68. After turning pro he played on the Rangers farm team the Omaha Knights that won the CHL regular season and playoff titles in 1969-70. Luce was named to CHL All-Star First Team.

In spite of two strong seasons in the CHL (1968-69 22 goals and 56 points in 72 games and 1969-70 with 22 goals and 57 points in 64 games), Luce appeared in only 21 NHL games during that time as the Rangers were a strong team and deep at center with Jean Rattelle, Walt Tkaczuk, Juha Widing and Orland Kurtenbach in an era where team employed only three regular forward lines.





On November 2nd 1970 the Rangers traded Don to the Detroit Red Wings for Steve Andrascik.

While with Detroit, Luce assisted on Gordie Howe’s last goal before he retired from the Red Wings. Then on May 15th 1971, Don was traded to the Buffalo Sabres along with defenseman Mike Robitaille for goaltender Joe Daley.

Luce blossomed in Buffalo where he developed into one of the best two way players of the 1970’s. Don won the Buffalo Sabres' Unsung Hero Trophy and Wilkinson Sword Award as team's Most Improved Player in 1971-72. He recorded the first playoff assist in Buffalo Sabres history on April 4, 1973, at Montreal. He was the inaugural winner of the Buffalo Sabres' Charley Barton Silver Stick Award for dedication and spirit in 1972-73.

Don was named an alternate captain during 1973-74 season and wore the "A" through the 1975-75 season. He won the Wilkinson Sword Award as the Buffalo Sabres MVP in 1973-74. He set a Buffalo Sabres team record for the fastest three goals by one player with three goals in span of 3:49 on Dec. 22, 1974, at Washington. He set a Buffalo record (since tied) for the most shorthanded goals in a game with two on Dec. 22, 1974, at Washington.

Luce was voted the Bill Masterson Trophy winner for the 1974-75 season which is awarded to the NHL player annually who best demonstrates the qualities of perseverance, leadership and dedication to the sport of hockey

Don represented Buffalo in 1975 NHL All-Star Game. He set Sabres single season records for shorthanded goals (8) and highest plus-minus rating (plus-61) in 1974-75. The eight shorthanded goals were also an NHL record (since broken), breaking Dave Keon's previous mark of seven. He scored the first postseason shorthanded goal in Buffalo Sabres history on May 3, 1975, at Montreal and played on Buffalo team that went to 1975 Stanley Cup Finals. H e scored the series winning goal at 14:27 of overtime as Buffalo eliminated St. Louis from the first round of the 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Luce was traded by new Sabres GM/coach Scotty Bowman to the Los Angeles Kings March 10th 1981 for a 1982 sixth round draft pick which he used to draft Jeff Parker 111th overall. He left Buffalo ranked third behind Gil Perreault and Craig Ramsay for most games as Sabre with 766. The Kings later traded Don to Toronto where he finished his career.

Don was named as the head coach of the Pine Bridge Bucks in the ACHL prior to 1983-84 season. He was a pro scout for Buffalo for the 1984-85 season and also served as a part time assistant coach for the Sabres that season. He was an assistant coach for Buffalo for parts of 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons. 




Luce was named the director of U.S. Scouting for the Sabres prior to 1985-86 season and remained in position through 1986-87 season. He was named Buffalo’s Director of Amateur Evaluation and Development prior to 1987-88 season and remained in that position through 1989-90 season. Played key role in helping to get Alexander Mogilny out of USSR and into NHL in 1989.

He was then named Buffalo’s Director of Player Personnel prior to 1990-91 season and remained in that position through 2004-05 season. His work was recognized when The Hockey News ranked team's prospects No. 2 in NHL for 1997. He was named Buffalo Director of Player Development prior to 2005-06 season and remained in that position through 2005-06 season. Luce left the Sabres in July 2006, when the team let him go and cut much of its scouting department. Luce had been responsible for bringing in the likes of Alexander Mogilny, Maxim Afinogenov, Martin Biron, Brian Campbell, and Jason Pominville.

Luce was named the Director of Player development for the Philadelphia Flyers in late November 2006. He was a pro scout for the Flyers starting in the 2012-13 season and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in that same capacity on September 20th 2015. He is now retired from hockey





Don Luce played 894 career NHL games, scoring 225 goals and 329 assists for 554 points. His best statistical season was the 1974-75 when he set career highs with 33 goals and 76 points.

Don was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1986 and into the Greater Buffalo Sports hall of Famein 1997.

Happy Birthday to Glenn Hall, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1931. Glenn earner the nickname “Mr. Goalie” over his 21 year career. He developed the innovative Butterfly Style of goaltending is credited with incorporating the butterfly style of goaltending which was revolutionary in its day where goaltenders played a stand up style primarily because keeping their head above the crossbar protected their faces better. As a result goalies would leave a wide open “Five Hole” between their legs and tended to let in some easy shots along the ice. Tony Esposito further popularized this style in the 1970’s and today most goalies use a modernized butterfly style in a golden era of great goaltenders (But boring hockey).





This day in hockey history, October 3rd,1989, Darryl Sittler, Vladislav Tretiak and Herbie Lewis were inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with "builders" Alan Eagleson and Father David Bauer.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd 1953 ,Wally Hergesheimer of the New York Rangers scored twice within 5:25 of the opening faceoff to set an all star record game for the fastest two goals from the start of a game, as the all stars beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens 3-1. Hergesheimer went on to score a career best 30 goals and 59 points that season.





Happy Birthday to Glenn Hall, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1931. Glenn earner the nickname “Mr. Goalie” over his 21 year career. He developed the innovative Butterfly Style of goaltending is credited with incorporating the butterfly style of goaltending which was revolutionary in its day where goaltenders played a stand up style primarily because keeping their head above the crossbar protected their faces better. As a result goalies would leave a wide open “Five Hole” between their legs and tended to let in some easy shots along the ice. Tony Esposito further popularized this style in the 1970’s and today most goalies use a modernized butterfly style in a golden era of great goaltenders (But boring hockey).

Happy Birthday to “Gentleman” Jean Ratelle, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1940. Over his 21 season career with the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins he averaged almost a point a game. Combining a high level of playing ability with great sportsmanship, he twice won the Lady Byng Trophy.

His greatest success came with the linemates Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield to form the GAG line (Goal A Game). He was the annual scoring leader for the Rangers from 1968 and 1973 when the team was a powerhouse and ranked among the best teams in the NHL.





Ratelle’s greatest season was 1971-72 when he led the league’s scorers with 109 points and certainly would have beaten the legendary Phil Esposito for the scoring tittle when he was injured and missed the final 15 games of the season.

At that time only three players had ever scored more than the 109 points in Ratelle’s injury shortend season including Esposito, Bobby Orr and Johnny Bucyk. Ratelle was voted the winner of the Lester Pearson Trophy as the best player in the league as chosen by the NHL players.





In one of the most shocking trades in NHL history, November 1975, Ratelle was traded along with Brad Park and Joe Zanussi to the Rangers hated arch rivals the Boston Bruins for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais. Ratelle Ratelle had started the year relatively slowly going 5-10-15 in 13 games for the blueshirts (1.15 PPG) but picked up the pace with the Bruins with 31 goals and 90 points in 67 games (1.34 PPG). And finished with 105 points, the second best total of his career. He continued his excellent play with the B’s for several more years as the Boston fans marveled at his all around game, slick passing and mastery of the face off circle until he retired in 1981.





Ratelle played twenty one seasons in the NHL scoring 491 goals and adding 776 assists for 1,267 points. ranking him as the sixth all time leading scorer when he retired.. While he never played on a team that won the Stanley Cup championship, he was a member of the 1972 Team Canada squad that defeated the Soviet Union He earned his reputation as a gentlemanly player, finishing in the top-five for the Lady Byng Trophy awarded for sportsmanship and excellence nine times, including a stretch between the 1970 and 1978 seasons where he was in the top three six times and won the trophy twice.

Ratelle was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2009, Ratelle was ranked No. 7 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats. The Rangers plan to retire Ratelle's No. 19 jersey on February 25, 2018.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd,1959, Jean Beliveau scored two goals, and teammate Doug Harvey added three assists, as the Canadiens beat the All Stars 6-1 at the 13th NHL All Star game, in Montreal.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd 1934 , the Montreal Canadiens traded Howie Morenz, Marty Burke and Lorne Chabot to the Chicago Black Hawks in exchange for Lionel Conacher, Roger Jenkins and Leroy Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy was the first American born player to skate for the Red Wings.





















On May 15, 1926, the Townsend syndicate of investors was granted a conditional expansion NHL franchise, to begin play in the upcoming season if their arena was ready. For players, the syndicate decided to purchase one of the most successful teams from the bankrupt Western Canada Hockey League, the Victoria Cougars, who had won the Stanley Cup in 1925. On September 25, 1926, the NHL made the franchise purchase permanent, although the arena was not ready.The expansion club kept the Cougars name. The club played in Windsor for the entire season.





On this day in hockey history, October 4th 1926, the Townsend Syndicate, owners of the new Detroit Cougars franchise who would begin NHL play in a month, purchased the Victoria Cougars team from the defunct Western Hockey League for $100,000 because they needed players for their NHL team The Victoria players made up nearly half of the Detroit squad which played it’s first season across the river from Detroit in Windsor, Ontario because the Olympia was not yet ready in Detroit. The Detroit team would be known as the Falcons in 1930 before changing their name to the Red Wings in 1932.





This day in hockey history, October 4th 1934, Connie Madigan was born in Port Arthur, Ontario. Madigan is remembered as the oldest rookie in NHL history at age 38 with the St. Louis Blues. He had been a long time player in the minor leagues primarily for the Portland Buckaroos of the Western Hockey League. Madigan played in 20 games for the Blues during the 1972-73 season and had three assists. He appeared in the movie Slap Shot as “Mad Dog” Madigan,









This day in hockey history, October 4th 1991, the San Jose Sharks lost 4-3 to the Vancouver Canucks in their their first NHL game. Jeff Hackett was besiged with 52 shots and Crag Coxe a native of Chula Vista California, scored the first goal in Sharks history. The sharks lost 58 games that season finishing with a 17-58-5 record. The next year was even worse with an 11-71-2 record. But their teal jersey was the NHL’s best seller.

This day in hockey history October 4th 1991, the Edmonton Oilers traded Mark Messier to the New York Rangers for Bernie Nicholls, Steven Rice, and Louie DeBrusk. Messier had been the Oilers captain and a member of five Stanley Cup championship teams with Edmonton. Messier would be named the Captain of the Rangers lead them the Cup championship in 1994.

This day in hockey history October 4th 2001, the Detroit Red Wings won 4-3 in OT at San Jose against the Sharks with Brendan Shanahan scoring a hat trick for the second time in his career. On a related note, the Hockey News reported that Shanahan holds the unofficial NHL record for most modern day career Gordie Howe hat tricks, with 17.













On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1932, the Detroit Falcons are renamed the Red Wings. The team logo is changed to a winged wheel and red uniforms are introduced. It's the third name for the franchise, known as the Detroit Cougars from 1926-30 and the Detroit Falcons from 1930-32.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1976, the Colorado Rockies made their debut in Denver and defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 with rookie forward Larry Skinner scoring the first goal. The franchise had just transferred from Kansas City where they played from 1974-1976 and had been known as the Scouts. The franchise would relocate again in 1982, to New Jersey where on October 4th 1982 the New Jersey Devils would play their first NHL game, a 3-3 tie with the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, Wayne Gretzky scored a goal and added an assist as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 at the Northlands Coliseum. Thus began Gretzky’s famous record 51 game scoring streak where he had at least one point in every Oilers game until January 28th 1984.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, rookie Steve Yzerman scored his first career NHL goal as the Detroit Red Wings' tied the Jets 6-6 in Winnipeg. He finished his career with 692 goals, 1,063 assists and 1,755 points in 1, 514 games. And four Stanley Cup championships.














On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, Marcel Dionne scored his 545th goal during a 3-3 tie against the Minnesota North Stars at the Forum in Inglewood. With that goal he passes Maurice Richard into fifth place on the NHL’s all time goal scoring list.

On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1990, Kevin Stevens sets an NHL record for most points in a season-opening game when he scores twice and added four assists for six points in the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 victory against the Capitals in Washington.

 

On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1993: Neal Broten scored twice and Andy Moog makes 31 saves as the Dallas Stars playing in their first game since relocating from Minnesota defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-4 at Reunion Arena.




On this day in hockey history, October 5th 2005, Alexander Ovechkin made his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals scoring twice in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Verizon Center.

Ovechkin had been the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL entry draft. The goals are the first two of 52 rookie goals by Ovechkin as he won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. He was also named to the first all star team for the first of three consecutive seasons.





This day in hockey history, October 6th, 1955 - Toe Blake made his NHL coaching debut as the Montreal Canadiens beat Toronto 2-0. Jacques Plante got his 11th career shutout.


This day in hockey history, October 6th 1984, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 at the Spectrum with Mike Keenan picking up his first NHL coaching victory.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1992, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers played to a 3-3- tie at the Igloo with Mario Lemieux scoring to begin a team record 12 game goal scoring streak. Flyers rookie Eric Lindros also scored his first NHL goal.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1996 , Tony Granato, in his second game back from a career-threatening brain surgery in February '96, scored his 6th career hat trick, his first with San Jose, and added an assist in the Sharks' 7-6 overtime win, at Los Angeles.




This day in hockey history, October 6th 1955, the Detroit Red Wings lost 3-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks as Detroit goaltender Glenn Hall began an NHL record of 502 consecutive complete games played. He started every game and played all 60 minutes during that streak. The streak ended seven years later when Hall was the goaltender for the Blackhawks.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1976, the Minnesota North Stars lost 6-5 to the New York Rangers in spite of rookie Roland Eriksson tieing an NHL rookie record with four assists in his first NHL game. The mark had been set in 1953 by Earl “Dutch” Reibel of the Detroit Red Wings.





This day in hockey history, October 6th 1989, the New York Rangers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 with Roger Nielson behind the bench making him the first man in history to coach five different NHL teams. Exactly four years later (1993), he’d become the first man to coach six different teams, when his Florida Panthers tied the Blackhawks 4-4 at Chicago in the Panthers first regular season game.





On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1901, Frank Boucher was born in Ottawa, Ontario.

Although later Rangers such as Gilbert and Mark Messier have been more honored by recent fans, Boucher's status as the star of two Ranger Stanley Cup championship teams and the coach of another makes him, except perhaps for team builder Lester Patrick, as the greatest Ranger of them all.





Boucher played for the Rangers until he retired in 1937–38 and Boucher centered the famous Bread Line with the brothers Bill and Bun Cook. Together they helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1928 and 1933, also reaching the Finals in 1932.





Frank was not only a brilliant forward, but was also one of the game's classies players. Lady Byng, wife of Viscount Byng, the Governor-General of Canada, donated a trophy to be awarded to the NHL's "most gentlemanly player." While playing for the New York Rangers, Boucher won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy 7 times in 8 years. He was then given the trophy outright, and Lady Byng donated another trophy to the NHL.





The Rangers hired him to coach the New York Rovers, a minor-league team that also played at Madison Square Garden, as his apprenticeship to coaching the Rangers. When general manager Lester Patrick made the decision to retire from coaching prior to the 1939–40 season, he hired Boucher, who led his Ranger club to the last Stanley Cup. The franchise would be in existence for 68 seasons before they won a Cup without Boucher being directly involved.





After finishing first in the NHL's regular season in 1942, the Rangers lost in the playoffs to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Soon they became victims of the military draft of World War II and went into a steep decline. In 1943–44 NHL season the New York Rangers were so bad that Boucher came out of retirement for 15 games to play where he recorded 14 points; at age 42, he was the oldest position player ever to play in the NHL, a record he held until surpassed by Doug Harvey in 1968. The Rangers finished the 50 game season with only 6 wins. From 1940 to 1972 they reached the Stanley Cup Finals only once.





When Patrick retired, Frank took over as general manager. He got the Rangers into the playoffs in 1947–48 with his trade to get Buddy O'Connor and Frank Eddolls. He stepped down from coaching to concentrate on his manager's job and hired Lynn Patrick, Lester's son and an ex-teammate, to coach the Rangers, and Lynn came very close to winning the Stanley Cup in 1950, proving Boucher astute in hiring him as coach. But the Rangers were an aging team, and eroded. Lynn Patrick resigned to go to Boston, and neither Neil Colville nor Bill Cook, also former teammates of Boucher's, could get the Rangers into the playoffs. General John Kilpatrick, the Rangers' owner, thought about replacing Boucher, but he held off.





During the 1945–46 season, Boucher became the first coach to use two goalies regularly. Alternating Charlie Rayner and Jim Henry every game, and later, every four to six minutes, he proved the usefulness of having two goalies.





Frank went back behind the bench in 1953–54, but could not get the Rangers into the playoffs. He then hired Muzz Patrick, another son of Lester and ex-teammate, to coach the team, but the Rangers won only 17 games and missed the playoffs again. So General Kilpatrick had a talk with Frank and reluctantly expressed that Frank could not build the Rangers into a winner, and recommended Frank resign as general manager. Frank thought it over, realizing that it was better than being fired. He then typed his resignation and handed it in to the General, ending his 29-year association with the Rangers.





He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. In 1998, he was ranked number 61 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. His uniform number 7 hangs in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, although it was retired for a later Ranger, Rod Gilbert.





In 1974, Boucher wrote When the Rangers Were Young, a book about his experiences with the old-time Broadway Blueshirts, giving him one last moment of fame during his lifetime. He died of cancer on December 12, 1977 in the town of Kemptville, Ontario, near Ottawa at the age of 76. In 2009, Boucher was ranked No. 9 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats.





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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1991, Mark Messier was introduced as the 22nd captain in Rangers history in a pre game ceremony prior to the Blueshirts’ home opener. Messier would set up Mike Gartner’s game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2001, In the Rangers’ first regular season game in New York after the 9/11 tragedy, Brian Leetch scores the overtime winner in a 5-4 Rangers victory over the Buffalo Sabres at MSG. Also, Mike Richter becomes the first Rangers goaltender to appear in 600 games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1954, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1, extending their opening-night unbeaten streak to 15 games (14-0-1).

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1955, New York Rangers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 7-4 as rookie Andy Hebenton played his first career game, the first of 630 consecutive games, an NHL record at the time.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1983, the Minnesota North Stars scored four power play goals and the Vancouver Canucks scored six in a 10-9 win by Vancouver.

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This day in hockey history, October 7th 1986, 21 year old Steve Yzerman was named the youngest captain in Detroit Red Wings history and the teams 34th captain. He’d would remain captain for 19 seasons.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1996, the Phoenix Coyotes defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2 with Mike Gartner scoring the first goal in Coyotes history in the first NHL game played in Arizona. He added two more to also score the first hat trick in team history.





On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2001, the first hockey game since the 9/11 tragedy was played in New York City, as the Rangers beat the Sabres 5-4 in overtime. Newly acquired Eric Lindros scored his first goal as a Ranger and added an assist.




On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2000, the Toronto Maple Leafs shutout the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 in the season opener at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. As at the end of the 2006-07 season, the Leafs and Canadiens have played each other a total of 766 times in the regular season, more than any other two teams in NHL history. The Habs lead with 355 wins 285 losses 88 ties and 8 OT losses. In the playoffs the Habs have won seven series and the Leafs six but have not met in the postseason since 1979.

On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1995 , the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey #1 worn by goaltender Jacques Plante three decades earlier, as the Canadiens lost 7-1 in their season opener to the Flyers, at the Forum.
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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1995 , Cam Neely became the first player in NHL history to get an opening night hat trick twice in his career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1972, Nassau Veterans County Coliseum opened in New York, but the Islanders lost their first NHL game, 3-2 to the Atlanta Flames. Eddie Westfall scored the Isles' first goal. Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey

On this day in hockey history, October 7th1976, Bobby Orr played his first game with the Chicago Black Hawks. He scored a goal and added an assist, as the Black Hawks won 6-4 at St. Louis.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1990, Penguins rookie Jaromir Jagr scored the first goal of his NHL career in his second NHL game as Pittsburgh won 7-4 over the Devils. Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey




This day in hockey history, October 10th 1974, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 9-5 at the Aud in Buffalo with rookie right wing Danny Gare opening the scoring with his first NHL goal, only 18 seconds into his first NHL game, the second fastest NHL goal ever scored by a rookie. The record is 15 seconds, set by Gus Bodnar in 1943.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, Wayne Gretzky earned his first NHL point assisting on a goal by Kevin Lowe as the Edmonton Oilers playing their first game as an NHL team lost 4-2 to the Blackhawks at the venerable Chicago Stadium.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, the Quebec Nordiques lost 5-3 to the Atlanta Flames with Real Cloutier scoring three times becoming the second player in NHL history to score a hat trick in his first career game.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1989, the Calgary Flames won 4-2 at the Meadowlands against New Jersey. What made the game historic was that with the Cold War era drawing to a close, four Soviet players faced each other for the first time in an NHL game; Viacheslav Fetisov and Sergei Starikov of the New Jersey Devils went up against Calgary’s Sergei Makarov and Sergei Priakin. Sergei, Sergei, Sergei. And Slava.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, the Winnipeg Jets lost 4-2 at the Igloo against the Penguins with Gary Smith of the Jets becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to play for seven different NHL teams.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1987, the Hartford Whalers lost 6-2 to the New York Rangers as Doug Jarvis played in his NHL record 964th consecutive game. Jarvis’s streak ended that night as he sat out the next game with an injury, and never played another NHL game.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1924, the NHL sold franchises to the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Maroons for $15,000. The Montreal Canadiens received $11,000 of the Maroons fees as compensation for their infringement of their territorial rights in Montreal. The Bruins were the first NHL franchise in the United States. The first managers of these teams also left their mark on the NHL with trophies named after them; Boston’s manager was Art Ross and Montreal’s was Cecil Hart.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1952, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in Montreal. This was the first hockey game ever televised by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1953 , the Detroit Redwings whitewashed the Toronto Maple leafs 3-0 with Dave Gatherum earning the shutout in his first NHL game. He was the seventh goalie to accomplish that feat. He only played two more NHL games allowing only three goals in his three game career, winning two games with one tie and sporting a 1.00 GAA. He had filled in while Terry Sawchuck was injured and never got another chance to play in the NHL. He was number three on the Red Wings depth cart behind Sawchcuk and Glenn Hall, both future Hall Of Famers. That’s just how tough it was to make it in the six team league with only six jobs and each goalie playing the entire schedule.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1967, the Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues tied 2-2 in the first NHL game for each team. Larry Keenan scored the first Blues goal and Bill Masterton scored the first ever goal by the North Stars.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1984, rookie Mario Lemieux scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game, in his first NHL shift, and on his first shot, Pittsburgh rookie Mario Lemieux scored his first NHL goal. And added an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins lost 4-3 to the Boston Bruins.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1979, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Washington Capitals 6-3 with Lindy Ruff scoring his first NHL goal and Scotty Bowman behind the bench coaching his first game for the Sabres.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1930, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired two time Stanley Cup winner (1923, 1927) King Clancy from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Art Smith, Eric Pettinger and $35,000 ($500,000 in 2017 dollars). With the Leafs, Clancy was a four time all star, first team in 1931 and 1934 and 2nd team 1932 and 1933. He won a third Stanley Cup championship with Toronto in 1933.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1973, Kate Smith made her first live appearance at the Spectrum, and the Flyers won 2-0 over Toronto.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th1967, two former Toronto Maple Leafs opened the scoring for the expansion California Seals as Kent Douglas scored the first goal in Seals history assisted by Bobby Baun, the Seals' first captain. Kent Douglas had won the Calder trophy as rookie of the year with the Leafs in 1963.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, October 11th 2007, Leafs captain Mats Sundin scored his 39th goal of the season in the third period of an 8-1 victory against the New York Islanders. He passed Darryl Sittler and became the teams all time leading scorer with his 390th goal and 917th point as a Leaf in his 912th game. Sundin finished his career with 1346 game played scoring 564 goals 785 assists and 1349 points with only 373 PIM. As a Leaf he finished with 981 games played scoring 420 goals and 567 assists for 987 points with only 273 PIM.





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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1967, the Philadelphia Flyers played the first game in franchise history losing 3-1 to the California Seals.





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This day in hockey history, October 12th1940, the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League opened their hockey season in Buffalo’s brand new Memorial Auditorium which opened its doors to hockey for the first time. The team had previously played at the Broadway Arena which is now a municipal garage for the cities snowplows as well as at the Ft. Erie Arena in Ft. Erie Ontario.

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1963, Jacques Plante returned to the Montreal Forum for the first time as a member of the New York Rangers. The fans were happy to see him back in the Forum and cheered him. But they were also probably happy that Plante lost the game 6-2.



This day in hockey history, October 12th 1972, the New York Islanders defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 for their first victory in team history with Germain Gagnon scoring the game winner with just 69 seconds remaining. Rookie Billy Harris scored two goals. The win evened their record at 1-1. They finished the season 12-60-6. 

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1976, New York Rangers' Don Murdoch scored five goals to tie the NHL record for most goals in a game by a rookie, in a 10-4 win over the Minnesota North Stars. The five goals tied the mark set in 1944 by Toronto's Howie Meeker.

This day in New York Rangers history, October 12th 1978, Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg played in their first NHL game as the New York Rangers' tied the Philadelphia Flyers 3-3 at Madison Square Garden.

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1980, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at the Spectrum with Wilf Paiment scoring the 100,000 goal in NHL history into the empty net to clinch the victory.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1988, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 with Greg Adams scoring a hat trick and adding an assist. The win ended an 0-24-3 (27 game) winless streak by the ‘Nucks against the Oilers.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1988, the Chicago Blackhawks knocked off the Winnipeg Jets 10-1. Denis Savard scored two shorties to tie a club record and added three helpers, and Rick Vaive had his 13th career hat trick and an assist.  

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1992, the Vancouver Canucks beat the Winnipeg Jets 8-1. Pavel Bure had four goals including a pair of shorties for his first NHL hat trick and added an assist.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1996, Dale Hunter scored a goal in a 4-3 Washington Capitals loss to the Los Angeles Kings to become the first player in NHL history to score 300 goals and have 3,000 penalty minutes in his career.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1952, Ted "Teeder" Kennedy got his 5th. and final career "hat trick" against Detroit at Olympia Stadium and added an assist in a 4-4 tie.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1971, the Buffalo Sabres lost 4-1 to the St. Louis Blues at the Checkerdome with Rick Martin scoring his first NHL goal.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1989, the Sabres defeated the Hartford Whalers 4-1 withMike Foligno playing in his 500th Sabres game. Foligno would finish his Sabres career with 664 games played, tying Ric Seiling for 10th most in franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1930, the five year old Pittsburgh Pirates franchise was transferred to Philadelphia and renamed the “Quakers.” The Quakers did not inspire much of a following in Philly with a dreadful 4-36-4 record, and folded after just one season.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1947, the NHL held its first All Star Game, which featured the defending Stanley Cup Champions against a selected group of All Stars from the remaining teams. The All Stars won 4-3 with the proceeds benefiting the players’ pension fund.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rebUCMOGRic





This day in hockey history, October 13th 1979, Following his retirement from the NHL and returning to play seen seasons in the WHA, Gordie Howe returned to the NHL and scored his 787th NHL goal and first since 1971, as the Hartford Whalers tied the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-3.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1970, Roger Doucet sang "O Canada" for the first time at the Montreal Forum, before a 4-3 Canadiens' win over the Red Wings. He remained the Forum's national anthem singer for the next 10 years. His stunning renditions of the national anthems of the European participants in the 1976 Canada Cup games held at the Montreal Forum were his crowning achievement. Doucet was so revered and respected that Montreal’s arch rivals in Boston hired their own opera trained French anthem singer Rene Rancourt so that they could compete with the Habs for best anthem singer as well as best on the ice.
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This day in hockey history, October 13th October 1951, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost their season opener 3-1 against the Chicago Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens. Earlier that day, the Leafs and Hawks had played a special exhibition game for Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th,  Leaf President Stafford Smythe, son of Maple Leafs Founder Conn Smythe, passed away. He was 50 years old. It was the morning of the Leafs 1971-72 home opener against the Detroit Red Wings. It became the first and only game in Leaf history that was postponed. The game was re-scheduled for November 1. The Leafs defeated the Wings 6-1.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1967, the Los Angeles Kings played their first NHL game, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at the Long Beach Arena, in California.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14, 1967, the St. Louis Blues defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 earning the first victory in franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14, 1970, Phil Esposito recorded a hat trick with four goals in an 8-5 Bruins win over the Kings. It was his first of seven hat tricks that season when he scored a record 76 goals, passing Bobby Hull’s mark of 58. That record has since been broken. Espo also took 550 shots on goal that season, and that is a record that will never be broken.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1971, Fort Erie Ontario native Tom Reid scored on the first successful penalty shot goal in Minnesota North Stars History in the third period to give the North Stars to a 1-1 tie against the Montreal Canadiens at the Met Center.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14th 1972, the Atlanta Flames and the Buffalo Sabres tied 1-1 at the Omni in the first NHL game played in the American south. Ernie Hicke scored a power play goal for the Flames 2:03 into the first period. Goaltender Phil Myre made 30 saves, 17 in the third period, allowing only a first-period goal by Jim Lorentz.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1978, Darryl Sittler scored three goals and added four assists propelling the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 10-7 win over the New York Islanders. This was the first time since 1917 that Toronto scored double digit goals in a home opener.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1978 - 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky played in his first pro hockey game, a 6-3 Indianapolis Racers' loss to Winnipeg, in the WHA.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, the Edmoton Oilers tied the Vancouver Canucks 4-4 in Edmonton with Wayne Gretzky scoring his first NHL goal victimizing Glen Hanlon.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 at the Spectrum to begin an NHL record 35 game undefeated streak with a . They went 25-0-10 over the next three months.




This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979,the New York Rangers raised Rod Gilbert’s #7 is to the rafters at Madison Square Garden.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, Minnesota’s rookie defenseman Craig Hartsburg scored the first goal of his NHL career, in a 5-4 North Stars’ win in Buffalo.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1982, Dino Ciccarelli and Mike Eaves each scored twice to lead the North Stars to a 6-2 win over Toronto in Minnesota.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14 1988, the Detroit Red Wings scored eight goals in an 8-8 with the st. Louis Blues. This was the first time in franchise history (63 years and 4,052 games) that there was an 8-8 tie.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1991, the New York Rangers' lost 5-3 to the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden with Mike Gartner beating Mike Liut at 3:27 to score his 500th NHL goal. Gartner was the first player to score his 500tth goal as a Ranger and was the 16th player in NHL history to score 500. Ironically Gartner began his NHL career as a Capital.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1992 - Rookie Teemu Selanne scored his first career hat trick, and added an assist to lead the Jets to a 7-3 win over Edmonton in Winnipeg. Phil Housley had three assists to reach the 500 assist mark in his career. 
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This day in hockey history, October 14th 2000, the Colorado Avalanche defeated the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets.Patrick 3-1 with Roy matching Terry Sawchuk's career victory record with his 447th victory.
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This day in hockey history, October 14th 2006, the New York Islanders defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1at Nassau Coliseum with Mike Sillinger scoring to become the first NHL player to score a goal for 12 teams. Sillinger finished his NHL career with 240 goals in 1,049 games.

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This day in hockey history, October 15 1970, The Montreal Canadiens shutout the Buffalo Sabres 3-0 in the first home game in Sabres franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1935 , the NHL Board of Governors purchased the St. Louis Eagles franchise, including the players, for $35,000. The league then sold off the players to seven of the remaining eight NHL clubs (Chicago didn’t make any purchases).

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1935, Former NHL left winger Willie O’Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. O’Ree, as many of you know, was the first African American player to play in an NHL game, making his debut with the Bruins in 1957. He lived a short career but broke a huge and important barrier.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1955, the Montreal Canadiens' defeated the visiting New York Rangers 4-1 victory at the Forum with the Richard brothers running the Blueshirts out of town. Maurice Richard scored two goals and younger brother Henri Richard, in his rookie season, scored the game winner.

This day in hockey history, October 15th 1964, the Detroit Red Wings lost 5-3 to the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs at Olympia Stadium with Ted Lindsay appearing in his 1,000th NHL game. Only Gordie Howe (1,189), Bill Gadsby (1,129) and Red Kelly (1,122) had played in more games.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th

1972, Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks assisted on Cliff Koroll's goal in a3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues at Chicago Stadium to become the sixth NHL player with 1,000 career points.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1974, The Washington Capitals played their first home game, at the Capital Center, in Landover, Maryland. The Caps tied the Kings 1-1. The Capitals finished with one of the worst records of all time: 8-67-5, scoring 181 goals while surrendering 446 for an incredible -265 goal differential. It took them nine seasons to qualify for the playoffs.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1983, the Chicago BlackHawks scored 8 goals and lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs who scored 10. The two teams to established a record for the fastest five goals by two teams 1:24 (84 seconds).

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This day in hockey history, October 15th1987 – Dan Quinn and Mario Lemieux each scored hat tricks for the Penguins…but Pittsburgh ended up tying the Rangers 6-6 (Mario also had two assists). That’s kind of ridiculous.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1988, Oh, more Super Mario? Lemieux, clearly upset from a year ago that his hat trick came in a tying effort, scored a total of eight points: two goals and six assists. Yes, that was one game. The Pens did manage to win this one though: 9-2 against the Blues was the final.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1989, the Los Angels Kings defeated the Edmonton Oilers at Northlands Coliseum. Wayne Gretzky picked up his 1,850th career NHL point, to tie Gordie Howe for the most career points. Then he scored the record breaking goal late in the game to tie the score and send the contest to overtime and officially become the NHL’s all-time leading scorer. He also scored the OT winner for the Kings.


The Kings rally from down 2-1 and 3-2, but the Oilers score again and take a 4-3 lead into the final minute of the third period. With time running out, Gretzky picks up a loose puck to the left of the crease and flips a backhand shot past Oilers goaltender Bill Ranford with 53 seconds remaining to tie the game and pass Howe. "My initial reaction was, 'Hey, we've tied it,'" Gretzky says. "Then it struck me, 'Wow, that's the record breaker.'" Gretzky received a three minute standing ovation from the crowd of 17,503. The game is stopped for a 15 minute celebration that includes Howe and Gretzky's parents.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1991, Derek King scored the fastest hat trick in New York Islanders’ history, scoring three times in 1:18. Mario Lemiex also had a hat trick as the Pittsburgh Penguins won 7-6 in overtime.

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Oct. 15

On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1926, the NHL was re-aligned into two divisions: the Canadian Division (Canadiens, Maroons, Ottawa, Toronto and NY Americans -- relocated from Hamilton) and the American Division (Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh and Rangers).

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1946, a teenage 18 year old Gordie Howe scored his first NHL goal during his first game as the Detroit Red Wings tied the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-3. Howe wore uniform #17 and also had two fights for a hat trick of sorts.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1960, the Toronto Maple Leafs' defeated the New York Rangers 7-2 at Madison Square Garden with rookie Dave Keon scoring the first goal of his NHL career. 
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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1960, the Boston Bruins lost 5-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks. Bruins goalie Don Simmons was injured during the game and was replaced by forward Jerry Toppazzini in the Bruins net. Toppazzini was the last non goaltender to play in an NHL game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1968, Toronto rookie defenseman Jim Dorey picked up 48 penalty minutes in his first NHL game; four minors, two majors, two misconducts and a game misconduct, as the Maple Leafs tied the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-2 at Maple Leafs Gardens.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1971, the Detroit Red Wings lost 9-2 at St. Louis with rookie Marcel Dionne scoring his first NHL goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1988, Guy Lafleur of the New York Rangers scored a goal and added a helper in a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square garden. It was his first goal as a Ranger and first goal in three years, 11 months, and 22 days.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1973, linesman Neil Armstrong set an NHL record for most games officiated with 1,314, breaking linesman George Hayes’ record, in a 3-2 Blues win at Detroit.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1989, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a terrible decision when they traded their first round pick in the 1991 entry draft to the New Jersey Devils for Tom Kurvers. That pick ended up being the third overall pick which the Devils used it to select Hall Of fame defenseman Scott Niedermayer.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th1971, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 5-3 to the New York Rangers at Maple Leaf Gardens despite Norm Ullman recording a pair of helpers become the fourth NHL player to reach 1,000 career points.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1979, the Washington Capitals defeated the visiting Los Angeles Kings 8-6 with rookie forward Mike Gartner scoring his first NHL goal en route to a 36 goal rookie season and 708 career tallies.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1986, the New York Islanders defeated the Washington Capitals 7-4 at the Nassau Coliseum with Denis Potvin recording his 684th assist to break a tie with Brad Park for the most by a defenseman in NHL history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1996, Alexei Kovalev records a hat trick and Niklas Sundstrom adds two goals as the New York Rangers defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 8-1, at Madison Square Garden.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1956, Ken Morrow was born in Flint, Michigan. Morrow was a part of the Miracle on Ice team that won the Gold Medal in 1980 at Lake Placid, and he was also a part of the Islanders dynasty that won four consecutive Cups from 1980-83.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1974, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Oakland Seals 6-1 with Lee Fogolin and Don Luce scored only four seconds apart in. The two goals in four seconds by one team tied the NHL record set in 1931 by the Montreal Maroons.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1974, the Washington Capitals picked up the franchise’s first win, a 4-3 victory over the Black Hawks. The wins wouldn’t come easy for the eventual 8-67-5 Capitals in their inaugural year.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1988, the Calgary Flames defeated the Los Angeles Kings 11-4 setting a team record with seven goals in the third period.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1989, the Calgary Flames trailed 8-3 with four minutes remaining against the Nordiques at quebec City. They scored three goals in :27, then added the two shorthanded goals in :04 to finish tied 8-8 with Doug Gilmour and rookie Paul Ranheim setting an NHL record for fastest two shorthanded goals.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1990, the Buffalo Sabres retired uniform #11 worn by Gilbert Perreault, in a pre-game ceremony before a game against Montreal. The Sabres lost 4-3 to the Canadiens.
On this day in hockey history, October 17th 2000, Colorado's Patrick Roy earned career victory number 448, moving him past Terry Sawchuk on the all-time wins list.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1964, during the Toronto Maple Leafs home opener, Ron Ellis playing his rookie season and wearing jersey number 11 scored his first NHL goal on goalie Eddie Johnston helping the Leafs to a 7-2 win over the Boston Bruins 7-2. Ellis played 1,034 games for the Leafs and scored 331 more goals for them.

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The plan was for the Ace Bailey's number 6 and Bill Barilko's number 5 to be raised to the rafters on October 17th 1992 in a pre game ceremony.

But there was a players strike on March 30th which closed the league down for 10 days. Unfortunately Bailey suffered a stroke on April 1st and passed away six days later at age 89. On October 17th Barilko’s number 5 and Baileys number 6 were finally honored with Ron Ellis who wore Bailey’s number 6 through most of his career and Bailey’s daughter Joyce both on the ice for the ceremony.
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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1930, four years after entering the NHL, Detroit changed their name from the “Cougars” to the “Falcons.” They’d change to permanently to the Red Wings just two years later. The change to the Falcons came from a poll conducted by newspapers, beating out the Trojans, the Wanderers, and the Magnetos.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1984, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Minnesota North Stars 7-5 with Wayne Gretzky scoring his 29th career hat trick. Gretzky was already a six year NHL veteran at age 24 with 29 career hattricks.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1984, the Philadelphia Flyers outshot the Vancouver Canucks 58-19 in a 13-2 victory. The Flyers scored at least four goals in each period.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1986, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 earning their 5,000th all time NHL point. This gave Montreal an all time franchise record of 2,174-1,290-653 in 4,117 games a winning percentage of 0.627 among all non tied games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1944, the Detroit Red Wings signed amateur Ted Lindsay to his first pro contract.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1967, Portland Buckaroos' veteran Andy Hebenton missed his first pro-game since March 8, 1952, due to the death of his father. Hebenton had played in 1,062 consecutive pro games to set a record.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1946, the Detroit Red Wings lost 6-3 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto with Gordie Howe picking up his first NHL assist and his first fighting penalty as the. All he needed was a goal to invent the Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1957, Maurice “Rocket” Richard took a pass from Jean Beliveau and beats Glenn Hall with a wrist shot a first period goal in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at he Montreal Forum. The Montreal fans cheered Richard with a rousing ovation. No other NHL player had even 400 goals at the time. The Rocket finished his career in 1960 with 544 regular season goals and 82 playoff goals.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1960, the Chicago Black Hawks lost 2-0 to the New York Rangers as rookie Reggie Fleming set an NHL record with 37 penalty minutes. He had a minor, three majors, a misconduct and a game misconduct (2+5+5+5+10+10=37).

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th1966, Bobby Orr picked up an assist in his first NHL game as the Boston Bruins defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-2 at Boston Garden.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1967, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in their first home game at the Spectrum. Bill Sutherland scored the game's only goal 2:59 into the third period. And Doug Favell made 17 saves for his first NHL shutout and

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1966, Gordie Howe picked up an assist as the Detroit Red Wings lost 6-2 to the Boston Bruins. The game marked Howe’s record 21st consecutive NHL season passing Dit Clapper and Bill Gadsby.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1974, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-1 with Grant Mulvey scoring at the 5:15mark of the first period. Mulvey was a forward drafted 16th overall in the 1974 NHL amateur draft and he became the youngest player since World War II to score an NHL goal at 18 years, one month and two days old.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1978, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota North Stars 6-2 with Bobby Orr getting the 645th and final assist of his career exactly 12 years after playing his first NHL game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1979, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Quebec Nordiques 6-3 powered by Blair McDonald’s hattrick for their first NHL victory following the 1979 “expansion.”

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1979, Mark Howe scored his first two NHL goals as the Hartford Whalers beat the Los Angeles Kings 6-3 It was Hartford’s first NHL victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1989, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 at Chicago Stadium as Peter Stastny scored an empty net goal becoming the first European player and 24th in NHL history to score 1,000 career points in his career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1982, the Leafs acquired left winger Greg Terrion from the L.A. Kings in exchange for a 4th round draft choice. Terrion played 427 regular season games for the Leafs in difficult times for the club between 1982 and 1988 and put up 169 points. He was a strong defensive forward and in the 32 playoff games he played for the Leafs, he contributed solidly to the little playoff success the Leafs enjoyed in the 1980's. He holds the distinction of being the only Leaf in team history to score on two penalty shots in one season, 1983-84. 

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1983, the Leafs were beaten soundly by the Quebec Nordiques 8-1. After this, their 7th game of the 1983-84 season, the Leafs had already given up 36 goals, an average of more than 5 per game. The Leafs went on to set a team record for one season of 387 goals allowed. The NHL record for most goals allowed by one team in one season is 446, set by the Washington Capitals of 1975-75.

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1963: Montreal goaltender Gump Worsley recorded his 25th career shutout in the Canadiens 2-0 win over the Boston Bruins , at the Forum. It was Worsley's first shutout with Montreal.

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1967: Worsley recorded his 30th career shutout in the Canadiens' 1-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yvan Cournoyer scored the goal in the 1st period.

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1983: Montreal's Mats Naslund scored twice and added three assists as the Canadiens won 12-2 against the Winnipeg Jets.






Oct 20--------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1963, Phil Goyette set a New York Rangers record with four assists in one period as the Broadway Blueshirts defeated the Boston Bruins 5-1 at Madison Square Garden.

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On this date in Habs history, October 20th 1963, future Leaf Garry Monahan was born in Barrie, Ontario. Monahan has the distinction of being the first ever player to be drafted in the NHL Entry Draft when he was selected first overall by Montreal in 1963. He joined the Leafs for the 1970-71 season and played four consecutive seasons without missing a game. His first stint with the Leafs lasted until he was traded after just one game in October of 1974. He returned to Toronto and played one more complete season in 1978-79. In 375 games as a Leaf, Monahan collected 55 goals and 80 assists.

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http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/…/flashback-habs-made-garry-…









On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1965, Gordie Howe scores two goals and adds an assist for the NHL All Stars to a 5-2 victory against the Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens at the Forum in the 19th and last preseason all star game. After the League's first expansion adds six teams in 1967-68 the format was changed to east vs West and the game is shifted to midseason. The game was notable for the bizarre goalie rotation used by Toe Blake who switched goaltenders Charlie Hodge Hodge and Gump Worsley every five minutes by their coach during the Canadiens' 5-2 loss. "What I mostly recall about the game in my day was its intensity," said Hodge, "The players who didn't win the Cup were ticked off about it all summer, and the Cup champion was determined to win. It was still an exhibition game, but there was a little more to it than there is now. The pride today is probably a little more of an individual thing. Back then, it was for the team."





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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1971, during a 7-2 Toronto Maple Leafs victory over the Buffalo Sabres, Leaf Paul Henderson was granted a penalty shot but was unable to beat Roger Crozier. Exactly two years later to the day, during a Leafs 3-2 win against the New York Rangers at Maple Leaf Garden, Henderson was awarded another penalty shot, this time against goalie Gilles Villemure who also stopped him.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1971, the Minnesota North Stars set a team record with 57 shots in a 7-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks at the Met Center. Cesare Maniago recorded his 17th career shutout and Doug Mohns and Jude Drouin each had a goal and added three assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1973, the Minnesota North Stars tied the St. Louis Blues 4-4 at the Met Center with J.P. Parise scoring two goals and an assist.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1974, the New York Islanders defeated the Washington Capitals 5-0 at Capital Center with Billy Smith stopping 26 shots for his first NHL shutout. This was also the first shutout for the Islanders franchise which they didn’t get until their 161st game in their third season.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1976, the Minnesota North Stars defeated the Atlanta Flames 4-3 at the Met Center with Bill Hogaboam leading the way with three assists.

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This day in Buffalo Sabres history, October 20th 1976, the Sabres shut out the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 with Gerry Desjardins stopping 29 shots andGilbert Perreault scoring twice.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1977, the Minnesota North Stars lost 7-4 to the visiting Cleveland Barons with Roland Eriksson setting a Minnesota North Stars’ franchise record for fastest goal from the start of a game, when he scored just 12 seconds into the game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1978, the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association lost 4-3 to the Edmonton Oilers as Wayne Gretzky scored his first two WHA goals in his second league game and scored them against his future team, the Oilers, in a 4-3 loss. Gretzky played six more games for Indianapolis before being traded to Edmonton. Exactly 15 years later, Gretzky is now with the Los Angeles Kings and plays an NHL game against his brother Brent, a 21 year-old center for Tampa Bay and scores one goal with two helpers for the Kings in a 4-3 victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1983, the Minnesota North Stars lost 5-4 to the visiting Montreal Canadiens despite Brian Bellows scoring twice and adding a pair of assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1993, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 4-0 with rookie goaltender Martin Brodeur stopping 17 shots for his first shutout. He had 125 career shutouts when he retired.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 2001, Luc Robitaille scored the game winning goal as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 at Joe Louis Arena with Scotty Bowman behind the bench for his 1,200th regular season NHL victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1961 – Danny Olesevich helped the Rangers to a 4-4 tie against the Red Wings in his first career game. The problem? Olesevich was the trainer…for Detroit. Rangers goalie Gump Worsley was injured and left the game after the first period. Apparently that was cool back then. “Our goalie is hurt? Uhh well we don’t carry backups so just pull anyone off the bench and have them strap on the pads. No, he doesn’t have to be on the roster. From which bench should you get one? Uhh I don’t know, that one I guess, who cares, it’s 1961.”





On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1987, Buffalo Sabres rookie Pierre Turgeon played against his older brother, Sylvain of the Hartford Whalers for the first time in an NHL game. While the Whalers won the game 5-3, Pierre got the better of his big brother by scoring the first two goals of his NHL career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1988, the Buffalo Sabres reacquired Larry Playfair from the Los Angeles Kings in a trade for Bob Logan and a ninth round draft choice in 1989 which turned out to be 182nd overall which the Kings used to draft Jim Giacin. The Sabres had originally drafted Playfair in 1978 amateur draft ,13th overall after he “earned” 402 PIM with Portalnd of the WCHL where he also earned 1st team all star status along with Brad Mcrimmon. The Sabres needed his toughness to bolster a soft lineup. Playfair went on to become perhaps the most feared fighter of his era despite his inauspicious debut suffering a concussion on his first NHL shift when hit by John Wensink at the Boston Garden. The Sabres originally traded him to Los Angeles along with Sean Mckenna and Ken Baumgartner on Januray 29th 1986 for Doug Smith and Brian Engblom.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1989, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 withRob Ray scoring a goal on his first NHL shot with a slap shot between Tom Barasso’s pads. Ray added an assist later.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime to tie an NHL record with their eighth consecutive victory from start of the season. But how many Leafs fans watched the game as the Blue Jays were playing game five of the 1993 World Series in Philadelphia that night.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1993, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 as two brothers worked the same game as officials for the first time in NHL history: Paul Devorski was the head referee and his younger brother, Greg, was a linesman.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 2000, two franchises reached milestones on the same day: The Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings both played their 5,000thgame played. Chicago lost 1-0 at St. Louis, and the Detroit beat Buffalo 4-1. Both teams entered the league in 1926 (although the Red Wings entered as the Detroit Cougars).

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1967, the Metropolitan Sports Center opened in Bloomington, Minnesota and the North Stars won their first home game, taking a team record 53 shots in a 3-1 victory over the Oakland Seals, before a crowd of 12,951. Bill Goldsworthy scored the first goal at Met Center at 8:23 of the second period.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1989: Brian Bellows took 9 shots on goal for the Minnesota North Stars in a 7-2 loss at Quebec.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1993: the Dallas Stars set a franchise record for fastest four goals when Brent Gilchrist, Grant Ledyard, Neal Broten and Mike Craig combined to score four times in a span of 3:08 during a 6-5 overtime win at Ottawa.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1962, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Chicago Black Hawks 3-1 with Bill Gadsby joining Gordie Howe as the second player in NHL history to appear in 1,000 career games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1972 , the New York Rangers played the New York Islanders for the first time ever, and won 2-1 at Nassau Coliseum.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1979 , the New York Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 with Phil Esposito joining Gordie Howe as the only players in NHL history to score 1,500 career points.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1981, the Edmonton Oilers defeatedthe visiting Hartford Whalers 5-2 with rookie goaltender Grant Fuhr picking up his first career NHL victory after losing his first game. This started a 23 game unbeaten streak (15-0-8) for Fuhr.

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OCT 22nd--------------------------------------------------------------

On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1966, The New York Rangers tied the Toronto Maple Leafs. 4-4 with Rod Gilbert netting the first hat trick of his NHL career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1953, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Black Hawks 3-2 at Chicago with Dick Irvin becoming the first coach in NHL history to win 600 career games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1957 , the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the visiting Boston Bruins 2-1 with rookie Bobby Hull scoring his first career NHL goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 2002 , the Colorado Avalanche tied the visiting Edmonton Oilers 3-3 with Patrick Roy in goal for his 971st game, to tie Terry Sawchuk's NHL record for career appearances by a goalie.

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Happy Birthday to Butch Goring, born on this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1949.

If Butch Goring had a trademark, it was undoubtedly his unique helmet. He began wearing the Spaps helmet as a 12-year-old in Manitoba. The Spaps helmet was from Europe and had been created by the great Swedish player Sven “Tumba” Johansson. As Goring advanced up the ladder as a profesional player, he decided he would continue to use it for his whole career. As the years went by, not only did Goring's helmet appear wildly outdated, but it also appeared tight on his head and offered little protection, although that didn't seem to matter in an era when most players didn't wear helmets. Goring said he wore the helmet for comfort, and because he got used to having it on his head in minor hockey, rather than protection. He was intensely loyal to his Spaps helmet. He had two of the helmets, one for home games and one for the road. Each time he changed teams, he had the equipment managers repaint his prized helmets in the appropriate colors rather than get a new one.

He was also involved in creating one of the NHL’s great traditions, the trade deadline deal which was born on March 10th 1980 when the New York Islanders acquired Goring from the Los Angeles Kings. The Islanders had been a strong team but hadn't been able to advance through the playoffs against Boston and Montreal in the late 1970's. With the addition of Goring the Islanders, reeled off 12 straight wins and advanced to the finals where they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers for their first of four consecutive Stanley Cups.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1980, Bobby Smith scored twice and added an assist to lead the Minnesota North Stars to a 4-2 win over the Quebec Nordiques.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1981, Minnesota’s Dino Ciccarelli scored his second career hat trick as the North Stars tied the St. Louis Blues, 5-5.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1983, the Buffalo Sabres beat the Whalers 5-2 at Hartford behind Phil Housley’s goal and two assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1985, Brian Bellows fired nine shots on goal in the second period to set a North Stars’ team record during a 5-4 win over the Blues at the Met Center.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1986, Dino Ciccarelli scored a goal and added two assists as the North Stars won 8-3 at St. Louis.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1987, Minnesota’s Dino Ciccarelli scored a goal and added four assists to lead the North Stars to a 5-3 win over the Nordiques at Quebec City.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1988, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Blackhawks 7-4. with Tom Barrasso tying his own goalie record by recording an assist in his third consecutive game. Mario Lemieux had two goals and two assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1990, Morris Belzberg sells his North Stars 25% team shares to Norman N. Green, with this transaction Green became the sole owner of the Stars.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1991, Basil McRae picked up 37 penalty minutes for the Minnesota North Stars in a 4-2 loss vs the Calgary Flames.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1944, the Indianapolis Capitals beat the Hershey Bears 7-3 but forfeit because Ted Lindsay played in that game and was immediately called back up to Detroit. AHL rules required players sent down from the NHL to be in the league for two weeks before being called up. It would be the only game played by “Terrible Ted” in a Capitals uniform. 

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1949, Terry Sawchuk made 26 saves to post his fourth shutout as a Indianapolis Capital and the second of the season in a 7-0 win over Pittsburgh. Don Morrison has two goals and two assists. Doug McKay and Pat Lundy score twice each, and the Caps converted four times on the power play.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1974, the Atlanta Flames defeated the Detroit Red Wings 10-1 with Curt Bennett and Eric Vail each getting their first career hat tricks. Curt Bennett added a pair of assists for a five point game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1975, the Indianapolis Racers defeated the Houston Aeros 4-0 with Andy Brown stopping 35 shots for his first shutout of the season. Bob Whitlock has a goal and two assists and Reggie Thomas scores twice.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1978, the Indianapolis racers lost 6-3 to the New England Whalers withWayne Gretzky scoring his third and final goal as a Racer, 3:36 into the third period. Mark Howe had a hat trick and Gordie Howe had a single goal. Gretzky also assisted on Peter Driscoll’s first period goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1983, Flyers rookie Rich Sutter scored a goal in his first NHL game, making the Sutters the first family in NHL history with six brothers to each core a goal. Six different players had multiple point nights as the Flyers peppered Mike Palmateer with 50 shots during an 8-5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Spectrum. Ron Sutter, Bill Barber, Rick MacLiesh, Glenn Cochrane, Miroslav Dvorak, Ilka Sinisalo and Tim Kerr also scored for the Flyers.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1988, Dave Newell, in his 22nd NHL season, set an NHL record with his 1,076th career game officiated, an 8-2 Rangers win over the Nordiques. He passed Ron Wicks, who had retired two years earlier.





On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs set an NHL record for the most wins from the start of season with their ninth straight, a 2-0 win at Tampa Bay.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1998, Mark Messier scored his 600th goal as Vancouver won 5-0 at Florida. Messier became the 10th NHL player to reach 600 career goals, and was also the fourth to record 600 goals and 900 career assists.





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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 1988, Mike Bossy retired after 10 NHL seasons at a young age 31. He played his entire career with the New York Islanders and was on four Stanley Cup champions. He scored 573 goals and 553 assists for 1206 points in only 752 games. In comparison, the other great goal scorer of his era Wayne Gretzky played 1,487 career games. If Bossy had played as long as Gretzky and remained productive, he likely would have scored over 1,000 goals.

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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 2002, Patrick Roy passed Terry Sawchuk as the NHL’s all-time leader in games played by a goaltender when he appeared in his 972nd career game, 3-2 Avalanche win over the Coyotes. It wasn’t the only goalie record he’d break.

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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 2003, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Dallas Stars 4-0 with Dominik Hasek recording his 62nd career shutout, o set a franchise record with their 15th consecutive home victory.

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On this date in hockey history, October 25th, 1954, Mike Eruzione was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts. He learned hockey playing for Youth Hockey of Winthrop as part of the GBYHL Greater Boston Youth Hockey League.

He graduated from Winthrop Senior High School in 1972, where he was captain of the varsity hockey team during his senior year. He then spent a year at Berwick Academy to fine tune his hockey skills in a New England Prep environment.

After attending Berwick, Eruzione starred for Boston University, averaging over twenty goals a season for four years. Eruzione also played for Team USA at the 1975 and 1976 Ice Hockey World Championship tournaments. So he was no stranger to the Soviets style of hockey and their players.

He then moved on to the Toledo Goaldiggers of the International Hockey League, winning the rookie of the year award in 1978 and leading the team to the Turner Cup championship in that year.

After his second year in Toledo, Eruzione, who played forward, was named the captain of the 1980 Olympic hockey team, scoring the winning goal against the Soviets and helping the Americans win the gold medal against Finland. Eruzione's winning goal has become one of the most played highlights in American sports, and was voted the greatest highlight of all time by ESPN viewers in March 2008.





On this date in 1969 Tony Esposito recorded his first shutout for the Chicago Blackhawks en route to a rookie record of 15 shutouts, earning the nickname of Tony O.

On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1991, the Buffalo Sabres traded former number one overall pick Pierre Turgeon, along with Benoit Hogue, Uwe Krupp, and Dave McLlwain to the New York Islanders. In return the Sabres received Pat LaFontaine, Randy Hillier and Randy Wood.





On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1974, the Atlanta Flames defeated the Detroit Red Wings 10-1 with Curt Bennett and Eric Vail each getting their first career hat tricks. Curt Bennett added a pair of assists for a five point game





On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1977, Rick Smith of the Boston Bruins scored the10,000th goal in franchise history during a 4-4 tie against the Colorado Rockies. Smith played eight seasons in Boston scoring 36 times for the B’s.





On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1979, the Indianapolis Checkers were shutout 1-0 in their first ever game by Jim Craig and the U.S. Olympic Team in Chicago. Craig stopped 28 shots to outduel Jim Park, who made 32 saves. Dave Silk scored the lone goal for the future gold medalists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1990, the St. Louis Blues beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 8-5 with Brett Hull scoring a hat trick to become the first player in franchise history with back to back hat tricks. He had three goals against the Leafs in the previous game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1991, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 with Vince Riendeau and Tim Cheveldae posting the first shared shutout in the Red Wings history. Riendeau wasreplaced after suffering an injury at 7:09 of the second period. The Leafs made it an easy night for the Wings goalies by putting only 13 shots on goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th June 25, 1992, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they had hired Barry Melrose as their new coach. Melrose had an eleven year year career in professional hockey in the NHL (300 games) , WHA (178 Games) and minor leagues from 1976 -1987. His coaching career, got off to a rousing start reaching the Cup Finals in his first year with the Kings, only to be fired two seasons later. He returned to coaching 14 years later with the Tampa bay Lightning, but was fired after winning only five of the team’s first 16 games. Barry has been primarily known as ESPN’s hockey commentator who switched to the NHL network this season.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1997, the Montreal Canadiens reached 6,000 franchise points in the standings with a 4-2 win over the Senators, making them the first to reach that mark. It was just their 4,986th game. Math fun: that means they had a “career” winning/points percentage of 60.2%. That’s not bad at all.

October 25. 2000 – Ray Bourque picked up two assists in a 2-1 Avalanche win over the Predators to give him 1,529 career points, making him the highest-scoring defenseman in NHL history. He passed Paul Coffey and added 50 more, and still sits atop that list with 1,579.





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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 2002, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1

with defenseman Ken Daneyko scoring to end his NHL record 256 game scoring drought.. Despite scoring only 36 goals in 1,283 career games, the Devils honored Daneyko by retiring his number 3 because they didn’t pay him to score.

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On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1975 – The Sabres beat the Oakland Seals 3-2 to set an NHL record for consecutive wins at the start of a season with eight. The record was broken by the 1993-94 Maple Leafs, who won 10 straight.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1977, Steve Vickers scores four goals as the New York Rangers defeat the St. Louis Blues, 6-2, at Madison Square Garden.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1980, Anders Hedberg scored four goals for his first hattrick as a Ranger in a 7-6 victory by the Broadway Blueshirts victory against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1982, the Buffalo Sabes and Montreal Canadiens each scored five goals in the first period for a 5-5 tie after 20 minutes. The game finished in a 7-7 tie.









On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1984, the Edmonton Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 8-2 with Wayne Gretzky assisting on four goals in the second period, one shy of the NHL record of five assists in a period held by Dale Hawerchuk. Jari Kurri scored twice and added three assists in the same period for five points which was one less than the record of six points in a period held by Bryan Trottier. This is substantial evidence that Gretzky and Kurri were joined at the hip while playing in Edmonton.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1984, the Detroit Red Wings scored three empty net goals in a 7-3 win over the Buffalo Buffalo. That’s got to be some kind of record.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1989, Sergei Mylnikov made 31 saves as the Quebec Nordiques lost 4-2 to the Bruins at the Boston Garden. In so doing, he became the first Soviet goalie to play in an NHL game,

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1990, the Los Angeles Kings lost 6-2 to the Winnipeg Jets with Wayne Gretzky becoming the first player in NHL history to record 2,000 points with 684 goals and 1,316 assists in 857 games. That’s 2.33 points per game! He’s currently the only player to have reached that milestone, and his 2,857 career points are 941 more than second place Jaromir Jagr currently at 1,916.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1997, Wayne Gretzky, the New York Rangers tied the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3-3 with Wayne Gretzky picking up a pair of helpers to give him more career assists, 1851, than anyone else had points. Gordie Howe had the second highest point total at 1,850.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1997, Steve Yzerman passed Alex Delvecchio as the longest serving captain in NHL history at 11 years and 12 games, as the Red Wings improved their road record to 6-0-0 since the start of the season with a 5-1 win at Vancouver. What’s interesting is that they were both captains of the Red Wings (both career Red Wings).

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 2002, the St. Louis Blues became the first team in NHL history to win four straight games with four different goaltenders as Fred Brathwaite led them to a 4-3 overtime win at Calgary.





Fifty years ago in hockey rookie goalie Dave Dryden makes the Chicago Blackhawks roster as backup to Glenn Hall. Dryden, from Hamilton Ontario, played junior hockey for the Toronto Marlboros. he played in one NHL game as the emergency goalie finishing a game for the New York Rangers when Gump Worsley was injured and unable to play. He was then played senior A for the Galt Hornets before signing as a free agent with Chicago. After playing four games with the Hawks farm team the Buffalo Bisons where he sported a 1.50 goals against average, Dryden earned a spot with the NHL club.









This day in hockey history, October 27th 1965, the San Francisco Seals showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Hockey League this season as they demolished the Los Angeles Blades 9-5.









On this date in hockey history, 1979 Wayne Gretzky plays his first NHL game. He earned an assist in a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.





This date in hockey history, October 27 1998, Domink Hasek stopped 16 shots to shutout the New York Rangers. This was the fourth consecutive game the Sabres had shutout the Rangers and Hasek extended his scoreless streak over the Rangers to 263:46. However Rangers goalie Mike Richter was the first star of the game as he earned his 19th career shutout against the Sabres with the game ending in a 0-0 tie.

This day in hockey history, October 27 1971 Vancouver's Dunc Wilson earned his and the franchises first shutout against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canucks didn't score either and the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Bernie Parent was the Toronto goalie that night and he earned his first shutout as a Leaf.

On this day in hockey history, Mike Ricci was born on October 27th 1971. While playing for the Quebec Nordiques, Ricci scored five goals on February 17, 1994 in an 8-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. In the history of the National Hockey League, there have been only 60 games where a player scored five goals. Joe Malone scored five goals in a game on five occasions.

On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1965, Bobby Orr the 17 year old Ontario Hockey Association sensation leads the league in scoring with 15 points on 4 goals and 11 assists in only 6 games.









On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1995, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Calgary Flames 3-0 in the first appearance of the “The Russian Five” with former Red Army and Soviet National Team players: Sergei Fedorov, Viachslav Fetisov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Igor Larionov, and Vyacheslav Kozlov, who played as a five man when Detroit won 3-0 at Calgary.

On this day in hockey history, October 27th1979, Mike Murphy scored four goals and added an assist to lead the L.A. Kings to 7-5 win over the Maple Leafs at the Forum in Los Angeles.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1973, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-0 at the Spectrum with Bernie Parent stopping 23 shots for the shutout. Bobby Clarke scored twice and added a helper for three points game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th1981, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 11-2 at the Forum. It was the worst road loss in franchise history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th1985, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the visiting Vancouver Canucks 7-4. Ilkka Sinisalo ahd a pair of goals and an assist with Brian Propp adding a single goal and an assist. Bob Froese stopped 20 of 24 shots for the shutout.

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On this day in hockey history, October 27th 1996, the New York Rangers defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-4 at Madison Square Garden with Wayne Gretzky scoring one goal and adding three helpers to extend his point streak to 11 games.

On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1943, it’s the first game after the rules change designed to open up the game by allowing teams to pass the puck forward out of their own zone, opening up the game. A 16 year old goaltender from Galt, Ontario, future Hall of Famer Harry Lumley, makes his first career start as a professional and stops 20 shots for the Indianapolis Capitals in a 5-3 victory over the Buffalo Bisons in a rematch of the 1942 Calder Cup finals. Bill Hudson has two goals and Carl “Winky” Smith a goal and two assists.





On this day in hockey history, October 28th1970, the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 at Madison Square Garden to record the 1,000th win in franchise history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1971, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 at the Spectrum with Simon Nolet scoring two goals, including the game-winning goal at 10:25 of the third period, for the 100th regular season win in franchise history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1978, the Chicago Black Hawks lost 7-2 to the Red Wings at Detroit with Bobby Orr scoring his 270th and final goal of his career at age 30.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 1978, Wayne Gretzky played his final home game at Market Square Arena as a Racer. Blaine Stoughton scored the game winning goal midway through the third period with Rich Leduc and Michel Parizeau adding singles in 3-2 Indianapolis Racers win against the Winnipeg Jets.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th1993, Adam Graves scored his 100th career NHL goal in a 3-3 tie with the Montreal Canadiens at MSG.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th 2000, the New Jerseys Devils beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 9-0 with John Madden and Randy McKay each scoring four goals.





They were the first teammates to score four goals in one game since 1922! when Odie and Sprague Cleghorn did so for the Montreal Canadiens. Madden and McKay each scored 23 goals that season for the NHL’s highest coring team. That’s right, the team known for trapping actually led the NHL with 295 goals in 2000-01.

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On this day in hockey history, October 28th2002, Mike Richter made 29 saves for his 300th career game, a 3-2 overtime victory over the Phoenix Coyotes at Madison Square Garden.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th1986, 19 year old German Uwe Krupp was cleared by the International Ice Hockey federation to play for the Buffalo Sabres Krupp had been drafted by Buffalo in 1983 214th overall after being scouted personally by Sabres GM Scotty Bowman. Krupp was cleared two hours before their scheduled game against the Montreal Canadiens and made his debut that night. Standing 6'6" Krupp was the tallest player in the league for seven years. His success made him the prototype for the large skilled puck moving defense man who are so coveted today but he is little remembered for his influence on the game. Krupp was the first German born player to play on a Stanley Cup champion.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1981 Detroit Red Wings Mike Foligno and John Ogrodnick each scored a hat trick as the Red Wings defeated Calgary 12-4.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1953 Denis Potvin was born in Ottawa Ontario. Potvin won the Stanley Cup four times with the Islanders and compiled 1,052 points in 1,060 games on 310 goals and 742 assists. Potvin is considered one of the greatest players in NHL history and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Along with his offensive ability, Potvin played a punishing physical style. Don Cherry described him as a mean player as evidenced by his 1356 penalty minutes.Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey

On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1981 Detroit Red Wings Mike Foligno and John Ogrodnick each scored a hat trick as the Red Wings defeated Calgary 12-4.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1949, Frank Brimsek recorded his 36th career shutout and his first with Chicago Black Hawks in a 2-0 over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.. Metro Prystai and Bill Mosienko scored power play goals in the first four minutes of the game for the victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1959, Mike Gartner was born in Ottawa, Ont. Gartner played in the NHL from 1979-80 thru 1997-98.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1969, Jean Beliveau became the first player in Montreal history to play 1,000 NHL games, when he appeared in a 4-1 Montreal Canadiens’ loss to the North Stars at Minnesota.

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On this day in hockey history in 1939 the first true NHL all star game was played in Montreal with the all stars defeating the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. The game was a memorial for Babe Siebert of the Montreal Canadiens who had just retired and been named Canadiens coach for the 1939-40 season but tragically had drowned in August. This was the first game where the all star team players were chosen based on the official all star voting by the Canadian Press. Previous "All star" memorial games, 1934 for Ace Bailey and 1937 for Howie Morenz, had featured a plethora of star players but not the official all stars.

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On this day in hockey history in 1971, the California Seals set into motion a series of events which demonstrated the art of hiring retread coaches. The Seals fired long time coach Fred Glover three games into the 71-72 season with the Seals going 0-2-1. Twelve days later Glover became the first coach in NHL history to direct two different teams during the same season when he was hired by the Los Angeles Kings. His record with the Kings was 18-42-8. Then the Seals hired him again after 12 games of the 1972-73 season even though they had finished 71-72 with a record of 21-39-18 for 60 points without him, 11 points ahead of Glover's Kings. The Seals finished 16-46-16 for 48 points with Glover back behind the bench.He was fired again the next season.after 57 games (going 11-38-8) to end his NHL coaching career.





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On this day in hockey history in 1983 four Sutter brothers faced off in the same game. Brent and Duane Sutter suited up for the New York Islanders against the Philadelphia Flyers and twins Rich and Ron Sutter. The islanders won that day 6-2. Brent Sutter led the way with two goals and an assist.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, October 30, 1943, Toronto Maple Leafs rookie August "Gus" Bodnar scored 15 seconds after stepping onto the ice for the first time in his NHL career setting a record for the fastest goal by a first year player. He also scored another goal and added an assist helping the Buds to a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. Gus scored 22 rookie goals going 22-40-62 in 50 games for a outstanding rookie season. Bodnar really had a nose for the record book On March 23rd 1952 he assisted on Bill Mosienko's famous hat trick with three assists in only 21 seconds which was a record for the fastest three assists.  

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1943, The famous "Punch Line" made it's debut as Maurice Richard donned his fabled number nine sweater for the first time during the season opening 2-2 tie against the Boston Bruins. Center Elmer Lach was moved by coach Dick Irvin in between left winger Toe Blake and right winger Maurice "The Rocket" Richard. During their time together before a broken leg forced Blake to retire in 1948, the "Punch Line" helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup two times, in 1944 and 1946. Lach set a single season points record in 1944-45 when he scored 80 points in a 50-game schedule. Many of his 54 assists come on goals by Richard, who sets an NHL record with 50 goals in 50 games. During the 1944–45 NHL season, the three finished first (Lach), second (Richard), and third (Blake) in scoring in the league. They were the forward line for the first all star team in that same season. Richard would be the first team all star right wing for all but one year while with Blake and Lach.





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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1964, Emile Francis replaced "Muzz" Patrick as as General Manager of the New York Rangers and remained in that position for the next 11 years

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1969, Bobby Clarke scored his first NHL goal as the Philadelphia Flyers tied the New York Rangers 3-3 at Madison Square Garden..

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1983, the Chicago Black Hawks defeated the Hartford Whalers 6-1 in Chicago. This game was noteworthy for Chicago’s Tom Lysiak tripping linesman Ron Foyt incurring a 20 game suspension.

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This day in hockey history, October 31st 1942, Maurice Richard played his first game in the NHL. It took him 36 seconds from the opening face off to earn his first NHL point in a 3-2 win against Boston.





On this day in hockey history, October 31st 1967, the New York Rangers played the Los Angeles Kings for the first time in franchise history, and defeated them 6-1 in Los Angeles.
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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1981 Wayne Gretzky notched four goals in an 11-4 victory over Quebec. This was Gretzky's seventh hat trick of his young career, he was only 20 years old!

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1987, Marcel Dionne tallies the 700th goal of his NHL career. At the time, Dionne was just the third player in NHL history to reach that plateau, joining Gordie Howe with 801 goals and Phil Esposito at 717 as the NHL’s only 700 goal scorers.. Esposito and Dionne both scored their 700th goals while playing for the Rangers.

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On this date in 1989, Gretzky had his 46th career hat trick in an 8-4 win by the LA Kings over Pittsburgh.

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On this date in hockey history, October 31st 1989, Mario Lemieux picked up two assists in an 8-4 loss to the Los Angeles Kings as Wayne Gretzky tallied four goals. Those two points were the start of a 46 game scoring streak for Mario.

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1991 , the Vancouver Canucks signed Russian forward Pavel Bure to his first NHL contract.

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1995, Mario Tremblay set an NHL record for the best start by a new coach as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 for their sixth straight win, The previous record was five wins by Bep Guidolin with the 1973 Boston Bruins and Marc Crawford with the Colorado Avalanche also in 1995. While Guidolin’s record lasted 22 years Crawfords record only lasted a few days.

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This day in hockey history, October 2nd 1948, Donald Harold Luce was born in London Ontario. Don played three years of junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers where he led the OHA in assists with 70 in 1967-68. After turning pro he played on the Rangers farm team the Omaha Knights that won the CHL regular season and playoff titles in 1969-70. Luce was named to CHL All-Star First Team.

In spite of two strong seasons in the CHL (1968-69 22 goals and 56 points in 72 games and 1969-70 with 22 goals and 57 points in 64 games), Luce appeared in only 21 NHL games during that time as the Rangers were a strong team and deep at center with Jean Rattelle, Walt Tkaczuk, Juha Widing and Orland Kurtenbach in an era where team employed only three regular forward lines.





On November 2nd 1970 the Rangers traded Don to the Detroit Red Wings for Steve Andrascik.

While with Detroit, Luce assisted on Gordie Howe’s last goal before he retired from the Red Wings. Then on May 15th 1971, Don was traded to the Buffalo Sabres along with defenseman Mike Robitaille for goaltender Joe Daley.

Luce blossomed in Buffalo where he developed into one of the best two way players of the 1970’s. Don won the Buffalo Sabres' Unsung Hero Trophy and Wilkinson Sword Award as team's Most Improved Player in 1971-72. He recorded the first playoff assist in Buffalo Sabres history on April 4, 1973, at Montreal. He was the inaugural winner of the Buffalo Sabres' Charley Barton Silver Stick Award for dedication and spirit in 1972-73.

Don was named an alternate captain during 1973-74 season and wore the "A" through the 1975-75 season. He won the Wilkinson Sword Award as the Buffalo Sabres MVP in 1973-74. He set a Buffalo Sabres team record for the fastest three goals by one player with three goals in span of 3:49 on Dec. 22, 1974, at Washington. He set a Buffalo record (since tied) for the most shorthanded goals in a game with two on Dec. 22, 1974, at Washington.

Luce was voted the Bill Masterson Trophy winner for the 1974-75 season which is awarded to the NHL player annually who best demonstrates the qualities of perseverance, leadership and dedication to the sport of hockey

Don represented Buffalo in 1975 NHL All-Star Game. He set Sabres single season records for shorthanded goals (8) and highest plus-minus rating (plus-61) in 1974-75. The eight shorthanded goals were also an NHL record (since broken), breaking Dave Keon's previous mark of seven. He scored the first postseason shorthanded goal in Buffalo Sabres history on May 3, 1975, at Montreal and played on Buffalo team that went to 1975 Stanley Cup Finals. H e scored the series winning goal at 14:27 of overtime as Buffalo eliminated St. Louis from the first round of the 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Luce was traded by new Sabres GM/coach Scotty Bowman to the Los Angeles Kings March 10th 1981 for a 1982 sixth round draft pick which he used to draft Jeff Parker 111th overall. He left Buffalo ranked third behind Gil Perreault and Craig Ramsay for most games as Sabre with 766. The Kings later traded Don to Toronto where he finished his career.

Don was named as the head coach of the Pine Bridge Bucks in the ACHL prior to 1983-84 season. He was a pro scout for Buffalo for the 1984-85 season and also served as a part time assistant coach for the Sabres that season. He was an assistant coach for Buffalo for parts of 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons. 




Luce was named the director of U.S. Scouting for the Sabres prior to 1985-86 season and remained in position through 1986-87 season. He was named Buffalo’s Director of Amateur Evaluation and Development prior to 1987-88 season and remained in that position through 1989-90 season. Played key role in helping to get Alexander Mogilny out of USSR and into NHL in 1989.

He was then named Buffalo’s Director of Player Personnel prior to 1990-91 season and remained in that position through 2004-05 season. His work was recognized when The Hockey News ranked team's prospects No. 2 in NHL for 1997. He was named Buffalo Director of Player Development prior to 2005-06 season and remained in that position through 2005-06 season. Luce left the Sabres in July 2006, when the team let him go and cut much of its scouting department. Luce had been responsible for bringing in the likes of Alexander Mogilny, Maxim Afinogenov, Martin Biron, Brian Campbell, and Jason Pominville.

Luce was named the Director of Player development for the Philadelphia Flyers in late November 2006. He was a pro scout for the Flyers starting in the 2012-13 season and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in that same capacity on September 20th 2015. He is now retired from hockey





Don Luce played 894 career NHL games, scoring 225 goals and 329 assists for 554 points. His best statistical season was the 1974-75 when he set career highs with 33 goals and 76 points.

Don was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1986 and into the Greater Buffalo Sports hall of Famein 1997.

Happy Birthday to Glenn Hall, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1931. Glenn earner the nickname “Mr. Goalie” over his 21 year career. He developed the innovative Butterfly Style of goaltending is credited with incorporating the butterfly style of goaltending which was revolutionary in its day where goaltenders played a stand up style primarily because keeping their head above the crossbar protected their faces better. As a result goalies would leave a wide open “Five Hole” between their legs and tended to let in some easy shots along the ice. Tony Esposito further popularized this style in the 1970’s and today most goalies use a modernized butterfly style in a golden era of great goaltenders (But boring hockey).





This day in hockey history, October 3rd,1989, Darryl Sittler, Vladislav Tretiak and Herbie Lewis were inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with "builders" Alan Eagleson and Father David Bauer.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd 1953 ,Wally Hergesheimer of the New York Rangers scored twice within 5:25 of the opening faceoff to set an all star record game for the fastest two goals from the start of a game, as the all stars beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens 3-1. Hergesheimer went on to score a career best 30 goals and 59 points that season.





Happy Birthday to Glenn Hall, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1931. Glenn earner the nickname “Mr. Goalie” over his 21 year career. He developed the innovative Butterfly Style of goaltending is credited with incorporating the butterfly style of goaltending which was revolutionary in its day where goaltenders played a stand up style primarily because keeping their head above the crossbar protected their faces better. As a result goalies would leave a wide open “Five Hole” between their legs and tended to let in some easy shots along the ice. Tony Esposito further popularized this style in the 1970’s and today most goalies use a modernized butterfly style in a golden era of great goaltenders (But boring hockey).

Happy Birthday to “Gentleman” Jean Ratelle, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1940. Over his 21 season career with the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins he averaged almost a point a game. Combining a high level of playing ability with great sportsmanship, he twice won the Lady Byng Trophy.

His greatest success came with the linemates Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield to form the GAG line (Goal A Game). He was the annual scoring leader for the Rangers from 1968 and 1973 when the team was a powerhouse and ranked among the best teams in the NHL.





Ratelle’s greatest season was 1971-72 when he led the league’s scorers with 109 points and certainly would have beaten the legendary Phil Esposito for the scoring tittle when he was injured and missed the final 15 games of the season.

At that time only three players had ever scored more than the 109 points in Ratelle’s injury shortend season including Esposito, Bobby Orr and Johnny Bucyk. Ratelle was voted the winner of the Lester Pearson Trophy as the best player in the league as chosen by the NHL players.





In one of the most shocking trades in NHL history, November 1975, Ratelle was traded along with Brad Park and Joe Zanussi to the Rangers hated arch rivals the Boston Bruins for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais. Ratelle Ratelle had started the year relatively slowly going 5-10-15 in 13 games for the blueshirts (1.15 PPG) but picked up the pace with the Bruins with 31 goals and 90 points in 67 games (1.34 PPG). And finished with 105 points, the second best total of his career. He continued his excellent play with the B’s for several more years as the Boston fans marveled at his all around game, slick passing and mastery of the face off circle until he retired in 1981.





Ratelle played twenty one seasons in the NHL scoring 491 goals and adding 776 assists for 1,267 points. ranking him as the sixth all time leading scorer when he retired.. While he never played on a team that won the Stanley Cup championship, he was a member of the 1972 Team Canada squad that defeated the Soviet Union He earned his reputation as a gentlemanly player, finishing in the top-five for the Lady Byng Trophy awarded for sportsmanship and excellence nine times, including a stretch between the 1970 and 1978 seasons where he was in the top three six times and won the trophy twice.

Ratelle was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2009, Ratelle was ranked No. 7 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats. The Rangers plan to retire Ratelle's No. 19 jersey on February 25, 2018.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd,1959, Jean Beliveau scored two goals, and teammate Doug Harvey added three assists, as the Canadiens beat the All Stars 6-1 at the 13th NHL All Star game, in Montreal.





This day in hockey history, October 3rd 1934 , the Montreal Canadiens traded Howie Morenz, Marty Burke and Lorne Chabot to the Chicago Black Hawks in exchange for Lionel Conacher, Roger Jenkins and Leroy Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy was the first American born player to skate for the Red Wings.





















On May 15, 1926, the Townsend syndicate of investors was granted a conditional expansion NHL franchise, to begin play in the upcoming season if their arena was ready. For players, the syndicate decided to purchase one of the most successful teams from the bankrupt Western Canada Hockey League, the Victoria Cougars, who had won the Stanley Cup in 1925. On September 25, 1926, the NHL made the franchise purchase permanent, although the arena was not ready.The expansion club kept the Cougars name. The club played in Windsor for the entire season.





On this day in hockey history, October 4th 1926, the Townsend Syndicate, owners of the new Detroit Cougars franchise who would begin NHL play in a month, purchased the Victoria Cougars team from the defunct Western Hockey League for $100,000 because they needed players for their NHL team The Victoria players made up nearly half of the Detroit squad which played it’s first season across the river from Detroit in Windsor, Ontario because the Olympia was not yet ready in Detroit. The Detroit team would be known as the Falcons in 1930 before changing their name to the Red Wings in 1932.





This day in hockey history, October 4th 1934, Connie Madigan was born in Port Arthur, Ontario. Madigan is remembered as the oldest rookie in NHL history at age 38 with the St. Louis Blues. He had been a long time player in the minor leagues primarily for the Portland Buckaroos of the Western Hockey League. Madigan played in 20 games for the Blues during the 1972-73 season and had three assists. He appeared in the movie Slap Shot as “Mad Dog” Madigan,









This day in hockey history, October 4th 1991, the San Jose Sharks lost 4-3 to the Vancouver Canucks in their their first NHL game. Jeff Hackett was besiged with 52 shots and Crag Coxe a native of Chula Vista California, scored the first goal in Sharks history. The sharks lost 58 games that season finishing with a 17-58-5 record. The next year was even worse with an 11-71-2 record. But their teal jersey was the NHL’s best seller.

This day in hockey history October 4th 1991, the Edmonton Oilers traded Mark Messier to the New York Rangers for Bernie Nicholls, Steven Rice, and Louie DeBrusk. Messier had been the Oilers captain and a member of five Stanley Cup championship teams with Edmonton. Messier would be named the Captain of the Rangers lead them the Cup championship in 1994.

This day in hockey history October 4th 2001, the Detroit Red Wings won 4-3 in OT at San Jose against the Sharks with Brendan Shanahan scoring a hat trick for the second time in his career. On a related note, the Hockey News reported that Shanahan holds the unofficial NHL record for most modern day career Gordie Howe hat tricks, with 17.













On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1932, the Detroit Falcons are renamed the Red Wings. The team logo is changed to a winged wheel and red uniforms are introduced. It's the third name for the franchise, known as the Detroit Cougars from 1926-30 and the Detroit Falcons from 1930-32.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1976, the Colorado Rockies made their debut in Denver and defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 with rookie forward Larry Skinner scoring the first goal. The franchise had just transferred from Kansas City where they played from 1974-1976 and had been known as the Scouts. The franchise would relocate again in 1982, to New Jersey where on October 4th 1982 the New Jersey Devils would play their first NHL game, a 3-3 tie with the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, Wayne Gretzky scored a goal and added an assist as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 at the Northlands Coliseum. Thus began Gretzky’s famous record 51 game scoring streak where he had at least one point in every Oilers game until January 28th 1984.





On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, rookie Steve Yzerman scored his first career NHL goal as the Detroit Red Wings' tied the Jets 6-6 in Winnipeg. He finished his career with 692 goals, 1,063 assists and 1,755 points in 1, 514 games. And four Stanley Cup championships.














On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, Marcel Dionne scored his 545th goal during a 3-3 tie against the Minnesota North Stars at the Forum in Inglewood. With that goal he passes Maurice Richard into fifth place on the NHL’s all time goal scoring list.

On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1990, Kevin Stevens sets an NHL record for most points in a season-opening game when he scores twice and added four assists for six points in the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 victory against the Capitals in Washington.

 

On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1993: Neal Broten scored twice and Andy Moog makes 31 saves as the Dallas Stars playing in their first game since relocating from Minnesota defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-4 at Reunion Arena.




On this day in hockey history, October 5th 2005, Alexander Ovechkin made his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals scoring twice in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Verizon Center.

Ovechkin had been the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL entry draft. The goals are the first two of 52 rookie goals by Ovechkin as he won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. He was also named to the first all star team for the first of three consecutive seasons.





This day in hockey history, October 6th, 1955 - Toe Blake made his NHL coaching debut as the Montreal Canadiens beat Toronto 2-0. Jacques Plante got his 11th career shutout.


This day in hockey history, October 6th 1984, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 at the Spectrum with Mike Keenan picking up his first NHL coaching victory.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1992, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers played to a 3-3- tie at the Igloo with Mario Lemieux scoring to begin a team record 12 game goal scoring streak. Flyers rookie Eric Lindros also scored his first NHL goal.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1996 , Tony Granato, in his second game back from a career-threatening brain surgery in February '96, scored his 6th career hat trick, his first with San Jose, and added an assist in the Sharks' 7-6 overtime win, at Los Angeles.




This day in hockey history, October 6th 1955, the Detroit Red Wings lost 3-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks as Detroit goaltender Glenn Hall began an NHL record of 502 consecutive complete games played. He started every game and played all 60 minutes during that streak. The streak ended seven years later when Hall was the goaltender for the Blackhawks.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1976, the Minnesota North Stars lost 6-5 to the New York Rangers in spite of rookie Roland Eriksson tieing an NHL rookie record with four assists in his first NHL game. The mark had been set in 1953 by Earl “Dutch” Reibel of the Detroit Red Wings.





This day in hockey history, October 6th 1989, the New York Rangers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 with Roger Nielson behind the bench making him the first man in history to coach five different NHL teams. Exactly four years later (1993), he’d become the first man to coach six different teams, when his Florida Panthers tied the Blackhawks 4-4 at Chicago in the Panthers first regular season game.





On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1901, Frank Boucher was born in Ottawa, Ontario.

Although later Rangers such as Gilbert and Mark Messier have been more honored by recent fans, Boucher's status as the star of two Ranger Stanley Cup championship teams and the coach of another makes him, except perhaps for team builder Lester Patrick, as the greatest Ranger of them all.





Boucher played for the Rangers until he retired in 1937–38 and Boucher centered the famous Bread Line with the brothers Bill and Bun Cook. Together they helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1928 and 1933, also reaching the Finals in 1932.





Frank was not only a brilliant forward, but was also one of the game's classies players. Lady Byng, wife of Viscount Byng, the Governor-General of Canada, donated a trophy to be awarded to the NHL's "most gentlemanly player." While playing for the New York Rangers, Boucher won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy 7 times in 8 years. He was then given the trophy outright, and Lady Byng donated another trophy to the NHL.





The Rangers hired him to coach the New York Rovers, a minor-league team that also played at Madison Square Garden, as his apprenticeship to coaching the Rangers. When general manager Lester Patrick made the decision to retire from coaching prior to the 1939–40 season, he hired Boucher, who led his Ranger club to the last Stanley Cup. The franchise would be in existence for 68 seasons before they won a Cup without Boucher being directly involved.





After finishing first in the NHL's regular season in 1942, the Rangers lost in the playoffs to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Soon they became victims of the military draft of World War II and went into a steep decline. In 1943–44 NHL season the New York Rangers were so bad that Boucher came out of retirement for 15 games to play where he recorded 14 points; at age 42, he was the oldest position player ever to play in the NHL, a record he held until surpassed by Doug Harvey in 1968. The Rangers finished the 50 game season with only 6 wins. From 1940 to 1972 they reached the Stanley Cup Finals only once.





When Patrick retired, Frank took over as general manager. He got the Rangers into the playoffs in 1947–48 with his trade to get Buddy O'Connor and Frank Eddolls. He stepped down from coaching to concentrate on his manager's job and hired Lynn Patrick, Lester's son and an ex-teammate, to coach the Rangers, and Lynn came very close to winning the Stanley Cup in 1950, proving Boucher astute in hiring him as coach. But the Rangers were an aging team, and eroded. Lynn Patrick resigned to go to Boston, and neither Neil Colville nor Bill Cook, also former teammates of Boucher's, could get the Rangers into the playoffs. General John Kilpatrick, the Rangers' owner, thought about replacing Boucher, but he held off.





During the 1945–46 season, Boucher became the first coach to use two goalies regularly. Alternating Charlie Rayner and Jim Henry every game, and later, every four to six minutes, he proved the usefulness of having two goalies.





Frank went back behind the bench in 1953–54, but could not get the Rangers into the playoffs. He then hired Muzz Patrick, another son of Lester and ex-teammate, to coach the team, but the Rangers won only 17 games and missed the playoffs again. So General Kilpatrick had a talk with Frank and reluctantly expressed that Frank could not build the Rangers into a winner, and recommended Frank resign as general manager. Frank thought it over, realizing that it was better than being fired. He then typed his resignation and handed it in to the General, ending his 29-year association with the Rangers.





He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. In 1998, he was ranked number 61 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. His uniform number 7 hangs in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, although it was retired for a later Ranger, Rod Gilbert.





In 1974, Boucher wrote When the Rangers Were Young, a book about his experiences with the old-time Broadway Blueshirts, giving him one last moment of fame during his lifetime. He died of cancer on December 12, 1977 in the town of Kemptville, Ontario, near Ottawa at the age of 76. In 2009, Boucher was ranked No. 9 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats.





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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1991, Mark Messier was introduced as the 22nd captain in Rangers history in a pre game ceremony prior to the Blueshirts’ home opener. Messier would set up Mike Gartner’s game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2001, In the Rangers’ first regular season game in New York after the 9/11 tragedy, Brian Leetch scores the overtime winner in a 5-4 Rangers victory over the Buffalo Sabres at MSG. Also, Mike Richter becomes the first Rangers goaltender to appear in 600 games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1954, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1, extending their opening-night unbeaten streak to 15 games (14-0-1).

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1955, New York Rangers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 7-4 as rookie Andy Hebenton played his first career game, the first of 630 consecutive games, an NHL record at the time.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1983, the Minnesota North Stars scored four power play goals and the Vancouver Canucks scored six in a 10-9 win by Vancouver.

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This day in hockey history, October 7th 1986, 21 year old Steve Yzerman was named the youngest captain in Detroit Red Wings history and the teams 34th captain. He’d would remain captain for 19 seasons.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1996, the Phoenix Coyotes defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2 with Mike Gartner scoring the first goal in Coyotes history in the first NHL game played in Arizona. He added two more to also score the first hat trick in team history.





On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2001, the first hockey game since the 9/11 tragedy was played in New York City, as the Rangers beat the Sabres 5-4 in overtime. Newly acquired Eric Lindros scored his first goal as a Ranger and added an assist.




On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2000, the Toronto Maple Leafs shutout the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 in the season opener at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. As at the end of the 2006-07 season, the Leafs and Canadiens have played each other a total of 766 times in the regular season, more than any other two teams in NHL history. The Habs lead with 355 wins 285 losses 88 ties and 8 OT losses. In the playoffs the Habs have won seven series and the Leafs six but have not met in the postseason since 1979.

On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1995 , the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey #1 worn by goaltender Jacques Plante three decades earlier, as the Canadiens lost 7-1 in their season opener to the Flyers, at the Forum.
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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1995 , Cam Neely became the first player in NHL history to get an opening night hat trick twice in his career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1972, Nassau Veterans County Coliseum opened in New York, but the Islanders lost their first NHL game, 3-2 to the Atlanta Flames. Eddie Westfall scored the Isles' first goal. Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey

On this day in hockey history, October 7th1976, Bobby Orr played his first game with the Chicago Black Hawks. He scored a goal and added an assist, as the Black Hawks won 6-4 at St. Louis.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1990, Penguins rookie Jaromir Jagr scored the first goal of his NHL career in his second NHL game as Pittsburgh won 7-4 over the Devils. Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey




This day in hockey history, October 10th 1974, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 9-5 at the Aud in Buffalo with rookie right wing Danny Gare opening the scoring with his first NHL goal, only 18 seconds into his first NHL game, the second fastest NHL goal ever scored by a rookie. The record is 15 seconds, set by Gus Bodnar in 1943.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, Wayne Gretzky earned his first NHL point assisting on a goal by Kevin Lowe as the Edmonton Oilers playing their first game as an NHL team lost 4-2 to the Blackhawks at the venerable Chicago Stadium.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, the Quebec Nordiques lost 5-3 to the Atlanta Flames with Real Cloutier scoring three times becoming the second player in NHL history to score a hat trick in his first career game.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1989, the Calgary Flames won 4-2 at the Meadowlands against New Jersey. What made the game historic was that with the Cold War era drawing to a close, four Soviet players faced each other for the first time in an NHL game; Viacheslav Fetisov and Sergei Starikov of the New Jersey Devils went up against Calgary’s Sergei Makarov and Sergei Priakin. Sergei, Sergei, Sergei. And Slava.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, the Winnipeg Jets lost 4-2 at the Igloo against the Penguins with Gary Smith of the Jets becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to play for seven different NHL teams.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1987, the Hartford Whalers lost 6-2 to the New York Rangers as Doug Jarvis played in his NHL record 964th consecutive game. Jarvis’s streak ended that night as he sat out the next game with an injury, and never played another NHL game.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1924, the NHL sold franchises to the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Maroons for $15,000. The Montreal Canadiens received $11,000 of the Maroons fees as compensation for their infringement of their territorial rights in Montreal. The Bruins were the first NHL franchise in the United States. The first managers of these teams also left their mark on the NHL with trophies named after them; Boston’s manager was Art Ross and Montreal’s was Cecil Hart.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1952, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in Montreal. This was the first hockey game ever televised by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1953 , the Detroit Redwings whitewashed the Toronto Maple leafs 3-0 with Dave Gatherum earning the shutout in his first NHL game. He was the seventh goalie to accomplish that feat. He only played two more NHL games allowing only three goals in his three game career, winning two games with one tie and sporting a 1.00 GAA. He had filled in while Terry Sawchuck was injured and never got another chance to play in the NHL. He was number three on the Red Wings depth cart behind Sawchcuk and Glenn Hall, both future Hall Of Famers. That’s just how tough it was to make it in the six team league with only six jobs and each goalie playing the entire schedule.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1967, the Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues tied 2-2 in the first NHL game for each team. Larry Keenan scored the first Blues goal and Bill Masterton scored the first ever goal by the North Stars.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1984, rookie Mario Lemieux scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game, in his first NHL shift, and on his first shot, Pittsburgh rookie Mario Lemieux scored his first NHL goal. And added an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins lost 4-3 to the Boston Bruins.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1979, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Washington Capitals 6-3 with Lindy Ruff scoring his first NHL goal and Scotty Bowman behind the bench coaching his first game for the Sabres.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1930, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired two time Stanley Cup winner (1923, 1927) King Clancy from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Art Smith, Eric Pettinger and $35,000 ($500,000 in 2017 dollars). With the Leafs, Clancy was a four time all star, first team in 1931 and 1934 and 2nd team 1932 and 1933. He won a third Stanley Cup championship with Toronto in 1933.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1973, Kate Smith made her first live appearance at the Spectrum, and the Flyers won 2-0 over Toronto.

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This day in hockey history, October 11th1967, two former Toronto Maple Leafs opened the scoring for the expansion California Seals as Kent Douglas scored the first goal in Seals history assisted by Bobby Baun, the Seals' first captain. Kent Douglas had won the Calder trophy as rookie of the year with the Leafs in 1963.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, October 11th 2007, Leafs captain Mats Sundin scored his 39th goal of the season in the third period of an 8-1 victory against the New York Islanders. He passed Darryl Sittler and became the teams all time leading scorer with his 390th goal and 917th point as a Leaf in his 912th game. Sundin finished his career with 1346 game played scoring 564 goals 785 assists and 1349 points with only 373 PIM. As a Leaf he finished with 981 games played scoring 420 goals and 567 assists for 987 points with only 273 PIM.





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This day in hockey history, October 11th 1967, the Philadelphia Flyers played the first game in franchise history losing 3-1 to the California Seals.





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This day in hockey history, October 12th1940, the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League opened their hockey season in Buffalo’s brand new Memorial Auditorium which opened its doors to hockey for the first time. The team had previously played at the Broadway Arena which is now a municipal garage for the cities snowplows as well as at the Ft. Erie Arena in Ft. Erie Ontario.

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1963, Jacques Plante returned to the Montreal Forum for the first time as a member of the New York Rangers. The fans were happy to see him back in the Forum and cheered him. But they were also probably happy that Plante lost the game 6-2.



This day in hockey history, October 12th 1972, the New York Islanders defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 for their first victory in team history with Germain Gagnon scoring the game winner with just 69 seconds remaining. Rookie Billy Harris scored two goals. The win evened their record at 1-1. They finished the season 12-60-6. 

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1976, New York Rangers' Don Murdoch scored five goals to tie the NHL record for most goals in a game by a rookie, in a 10-4 win over the Minnesota North Stars. The five goals tied the mark set in 1944 by Toronto's Howie Meeker.

This day in New York Rangers history, October 12th 1978, Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg played in their first NHL game as the New York Rangers' tied the Philadelphia Flyers 3-3 at Madison Square Garden.

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1980, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at the Spectrum with Wilf Paiment scoring the 100,000 goal in NHL history into the empty net to clinch the victory.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1988, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 with Greg Adams scoring a hat trick and adding an assist. The win ended an 0-24-3 (27 game) winless streak by the ‘Nucks against the Oilers.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1988, the Chicago Blackhawks knocked off the Winnipeg Jets 10-1. Denis Savard scored two shorties to tie a club record and added three helpers, and Rick Vaive had his 13th career hat trick and an assist.  

This day in hockey history, October 12th 1992, the Vancouver Canucks beat the Winnipeg Jets 8-1. Pavel Bure had four goals including a pair of shorties for his first NHL hat trick and added an assist.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1996, Dale Hunter scored a goal in a 4-3 Washington Capitals loss to the Los Angeles Kings to become the first player in NHL history to score 300 goals and have 3,000 penalty minutes in his career.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1952, Ted "Teeder" Kennedy got his 5th. and final career "hat trick" against Detroit at Olympia Stadium and added an assist in a 4-4 tie.

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This day in hockey history, October 12th 1971, the Buffalo Sabres lost 4-1 to the St. Louis Blues at the Checkerdome with Rick Martin scoring his first NHL goal.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1989, the Sabres defeated the Hartford Whalers 4-1 withMike Foligno playing in his 500th Sabres game. Foligno would finish his Sabres career with 664 games played, tying Ric Seiling for 10th most in franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1930, the five year old Pittsburgh Pirates franchise was transferred to Philadelphia and renamed the “Quakers.” The Quakers did not inspire much of a following in Philly with a dreadful 4-36-4 record, and folded after just one season.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1947, the NHL held its first All Star Game, which featured the defending Stanley Cup Champions against a selected group of All Stars from the remaining teams. The All Stars won 4-3 with the proceeds benefiting the players’ pension fund.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rebUCMOGRic





This day in hockey history, October 13th 1979, Following his retirement from the NHL and returning to play seen seasons in the WHA, Gordie Howe returned to the NHL and scored his 787th NHL goal and first since 1971, as the Hartford Whalers tied the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-3.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th 1970, Roger Doucet sang "O Canada" for the first time at the Montreal Forum, before a 4-3 Canadiens' win over the Red Wings. He remained the Forum's national anthem singer for the next 10 years. His stunning renditions of the national anthems of the European participants in the 1976 Canada Cup games held at the Montreal Forum were his crowning achievement. Doucet was so revered and respected that Montreal’s arch rivals in Boston hired their own opera trained French anthem singer Rene Rancourt so that they could compete with the Habs for best anthem singer as well as best on the ice.
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This day in hockey history, October 13th October 1951, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost their season opener 3-1 against the Chicago Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens. Earlier that day, the Leafs and Hawks had played a special exhibition game for Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen.

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This day in hockey history, October 13th,  Leaf President Stafford Smythe, son of Maple Leafs Founder Conn Smythe, passed away. He was 50 years old. It was the morning of the Leafs 1971-72 home opener against the Detroit Red Wings. It became the first and only game in Leaf history that was postponed. The game was re-scheduled for November 1. The Leafs defeated the Wings 6-1.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1967, the Los Angeles Kings played their first NHL game, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at the Long Beach Arena, in California.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14, 1967, the St. Louis Blues defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 earning the first victory in franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14, 1970, Phil Esposito recorded a hat trick with four goals in an 8-5 Bruins win over the Kings. It was his first of seven hat tricks that season when he scored a record 76 goals, passing Bobby Hull’s mark of 58. That record has since been broken. Espo also took 550 shots on goal that season, and that is a record that will never be broken.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1971, Fort Erie Ontario native Tom Reid scored on the first successful penalty shot goal in Minnesota North Stars History in the third period to give the North Stars to a 1-1 tie against the Montreal Canadiens at the Met Center.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14th 1972, the Atlanta Flames and the Buffalo Sabres tied 1-1 at the Omni in the first NHL game played in the American south. Ernie Hicke scored a power play goal for the Flames 2:03 into the first period. Goaltender Phil Myre made 30 saves, 17 in the third period, allowing only a first-period goal by Jim Lorentz.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1978, Darryl Sittler scored three goals and added four assists propelling the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 10-7 win over the New York Islanders. This was the first time since 1917 that Toronto scored double digit goals in a home opener.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1978 - 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky played in his first pro hockey game, a 6-3 Indianapolis Racers' loss to Winnipeg, in the WHA.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, the Edmoton Oilers tied the Vancouver Canucks 4-4 in Edmonton with Wayne Gretzky scoring his first NHL goal victimizing Glen Hanlon.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 at the Spectrum to begin an NHL record 35 game undefeated streak with a . They went 25-0-10 over the next three months.




This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979,the New York Rangers raised Rod Gilbert’s #7 is to the rafters at Madison Square Garden.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1979, Minnesota’s rookie defenseman Craig Hartsburg scored the first goal of his NHL career, in a 5-4 North Stars’ win in Buffalo.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1982, Dino Ciccarelli and Mike Eaves each scored twice to lead the North Stars to a 6-2 win over Toronto in Minnesota.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th October 14 1988, the Detroit Red Wings scored eight goals in an 8-8 with the st. Louis Blues. This was the first time in franchise history (63 years and 4,052 games) that there was an 8-8 tie.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1991, the New York Rangers' lost 5-3 to the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden with Mike Gartner beating Mike Liut at 3:27 to score his 500th NHL goal. Gartner was the first player to score his 500tth goal as a Ranger and was the 16th player in NHL history to score 500. Ironically Gartner began his NHL career as a Capital.

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This day in hockey history, October 14th 1992 - Rookie Teemu Selanne scored his first career hat trick, and added an assist to lead the Jets to a 7-3 win over Edmonton in Winnipeg. Phil Housley had three assists to reach the 500 assist mark in his career. 
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This day in hockey history, October 14th 2000, the Colorado Avalanche defeated the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets.Patrick 3-1 with Roy matching Terry Sawchuk's career victory record with his 447th victory.
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This day in hockey history, October 14th 2006, the New York Islanders defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1at Nassau Coliseum with Mike Sillinger scoring to become the first NHL player to score a goal for 12 teams. Sillinger finished his NHL career with 240 goals in 1,049 games.

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This day in hockey history, October 15 1970, The Montreal Canadiens shutout the Buffalo Sabres 3-0 in the first home game in Sabres franchise history.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1935 , the NHL Board of Governors purchased the St. Louis Eagles franchise, including the players, for $35,000. The league then sold off the players to seven of the remaining eight NHL clubs (Chicago didn’t make any purchases).

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1935, Former NHL left winger Willie O’Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. O’Ree, as many of you know, was the first African American player to play in an NHL game, making his debut with the Bruins in 1957. He lived a short career but broke a huge and important barrier.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1955, the Montreal Canadiens' defeated the visiting New York Rangers 4-1 victory at the Forum with the Richard brothers running the Blueshirts out of town. Maurice Richard scored two goals and younger brother Henri Richard, in his rookie season, scored the game winner.

This day in hockey history, October 15th 1964, the Detroit Red Wings lost 5-3 to the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs at Olympia Stadium with Ted Lindsay appearing in his 1,000th NHL game. Only Gordie Howe (1,189), Bill Gadsby (1,129) and Red Kelly (1,122) had played in more games.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th

1972, Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks assisted on Cliff Koroll's goal in a3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues at Chicago Stadium to become the sixth NHL player with 1,000 career points.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1974, The Washington Capitals played their first home game, at the Capital Center, in Landover, Maryland. The Caps tied the Kings 1-1. The Capitals finished with one of the worst records of all time: 8-67-5, scoring 181 goals while surrendering 446 for an incredible -265 goal differential. It took them nine seasons to qualify for the playoffs.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1983, the Chicago BlackHawks scored 8 goals and lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs who scored 10. The two teams to established a record for the fastest five goals by two teams 1:24 (84 seconds).

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This day in hockey history, October 15th1987 – Dan Quinn and Mario Lemieux each scored hat tricks for the Penguins…but Pittsburgh ended up tying the Rangers 6-6 (Mario also had two assists). That’s kind of ridiculous.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1988, Oh, more Super Mario? Lemieux, clearly upset from a year ago that his hat trick came in a tying effort, scored a total of eight points: two goals and six assists. Yes, that was one game. The Pens did manage to win this one though: 9-2 against the Blues was the final.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1989, the Los Angels Kings defeated the Edmonton Oilers at Northlands Coliseum. Wayne Gretzky picked up his 1,850th career NHL point, to tie Gordie Howe for the most career points. Then he scored the record breaking goal late in the game to tie the score and send the contest to overtime and officially become the NHL’s all-time leading scorer. He also scored the OT winner for the Kings.


The Kings rally from down 2-1 and 3-2, but the Oilers score again and take a 4-3 lead into the final minute of the third period. With time running out, Gretzky picks up a loose puck to the left of the crease and flips a backhand shot past Oilers goaltender Bill Ranford with 53 seconds remaining to tie the game and pass Howe. "My initial reaction was, 'Hey, we've tied it,'" Gretzky says. "Then it struck me, 'Wow, that's the record breaker.'" Gretzky received a three minute standing ovation from the crowd of 17,503. The game is stopped for a 15 minute celebration that includes Howe and Gretzky's parents.

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This day in hockey history, October 15th 1991, Derek King scored the fastest hat trick in New York Islanders’ history, scoring three times in 1:18. Mario Lemiex also had a hat trick as the Pittsburgh Penguins won 7-6 in overtime.

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Oct. 15

On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1926, the NHL was re-aligned into two divisions: the Canadian Division (Canadiens, Maroons, Ottawa, Toronto and NY Americans -- relocated from Hamilton) and the American Division (Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh and Rangers).

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1946, a teenage 18 year old Gordie Howe scored his first NHL goal during his first game as the Detroit Red Wings tied the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-3. Howe wore uniform #17 and also had two fights for a hat trick of sorts.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1960, the Toronto Maple Leafs' defeated the New York Rangers 7-2 at Madison Square Garden with rookie Dave Keon scoring the first goal of his NHL career. 
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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1960, the Boston Bruins lost 5-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks. Bruins goalie Don Simmons was injured during the game and was replaced by forward Jerry Toppazzini in the Bruins net. Toppazzini was the last non goaltender to play in an NHL game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1968, Toronto rookie defenseman Jim Dorey picked up 48 penalty minutes in his first NHL game; four minors, two majors, two misconducts and a game misconduct, as the Maple Leafs tied the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-2 at Maple Leafs Gardens.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1971, the Detroit Red Wings lost 9-2 at St. Louis with rookie Marcel Dionne scoring his first NHL goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1988, Guy Lafleur of the New York Rangers scored a goal and added a helper in a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square garden. It was his first goal as a Ranger and first goal in three years, 11 months, and 22 days.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1973, linesman Neil Armstrong set an NHL record for most games officiated with 1,314, breaking linesman George Hayes’ record, in a 3-2 Blues win at Detroit.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1989, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a terrible decision when they traded their first round pick in the 1991 entry draft to the New Jersey Devils for Tom Kurvers. That pick ended up being the third overall pick which the Devils used it to select Hall Of fame defenseman Scott Niedermayer.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th1971, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 5-3 to the New York Rangers at Maple Leaf Gardens despite Norm Ullman recording a pair of helpers become the fourth NHL player to reach 1,000 career points.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1979, the Washington Capitals defeated the visiting Los Angeles Kings 8-6 with rookie forward Mike Gartner scoring his first NHL goal en route to a 36 goal rookie season and 708 career tallies.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1986, the New York Islanders defeated the Washington Capitals 7-4 at the Nassau Coliseum with Denis Potvin recording his 684th assist to break a tie with Brad Park for the most by a defenseman in NHL history.

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On this day in hockey history, October 16th 1996, Alexei Kovalev records a hat trick and Niklas Sundstrom adds two goals as the New York Rangers defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 8-1, at Madison Square Garden.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1956, Ken Morrow was born in Flint, Michigan. Morrow was a part of the Miracle on Ice team that won the Gold Medal in 1980 at Lake Placid, and he was also a part of the Islanders dynasty that won four consecutive Cups from 1980-83.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1974, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Oakland Seals 6-1 with Lee Fogolin and Don Luce scored only four seconds apart in. The two goals in four seconds by one team tied the NHL record set in 1931 by the Montreal Maroons.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1974, the Washington Capitals picked up the franchise’s first win, a 4-3 victory over the Black Hawks. The wins wouldn’t come easy for the eventual 8-67-5 Capitals in their inaugural year.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1988, the Calgary Flames defeated the Los Angeles Kings 11-4 setting a team record with seven goals in the third period.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1989, the Calgary Flames trailed 8-3 with four minutes remaining against the Nordiques at quebec City. They scored three goals in :27, then added the two shorthanded goals in :04 to finish tied 8-8 with Doug Gilmour and rookie Paul Ranheim setting an NHL record for fastest two shorthanded goals.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1990, the Buffalo Sabres retired uniform #11 worn by Gilbert Perreault, in a pre-game ceremony before a game against Montreal. The Sabres lost 4-3 to the Canadiens.
On this day in hockey history, October 17th 2000, Colorado's Patrick Roy earned career victory number 448, moving him past Terry Sawchuk on the all-time wins list.

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On this day in hockey history, October 17th 1964, during the Toronto Maple Leafs home opener, Ron Ellis playing his rookie season and wearing jersey number 11 scored his first NHL goal on goalie Eddie Johnston helping the Leafs to a 7-2 win over the Boston Bruins 7-2. Ellis played 1,034 games for the Leafs and scored 331 more goals for them.

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The plan was for the Ace Bailey's number 6 and Bill Barilko's number 5 to be raised to the rafters on October 17th 1992 in a pre game ceremony.

But there was a players strike on March 30th which closed the league down for 10 days. Unfortunately Bailey suffered a stroke on April 1st and passed away six days later at age 89. On October 17th Barilko’s number 5 and Baileys number 6 were finally honored with Ron Ellis who wore Bailey’s number 6 through most of his career and Bailey’s daughter Joyce both on the ice for the ceremony.
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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1930, four years after entering the NHL, Detroit changed their name from the “Cougars” to the “Falcons.” They’d change to permanently to the Red Wings just two years later. The change to the Falcons came from a poll conducted by newspapers, beating out the Trojans, the Wanderers, and the Magnetos.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1984, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Minnesota North Stars 7-5 with Wayne Gretzky scoring his 29th career hat trick. Gretzky was already a six year NHL veteran at age 24 with 29 career hattricks.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1984, the Philadelphia Flyers outshot the Vancouver Canucks 58-19 in a 13-2 victory. The Flyers scored at least four goals in each period.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1986, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 earning their 5,000th all time NHL point. This gave Montreal an all time franchise record of 2,174-1,290-653 in 4,117 games a winning percentage of 0.627 among all non tied games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1944, the Detroit Red Wings signed amateur Ted Lindsay to his first pro contract.

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On this day in hockey history, October 18th 1967, Portland Buckaroos' veteran Andy Hebenton missed his first pro-game since March 8, 1952, due to the death of his father. Hebenton had played in 1,062 consecutive pro games to set a record.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1946, the Detroit Red Wings lost 6-3 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto with Gordie Howe picking up his first NHL assist and his first fighting penalty as the. All he needed was a goal to invent the Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1957, Maurice “Rocket” Richard took a pass from Jean Beliveau and beats Glenn Hall with a wrist shot a first period goal in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at he Montreal Forum. The Montreal fans cheered Richard with a rousing ovation. No other NHL player had even 400 goals at the time. The Rocket finished his career in 1960 with 544 regular season goals and 82 playoff goals.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1960, the Chicago Black Hawks lost 2-0 to the New York Rangers as rookie Reggie Fleming set an NHL record with 37 penalty minutes. He had a minor, three majors, a misconduct and a game misconduct (2+5+5+5+10+10=37).

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th1966, Bobby Orr picked up an assist in his first NHL game as the Boston Bruins defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-2 at Boston Garden.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1967, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in their first home game at the Spectrum. Bill Sutherland scored the game's only goal 2:59 into the third period. And Doug Favell made 17 saves for his first NHL shutout and

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1966, Gordie Howe picked up an assist as the Detroit Red Wings lost 6-2 to the Boston Bruins. The game marked Howe’s record 21st consecutive NHL season passing Dit Clapper and Bill Gadsby.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1974, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-1 with Grant Mulvey scoring at the 5:15mark of the first period. Mulvey was a forward drafted 16th overall in the 1974 NHL amateur draft and he became the youngest player since World War II to score an NHL goal at 18 years, one month and two days old.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1978, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota North Stars 6-2 with Bobby Orr getting the 645th and final assist of his career exactly 12 years after playing his first NHL game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1979, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Quebec Nordiques 6-3 powered by Blair McDonald’s hattrick for their first NHL victory following the 1979 “expansion.”

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1979, Mark Howe scored his first two NHL goals as the Hartford Whalers beat the Los Angeles Kings 6-3 It was Hartford’s first NHL victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1989, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 at Chicago Stadium as Peter Stastny scored an empty net goal becoming the first European player and 24th in NHL history to score 1,000 career points in his career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1982, the Leafs acquired left winger Greg Terrion from the L.A. Kings in exchange for a 4th round draft choice. Terrion played 427 regular season games for the Leafs in difficult times for the club between 1982 and 1988 and put up 169 points. He was a strong defensive forward and in the 32 playoff games he played for the Leafs, he contributed solidly to the little playoff success the Leafs enjoyed in the 1980's. He holds the distinction of being the only Leaf in team history to score on two penalty shots in one season, 1983-84. 

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1983, the Leafs were beaten soundly by the Quebec Nordiques 8-1. After this, their 7th game of the 1983-84 season, the Leafs had already given up 36 goals, an average of more than 5 per game. The Leafs went on to set a team record for one season of 387 goals allowed. The NHL record for most goals allowed by one team in one season is 446, set by the Washington Capitals of 1975-75.

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1963: Montreal goaltender Gump Worsley recorded his 25th career shutout in the Canadiens 2-0 win over the Boston Bruins , at the Forum. It was Worsley's first shutout with Montreal.

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1967: Worsley recorded his 30th career shutout in the Canadiens' 1-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yvan Cournoyer scored the goal in the 1st period.

On this day in hockey history, October 19th 1983: Montreal's Mats Naslund scored twice and added three assists as the Canadiens won 12-2 against the Winnipeg Jets.






Oct 20--------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1963, Phil Goyette set a New York Rangers record with four assists in one period as the Broadway Blueshirts defeated the Boston Bruins 5-1 at Madison Square Garden.

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On this date in Habs history, October 20th 1963, future Leaf Garry Monahan was born in Barrie, Ontario. Monahan has the distinction of being the first ever player to be drafted in the NHL Entry Draft when he was selected first overall by Montreal in 1963. He joined the Leafs for the 1970-71 season and played four consecutive seasons without missing a game. His first stint with the Leafs lasted until he was traded after just one game in October of 1974. He returned to Toronto and played one more complete season in 1978-79. In 375 games as a Leaf, Monahan collected 55 goals and 80 assists.

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http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/…/flashback-habs-made-garry-…









On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1965, Gordie Howe scores two goals and adds an assist for the NHL All Stars to a 5-2 victory against the Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens at the Forum in the 19th and last preseason all star game. After the League's first expansion adds six teams in 1967-68 the format was changed to east vs West and the game is shifted to midseason. The game was notable for the bizarre goalie rotation used by Toe Blake who switched goaltenders Charlie Hodge Hodge and Gump Worsley every five minutes by their coach during the Canadiens' 5-2 loss. "What I mostly recall about the game in my day was its intensity," said Hodge, "The players who didn't win the Cup were ticked off about it all summer, and the Cup champion was determined to win. It was still an exhibition game, but there was a little more to it than there is now. The pride today is probably a little more of an individual thing. Back then, it was for the team."





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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1971, during a 7-2 Toronto Maple Leafs victory over the Buffalo Sabres, Leaf Paul Henderson was granted a penalty shot but was unable to beat Roger Crozier. Exactly two years later to the day, during a Leafs 3-2 win against the New York Rangers at Maple Leaf Garden, Henderson was awarded another penalty shot, this time against goalie Gilles Villemure who also stopped him.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1971, the Minnesota North Stars set a team record with 57 shots in a 7-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks at the Met Center. Cesare Maniago recorded his 17th career shutout and Doug Mohns and Jude Drouin each had a goal and added three assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1973, the Minnesota North Stars tied the St. Louis Blues 4-4 at the Met Center with J.P. Parise scoring two goals and an assist.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1974, the New York Islanders defeated the Washington Capitals 5-0 at Capital Center with Billy Smith stopping 26 shots for his first NHL shutout. This was also the first shutout for the Islanders franchise which they didn’t get until their 161st game in their third season.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1976, the Minnesota North Stars defeated the Atlanta Flames 4-3 at the Met Center with Bill Hogaboam leading the way with three assists.

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This day in Buffalo Sabres history, October 20th 1976, the Sabres shut out the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 with Gerry Desjardins stopping 29 shots andGilbert Perreault scoring twice.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1977, the Minnesota North Stars lost 7-4 to the visiting Cleveland Barons with Roland Eriksson setting a Minnesota North Stars’ franchise record for fastest goal from the start of a game, when he scored just 12 seconds into the game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1978, the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association lost 4-3 to the Edmonton Oilers as Wayne Gretzky scored his first two WHA goals in his second league game and scored them against his future team, the Oilers, in a 4-3 loss. Gretzky played six more games for Indianapolis before being traded to Edmonton. Exactly 15 years later, Gretzky is now with the Los Angeles Kings and plays an NHL game against his brother Brent, a 21 year-old center for Tampa Bay and scores one goal with two helpers for the Kings in a 4-3 victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1983, the Minnesota North Stars lost 5-4 to the visiting Montreal Canadiens despite Brian Bellows scoring twice and adding a pair of assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 1993, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 4-0 with rookie goaltender Martin Brodeur stopping 17 shots for his first shutout. He had 125 career shutouts when he retired.

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On this day in hockey history, October 20th 2001, Luc Robitaille scored the game winning goal as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 at Joe Louis Arena with Scotty Bowman behind the bench for his 1,200th regular season NHL victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1961 – Danny Olesevich helped the Rangers to a 4-4 tie against the Red Wings in his first career game. The problem? Olesevich was the trainer…for Detroit. Rangers goalie Gump Worsley was injured and left the game after the first period. Apparently that was cool back then. “Our goalie is hurt? Uhh well we don’t carry backups so just pull anyone off the bench and have them strap on the pads. No, he doesn’t have to be on the roster. From which bench should you get one? Uhh I don’t know, that one I guess, who cares, it’s 1961.”





On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1987, Buffalo Sabres rookie Pierre Turgeon played against his older brother, Sylvain of the Hartford Whalers for the first time in an NHL game. While the Whalers won the game 5-3, Pierre got the better of his big brother by scoring the first two goals of his NHL career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1988, the Buffalo Sabres reacquired Larry Playfair from the Los Angeles Kings in a trade for Bob Logan and a ninth round draft choice in 1989 which turned out to be 182nd overall which the Kings used to draft Jim Giacin. The Sabres had originally drafted Playfair in 1978 amateur draft ,13th overall after he “earned” 402 PIM with Portalnd of the WCHL where he also earned 1st team all star status along with Brad Mcrimmon. The Sabres needed his toughness to bolster a soft lineup. Playfair went on to become perhaps the most feared fighter of his era despite his inauspicious debut suffering a concussion on his first NHL shift when hit by John Wensink at the Boston Garden. The Sabres originally traded him to Los Angeles along with Sean Mckenna and Ken Baumgartner on Januray 29th 1986 for Doug Smith and Brian Engblom.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1989, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 withRob Ray scoring a goal on his first NHL shot with a slap shot between Tom Barasso’s pads. Ray added an assist later.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime to tie an NHL record with their eighth consecutive victory from start of the season. But how many Leafs fans watched the game as the Blue Jays were playing game five of the 1993 World Series in Philadelphia that night.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1993, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 as two brothers worked the same game as officials for the first time in NHL history: Paul Devorski was the head referee and his younger brother, Greg, was a linesman.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 2000, two franchises reached milestones on the same day: The Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings both played their 5,000thgame played. Chicago lost 1-0 at St. Louis, and the Detroit beat Buffalo 4-1. Both teams entered the league in 1926 (although the Red Wings entered as the Detroit Cougars).

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1967, the Metropolitan Sports Center opened in Bloomington, Minnesota and the North Stars won their first home game, taking a team record 53 shots in a 3-1 victory over the Oakland Seals, before a crowd of 12,951. Bill Goldsworthy scored the first goal at Met Center at 8:23 of the second period.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1989: Brian Bellows took 9 shots on goal for the Minnesota North Stars in a 7-2 loss at Quebec.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1993: the Dallas Stars set a franchise record for fastest four goals when Brent Gilchrist, Grant Ledyard, Neal Broten and Mike Craig combined to score four times in a span of 3:08 during a 6-5 overtime win at Ottawa.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1962, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Chicago Black Hawks 3-1 with Bill Gadsby joining Gordie Howe as the second player in NHL history to appear in 1,000 career games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1972 , the New York Rangers played the New York Islanders for the first time ever, and won 2-1 at Nassau Coliseum.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st1979 , the New York Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 with Phil Esposito joining Gordie Howe as the only players in NHL history to score 1,500 career points.

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On this day in hockey history, October 21st 1981, the Edmonton Oilers defeatedthe visiting Hartford Whalers 5-2 with rookie goaltender Grant Fuhr picking up his first career NHL victory after losing his first game. This started a 23 game unbeaten streak (15-0-8) for Fuhr.

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OCT 22nd--------------------------------------------------------------

On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1966, The New York Rangers tied the Toronto Maple Leafs. 4-4 with Rod Gilbert netting the first hat trick of his NHL career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1953, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Black Hawks 3-2 at Chicago with Dick Irvin becoming the first coach in NHL history to win 600 career games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1957 , the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the visiting Boston Bruins 2-1 with rookie Bobby Hull scoring his first career NHL goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 2002 , the Colorado Avalanche tied the visiting Edmonton Oilers 3-3 with Patrick Roy in goal for his 971st game, to tie Terry Sawchuk's NHL record for career appearances by a goalie.

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Happy Birthday to Butch Goring, born on this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1949.

If Butch Goring had a trademark, it was undoubtedly his unique helmet. He began wearing the Spaps helmet as a 12-year-old in Manitoba. The Spaps helmet was from Europe and had been created by the great Swedish player Sven “Tumba” Johansson. As Goring advanced up the ladder as a profesional player, he decided he would continue to use it for his whole career. As the years went by, not only did Goring's helmet appear wildly outdated, but it also appeared tight on his head and offered little protection, although that didn't seem to matter in an era when most players didn't wear helmets. Goring said he wore the helmet for comfort, and because he got used to having it on his head in minor hockey, rather than protection. He was intensely loyal to his Spaps helmet. He had two of the helmets, one for home games and one for the road. Each time he changed teams, he had the equipment managers repaint his prized helmets in the appropriate colors rather than get a new one.

He was also involved in creating one of the NHL’s great traditions, the trade deadline deal which was born on March 10th 1980 when the New York Islanders acquired Goring from the Los Angeles Kings. The Islanders had been a strong team but hadn't been able to advance through the playoffs against Boston and Montreal in the late 1970's. With the addition of Goring the Islanders, reeled off 12 straight wins and advanced to the finals where they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers for their first of four consecutive Stanley Cups.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1980, Bobby Smith scored twice and added an assist to lead the Minnesota North Stars to a 4-2 win over the Quebec Nordiques.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1981, Minnesota’s Dino Ciccarelli scored his second career hat trick as the North Stars tied the St. Louis Blues, 5-5.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1983, the Buffalo Sabres beat the Whalers 5-2 at Hartford behind Phil Housley’s goal and two assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1985, Brian Bellows fired nine shots on goal in the second period to set a North Stars’ team record during a 5-4 win over the Blues at the Met Center.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1986, Dino Ciccarelli scored a goal and added two assists as the North Stars won 8-3 at St. Louis.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1987, Minnesota’s Dino Ciccarelli scored a goal and added four assists to lead the North Stars to a 5-3 win over the Nordiques at Quebec City.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1988, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Blackhawks 7-4. with Tom Barrasso tying his own goalie record by recording an assist in his third consecutive game. Mario Lemieux had two goals and two assists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1990, Morris Belzberg sells his North Stars 25% team shares to Norman N. Green, with this transaction Green became the sole owner of the Stars.

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On this day in hockey history, October 22nd 1991, Basil McRae picked up 37 penalty minutes for the Minnesota North Stars in a 4-2 loss vs the Calgary Flames.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1944, the Indianapolis Capitals beat the Hershey Bears 7-3 but forfeit because Ted Lindsay played in that game and was immediately called back up to Detroit. AHL rules required players sent down from the NHL to be in the league for two weeks before being called up. It would be the only game played by “Terrible Ted” in a Capitals uniform. 

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1949, Terry Sawchuk made 26 saves to post his fourth shutout as a Indianapolis Capital and the second of the season in a 7-0 win over Pittsburgh. Don Morrison has two goals and two assists. Doug McKay and Pat Lundy score twice each, and the Caps converted four times on the power play.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1974, the Atlanta Flames defeated the Detroit Red Wings 10-1 with Curt Bennett and Eric Vail each getting their first career hat tricks. Curt Bennett added a pair of assists for a five point game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1975, the Indianapolis Racers defeated the Houston Aeros 4-0 with Andy Brown stopping 35 shots for his first shutout of the season. Bob Whitlock has a goal and two assists and Reggie Thomas scores twice.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1978, the Indianapolis racers lost 6-3 to the New England Whalers withWayne Gretzky scoring his third and final goal as a Racer, 3:36 into the third period. Mark Howe had a hat trick and Gordie Howe had a single goal. Gretzky also assisted on Peter Driscoll’s first period goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1983, Flyers rookie Rich Sutter scored a goal in his first NHL game, making the Sutters the first family in NHL history with six brothers to each core a goal. Six different players had multiple point nights as the Flyers peppered Mike Palmateer with 50 shots during an 8-5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Spectrum. Ron Sutter, Bill Barber, Rick MacLiesh, Glenn Cochrane, Miroslav Dvorak, Ilka Sinisalo and Tim Kerr also scored for the Flyers.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1988, Dave Newell, in his 22nd NHL season, set an NHL record with his 1,076th career game officiated, an 8-2 Rangers win over the Nordiques. He passed Ron Wicks, who had retired two years earlier.





On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs set an NHL record for the most wins from the start of season with their ninth straight, a 2-0 win at Tampa Bay.

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On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1998, Mark Messier scored his 600th goal as Vancouver won 5-0 at Florida. Messier became the 10th NHL player to reach 600 career goals, and was also the fourth to record 600 goals and 900 career assists.





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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 1988, Mike Bossy retired after 10 NHL seasons at a young age 31. He played his entire career with the New York Islanders and was on four Stanley Cup champions. He scored 573 goals and 553 assists for 1206 points in only 752 games. In comparison, the other great goal scorer of his era Wayne Gretzky played 1,487 career games. If Bossy had played as long as Gretzky and remained productive, he likely would have scored over 1,000 goals.

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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 2002, Patrick Roy passed Terry Sawchuk as the NHL’s all-time leader in games played by a goaltender when he appeared in his 972nd career game, 3-2 Avalanche win over the Coyotes. It wasn’t the only goalie record he’d break.

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On this day in hockey history, October 24th 2003, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Dallas Stars 4-0 with Dominik Hasek recording his 62nd career shutout, o set a franchise record with their 15th consecutive home victory.

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On this date in hockey history, October 25th, 1954, Mike Eruzione was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts. He learned hockey playing for Youth Hockey of Winthrop as part of the GBYHL Greater Boston Youth Hockey League.

He graduated from Winthrop Senior High School in 1972, where he was captain of the varsity hockey team during his senior year. He then spent a year at Berwick Academy to fine tune his hockey skills in a New England Prep environment.

After attending Berwick, Eruzione starred for Boston University, averaging over twenty goals a season for four years. Eruzione also played for Team USA at the 1975 and 1976 Ice Hockey World Championship tournaments. So he was no stranger to the Soviets style of hockey and their players.

He then moved on to the Toledo Goaldiggers of the International Hockey League, winning the rookie of the year award in 1978 and leading the team to the Turner Cup championship in that year.

After his second year in Toledo, Eruzione, who played forward, was named the captain of the 1980 Olympic hockey team, scoring the winning goal against the Soviets and helping the Americans win the gold medal against Finland. Eruzione's winning goal has become one of the most played highlights in American sports, and was voted the greatest highlight of all time by ESPN viewers in March 2008.





On this date in 1969 Tony Esposito recorded his first shutout for the Chicago Blackhawks en route to a rookie record of 15 shutouts, earning the nickname of Tony O.

On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1991, the Buffalo Sabres traded former number one overall pick Pierre Turgeon, along with Benoit Hogue, Uwe Krupp, and Dave McLlwain to the New York Islanders. In return the Sabres received Pat LaFontaine, Randy Hillier and Randy Wood.





On this day in hockey history, October 23rd 1974, the Atlanta Flames defeated the Detroit Red Wings 10-1 with Curt Bennett and Eric Vail each getting their first career hat tricks. Curt Bennett added a pair of assists for a five point game





On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1977, Rick Smith of the Boston Bruins scored the10,000th goal in franchise history during a 4-4 tie against the Colorado Rockies. Smith played eight seasons in Boston scoring 36 times for the B’s.





On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1979, the Indianapolis Checkers were shutout 1-0 in their first ever game by Jim Craig and the U.S. Olympic Team in Chicago. Craig stopped 28 shots to outduel Jim Park, who made 32 saves. Dave Silk scored the lone goal for the future gold medalists.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1990, the St. Louis Blues beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 8-5 with Brett Hull scoring a hat trick to become the first player in franchise history with back to back hat tricks. He had three goals against the Leafs in the previous game.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1991, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 with Vince Riendeau and Tim Cheveldae posting the first shared shutout in the Red Wings history. Riendeau wasreplaced after suffering an injury at 7:09 of the second period. The Leafs made it an easy night for the Wings goalies by putting only 13 shots on goal.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th June 25, 1992, the Los Angeles Kings announced that they had hired Barry Melrose as their new coach. Melrose had an eleven year year career in professional hockey in the NHL (300 games) , WHA (178 Games) and minor leagues from 1976 -1987. His coaching career, got off to a rousing start reaching the Cup Finals in his first year with the Kings, only to be fired two seasons later. He returned to coaching 14 years later with the Tampa bay Lightning, but was fired after winning only five of the team’s first 16 games. Barry has been primarily known as ESPN’s hockey commentator who switched to the NHL network this season.

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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 1997, the Montreal Canadiens reached 6,000 franchise points in the standings with a 4-2 win over the Senators, making them the first to reach that mark. It was just their 4,986th game. Math fun: that means they had a “career” winning/points percentage of 60.2%. That’s not bad at all.

October 25. 2000 – Ray Bourque picked up two assists in a 2-1 Avalanche win over the Predators to give him 1,529 career points, making him the highest-scoring defenseman in NHL history. He passed Paul Coffey and added 50 more, and still sits atop that list with 1,579.





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On this day in hockey history, October 25th 2002, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1

with defenseman Ken Daneyko scoring to end his NHL record 256 game scoring drought.. Despite scoring only 36 goals in 1,283 career games, the Devils honored Daneyko by retiring his number 3 because they didn’t pay him to score.

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On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1975 – The Sabres beat the Oakland Seals 3-2 to set an NHL record for consecutive wins at the start of a season with eight. The record was broken by the 1993-94 Maple Leafs, who won 10 straight.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1977, Steve Vickers scores four goals as the New York Rangers defeat the St. Louis Blues, 6-2, at Madison Square Garden.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1980, Anders Hedberg scored four goals for his first hattrick as a Ranger in a 7-6 victory by the Broadway Blueshirts victory against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden.

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1982, the Buffalo Sabes and Montreal Canadiens each scored five goals in the first period for a 5-5 tie after 20 minutes. The game finished in a 7-7 tie.









On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1984, the Edmonton Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 8-2 with Wayne Gretzky assisting on four goals in the second period, one shy of the NHL record of five assists in a period held by Dale Hawerchuk. Jari Kurri scored twice and added three assists in the same period for five points which was one less than the record of six points in a period held by Bryan Trottier. This is substantial evidence that Gretzky and Kurri were joined at the hip while playing in Edmonton.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1984, the Detroit Red Wings scored three empty net goals in a 7-3 win over the Buffalo Buffalo. That’s got to be some kind of record.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1989, Sergei Mylnikov made 31 saves as the Quebec Nordiques lost 4-2 to the Bruins at the Boston Garden. In so doing, he became the first Soviet goalie to play in an NHL game,

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1990, the Los Angeles Kings lost 6-2 to the Winnipeg Jets with Wayne Gretzky becoming the first player in NHL history to record 2,000 points with 684 goals and 1,316 assists in 857 games. That’s 2.33 points per game! He’s currently the only player to have reached that milestone, and his 2,857 career points are 941 more than second place Jaromir Jagr currently at 1,916.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1997, Wayne Gretzky, the New York Rangers tied the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3-3 with Wayne Gretzky picking up a pair of helpers to give him more career assists, 1851, than anyone else had points. Gordie Howe had the second highest point total at 1,850.





On this day in hockey history, October 26th 1997, Steve Yzerman passed Alex Delvecchio as the longest serving captain in NHL history at 11 years and 12 games, as the Red Wings improved their road record to 6-0-0 since the start of the season with a 5-1 win at Vancouver. What’s interesting is that they were both captains of the Red Wings (both career Red Wings).

On this day in hockey history, October 26th 2002, the St. Louis Blues became the first team in NHL history to win four straight games with four different goaltenders as Fred Brathwaite led them to a 4-3 overtime win at Calgary.





Fifty years ago in hockey rookie goalie Dave Dryden makes the Chicago Blackhawks roster as backup to Glenn Hall. Dryden, from Hamilton Ontario, played junior hockey for the Toronto Marlboros. he played in one NHL game as the emergency goalie finishing a game for the New York Rangers when Gump Worsley was injured and unable to play. He was then played senior A for the Galt Hornets before signing as a free agent with Chicago. After playing four games with the Hawks farm team the Buffalo Bisons where he sported a 1.50 goals against average, Dryden earned a spot with the NHL club.









This day in hockey history, October 27th 1965, the San Francisco Seals showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Hockey League this season as they demolished the Los Angeles Blades 9-5.









On this date in hockey history, 1979 Wayne Gretzky plays his first NHL game. He earned an assist in a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
























On this day in hockey history, October 28th2002, Mike Richter made 29 saves for his 300th career game, a 3-2 overtime victory over the Phoenix Coyotes at Madison Square Garden.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th1986, 19 year old German Uwe Krupp was cleared by the International Ice Hockey federation to play for the Buffalo Sabres Krupp had been drafted by Buffalo in 1983 214th overall after being scouted personally by Sabres GM Scotty Bowman. Krupp was cleared two hours before their scheduled game against the Montreal Canadiens and made his debut that night. Standing 6'6" Krupp was the tallest player in the league for seven years. His success made him the prototype for the large skilled puck moving defense man who are so coveted today but he is little remembered for his influence on the game. Krupp was the first German born player to play on a Stanley Cup champion.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1981 Detroit Red Wings Mike Foligno and John Ogrodnick each scored a hat trick as the Red Wings defeated Calgary 12-4.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1953 Denis Potvin was born in Ottawa Ontario. Potvin won the Stanley Cup four times with the Islanders and compiled 1,052 points in 1,060 games on 310 goals and 742 assists. Potvin is considered one of the greatest players in NHL history and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Along with his offensive ability, Potvin played a punishing physical style. Don Cherry described him as a mean player as evidenced by his 1356 penalty minutes.Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey

On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1981 Detroit Red Wings Mike Foligno and John Ogrodnick each scored a hat trick as the Red Wings defeated Calgary 12-4.





On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1949, Frank Brimsek recorded his 36th career shutout and his first with Chicago Black Hawks in a 2-0 over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.. Metro Prystai and Bill Mosienko scored power play goals in the first four minutes of the game for the victory.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1959, Mike Gartner was born in Ottawa, Ont. Gartner played in the NHL from 1979-80 thru 1997-98.

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On this day in hockey history, October 29th 1969, Jean Beliveau became the first player in Montreal history to play 1,000 NHL games, when he appeared in a 4-1 Montreal Canadiens’ loss to the North Stars at Minnesota.

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On this day in hockey history in 1939 the first true NHL all star game was played in Montreal with the all stars defeating the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. The game was a memorial for Babe Siebert of the Montreal Canadiens who had just retired and been named Canadiens coach for the 1939-40 season but tragically had drowned in August. This was the first game where the all star team players were chosen based on the official all star voting by the Canadian Press. Previous "All star" memorial games, 1934 for Ace Bailey and 1937 for Howie Morenz, had featured a plethora of star players but not the official all stars.

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On this day in hockey history in 1971, the California Seals set into motion a series of events which demonstrated the art of hiring retread coaches. The Seals fired long time coach Fred Glover three games into the 71-72 season with the Seals going 0-2-1. Twelve days later Glover became the first coach in NHL history to direct two different teams during the same season when he was hired by the Los Angeles Kings. His record with the Kings was 18-42-8. Then the Seals hired him again after 12 games of the 1972-73 season even though they had finished 71-72 with a record of 21-39-18 for 60 points without him, 11 points ahead of Glover's Kings. The Seals finished 16-46-16 for 48 points with Glover back behind the bench.He was fired again the next season.after 57 games (going 11-38-8) to end his NHL coaching career.





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On this day in hockey history in 1983 four Sutter brothers faced off in the same game. Brent and Duane Sutter suited up for the New York Islanders against the Philadelphia Flyers and twins Rich and Ron Sutter. The islanders won that day 6-2. Brent Sutter led the way with two goals and an assist.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, October 30, 1943, Toronto Maple Leafs rookie August "Gus" Bodnar scored 15 seconds after stepping onto the ice for the first time in his NHL career setting a record for the fastest goal by a first year player. He also scored another goal and added an assist helping the Buds to a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers. Gus scored 22 rookie goals going 22-40-62 in 50 games for a outstanding rookie season. Bodnar really had a nose for the record book On March 23rd 1952 he assisted on Bill Mosienko's famous hat trick with three assists in only 21 seconds which was a record for the fastest three assists.  

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1943, The famous "Punch Line" made it's debut as Maurice Richard donned his fabled number nine sweater for the first time during the season opening 2-2 tie against the Boston Bruins. Center Elmer Lach was moved by coach Dick Irvin in between left winger Toe Blake and right winger Maurice "The Rocket" Richard. During their time together before a broken leg forced Blake to retire in 1948, the "Punch Line" helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup two times, in 1944 and 1946. Lach set a single season points record in 1944-45 when he scored 80 points in a 50-game schedule. Many of his 54 assists come on goals by Richard, who sets an NHL record with 50 goals in 50 games. During the 1944–45 NHL season, the three finished first (Lach), second (Richard), and third (Blake) in scoring in the league. They were the forward line for the first all star team in that same season. Richard would be the first team all star right wing for all but one year while with Blake and Lach.





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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1964, Emile Francis replaced "Muzz" Patrick as as General Manager of the New York Rangers and remained in that position for the next 11 years

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1969, Bobby Clarke scored his first NHL goal as the Philadelphia Flyers tied the New York Rangers 3-3 at Madison Square Garden..

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1983, the Chicago Black Hawks defeated the Hartford Whalers 6-1 in Chicago. This game was noteworthy for Chicago’s Tom Lysiak tripping linesman Ron Foyt incurring a 20 game suspension.

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This day in hockey history, October 31st 1942, Maurice Richard played his first game in the NHL. It took him 36 seconds from the opening face off to earn his first NHL point in a 3-2 win against Boston.





On this day in hockey history, October 31st 1967, the New York Rangers played the Los Angeles Kings for the first time in franchise history, and defeated them 6-1 in Los Angeles.
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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1981 Wayne Gretzky notched four goals in an 11-4 victory over Quebec. This was Gretzky's seventh hat trick of his young career, he was only 20 years old!

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1987, Marcel Dionne tallies the 700th goal of his NHL career. At the time, Dionne was just the third player in NHL history to reach that plateau, joining Gordie Howe with 801 goals and Phil Esposito at 717 as the NHL’s only 700 goal scorers.. Esposito and Dionne both scored their 700th goals while playing for the Rangers.

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On this date in 1989, Gretzky had his 46th career hat trick in an 8-4 win by the LA Kings over Pittsburgh.

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On this date in hockey history, October 31st 1989, Mario Lemieux picked up two assists in an 8-4 loss to the Los Angeles Kings as Wayne Gretzky tallied four goals. Those two points were the start of a 46 game scoring streak for Mario.

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1991 , the Vancouver Canucks signed Russian forward Pavel Bure to his first NHL contract.

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On this day in hockey history, October 30th 1995, Mario Tremblay set an NHL record for the best start by a new coach as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 for their sixth straight win, The previous record was five wins by Bep Guidolin with the 1973 Boston Bruins and Marc Crawford with the Colorado Avalanche also in 1995. While Guidolin’s record lasted 22 years Crawfords record only lasted a few days.

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This date in hockey history November

This Day In Hockey History



On this date in hockey history, November 1st 1945 a 16 year old Gordie Howe signed his first professional hockey contract with the Omaha Knights of the United States Hockey League.



On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1947, the "Production Line" of right wing Gordie Howe, center Sid Abel and left wing Ted Lindsay became a regular line for the first time, connecting for two goals in a 4-3 Detroit Red Wings loss to the Boston Bruins.


On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1952, Jacques Plante, played in his first NHL game defeating the New York Rangers 4-1 after being called up by Montreal to replace injured goalie Gerry McNeil. In his three game replacement trial he went 2-0-1 giving up only four goals, before being returned to the Montreal Royals.



On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1952, the first nationwide hockey telecast from Maple Leaf Gardens took place on CBC, with the Toronto Maple Leafs defeating the Boston Bruins, 3-2.



On November 1 1959 Jacques Plante became the first NHL goalie to use a full facemask. Plante had been hit in the face that night against the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden. Play was delayed for 20 minutes while Plante's face was sewn up because teams in that era didn't have backup goaltenders. Coach Toe Blake was infuriated when Plante refused to go back into the game withouit wearing a facemask but relented when Plante agreed to wear the mask only until his injuries healed. While wearing the mask, Plante led Montreal on an 18 game unbeaten streak but lost the first game he played after removing the mask. Blake knew he had lost this confrontation with his star goalie and the mask became part of hockey history. Plante and the Candiens finished the season winning their fifth straight Stanley Cup championship.



On November 1 1976 Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 beginning a 34 game home unbeaten streak (28 wins and 6 ties) which remains an NHL record. He streak ended only with the end of the regular season the last game being an 11-0 defeat of the Washington Capitals. The streak continues into the next season and ended on October 29, 1977 at 37 games with a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

The 1976-77 Canadiens finished 60-8-12 for an astonishing 132 points. The Candiens lost only one home game that season and it was to their chief rival the hated Boston Bruins. The team did not lose another home game for 364 days.
On this date in hockey history, November 1st 1984, Mike Bossy scored four times to extend his team-record goal scoring streak to 10 games in the New York Islanders' 6-5 loss at Montreal. Bossy scored 17 goals during the 10 game streak, tying his own team record set in 1978-79.


November 1 1969 Tahir Domi was born in Belle River Ontario. More commonly known as Tie Domi, over his career he accumulated the third highest penalty minute total in NHL history, 3515 in 1020 games. As a Toronto Maple Leaf he accumulated more penalty minutes that any other player in Maple Leafs history.

Domi's parents were born in Albania and fled the communist country after WW II for a better life in Canada. Domi climbed the ladder in junior hockey from the Jr. C Belle River Canadiens of the Great Lakes Junior C League to the Jr. B Windsor Bulldogs of the Western Jr. B League to the Jr. A Peterborough Roadrunners of the Metro Jr. A League and the OHL Peterborough Petes. With 292 penalty minutes for the Petes in 1987-88 the reputation of Tie Domi the enforcer began to grow.

Domi was drafted by the Leafs in the second round in 1988, 27th overall but only played two games for them somehow accumulating 42 penalty minutes. He was traded to the New York Rangers where he spent two seasons and 12 games of a third year when he was traded to Winnipeg during the 1992-93 season. Domi was traded back to the Leafs in 1995.

Tie Domi's Greatest Hits:

1995-96 Suspended eight games for sucker punching Rangers Ulf Samuelsson which was called by some one of the cheapest shots in league history.

1997-98 His 395 penalty minutes set a new Leafs single season record previously held by Dave “Tiger” Williams

2001-01 Fined $1,000 for an altercation with a fan in Philadelphia. While serving a penalty Domi was being heckled by a fan. Domi sprayed the fan from a water bottle. Another fan joined the altercation and climbed up on the glass separating the penalty area from the seats when the glass and the fan toppled into the penalty box. Domi was quoted after the game, “It's nice to see the fans get involved, I guess.”

May 3, 2001 During game four of the Eastern Conference semi finals, Domi knocked Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer unconscious with an elbow to the head incurring a five minute attempt to injure penalty and a suspension for the duration of the playoffs.

Domi scored his 100th career goal and played in his 1,000th career game om March 3rd during the 2005-06 season. On March 10th Domi was a healthy scratch. He was so unhappy with his benching that he didn't arrive at the game until the second period had ended. The Leafs bought out his conratc at the end of the season ending Domi's NHL career.

On this day in hockey history, November 1st 1985, rookie goaltender Daren Puppa became the 17th goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout in his first career game as the Buffalo Sabres won 2-0 at Edmonton. Puppa stopped Wayne Gretzky ten times among his 37 saves that night. Puppa started that game because the Oilers were gunning for the brash Tom Barasso who had the phrase "All World" inscribed on his helmet. Coach Jim Schoenfeld wisely defused the Oilers ire by starting the relatively unknown Puppa. Interestingly Puppa's helmet that night displayed the phrase "All Universe." In addition to his exceptional skills as a goaltender Puppa was known for his haircut, which is still the same today, and his nickname "Poops."



On this day in hockey history, November 1st1992, the Pittsburgh Penguins' defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-4 with Mario Lemieux scoring two goals extending his team record goal scoring streak to 12 games. Lemieux scored 18 goals during the 12 game streak.

This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1941, the Brooklyn Americans played their first game in Detroit tying the Red Wings 3-3.



This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1947 After only six games of the 1947-48 season Chicago traded star forward Max Bentley along with Cy Thomas in a blockbuster deal to the Toronto Maple Leafs for five players; Bob Goldham, Ernie Dickens, Gaye Stewart, Gus Bodnar and Bud Poile. While the deal gave the Leafs the all time best bcenter ice corps in NHL history, Ted Kennedy, Syl Apps and Bentley and sparked a pair of Stanley Cup championships for Toronto in 1948 and 1949, after the trade both Poile (52 points) and Stewart (55 points) outsccored Bentley (48 points).

This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1969, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 with 41 year old Gordie Howe becoming the oldest player to ever record a hattrick with his 19thand last three goal game in the NHL.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1972, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2 as Ralph Backstrom scoring two goals in six seconds to set a Kings record for the fastest two goals by a player, The Kings also set a team record with their sixth straight win.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1975, Eddie Giacomin returned to New York and Madison Square Garden just two days after being waived by the Rangers and claimed by Detroit. The Red Wings made it a memorable night by defeating the Rangers 6-4.


Giacomin’s return prompted the fans to root against the Rangers. They chanted “Eddie . . . Eddie . . . Eddie . . . Eddie . . . Eddie . . .” throughout the warmups and into the game. Overcome by emotion, Eddie reached up to wipe the tears from his eyes and the chants grew even louder. Eddie recalled that he couldn't stop crying and thought he would collapse from the emotion.


Peter Stemkowski remembered, “Here's the crazy part. The day of a home game, we’d get rooms at a hotel across the street from the Garden and go down to the lobby coffee shop for some toast and tea. The Red Wings were staying a few blocks away, but who comes into the coffee shop and sits down with us? Eddie.”


John Davidson was in goal for the Rangers that night and remembers, “After the game, Eddie made a point of seeking me out. He couldn’t have been classier.”


The Rangers record after losing to Detroit was 4-7-1 and their years as a contender were over. If the fans thought losing Giacomin was a shocker, they were in for an even bigger surprise a few days later when Emile Francis swung a deal with the Boston Bruins.



This day in hockey history, November 2nd 1978 After playing only eight games and scoring six points with the WHA Indianapolis Racers, Wayne Gretzky was sold to the Edmonton Oilers along with Ed Mio and Peter Driscoll. Gretzky was named the WHA rookie of the year with 104 points in 72 games.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd1979, the New York Rangers acquired defenseman Barry Beck from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Lucien Deblois, Pat Hickey, Mike McEwen, Dean Turner and future considerations (Bobby Crawford).

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd1984, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Hartford Whalers 8-1 at the Aud in Buffalo led by Brent Peterson with four points (1-3-4) and Gilbert Perreault (1-2-3), Ric Seiling (1-2-3) and Phil Housley (0-3-3) each with three points.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd1989, the Edmonton Oilers traded Jimmy Carson and Kevin McClelland to Detroit in exchange for Petr Klima, Joe Murphy, Adam Graves, and Jeff Sharples.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd, 1985, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Hartford Whalers 8-1 setting a team record for fastest goals scored with five goals in a 5:37 span.

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This day in hockey history, November 2nd1996, in a battle of two of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history, Dominik Hasek and Patrick Roy battled to a scoreless tie as the Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche were both unable to solve their opponents mastery of the nets. Hasek was the star of this game with 32 saves to 20 for Roy. It was Haseks 15th career shutout and the 33rd for Roy. For their careers, Hasek had 81shutouts and 14 in the playoffs while Roy had 66 regular season whitewashes and 23 more in the postseason.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd1940, Dick Irvin coached his first game with the Montreal Canadiens, a 1-1 tie against the Bruins, at the Forum. Irvin replaced Pit Lepine as head coach.

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On this day in hockey history, November 3rd 1926, the Toronto St. Patricks signed Irvine "Ace" Bailey.. The future Hall Of Famer Bailey led the NHL in goals and points in 1928-29. Bailey scored the first Cup winning goal in Toronto Maple Leafs history, assisted by another future Hall of Famer Charlie Conacher. Bailey's sweater number 6 was one of only two numbers retired by the Maple Leafs until this season when the club announced a change in policy where all sweater numbers previously designated as "Honored" but still in use would now all be retired..


On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 3rd 1932, Gerry Ehman was born in Cudworth, Saskatchewan. Ehman was traded by Detroit to the Leafs in December, 1958. He had an outstanding playoff year in 1959, recording 6 goals and 7 assists in 12 games including the winning goal in Game seven of the semi finals against Boston to send the Leafs into the Finals. Ehman played his last regular season game with the Leafs in November of 1963, but was recalled for the playoffs and won a Cup with the Leafs in 1964. In January of 1968, Ehman scored the first hat trick in the history of the Oakland Seals. Ehman was immortalized in Robert Shavers famous photo featuring his former Leafs teammate Eddie Shack leaping onto the back of a shocked Ehman while playing for the California Seals.



This day in hockey history, November 3rd1948 Gordie Howe appeared in his first of 23 NHL all star games. That's right, Gordie Howe appeared in 23 NHL all star games. In those days the all stars played the defending Stanley Cup champions in a preseason game. The all stars defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 that night.


This day in hockey history, November 3rd1972, the Boston Bruins tied the California Golden Seals 6-6 as Phil Esposito scored his 350thNHL goal. In his career, Phil Esposito scored 717 goals in regular season and 61 goals in playoffs.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd1974, Ron Greschner played his first game with the New York Rangers, a 4-3 victory against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd1974, in a 10-1 win by the Boston Bruins over the visiting Minnesota North Stars, Johnny Bucyk had two assists to pass Bobby Hull as the highest scoring left wing in NHL history. Hull had 1,153 career points with Chicago.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rdNovember 3 1987 Marcel Dionne scored a goal for the New York Rangers becoming the second NHL player to tally 1,700 career points. Of course Gordie Howe was the NHL's first 1,700 point scorer.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rd1990, NHL linesman Wayne Bonney officiated two games in one day . First he worked Chicago at Philadelphia in the afternoon, then took a flight to Boston for a game between the Bruins and the Sabres that night to replace the injured Gerard Gauthier.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rdNovember 3, 1990, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1, earning a third consecutive win in Boston for the first time since 1979. Benoit Hogue scored twice and Daren Puppa stopped 30 of 31 shots to lead the blue and gold.



This day in hockey history, November 3rd 1991 the Vancouver Canucks honored Stan Smyl by retiring his number twelve jersey.

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This day in hockey history, November 3rdNovember 3 2002, Mark Messier reached second place on the NHL career games played list passing Larry Murphy. Messier finished his NHL career with 1,756 games played, only 11 games fewer than Gordie Howe. Messier is also second in career points, only 970 points behind Wayne Gretzky.

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On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1972, The Los Angeles Kings played against the New York Islanders for the first time and defeated them 7-2 for their seventh consecutive win. Ralph Backstrom, Mike Corrigan, and Bob Berry set a Kings record for the fastest three goals, scoring in a span of just 45 seconds.

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On this day in New York Rangers history, November 4th1977, Greg Polis scored a team record two shorthanded goals in a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

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On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1977, Phil Esposito scored his 600th NHL goal in a 5-1 New York Rangers victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Esposito became the third player in NHL history after Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull to score 600 goals.


On this day in hockey history, November 4th 1983, the Montreal Canadiens traded Robert Picard to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Winnipeg's 3rd round pick in the 1984 Entry Draft. The Canadiens used the pick to select goaltender Patrick Roy.





November 4 1987 Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky and New York Ranger Marcel Dionne faced off against each other tied with 998 career assists. Gretzky had two assists to reach 1,000 for his career in only his 645th game, and added three goals for his 46th career hattrick. Marcel picked up one assist to reach 999.

November 4, 1998 The San Jose Sharks scored four goals on nine shots to defeat the Dallas Stars 4-0. This was the lowest total shots on goal ever recorded by a winning team in NHL history. Mike Vernon made 21 saves for his 19th career shutout.

November 4, 2003 Mark Messier passed Gordie Howe for second place in NHL career scoring by scoring a pair of goals in a 3-0 victory against Dallas to reach 1,851 career points. Messier finished his career with 1,887 points, trailing Wayne Gretzky by 970.

On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 4, 1917, Pete Langelle was born in Winnipeg Manitoba. Langelle scored the biggest goal in Toronto's franchise history. In 1942 The Leafs trailed the Redwings 3-0 in the Stanley Cup finals then won four straight times to win the Stanley Cup with Langelle scoring the cup winning goal in game seven. His cup winner was the last goal of his career.

On this day in
hockey history, November 4th1924, Howie Meeker was born in Kitchener, Ontario. Meeker played eight seasons in the NHL, all with the Maple Leafs between 1946 and 1953. In 346 games, he registered 83 goals and 102 assists. He was a solid playoff contributor as well and helped the Leafs win four Stanley Cups in his career. In January of 1947, Meeker became the first rookie in NHL history to record five goals in one game. It helped him secure the Calder trophy as rookie of the year. Howie Meeker also coached the Leafs for one complete season in 1956-57 but the team missed the playoffs with a record of 21-34-15. Meeker was then promoted to GM but fired before the season even started.

Howie was an innovative analyst on Hockey Night in Canada in the 1970's and 80's analyzing plays in detail using a telestrator to show his points on replays. Meeker is the last surviving member of the Leafs 1947 championship team.

November 5, 1955 Jean Beliveau's scoring prowess effected a change in NHL rules when he scored all four goals as Montreal defeated Boston 4-2. Beliveau scored three power play goals in the game, all of them coming in a span of just 44 seconds on the same 2:00 power play! In that era all minor penalties were served in their entirety. The NHL subsequently changed that rule, terminating a minor penalty after a power play goal is scored. Bert Olmsetad assisted on all of Beliveu's power play goals, the second fastest three assists in NHL history.
November 5, 1979 The Montreal Canadiens extended their undefeated streak against the Washington Capitals to 34-0-2 with a 2-0 victory.

October 5, 1900 All time great Maple Leaf goaltender Lorne Chabot was born in Montreal. He had 12 shutouts in 1928-29 his first season as a Leaf. In 1932 Chabot led the Leafs to a Stanley Cup championship playing all seven playoff games. He also won the cup with the Rangers is 1928. Chabot led the NHL with a 1.80 GAA winning the Vezina Trophy in 1935.


On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 5th 1936, Syl Apps and Turk Broda began their careers for the Leafs. together they won three Stanley Cup championships with Toronto. While the Leafs lost that game 3-1 against the Detroit Red Wings Apps and Broda played on three Stanley Cup championship teams in Toronto.



On this day in hockey history, November 5th, 1942, Carl Liscombe scored a hat trick and added four assists to set an NHL record for points in a game with seven in a 12-5 win by the Detroit Red Wings over the New York Rangers. The Red Wings set a team record that night with six power play goals in one game.



On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 5th 1960, Frank Mahovlich scored four goals for the Maple Leaf in a 7-3 win over the New York Rangers. Mahovlich led the Leafs in goal scoring for six consecutive seasons between 1960-61 and 1965-66.

On this date in hockey history, November 5th1970, the St Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins 2-0 at Boston Garden with goaltenders Glenn Hall and Ernie Wakely combining for the shutout. The game ended a Bruins home unbeaten streak of 24-0-5 and was the first win for the Blues at Boston since they entered the NHL in 1967.

On this date in hockey history, November 5th 1975 Gerry Desjardins earns his first shutout as a Buffalo Sabre.

On this day in hockey history, November 5th 1986, Buffalo’s Phil Housley picked up his 200th career NHL assist as the Sabres won 8-3 over the visiting Boston Bruins.

On November 6 1948 Bill Durnan and the Montreal Canadiens shutout the Detroit Red Wings 2-0. Durnan played only seven seasons in the NHL but won six Vezina trophies and two Stanley Cup championships. During the 1947-48 season Durnan served as captain of the Canadiens. Teams complained that he left his net so often to argue calls with officials that he was giving his team an unfair advantage with these defacto timeouts. As a result, the NHL made a rule preventing goaltenders from serving as team captain. Durnan was an ambidexterous goalie and wore special that permitted him to hold his stick and catch the puck with either hand.

Durnan finished his career with a record of 208 wins and 112 losses and a 2.36 GAA. In the playoffs he went 27-12 with a pair of shutouts. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964.

On this date in hockey history, November 6 1983 Wayne Gretzky scored four goals and set up three for a seven point game when Edmonton beat Winnipeg 8-5.

On November 6, 1988 Wayne Gretzky became the third player in NHL history to reach 1,700 career points when he tallied a pair of goals and a helper as Los Angeles beat Chicago 5-3. Gretzky accomplished this feat in only 711 games.

On this date in hockey history, November 7 1982, Gilbert Perreault scored his 400th career goal. In their inagural season, the expansion Buffalo Sabres chose Gil with the first overall pick in the 1970 NHL amateur draft. Scotty Bowman once called him "The greatest junior player ever". Perreault had captained the Montreal Junior Canadiens to the Memorial Cup championship in 1970 and was a true superstar in every sense of that word. Legendary hockey writer Frank Orr wrote in the mid 1970's that there were only four superstars in the NHL, Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Guy Lafleur and Gilbert Perreault. Perreault was accorded the high honor of great NHL players in the 1970's, being loudly booed every time he touched the puck at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. During a 1975 Hockey Night in Canada broadcast of a Montreal Buffalo playoff game, Broadcaster Dick Irvin asked Danny Gallivan if Perreault was a faster skater than the legendary Howie Morenz. Gallivan responded, "Probably but remember Morenz is 80 years old.

November 7 1925 the NHL announced the institution of it's first salary cap, each team would be limited to $35,000. Would that even pay for an assistant trainer today? Lionel Conacher of the Pittsburgh Pirate s and Dunc Munro of the Montreal Maroons were the leagues highest paid players at $7500. Billy Burch of the New York Americans was the next highest paid player at $6500.

November 7, 1968 – Red Berenson of the St. Louis Blues set a modern NHL record for most goals in a single game with six scores in an 8-0 win over Philadelphia. A guy named Howe who played for the Detroit Red Wings was the last NHL player to score six in one game, that being Syd Howe who did it in 1944.

On this date in hockey history, November 7, 1975, following an 8-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins General Manager Harry Sinden made a blockbuster trade sending Phil Esposito to the New York Rangers getting Jean Rattelle and Brad Park in return. With Bobby Orr's injuries and demise as a hockey player, Sinden sought out another superstar defenseman. Harry always liked having the leagues best d-man and Park was his target. The Rangers demanded a replacement for Park so the Bruins also sent Carol Vadnais to Manhattan along with Espo. When coach Don Cherry and Bobby Orr came to see Phil in his hotel room to tell him about the trade, Espo knew what was coming. He said "If you tell me I've been traded to the Rangers, I'm going to jump out the window. Cherry replied, "Bobby, get away from the window." That evening, Esposito scored two goals and an assist for the Rangers in a 7-5  loss to the California Golden Seals.

November 7 1925, The NHL announced that the Hamilton Tigers would be dropped from the league. The Tigers has finished at the top of yhe NHL standings for the 1924-25 season with a 19-10-1 record and were a favorite to win the Stanley Cup. However the players went on strike. The NHL had increased the schedule from 24 top 30 games but player salaries stayed the same. The players demanded to be paid for the extra games the NHL had added to the schedule. League President Frank Calder responded by warning the players that they would be suspended if they refused to play in the finals and replaced by Ottawa the fourth place team. Meanwhile third place Montreal defetaed second place Torotno St. Patricks. Calder then declared Montreal the league champion and fined the Hamilton players. The NHL revoked the Hamilton franchise on September 22nd and the Hamilton players were purchased by the expansion New York Americans.


This day in Buffalo Sabres history, November 7 1981, the Sabres defeated the New York Islanders 6-2 in Uniondale with John Van Boxmeer scoring three goals and adding two assists for five points. Van Boxmeer shares the franchise record with Phil Housley for most points by a defenseman in a single game.

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    This day in Buffalo Sabres history, November 7 1986, during a 7-6 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Gilbert Perreault scored the last two goals of his NHL career. Perreault is the Sabres all time leading scorer with 512 career goals. Rick Martin is second with 382.

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1942 - Montreal Canadiens rookie Maurice Richard scored his first NHL goal in a 10-4 win over NY at the Forum in Montreal. Toe Blake scored twice for the Canadiens, to give him 100 in his NHL career.


On this date in hockey history, November 8 1924, John Kiszkan was born. Of Ukranian descent, he served in the Canadian army in WWII, then played junior hockey for Prince Albert before carving out a career as a professional. He played for 11 season in the AHL primarily for the Cleveland Barons, winning three championships. During his first year with Cleveland, he changed his name to Bower to make it easier for the sportwriters. His career highlights included winning three consectutive Stanley Cup championships with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1962, 1963 and 1964 with another in 1967 where he split goaltending duties with Terry Sawchuck.

November 8, 1952 Maurice Richard set the NHL record for career goals when he scored his 325th goal in a 6-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. This was ten years after “The Rocket” scored his first NHL goal. He passed Nels Stewart who had scored 234 times.

November 8 1963 Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto became the first NHL arena to use separate penalty boxes and doors for each team. The previous week two players, Bob Pulford of Toronto and Terry Harper of Montreal had been given major penalties for fighting and then fought again in the shared penalty box. What's surprising is that didn't happen more often.

November 8, 1934, St. Louis hosted it's first NHL game as the transplanted Ottawa Senators now the St. Louis Eagles hosted the Chicago Black Hawks who were not exactly gracious guests defeating their hosts 3-1. The Eagles folded after one season which they finished 11-31-6.

A total of 29 different players suited up for the 1934-35 St. Louis Eagles. The last active Eagles player was Bill Cowley, who retired in 1947. Wearing patriotic red white and blue uniforms the team played in front of solid crowds at the St. Louis Arena. The Eagles were led offensively by Carl Voss and his team leading 31 points, team captain Syd Howe would lead the club with 14 goals, despite being traded to the Detroit Red Wings late in the season, while Glen Brydson would finish 2nd in team scoring with 29 points.

The once-proud Senators/Eagles franchise never took the ice again, and remain one of two NHL teams to fold after winning a Stanley Cup (the other being the Maroons). In 1938, the Montreal Maroons attempted to move to St. Louis. They were denied by the NHL due to the high travel costs that plagued the Eagles.


On this date in hockey history, November 8th1978 - Bobby Orr announced his retirement from the NHL at a news conference in Chicago. His final career totals were 270 goals, 645 assists, 915 points in 657 games.

On this date in hockey history, November 8th1990. the Los Angeles Kings retired Marcel Dionne's uniform #16 in a pregame ceremony, before a 5-1 win over the Red Wings at the Forum. Dionne joined Rogie Vachon as the only players in Kings' history to have their number retired.



On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 8th 1986, King Clancy passed away at the age of 83. During his NHL career, Clancy was a player, a coach, an assistant General Manager and a referee. As a player, Clancy once played all six positions on the ice, including goaltender in a Stanley Cup Final game. He lived to the ripe old age of 83 and was an honored member of the Hockey Hall Of Fame.



The 1934
-35 NHL season was the 18th season of the National Hockey League. Nine teams each played 48 games. The Montreal Maroons were the Stanley Cup winners

On this date in hockey history, November 9 1957, Claude Provost of the Montreal Canadiens set the NHL record for the fastest goal from the start of a period when he scored in the second period against the Boston Bruins. The record was tied by Chicago Black Hawk Denis Savard on Januuary 12, 1986. Provost won the Stanley Cup nine times during his career with Montreal. Today is induction day for the Hockey Hall of Fame's 2015 induction class so it is interesting to note that Claude Provost is the only player who played on a Stanley Cup championship team at least eight times who is not a member of the Hall of Fame.

On this day in hockey history, November 9, 1996 Craig MacTavish of the St. Louis Blues became the last helmetless player In the NHL to score a goal when the Blues beat Calgary 3-2. McTavish palyed 16 seasons in the NHL was exempt from the rule requiring NHL players to wear helmets because he played before the rule was adopted in the 1979-80 season. Those players were allowed to choose to not wear a helmet but had to sign a waiver releasing the league and teams from liability for injuries related to playing bare headed. At the time of his retirement Mctavish siad he chose to play without a helmet because he felt comfortable and that was lucky he didn't get seriously hurt.

On this date in hockey history, November 9, 1973, Detroit Red Wings great Alex Delvecchio ended his 24 year NHL careeer with the Detroit Red Wings when he announced his retirement. He played his entire career with the Red Wings playing 1,549 games scoring 456 goals and 825 assists during the second longest NHL career at that time.


On this date in hockey history, November 9th 1983, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Washington Capitals 7-4 in Washington with Wayne Gretzky scoring once and adding four assists for five points.


Exactly a year later, Gretzky outdid himselfscoring two goals and six points as the Oilers beat the Capitals again 8-5. The win extended the Oilers team record undefeated streak to 15 games (12-0-3), which was the longest undefeated streak to start a season surpassing the 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens.

On this date in hockey history, November 10 1986 the legendary Francis Michael “King” Clancy passed away. Clancy was nicknamed King after his father who played football for Ottawa in an era when the ball was not snapped but rather “heeled” backward from the line of scrimmage. Clancy's father was known as the “King of the heelers” and this was eventually shortened to King.


Clancy played for his homet
own Ottawa Senators where he was part of Stanley Cup winning teams in 1933 and 1937. On March 3. 1933 Clancy became the first NHL player to play all six positions in a game. During a Stanley Cup game against the Edmonton Eskimos Ottawa goalie Clint Benedict took a two minute penalty. In those days goalies were required to serve their own penalty time. So Clancy went into the net while Benedict served his penalty.

Following his strong 1929-30 season wher he went 17-23-40 in 44 games, Clancy was sold to the Toronto Maple Leafs with Conn Smythe paying $35,000 and sending two players to Ottawa. Clancy and the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1932. Clancy briefly coached the Montreal Maroons then embarked on an 11 year career as an NHL referee.

He then coached Montreal's Cincinnati Mohawks farm team for two seasons before rejoining the Leafs as coach of their AHL team the Pittsburgh Hornets. Clancy was successful coaching the Hornets who won the AHL title in 1952 and lost in the finals in seven games in 1953.

Clancy was then promoted to coach the Leafs in 1953-54 but had little success in three years at the helm. Conn Smythe appointed him assistant GM where his duties involved chiefly public relations. The Hockey Hall of Fame inducted Clancy as a member in 1958.

Clancy continued as assistant GM in the 1960's with Punch Imlach as GM. He was promoted to vice president after Imlach was fired and had stated that he would also leave the organization. Clancy and Leafs owner Harold Ballard became close friends during the 1970's and watched games from Ballards “bunker” at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Clancy was 83 years old when he passed away from septic shock following gall bladder surgery. He was the last surviving member of the 1922-23 Stanley Cup champion Ottawa Senators. Clancy spents 65 years in professional hockey including 42 with the Maple Leafs. Former Leaf Hap Day had once said that Conn Smythe and Ballard had both paid Clancy to do nothing. His passing was mourned by many and the King Clancy Memorial Award was created in his honor.

November 10, 1963, Gordie Howe passed Maurice “The Rocket” Richard to become the NHL's all time leading goal scorer with his 545th career goal. Ironically Howe scored the goal in a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, Richards former team. Howe finished with 801 career regular season NHL goals and 68 playoff goals. In the WHA he added 174 regular season goals and 28 playoff goals for a total of 1071 major league professional goals. In the NHL he had an incredible 22 consecutive seasons with 23 or more goals, adding five more WHA seasons with 25 or more goals, that makes 27 straight seasons.


This day in hockey history, November 10th 1989, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 at Le Colisee with Guy Lafleur tieing Maurice Richard for eighth place on the NHL’s all time scoring list with his 544th NHL goal.


This day in hockey history, November 10th 1976, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the St. Louis Blues 5–0 with Gerry Desjardins stopping all 38 shots he faced to set team record for most saves in a shutout. Dominik Hasek tied this record on Dec. 5, 1997 with a 4-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning . Hasek then set a new record with 42 saves in a 1-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens two weeks later on Dec. 19, 1997. The current team record is 44 saves by Chad Johnson in a 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 17, 2015.


On this day in hockey history, November 11th 1962, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 with Alex Delevcchio scoring two goals and Terry Sawchuk getting his 350th career victory

On this day in hockey history, November 11th1973, the New York Rangers defeated the New York Islanders 5-2 at Madison Square Garden with Rod Gilbert scoring his 273rd career goal to move ahead of Andy Bathgate and become the Rangers all time goal scoring leader. Gilbert added a second goal later in the game.

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On this day in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 11, 1981, defenseman Ian Turnbull became a west coast resident when Toronto traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. The kings sent former Toronto Marlboro Billy Harris and former Niagara Falls Flyer John Gibson. Thirty one days later, Turnbull became the only LA defenseman to score four goals in a game. Turnbull also set the Toronto record with five goals in one game in a 9-1 victory over Detroit in 1977. He scored the five goals on only five shots, the only player in NHL history to accomplish that feat. Turnbull played ten NHL seasons the and formed a formidable offensive punch from Toronto's bluleine with teammate Broje Salming in the 1970's. In the 1976-77 season Turnbull posted a career high of 79 points on 22 goals and 57 assists and a plus 47.


On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1943, the first empty net goal in NHL history was scored. Coach Art Ross of the Boston Bruins introduced his innovative strategy of pulling his goaltender for an extra attacker late in the game trailing the Chicago Black Hawks 5-4. Unfortunately for the Bruins, Chicago's Clint Smith scored into the empty net. This wasn't the first time Ross and the Bruins tried this strategy, that was March 21st 1931 against Montreal in game two of their Stanley Cup playoff series. The Bruins lost that game 5-4 with no empty net goal scored.

On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1986, Dino Ciccarelli set the modern NHL record for fastest 20 goals to start a season when he dented the twine twice in his 15th game. He finished the season with 52 goals and 103 points. In 1981-82 Ciccarelli started the season with 20 goals in the North Stars first 23 games, finishing with 55 goals and 106 points.

Dino played for the Sarnia Jr B team in 1975-76 as a 15 year old and led the team with 45 goals and 88 points. He is one of two Sarnia Jr. B players in the hockey Hall of Fame, the other being Phil Esposito who led the Legionnaires in scoring in 1961 with 47 goals 61 assists and 108 points in only 32 games..

Dino broke his leg playing junior hockey for the London Knights and had a pin put in. As a result he was never drafted. Minnesota signed him as a free agent and he went on to score 608 career goals, a record for a draft eligible player who was never drafted. Of course Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe don't qualify for this honor because neither player was ever draft eligible.

On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1930, the first NHL game hosted by Philadelphia was played. Yes that.s correct, 1930 when the Philadelphia Quakers lost 3-0 to the New York Rangers. The Quakers folded after that season having posted an unispiring reord of 4-36-4.

On this date in hockey history, November 11, 1981, Bobby Smith scored four goals for the Minnesota North Stars as the Winnipeg Jets suffered an embarassing expansion team defeat by a 15-2 score. That's nearly a months worth of goals for some NHL teams today.

Smith spent three seasons playing junior for the Ottawa 67's before he was drafted 1st overall by the North Stars in 1978. While playing for Ottawa , Smith accomplished something in the 1977-78 season which very few players were ever able to do, he relegated Wayne Gretzky to 2nd place in OHA scoring when Smith posted 69-123-192 numbers while Gretzky had “only” 70-112-182.

In his honor, the Ontario Hockey League awards the Bobby Smith Trophy annually to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence.
Connor McDavid (below) won the award in back to back seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

On this date in hockey history, November 11 1926, Harry “Apple Cheeks” Lumley was born in Owen Sound Ontario. His nickname was given because his face turned red when he was embarassed. As a young amateur he played for a team called the Owen Sound Orphans so nicknamed because they couldn't find a sponsor.

Lumley engineered an improvement in the effectiveness of goaltenders leg pads by making a pocket at shin level so pucks would drop straight on the ice instead of deflecting off them to an opponent.
Lumley won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 1950 with a 1.85 GAA in 14 games including three shutouts. But the Wings traded him to Chicago after re-acquiring Terry Sawchuck.. Chicago traded him to Toronto for the 1953-54 season where he won the Vezina Trophy with a 1.86 GAA and was the NHL first team all star. He posted 13 shutouts which stood as a modern NHL single season record until Tony Esposito had 15 in the 1969-70 season.

On this date in hockey history, November 12 1931, Maple Leaf Gardens made its debut as the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs Opening night tickets ranged in price from $2.75 for the best seats to $0.95 nose bleed seats. A sellout crowd of 13,233 saw the Leafs lose 2-1 to the Chicago Black Hawks. Charlie Conacher scored the first Leafs goal in their new building but Chicago's Harold March scored the first goal in Gardens history.

Leafs owner Conn Smythe had privately financed the arena and had it bulit in five months during the great depression. Smythe and his investors had purchased the Toronto St. Patricks and re named them the Maple Leafs. The Gardens brought good fortune as the Leafs won their third Stanley Cup that season and was the Leafs home arena until 1999 when the team moved to the Air Canada Center.

The Leafs sold out evrery game at the Gardens from 1946 to 1999, earning the nickname “The Carlton Street Cashbox”. It was the only arean to host the Beatles on evry one their North American tours in 1964, 1965 and 1966. Elvis Presely (see picture below of Elvis at MLG) played one of his few concerts at outside of the United States at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1957.

In 1968 under Leafs owner Harold Ballard, the Gardens seating capacity had grown to 16,485 primarily by narrowing the width of the seats. Leafs founder Conn Smythe famously said that the seats were so narrow that only a young man can sit in them and onlt a fat rich man can afford them.

Conn Smythe resigned from the Gardens board of directors in 1966 when Ballard booked a Cassius Clay fight into the Gardens. Smythe was a WWII veteran and he objected to Clays status as a draft dodger in the U.S. And criticized the Gardens for putting “Cash ahead of class”.

“The fight had been kicked out of every place in the U.S. because Clay is a draft dodger and a disgrace to his country. The Gardens was founded by men, sportsmen, who fought for their country. It is no place for those who want to evade conscription in their own country. The Gardens was built for many things, but not for picking up things that no one else wants"

In 1979 Ballard had the Gardens historic gondola where Foster Hewitt had pioneered hockey broadcasting torn down and incinerated to make room for new private boxes. The Toronto Star ran an editorial criticizing Ballard's "barbaric destruction of one of Canada's great cultural monuments,”

On this date in hockey history November 12, 1931, Canadian culture would never be the same as Foster Hewitt began his Saturday night radio broadcasts which introduced Hockey Night in Canada to Canadians “From coast to coast and in Newfoundland.” Broadcasting from the gondola just installed above the ice surface Foster Hewitt's broadcasts made the Toronto players famous and the Leafs became Canada's favorite team.

On this date in hockey history, November 12, 1950, Gilbert Perreault was born in Victoriaville Quebec. He spent 17 years in the NHL all with the Buffalo Sabres who drafted him first overall in the 1970 amateur draft. Perreault won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1971 and the Lady Byng Trophy in 1973. Perreault scored 512 goals and 814 assists for 1326 points in 1191 games.

Perreeault was one of the most skilled players to ever play hockey with blazing speed and dazzling stick handling dekes that often found him skating around defenders as if they were pylons. Bobby Orr called Perreault the best player he ever played against. Wayne Gretzky wore number 11 in youth hockey because of Perreault. Bobby Clarke in a nod to Perreault's skills said that Gilbert was born ten years too early because had he played in his prime years during the high scoring 1980's “... he would have blown the league apart.” But Perreualt's career always seemed less than it should have been.

Perreault was villified in the Canadian press for walking out on Team Canada in mid series in 1972. Canada's coach Harry Sinden revealed in his book on that series that he begged Perreault to stay becaue Gil, Yvan Cournoyer and Paul Henderson were the only three Canadian players who could skate with the Soviets. Some felt that Sinden got his revenge by having Perreault excluded from the 1973 NHL all star game when his Bruins coach Tom Johnson failed to add Perreault to the lineup even though he was a top 5 scorer in the league and his linemates Rick Martin and Rene Robert were on the eastern conference all star team.

Gilbert had the misfortune of playing in his prime years during an era when Phil Esposito, eight times, Bobby Clarke, four times, and Marcel Dionne, four times, dominated the all star voting at center so it was difficullt for Perreault to garner official post season all star status although he was named to the second team twice in 1976 and 1977. While Clarke won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP three times and Esposito was NHL MVP twice, Perreault won the Sabres MVP award only one time, as a rookie in 1970-71.

While the late 1970's Sabres were a legitimate NHL power, other than the trip to the finals in 1975 their playoff results were dissapointing early exits while rivals Boston and Montreal dominated and the Islanders built their future dynasty.

Perreault was the classic French Canadian hockey star in the style of Jean Beliveau, his idol as a young player growing up in Quebec. But Gil was overshadowed during his career by other French Canadien stars like Guy Lafleur who won a Stanley Cup championship five times with three scoring titles, two MVP's and three Lester Pearson Trophies voted by his rivals as the best player.and Marcel Dionne who scored 713 career goals and 1771 poinst along with two Pearson Awards, two scoring titles and four all star selections at center.

Perreault considered leaving the Sabres after his second season and was having contract talks with Quebec of the WHA but resigned with the Sabres. There were rumours of a trade to Toronto involving Darryl Sittler but that never came to fruition. Perreault retired for the first time in 1986 but returned when the NHL improved pension benefits for players who played at meast 20 games in the 1986-87 season. He then retired after scoring 16 points in 20 games stating that he didn't feel that he could play anymore at his former level but having qualified for the new pension benefits. The Hockey News quoted Perreault as saying, “My career could have been better.”

In 1997 the Hockey News ranked Perreault as the 47th greatest NHL player ever.


On this day in hockey history, November 12th1942, a 16 year old Armand "Bep" Guidolin became the youngest player in NHL history, when he played his first game for the Boston Bruins, a 3-1 loss at Toronto.
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On this day in hockey history, November 12th1955, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings as two unlikely combatants, Mr. Lady Byng Red Kelly and gentleman Jean Beliveau dropped the gloves and fought.

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On this day in hockey history, November 12th1980 , the Montreal Canadiens beat the Los Angeles Kings 8-4 at the Fabulous Forum with Guy Lafleur scoring five points to reach 966 carer points and pass Maurice “Rocket” Richard into third place on the Habs all time scoring list.

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On this date in hockey history, November 13 1934, Scotty Bowman made NHL history when he scored the first penalty shot goal in league play. It was the first goal of his career. No, it wasn't Stanley Cup winning coach William Scott Bowman but rather Ralph “Scotty” Bowman who played seven seasons in the NHL with the St. Louis Eagles, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup twice with Detroit in 1936 and 1937.

On this date in hockey history, November 13 1975, John Marks of the Chicago Black Hawks scored twice within 33 seconds of the opening faceoff in a 5-5 tie against the Philadelphia Flyers. His hot start set an NHL record for fastest two goals from the start of a game.

On this date in hockey history, November 13, 1941,The Brooklyn Americans played their first NHL game. The team had been known as the New York Americans but changed their name. Here is their story from NYMAG.com

During
a press conference announcing that the Islanders would move to Brooklyn's Barclays Center in 2015, commissioner Gary Bettman made reference to the 1941–42 Brooklyn Americans, an NHL team that had been known as the New York Americans and continued to play its games at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan even after the name change. They practiced in Brooklyn and had hoped to build an arena there eventually, but the 1941–42 season would be the franchise's last. Said Bettman of that Brooklyn arena plan yesterday: "It got sidetracked then, but 70 years later, the NHL is here with the New York Islanders."

When Bettman says the plans were "sidetracked," of course, he means they were sidetracked by World War II. In their book, Metro Ice, about hockey's history in the New York area, local puck expert Stan Fischler and co-author Tom Sarro explain that Red Dutton, the manager/coach of the New York Americans, had decided in the late-thirties to move the team to Brooklyn.

See, the Amerks actually predated the New York Rangers by a season, but they would quickly become Madison Square Garden's other team. The Americans' original owner, the bootlegger Bill Dwyer, was helpless to keep a second NHL team from playing in its home arena because the fine print in his contract didn't prevent the Garden from bringing one in. And so, after the Americans successfully drew fans in their first season, 1925–26, the Garden realized it could make even more money with a team of its own. And thus the city's second NHL team, the Rangers, was born. (How quickly (How quickly did pro hockey become popular enough in New York for the Garden to want its own team? Fischler and Sarro explain that Tex Rickard's original blueprints for Madison Square Garden III, which opened in 1925, didn't include plans for an ice plant. Will arena owners never learn that they should should plan for hockey?)

From Metro Ice:

Fed up with the second-class treatment accorded his team at the Garden, Dutton had decided as early as 1939 to build a new arena in Brooklyn that would not only compete with the Garden but would be home to his Americans. "I've always regarded Brooklyn as one of the finest sports centers in the world," he said. "The way the fans support the baseball and football Dodgers convinced me that they would be just as rabid for hockey."

Dutton's Hockey Hall of Fame bio page explains thathat he personally arranged for $7 million in financing to build a new arena. But as Fischler and Sarro write, the outbreak of World War II in Europe in 1939 meant that steel for the new building was unavailable, so plans for the arena would have to wait until after the war. In the meantime, though, he went ahead and changed the name of the team anyway to the Brooklyn Americans, even though they'd continue to call the Garden home. (You can check out their snazzy red, white, and blue uniformshere.) Via Metro Ice, the Americans did at least practice in Brooklyn, at the Brooklyn Ice Palace on Atlantic Avenue near Bedford, about a mile down the road from where the Barclays Center is now located. Dutton himself moved to Brooklyn along with his wife, and several of the team's players relocated there as well.

In the franchise's one season as the Brooklyn Americans, it finished with a record of 16-29-3, and its 35 points put it in last place among the  among the league's seven teams, meaning they'd miss out on the six-team playoffs. Defenseman Tom Anderson led the team in scoring with 41 points in 48 games, while winger Norm Larson led the team with sixteen goals.

And while Dutton still planned on building that arena in Brooklyn once the war was over, the Americans franchise wouldn't survive long enough for it to happen. From Metro Ice:

Had the war not erupted when it did, there is every reason to believe that Dutton could have rejuvenated the Americans. With a promising young nucleus, headed by future Hall of Famer Chuck Rayner, the Amerks were about a year away from being a playoff contender and a team with a promising future in Brooklyn. But service enlistments ravaged their roster.

Meanwhile, Fischler and Sarro explain, the Garden wanted the Americans out of the building, believing their 24 home dates could be better used for other events. And so, after the season, the NHL decided the franchise could no longer compete, and its owners voted to shut the team down indefinitely. Dutton returned home to his family's construction company in Calgary, and yet, the dream of a Brooklyn arena remained alive: He was promised by three owners (Montreal, Chicago, and Detroit) that he could revive the franchise after the war and proceed with his plan to move into a new arena in Brooklyn. Dutton would go on to serve as NHL president from 1943 until 1946, and as president, evenfloated the idea that the league could one day expand to fifteen teams divided into three divisions. But when he met with the league governors in 1946 to welcome his successor as president, Clarence Campbell, and try to bring back the Americans, it didn't go as he'd hoped. The Garden wasn't in favor of reviving the franchise, and the Maple Leafs and Bruins sided with the Rangers. The Amerks were dead, this time for good.

In their book, Fischler and Sarro point to an interview Dutton gave to Toronto author Trent Frayne more than a quarter-century after meeting with the league governors in 1946. Recalled Dutton:

"I looked around the room and nobowas looking at me. I got the message. 'Gentlemen,' I said to the governors. 'You can stick your franchise up your ass.' I gathered my papers and left."

The NHL would remain at six teams — the so-called "Original Six' until 1967.

On this date in hockey history, November 13, 1987, The Minnesota North Stars defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-4. Dino Ciccarelli scored his 267th and 268th career goals in that game becoming the North Stars franchise leader in career goals scored.

On this date in hockey history, November 13 1984, Bernie Nichols and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Quebec Nordiques 5-4 in overtime thanks to a four goal game from Bernie Nichols who scored a goal in all four periods of the game becoming the first NHL player to do so.

On this date in hockey history, November 13, 1947, on the advice of Frank Patrick, the NHL legislated a rule that goal scorers raise their sticks when they score a goal. This policy was implemented so that fans who couldn't see the puck in the net would know that a goal had been scored. The Montreal Canadiens Billy Reay was the first player to raise his stick after a goal. The strangest goal celebrastion of all time must belong to Petr Klima who broke his stick after each goal he scored.


On this date in hockey history, November 13th 1968, the St. Louis Blues beat the New York Rangers 3-1, but it took them threegoalies to do so!. Starter Glenn Hall had been ejected in the first minute of the game with a misconduct penalty so backup Robbie Irons went in and kept the Rangers scoreless for three minutes. while Jacques Plante dressed hurriedly and replaced Irons for the final 55 minutes of the game. Was that legal to use three goalies in one game? St Louis coach Scotty Bowman had his leather bound volume of NHL rules open to section 32E to make his point. Robbie had a legendary career with the Fort Wayne Komets of the IHL where he sported one of hockey's coolest painted masks and even earned bobble head status.



On this date in hockey history, November 13th1955 , Detroit Red Wings' rookie goalie Glenn Hall and Boston's Terry Sawchuk , Detroit’s former goalie, battled to a scoreless at the Boston Garden. One week earlier they played in another scoreless draw at Detroit’s Olympia..

On this date in hockey history, November 13th 1970, former Toronto Maple Leaf Bob Baun was traded by the St. Louis blues back to Toronto by for a second go round with the Buds in exchange for Brit Selby who thus concluded his second stint as a Leaf.


On this date in hockey history, November 13th 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs shutout the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 with Felix Potvin getting his first career shutout.


On this day in hockey history, November 14, 1936 King Clancy scored the ;last goal of his NHL career on a penalty shot during a 6-2 win by the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Chicago Bl
ackHawks.

On this date in hockey history, November 14, 1998, Brett Hull reached 1,000 career points when he had a three point game. This made Brett and Bobby Hull the first father son combination to each reach 1,000 career NHL points.

On this date in hockey history, November, 14 2001, Patrick Roy won his 200th game with the Colorado Rockies becoming the first NHL goaltender to win 200 games with two different teams.

On this date in hockey history, November 14, 1985 The Philadelphia Flyers held a pregame ceremony to mourn the loss of goaltender Pelle Lindbergh who had died in an automobile crash on November 11th.

On this date in Boston Bruins history, November 14 1971, the Boston Bruins defeated the Los Angeles Kings 11-2. Phil Esposito led the way with five points with Gerry Cheevers in goal. This was the first game in Cheevers 32 game unbeaten streak where he won 24 games with eight ties.

On this day in hockey history, November 15, 1995, Alex Hicks scored a goal on his first shot in his first game as an NHL player. He finished the game with two gaols and an assist. What makes Hicks feat interesting is that He was one of the rare group of players from RHI (Roller Hockey International) to graduate to the NHL. Hicks and his Toledo Storm teammates won the ECHL title in 1993 and many of them joined coach Chris McSorley and travelled down the thruway to Buffalo in the summer of 1994 to play for the RHI Buffalo Stampede where they also won the championship. Two other Toledo/Stampede Alumni eventaully garduated to the NHL, Tony Martin and Sasha Lakovic. Lakovic portrayed Soviet hockey star Boris Mikhailov in the 1994 move Miracle.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 15 1918, the only dentist ever called in to play an NHL game was born in Port Elgin New Brunswick. Bobby Copp was brought in by The Leafs to play two games on October 21st and 22nd in 1950 when the Leafs were short players due to injuries. During the 1942-43 season Copp had played 38 games for the Leafs. The Leafs won both games that he played in on emregnecy fill in. Dr. Copp was a WWII veteran who practiced dentistry for 58 years. He passed away in Ottawa on December 12, 2006.

On this day in hockey history, November 15, 1973, Bobby Orr set an NHL record for most points in one game by a defenseman when he scored a power play hat trick, three power play goals, and added four assists for seven points in a 10-2 victory over the New York Rangers.

On this date in hockey history, November 15, 1972, Steve Vickers of the New York Rangers scored his second consecutive hat trick becoming the first NHL player to ever score hat trick in consecutive games. Both hat tricks were scored at Madison Square Garden, the first on November 12 1972 against the Los Angeles Kings. Vickers was playing on the “Bulldog Line” with Walt Tkaczuk and Bill Fairbarn, a line known for strong two way play. “On the first hat trick, it was a Sunday night, I just went to the net three times late in the game and the puck found it's way to me each time from Walt or Bill. On the second hat trick I had two in the second and one in the third, I didn't know I was making history. They didn't keep stats then like they do now. About a month after I got the second hat trick they told me I was the first one to have ever done it. The big thing is that it established me as a player. It proved to me that I could play in the league,” Vickers won rookie of the year that season scoring 30 goals and 23 assists for 53 points in 61 games.

On this date in hockey history, November 1
5th1967, J.P. Parise played his first and only game as a Maple Leaf. He had one assist as the Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 4-2. Toronto gave up on him too early as he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars where he begame an all-star over the next several years. Parise is most remembered for the pivotal role he played for Team Canada in the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit Series, striking fear in the incompetent officials. In his NHL career, Parise registered 238 goals and 356 assists. He also tallied 58 playoff points in 86 playoff games. His son is NHL left-winger Zach Parise.



On this day in hockey history, November 15th 2002, Dave Andreychuk sets an NHL record with his 250th career power-play goal breaking the record held by Phil Esposito as the Lightning won 4-2 over the visiting San Jose Sharks.


Ironically Esposito is in the building working as a radio broadcaster for the Lightning that night. Espo was also attending the game in Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium when Wayne Gretzky broke his single season scoring record of 76 goals.


Andreychuk totalled 274 power play goals, during his career, ahead of Brett Hull (265) and Teemu Selanne (255) on the all time list.



On this date in hockey history, November 16, 1926, Rookie Eddie Shore made his NHL debut as the Boston Bruins opened their third NHL season with a 4-1 win over the Canadiens. Shore is regarded as one of the greatest players ever but is he also hockeys most underrated player? He won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP four times, more than Bobby Orr. Only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe won the Hart more times than Shore. But Shore isn't regarded as a candidate for best defenseman, often ranked behind Orr (obviously) and Doug Harvey among others. He was ranked only 10th on the Hockey News list of 100 best players but was the highest ranked pre WWII player.

Shore was an NHL all star eight times, including seven first team selections. But for the first five years of Shores career, the NHL didn't select an all star team, so Shore probably would have been a 13 time all star. Shore was the first of the great puck rushing defensemen but was also a stalwart defensively and was renkowned for his tough physical play.

He once had his ear severed while throwing a body check, then resisted several doctors who wanted to amputate until he found one who would sew the ear back in place. He refused anesthetic and watched in amirror as the doctor reattached his ear.

His most infamous act was a hit on Toronto's Ace Bailey, in retaliation for a hit Red Horner had made on Shore. Thinking that Bailey was in fact Horner, Shore's hit resulted in Bailey's head hitting the ice fracturing hs skull. Bailey went into convulsions and it was feared that he could die. He underwent four hours of surgery and recovered but ne
ver played again. Shore and Bailey shook hands at a benefit game where the proceeds were given to Bailey, this was the forerunner of the annual NHL all star game.

He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1947. His Massachussetts vanity license plate read MR HOCKEY. Shore became known to new generations of players and fans when his name was used by the Hansons in the movie slapshot along with Toe Blake and Dit Clapper as iconic legands of old time hockey.



On this day in hockey history, November 16th 1926, Hal Winkler of the New York Rangers becomes the first goalie in NHL history to record a shutout in his first career game as the Broadway blueshirts defeat the Montreal Maroons 1-0. This was also the first game in Rangers history, with captain Bill Cook scoring the first goal in franchise history.

On this day in New York Rangers history, November 16th 1926, the Rangers defeat the Montreal Maroons, 1-0, in the first game in franchise history. The first captain of the Blueshirts, Bill Cook, scored the lone goal of the contest. The ceremonial face-off between Frank Boucher of the Rangers and Nels Stewart of the Montreal Maroons was done by Lois Moran, the silent film movie star. The opening night referee was Lou Marsh. The starting lineup was Boucher, Bill Cook, Bun Cook, Ching Johnson, Taffy Abel and Hal Winkler.


On this day in hockey history, November 16th1929, Nels Stewart scored twice for his 100th NHL goal in the Montreal Maroons' 5-2 win at Pittsburgh.


Happy birthday to Pierre "Lucky Pierre" Larouche, born November 16th 1955.


Larouche played junior ice hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Sorel Éperviers (Blackhawks). In the 1973–74 season he won the Jean Béliveau Trophy as the league's top scorer with an incredible 94 goals, 157 assists, for a total 251 points. This was the Canadian Hockey League record at the time. Only Mario Lemieux has ever scored more when he tallied 282 points ten years later.


Larouche was drafted 8th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft. In 1976 he became the 16th player ever to reach the 50 goal mark. At the time he was the youngest player to hit the 50-goal and 100-points plateau. His record was broken by Wayne Gretzky in 1980.


He was first player to score 50 goals in a season with two different teams: he scored 53 with Pittsburgh in 1975–76 and 50 with Montreal in 1979–80.


He is the only NHL player to have scored more than 45 goals with three separate teams, also scoring 48 with the New York Rangers.


Larouche is one of the few players to score at least a point-per-game average in their final NHL season. He scored 12 points in 10 games, during the 1987–88 NHL season, his last in the league.


He was a member of two Stanley Cup championship teams with Montreal in 1978 and 1979.


In the book 100 Ranger Greats (John Wiley & Sons, 2009) by Russ Cohen, John Halligan and Adam Raider, the authors ranked Larouche No. 94 on the all-time list of New York Rangers.


He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 100 goals (21 years, 61 days) until he was surpassed by Wayne Gretzky (20 years, 40 days).


He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 50 goals (20 years, 139 days) and 100 points (20 years, 129 days) in a season until he was passed by Wayne Gretzky in both categories.


He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 200 career points (21 years, 32 days) until he was surpassed by Wayne Gretzky (19 years, 347 days).


He was the youngest player in NHL history to score 300 career points (22 years, 133 days) until he was surpassed by Bryan Trottier (22 years, 102 days).


He holds the Montreal Canadiens record for most goals in a season by a center with 50 goals in 1979-80.


He holds the New York Rangers record for most goals in a season by a center with 48 goals in 1983-84


He was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals with 2 different teams (PIT & MTL) as well as 45 goals with 3 different teams (PIT, MTL & NYR).


He held the QMJHL record for points in a season with 251 in 1973-74 until he was surpassed by Mario Lemieux with 282 points in 1983-84.


He holds the QMJHL record for assists in a season with 157 in 1973-74


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On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 16, 1988, the Leafs set a team record for one game by scoring three shorthanded goals in an 8-5 win against Pittsburgh. Dan Daoust, Ed Olczyk and Al Iafrete did the honors.

On this date in hockey history, November 17, 1990, Steve Yzerman scored a hat trick in the first period of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored the three goals within the first 12 minutes at 2:21, 10:53 and 11:59.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 18, 1980, Conn Smythe passed away at age 85. Smythe was a legend in the NHL, the founder of the Toronto Maple Leafs and builder of Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. Smythe, was a veteran of both WWI and WWII serving as an artillery officer. While serving as an airborne spotter in WWI, his plane was shot down. Smythe was captured by the German army and spent the rest of the war in a prisoner of war camp. He was caught twice while attempting to escape. Smythe later said of his captivity, "We played so damned much bridge that I never played the game again."

Early in his hockey career, Smythe unsuccessfully applied to coach the Toronto St. Patrick’
s. Smythe later saved the team from being sold and moved to Philadelphia by organizng a syndicate of investors to purchase the team and keep it in Toronto. After the purchase on February 14, 1927, the teams named was changed to the Maple Leafs and the rest is history. The Conn Smythe Trophy was introduced by Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. in 1964 to honor the former Leafs owner and would be presented to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs.


On this date in hockey history, November 18th 1973, Bobby Orr picked up four assists as the Bruins defeated the Red Wings 8-0. This gave him 456 assists in his 458th game, more assists than any other defenseman in NHL history.

On this date in hockey history, November 19, 1926, The Detroit Cougars made their NHL dubut in a 2-0 loss to the Boston Bruins. The game was player in Windsor, Ontario at the Border Cities Arena where all Cougars first year home games were played because Olympia Stadium in Detroit was still under construction. There were 6,000 fans in attendance. Goalie Herb Stuart let in a pair of goals in the first three minutes then steadied down for the rest of the game but Detroit couldn't score. The Cougars won their first game 1-0 against their fellow expansion team the Chicago Black Hawks in their third NHL game. The Cougars were renamed the Falcons for the 1930-31 and 1931-32 seasons before becoming the Red Wings in 1932. The Cougars were an expansion franchise granted to the Townsend syndicate of investors who purchased the Victoria Cougars of the bankrupt Western Hockey League, Stanley Cup winners in 1925.

On this date in New York Rangers history, November 19, 1953 rookie Andy Bathgate of the New York Rangers, scores the first goal of his NHL career

On this date in hockey history, Vaclav “Big Ned” Nedomansky signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings,

then picked up three points in his debut, all assists. Nedomansky had been a star with Slovan Bratislava in the Czechoslovakian Extraliga for 12 seasons. He played in the World Hockey championships nine times and was named the top forward in 1974, He then defected to Toronto in 1974. As a result, he was not allowed to return home until the demise of communism in his home country in 1989. He played for the Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association from 1974-77, scoring 56 goals and 98 points for Toronto in 1975-76.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 19, 1929, Maple Leafs defenseman Hap Day scored four goals a 10-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. This was an incredible performance by Day considering that he only had seven goals for the entire season. Even more incredible was that this was the only game in NHL history when two defenseman had four goal games as Pittsburgh defenseman John McKinnon also scored four goals that night.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 19, 1967, Tim Horton played in his 1,000th game as a Maple Leaf. Horton was a star on the Toronto blueline as the Leafs won four Stanley Cups between 1963 and 1967. Horton played 1445 NHL games, 1185 games with the Leafs, 93 with the New York Rangers, 44 with the Pittsburgh Penguins and 124 with the Buffalo Sabres.

On this date in hockey history, November 19, 1983, Wayne Gretzky scored eight points on three goals and five assists during a 13-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils in the infamous “Mickey Mouse” game. Gretzky wanted the league to help get the Devils to be more competitive but his post game comments were misconstrued as aput down of the devils organization and players. “Well, it’s time they got their act together, folks. They’re ruining the whole league. They had better stop running a Mickey Mouse organization and put somebody on ice.” The next time the Oilers played oin New Jersey, the fans jeered Gretzky and mocked him by hoisting “Mickey Mosue” signs.

On this date in hockey history November 20th, two players notched hat tricks in only one period of a regular season game;

In 1934 Harvey “Busher” Jackson of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored three goals in one period.

In 1979 Paul Stewart notched a different kind of hat trick as a rookie playing for the Quebec Nordiques when he fought three Boston Bruins in one period, tangling with Terry O'Rielly, Stan Jonathan and Al Secord.

On this date in hockey history November 20, 1974, Dave Keon played his 1,000th game as a Toronto Maple Leaf. Keon scored a hat trick in that game, his fifth as a Leaf, including a penalty shot.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1971, The New York Rangers wallopped the California Golden Seals 12-1. Pierre Jarry, a Rangers rookie, scored his first NHL goal and then scored again only eight seconds later. Jean Rattelle added four goals.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1992, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Hartford Whalers 8-2 during which they scored four goals in on minute and 33 seconds. This wasn't the fatsets four goals in NHL history, that record belonged to the 1945 Boston Bruins who did it in one minute and 20 seconds.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1930, Guyle Fielder was born in Potlatch, Idaho. Although Fielder played just nine career games in the NHL, he played 23 professional hockey seasons, scoring 1,929 points in 1,487 minor-league games. After winning rookie of the year, he led the WHL in scoring nine times, won league MVP six times, and was voted “most gentlemanly player” three times. Fielder might have been able to crack the NHL if there were more than six potential rosters to join. Fielder was a star for the WHL Seattle Totems and Portland Buckaroos, arch rivals. He was the second greatest minor league hockey palyer ever after Fred Glover of the Cleveland Barons.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1954, Detroit's Terry Sawchcuk dominated the Chicago Black Hawks with back to back shutouts on November 20th and 21st.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1979, Wayne Gretzky played his first NHL game at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. The Oilers and maple Leafs tied at 4-4 and gretzky had four points with a pair of goals and two helpers. Toronto fans always got their moneys worth when they went to see Gretzky play on Carlton Street, Gretzky played 30 games at at Maple Leaf Gardens scoring 30 goals and 47 assists.

On this date in hockey history, November 21, 1958, George "Punch" Imlach was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs as their new General Manager. On November 29th Imlach took over as the Maple Leafs' head coach.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1991, of the New York Rangers defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-0 and Brian Leetch began his team record 17 game point scoring record.. Rangers goaltender Mike Richter was in the nets earning the first shutout of his career.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1983, The Minnesota North Stars played to an 8-8 tie with the New York Islanders. Two North Stars scored hat tricks, Neal Broten and Steve Payne.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1988, Wayne Gretzky scored his 600th career goal when the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Detroit Red Wings at Olympia Stadium. Gretzky took only 718 games to score 600 goals and was the fifth NHL player to reach that milestone joining Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito and Marcel Dionne in that exclusive club.

November 23, 1988 – Wayne Gretzky scored a goal and five assists to become the fifth player in NHL history to score 600 goals, as the Kings won 8-3 at Detroit. Gordie Howe, Phil Esposito, Marcel Dionne, and Bobby Hull had done it before, but none of them came close to reaching that milestone in the 718games it took Wayne (and he had also hit 900 assists). Exactly three years later, he’d pick up his 49thcareer hat trick. 


Apparently “Old time Hockey” was a bit rougher than today because on this date in hockey history, November 23, 1929, legendary defenseman Eddie Shore of the Boston Bruins was assessed five fighting majors during a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Maroons. Of course this coud never happen in the modern NHL because a player who receives three fighting majors in one game is ejected, fined and suspended. Also, upon ejection his team cannot replace the player on the ice for five minutes.

On this date in hockey history, November 23, 1961, it was the end of an era in Toronto as Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe sold 45,000 of his 50,000 shares of his stock to his son Stafford, giving up majority ownership of the team he founded. Smythe thought he was keeping the team in the family but unbeknownst to him the Leafs became owned by a trio of Stafford Smythe, Harold Ballard and John Bassett. Stafford lacked the capital to buy the shares, which sold for $40 apiece. So he teamed with Ballard who took a $2,000,000 loan to finance the purchase. John Bassett became a third partner and the three split the shares evenly. They controlled 60% of the teams stock, each with 20% But the key was a deal among the three that if any partner were to sell their shares, they had to first offer it to the other partners. That's how Ballard ended up owning the team and as a result Leafs fans endured many miserable seasons on the ice but still bought the tickets.

On this date in hockey history, November 24, 1986, Gilbert Perreault retired from the NHL Buffalo Sabres.


1954 – Bill Mosienko (Canada, Chicago Black Hawks) became the sixth player in the NHL history to score 250 goals as he scored once against visiting Montreal Canadiens on November 25, 1954 in his final NHL season. He spend all of his 14 seasons in Chicago and scored total 258 goals in regular seasons and 10 in playoffs. He holds record for the fastest hat trick in the whole NHL history.On March 23, 1952, Bill Mosienko scored in the third period at times 4:50, 5:02 and 5:10, i.e., in only 21 seconds!


November 24, 2003 – How about another Panthers fact, since we hardly ever see them do anything neat? Florida defenseman Mathieu Biron became the first NHL player since Phil Esposito in 1980 to score a goal against his brother, scoring against the charismatic Martin Biron! It’s always fun to one-up your brother, especially when he is one of the more notable players in the league and nobody really knows much about you. The goal helped the Panthers beat the Sabers 2-1.

 
On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1917, the NHL was born when five of the six owners of of the National Hockey Association (NHA) held a meeting at Toronto's Windsor hotel The Toronto Arenas, Montreal W anderers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Quebec Bulldogs agreed to form a new league, the NHL. The sole purpose of this agreement was for the owners to be rid of Eddie Livingstone and his NHA Toronto Blueshirts.

Livingstone had alienated himeslf from other league members and even some of his players with a variety of disagreements. In a practice common at the time, the NHA owners suspended operations only to reform as a new legal entity to be rid of the disagreeable Livingstone. The NHA cited a scarcity of players due to WWI and the imractability of operating a five team league.

Shortly after, the NHA owners without Livingstone announced the creation of the NHL which was comprised of former NHA players using NHA rules.

Sam Lichtenstein, owner of the Montreal Wanderers stated, “Don’t get us wrong, we didn’t throw Livingstone out. He’s still got his franchise in the old National Hockey Association. He has his team, and we wish him well. The only problem is he’s playing in a one-team league.” A different owner stated: “Livingstone was always arguing. Without him we can get down to the business of making money.”

On this date in hockey history, November 25, 1981, Wayne Gretzky scored his eight career hat trick in an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He finished the game with four goals.Gretzky hadn't reached his 21st birthday.

On this date in hockey history, November 25 1972, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the California Golden Seals 11-0.s inside their own blue line when the puck

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1925, the NHL introduced a rule designed to add scoring by prohibiting defensive teams from having more than two players inside their own blue line when the puck is outside of the defensive zone. This rule was intended to prevent teams from filling the defensive zone with defenders which made it difficult for attacking players to get the puck to the net and create scoring chances. Hmmmmm. Maybe the league should bring this rule back.

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1961, during a 4-1 loss against Chicago, Gordie Howe became the first NHL player to appear in 1,000 regular season games.

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1986, Petri Skriko of the Vancouver Canucks scored a hat trick in a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the Fabulous Forum. This was his third hat trick in eight days, as Skriko was on a hot streak with twelve goals and two helpers for twelve points in five games.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 26, 1988, Borje Salming suffered a horrific injury when his face was cut during a goalmouth scramble when the Detroit Red Wings Gerrard Gallant accidentally stepped on his face. The cut required 250 stitches.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, Allen Bester faced Dino Cicarelli of the Minnesota North Stars on a penalty shot. The result? Bester stopped all five penalty shots he faced in his NHL career.

On this date in hockey history, November 26, 1944, Maurice “Rocket” Richard notched his fifth career hat trick when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 at the Montreal Forum.

2003 - Scott Stevens set an NHL record for defenseman by playing in his 1,616th career NHL game (breaking the record held by Larry Murphy)

On this date in hockey history, November 27, 1960, Playing in his 938th NHL game Gordie Howe became the first player to reach 1,000 career points during a 2-0 Detroit Red Wings victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nov. 27, 1974: The Canadiens began an NHL-record 23 game road undefeated streak (14-0-9), with a 3-2 win over the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

On this date in Minnesota North Stars history, November 27, 1971, Bill Goldsworthy set a team record for the fastest two goals by one player when he scored two goals in seven seconds.

On this date in NHL history, November 27 1984, Mario Lemieux's brother Alain Lemieux scored his first career NHL hat trick. Alain played 119 NHL games scoring 28 goals and 44 assists.

On this date in hockey history, November 27, 1997, Michel Petit made history during his first game as a Phoenix Coyote in a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars as he became the first NHL player to play for ten different teams. He played for Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Quebec, Edmonton, New York Rangers, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Phoenix.k


On this date in hockey history, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Rangers 6-3 with goaltender Bill Durnan running his undefeated streak to 10-0-1, the best ever by a rookie. Durnan's streak would eventually reach 12-0-2 which remains the best streak to begin a career.

On this date in hockey history, November 27, 1943, the New York Rangers lost 6-3 to the Montreal Canadiens for their 11th consecutive loss the most ever by a team at the start of a season.


On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 27, 1970, Darryl Sittler scored his first NHL goal when the Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings 9-4. Sittler slipped the puck past goalie Don “Smokey” McLeod assisted by Mike “Shakey” Walton and Jim McKenny. It was the first shot that McLeod faced in his NHL career.

On this date in Montreal Canadiens history, November 28, 1925, the team was playing the Pittsburgh Pirates with goaltender Georges Vezina between the pipes for his 328th consecutive game. Vezina left the game after collapsing due to a high fever and vomiting in his crease between periods. Vezina had a temperature of 102 prior to the game and had lost 25 pounds in preceeding weeks. He had unknowingly contracted tuberculosis and died on March 27, 1926.

Known as the Chicoutimi cucumber, Vezina played for Montreal for 16 seasons and was the only goalie to play for the Canadiens from 1910 to 1925. He grew up playing informal street hockey games and did not skate until he was 16 years old. His Chicoutimi Hockey Club was in an isolated area and did not compete in a league but travelled around the province playing exhibition games. On February 17, 1910 they played an exhibition game against the Montreal Canadiens. After the Canadiens lost the game failing to score a goal aganst Vezina, they offered him a tryout and then signed him to a contract for $800 per season.

He gave up the fewest goals in the league seven times. After his passing, the Canadiens donated the Vezina Trophy to the NHL to be awarded to the goaltender who gave up the fewest goals in the league. As of 1981 the trophy has been awarded to the most outstanding goalie as voted by league general managers.

On this date in hockey history, November 28, 1979, Billy Smith became the first NHL goaltender to score a goal. He never actually shot the puck but was the last Islander to touch the puck before Rob Ramage of the Colorado Rockies passed the puck to the point on a delayed penalty and the puck slid down the ice into the open net. Despite the own goal, the Rockies won the game 7-4.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, November 28, 1958, General Manager Punch Imlach replaced Bill Reay as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Imlach had been hired as an assistant GM in July but the team had no General Manager so Imlach reported directly to the “Silver Seven”, the seven member committee headed by Stafford Smythe which oversaw the business of Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. Imlach was promoted to General Manager in November and fired Reay just one week later. Imlach took the Leafs from the last place team in 1958 to the 1959 Stanley Cup finals. The Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963 and 1964 and again in 1967 with Imlach serving as both coach and GM. Imlach was not what is known today as a “players coach”, rather he was a stern authority figure who was beloved by his veteran players but not so much among young players like Carl Brewer and Frank Mahovlich. The 1960's was a time of cultural and social change where the structure of authority began to loose ground to changes in clothing, music and the formalities of the establishment. Old school authoritarians like Imlach faced tremendous challenges trying to contain the expressions of individualism of his young players and responded with verbal abuse. Mahovlich especially was subjected to Imlach's ways and suffered a nervous breakdown at one point.

On this date in hockey history, November 28, 1965 Gordie Howe became the first NHL player to score 600 career goals. Playing at the Montreal Forum and trailing the Canadiens 3-1 with under four minutes to play, Howe beat Gump Worsley with 3:30 remaining to play. The Montreal fans gave Howe a standing ovation to honor his historic achievement, Montreal won the game 3-2.

On this date in hockey history, November 29, 1984, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Vancouver Canucks 12-1. The Kings set team records for goals (12) and power play goals scored (6) in one game. The Canucks went out meekly without even a fight recorded in the game. The Kings were coached by Pat Quinn who had played 606 NHL games as a hard hitting defenseman who was assessed 950 penalty minutes in his career. But Quinn the coach was more a renaissance man than old fashioned. While coaching in Los Angeles, he spent his spare time earning a law degree. His teams were anything but a reflection of his truculent playing style, they demonstrated skill and scoring. Quinn was the quintessential players coach, who won the Jack Adams Award twice as NHL coach of the year by motivating his players. He never won the Stanley Cup as a coach but led two teams to the finals, the 1980 Flyers and 1994 Canuckcs. Quinn's Flyers team set the NHL and North American professional sports record for longest unbeaten streak at 35 games (25-0-10).

On this date in hockey history, November 29, 1967, the St. Louis Blues made a trade that helped establish them as the standard bearer of the NHL's expansion era when they acquired Red Berenson and Barclay Plager from the New York Rangers in exchange for Ron Stewart and Ron Atwell. Berenson went on the become the scoring star of the Blues, finishing in the NHL's top ten scorers in the 1968-69 and 1969-70 seasons, while Plager and his brother Bob, also acquired from the Rangers, were the stars on defense whose hard hitting style made them tremendously popular with the fans.

On this date in Toronto hockey history, November 29, 1924 the Toronto St. Patricks visited Montreal to play the Canadiens in the opening game at the brand new 9,000 seat Montreal Forum. The Canadiens were not very hospitable winning the game 7-1. Billy Boucher opened the scoring 55 seconds into the first period with the first of his three goals that game. Aureal Joliet had two goals, with Howie Morinz and Sylvio Mantha adding singles. Georges Vezina was in goal for Montreal opposite John Roach Ross for Toronto. The Canadiens were an unusual choice to open the new arena because their home rink in 1924 was actually the Mount Royal Arena. The Forum was the home rink of the Montreal Maroons from 1924 until they folded in 1936. Because the natural ice at their home rink wasn't ready, the Canadiens were invited to hold their game on the man made ice at the Forum. In 1926 the Candiens moved into the Forum and shared the arena with the Maroons.

This date in hockey history, November 30 1943, Maurice Richard wore the number 9 for the first time and the Montreal Canadiens famous Punch Line made it's debut in a 2-2 tie with the Boston Bruins at the Montreal Forum. The Punch Line featured Toe Blake at center, Elmer Lach on left wing and the Rocket at right wing. Lach and Richard were both second team all stars that season as Montreal won the regular season title and the Stanley Cup. The Punch Line really hit their stride the next season in 1944-45 when the Rocket scored his famous 50 goals and the line finished 1-2-3 in NHL scoring with Lach 1st (26-54-80), Richard 2nd (50-23-73) and Blake 3rd (29-38-67) in the 50 game season. All three members of the line were first team all stars along with teammates Bill Durnan in goal and Emile Bouchard on defense. The Canadiens won the regular season title again but lost in the playoffs to Toronto 4 games to 2. The Leafs went on to win the Stanley Cup defeating Chicago 4 games to three.


On this date in hockey history, November 30, 1969, Bobby Clarke scored the first goal of his NHL career against the New York Rangers in a 3-3 tie.On this date in hockey history, November 30, 1946, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Chicago Black Hawks 11-0 with Turk Broda earning the shutout. The Hawks featured scoring champion Max Bentley (29-43-72 in 60 games) and his brother Doug Bentley sixth in scoring (21-34-55 in 52 games) but finished in the NHL basement with 42 points and a goal differential of -81. The Leafs finished in second place with 72 points and a +37 goal differential. Toronto won the Stanley Cup defeating Montreal in the finals four games to two.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1924, The Boston Bruins played their first game in the NHL and the first NHL game ever played in the United States, defeating the Montreal Maroons 2-1 at the Boston Arena.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1938, Frank Brimsek made his debut in the nets for the Boston Bruins, losing 2-0 to the Montreal Canadiens. But Brimsek recovered nicely, earning shutouts in six of his next seven games which earned him the nickname “Mister Zero”.



On this date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, Max Bentley scored his first NHL goal with the Chicago Black Hawks during a 4-1 home ice victory against the New York Rangers.

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1949, Conn Smythe benched his starting goalie Turk Broda for being overweight . Gil Mayer made his only start of the season for the Leafs who lost 2-0 to the Detroit Red Wngs. Broda was back in the nets for the next game after he lost enough weight to satisfy Smythe and the Leafs defeated the New York Rangers 2-0.This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1967, Jim McKenny was born in Ottawa Ontario. “Howie” played 594 games with Toronto primarily from 1969 to 1977 scoring 327 points as a puck rushing defenseman. While playing with Toronto's American league affiliate the Rochester Americans, Mckenny's rooomate was Donald S. Cherry. McKenny famously said of hockey that “Half the game is mental. The other half is being mental.”

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1957, Frank Mahovlich was in his rookie season and scored a hat trick during a Leafs 7-2 victory against the Chicago Black Hawks at Chicago stadium. Mahovlich went 20-16-36 in 1957-58, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year over Bobby Hull. His rookie card pictured below is valued at $500.

On this date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, four pairs of brothers played in one NHL game. The Chicago Black Hawks defeated the New York Rangers 4-1. Max and Doug Bentley along with Bob and Bill Carse suited up for the Hawks while Neil and Mac Colville and Lynn and Muzz Patrick played for the Rangers.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1909, the National Hockey Association was established in Montreal consisting of the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers and Renfrew Creamery Kings. The NHA would later eveolve into the NHL.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1909, the National Hockey Association (NHA) was established in Montreal consisting of the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers and Renfrew Creamery Kings. The NHA would later evolve into the NHL. Renfrew was a small mining town in northern Ontario which prospered during the silver mining boom years. M.J. O'Brien and son Ambrose were the owners of the Renfrew team in the semi professional Federal Hockey League and sought to enter the new Canadien Hockey Association (CHA) but were turned down. So they created their own league the NHA. Renfrew boasted the legendary Frank Patrick and Fred “Cyclone” Taylor and Newsy Lalonde the NHA's first scoring champion and finished 8-3-1 that first season. They slipped to 8-8 next season. The Renfrew team folded after two seasons. The CHA folded after 8 weeks.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1925, the New York Americans played their first NHL game in Pittsburgh, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1. Billy Burch scored the first goal with Charlie Langlois netting the winner in overtime.


On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1969, the NHL announced the league would add two expansion team for the 1970-71 season, the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1961, Gerry Cheevers played his first NHL game for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Black Hawks, Cheevers was the winning goalie against Glenn Hall as Billy Harris scored a hat trick in the Leafs 6-4 victory. Cheevers played for the Leafs again the next night then spent the remainder of his career with the Boston Bruins.


​This Date In Hockey History - December


This date in hockey history, December 1, 1924, The Boston Bruins played their first game in the NHL and the first NHL game ever played in the United States, defeating the Montreal Maroons 2-1 at the Boston Arena.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1938, Frank Brimsek made his debut in the nets for the Boston Bruins, losing 2-0 to the Montreal Canadiens. But Brimsek recovered nicely, earning shutouts in six of his next seven games which earned him the nickname “Mister Zero”.

This date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, Max Bentley scored his first NHL goal with the Chicago Black Hawks during a 4-1 home ice victory against the New York Rangers.





This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1949, Conn Smythe benched his starting goalie Turk Broda for being overweight . Gil Mayer made his only start of the season for the Leafs who lost 2-0 to the Detroit Red Wngs. Broda was back in the nets for the next game after he lost enough weight to satisfy Smythe and the Leafs defeated the New York Rangers 2-0.

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1967, Jim McKenny was born in Ottawa Ontario. “Howie” played 594 games with Toronto primarily from 1969 to 1977 scoring 327 points as a puck rushing defenseman. While playing with Toronto's American league affiliate the Rochester Americans, Mckenny's rooomate was Donald S. Cherry. McKenny famously said of hockey that “Half the game is mental. The other half is being mental.”

This date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 1, 1957, Frank Mahovlich
was in his rookie season and scored a hat trick during a Leafs 7-2 victory against the Chicago Black Hawks at Chicago stadium. Mahovlich went 20-16-36 in 1957-58, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year over Bobby Hull. His rookie card pictured below is valued at $500.

On this date in hockey history, December 1, 1940, four pairs of brothers played in one NHL game. The Chicago Black Hawks defeated the New York Rangers 4-1. Max and Doug Bentley along with Bob and Bill Carse suited up for the Hawks while Neil and Mac Colville and Lynn and Muzz Patrick played for the Rangers.



On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1909, the National Hockey Association (NHA) was established in Montreal consisting of the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers and Renfrew Creamery Kings. The NHA would later evolve into the NHL. Renfrew was a small mining town in northern Ontario which prospered during the silver mining boom years. M.J. O'Brien and son Ambrose were the owners of the Renfrew team in the semi professional Federal Hockey League and sought to enter the new Canadien Hockey Association (CHA) but were turned down. So they created their own league the NHA. Renfrew boasted the legendary Frank Patrick and Fred “Cyclone” Taylor and Newsy Lalonde the NHA's first scoring champion and finished 8-3-1 that first season. They slipped to 8-8 next season. The Renfrew team folded after two seasons. The CHA folded after 8 weeks.

On this date in hockey history, December 2, 1925, the New York Americans played their first NHL game in Pittsburgh, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1. Billy Burch scored the first goal with Charlie Langlois netting the winner in overtime.





On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 4, 1980, Jim Rutherford was acquired by the Leafs from Detroit for Mark Kirton who had been their first round draft pick in 1980. Rutherford was an Ontario boy from Beeton less than an hours drive from Toronto so his first game played for the Red Wings at Maple Leafs Gardens on January 2, 1971 was an emotional moment. Unfortunately for the rookie Rutherford and the Wings, the game was full of bad memories as the Leafs hammered the Wings 13-0. Rutherford gave up three in the first period, then spent the rest of the game on the bench and saw Torotno score three more in the second and seven goals in the third.

Rutherford played 18 game with the Leafs going 4-10-2 with a 5.12 GAA before Toronto traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. With that trade, Rutherford became the first NHL goalie to play for three teams in the same season.

On this date in hockey history, December 3, 1970, Frank Mahovlich of the Detroit Red Wings scored his 400th career goal, becoming the sixth NHL player to reach that milestone. Mahovlich found great individual success in Detroit enjoying his freedom after escaping the Toronto Maple Leafs and Punch Imlach with fellow Leafs refugees Bob Baun and Carl Brewer, scoring a career high 49 goals in 1967-68 and 38 goals in 1968-69, more than he scored in 11 of his 12 seasons with the Leafs.





On this date in Buffalo Sabres history, December 4th 1978, General Manager Punch Imlach was fired along with Coach Marcel Pronovost. Billy Inglis was hired to replace Pronovost.

On this date in hockey history, December 4, 1909, the Montreal Canadiens were founded as the “Club de Hockey Canadien” by J. Ambrose O'Brien and Jack Laviolette. Originally members of the National Hockey Association, the Canadiens were stocked with francophone players to represent Montreal's francophone community. They finished in last place in their first season but won their first Stanley Cup in the 1915-16 season. In 1917, the National Hockey Association (NHA) became ethe NHL. With Howie Morenz leading the way, the NHL Canadiens won their first Stanley Cup in the 1923-24 season.

On this date in hockey history December 5, 1939, Eddie Shore played his last game a Boston Bruin in a 2-1 victory over the New York Americans at the Boston Garden.

On this date in hockey history, December 5 1943, Bill Cowley and Herb Cain both scored three points on a goal and two assists when the Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens and rookie goaltender Bill Durnan. This was Durnans first loss after a record 12-0-2 streak to start his NHL career.

On this date in hockey history, December 5 1983, Wayne Gretzky had three assists during a 4-2 victory at Pittsburgh. This gave Gretzky 1,400 points in 580 games, joining Gordie Howe, Stan Mikita, Phil Espsoito and Marcel Dionne in that exclusive club.

On this date in hockey history, December 5, 1968, the Montreal Canadiens debuted a future Hall of Fame goaltender when Tony Esposito against the Boston Bruins and their future Hall of Famer Phil Esposito, Tony's brother. Phil scored twice against his brother in a 2-2 tie.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 6, 1947, the Leafs hammered the Chicago Black Hawks 12-5 with Max Bentley and Harry Watson scoring hat tricks. The 1947-48 Leafs finished on top of the NHL standings and won their second Stanley Cup in a string of three consecutive championships in 1947, 1948 and 1949.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1987, Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers had a hat trick in the first period against the Minnesota North Stars for his 43rd career hat trick. Then he added two more goals and an assist for a six point game in a 10-4 victory. The five goal game was the fifth of Gretzky's career.

On this date in hockey history, Greg Millen recorded his third consecutive shutout 3-0 over the Minnesota North Stars. Millen finished the season with a 3.38 GAA , six shutouts and a save percentage of .880

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1929, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Harvey “Busher” Jackson. He made his debut at age 18 against the Montreal Canadiens and announced his arrival by knocking down his idol Howie Morenz.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1959, Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks notched his first hat trick in the NHL in a 6-3 victory by the Chicago Black hawks over the Boston Bruins.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1995, a monumental trade took place which altered the competitive balance of the NHL when the Montreal Canadiens sent Patrick Roy and Mike Keane to the Colorado Avalanche for a package of Martin Rucinsky, Andrei Kovalenko and goaltender Jocelyn Thibault. Montreal coach Mario Trembaly and Roy didn't get along when they had played together and their frayed relationship reached it's breaking point when the Detroit Red Wings came to town for a game on December 2nd. Roy had run into Red Wings goalie Mike Vernon that morning at breakfast and Roy had confided that the pressure from the media and fans in Montreal had really gotten to him and he was even considering retirement. Vernon told him that he needed to get traded, that a trade from Calgary had relieved Vernon from the pressure of playing for his hometown team that had been unable to repeat their 1989 Stanley Cup championship. Later that evening, Tremblay left Roy in nets as he endured brutal booing from the fans while the Red Wings piled up a 9-1 lead. Roy pulled himself from the game and stormed past Tremblay over to Canadiens President Ronald Corey and told him he had played his last game for Montreal. Four days later the games greatest goaltender was on his way to Denver where he led the Avalanche to a pair of Stanley Cup championships. Montreal has not been in the finals since the end of the Roy era. Vernon's contribution to this saga is largely unknown but was likely the impetus for this monumental moment in NHL history.

On this date in hockey history, December 6, 1989, Mario Lemieux passed Jean Pronovost as the Pittsburgh Penguins all time goal scoring leader with his 317th goal in his 395th career game. Lemieux's goal helped the Penguins defeat the Washington Capitals 5-3.





On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1977, Gordie Howe of the WHA New England Whalers scored his 1,000 career professional goal in a 6-3 victory over the Birmingham Bulls. Howe beat goalie John Garrett at 11:36 of the first period ending a scoreless drought of 11 games. It took Howe 30 seasons to score his 1,000th goal and it included all NHL and WHA regular season and playoff games.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1919, the Toronto Arenas changed their name to the Toronto St. Patrick's. In 1926-27 they changed their name to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1961, Jean Beliveau played his first game as the Captain of the Montreal Canadiens. leading the Habs to a 4-1 victory the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Forum.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1975, Johnny Bucyk of the Boston Bruins tied Jean Beliveau of the Montreal Canadiens for sixth place in career NHL scoring when he tallied his 507th goal.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1940, Gerry Cheevers was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. Cheevers was one of the great “money” goaltenders of all time, winning two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972. Cheevers is also famous for his stitch covered face mask which originated after he was hit in the face with a puck during practice. Feigning injury, Cheeevrs went to the locker room where coach Harry Sinden found him smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer. As a joke, Bruins trainer “Frosty” Forristall drew a stitch on his mask. A new stich mark was added every time he was struck in the mask and the legndary mask was created. The Hockey News tallied votes for the best mask design ever and Cheevers mask won in a landslide with 221 votes to 66 for Gilles Gratton's lions face mask. Ron Hextall the former Flyers goalie and current Flyers general manager called Cheevers mask the “greatest piece of sports memorabilia ever.”

Cheevers developed an uncoventional style of play as a flopping goalie which he learned with the Rochester Americans where his coach made him practice without a stick. In 1965, Cheevers set the AHL record for most victories in a single season by a goalie with 48. even so, he was hardly an overnight success in the NHL which consisted of only six teams at that time. Cheevers developed his style during six seasons in the minor leagues before becoming a full time goalie with Boston in 1967. In 1972 He went undefeated for 32 consecutive games which is an NHL record.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1982, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-2 with Wayne Gretzky scoring his 23rd goal of the season at 6:23 of the second period at the Northlands Coliseum. That game marked the end of a 30 game scoring streak for Gretzky during which he collected an amazing 76 points on 24 goals and 54 assists.

On this date in hockey history, December 7, 1966, Henri Richard joined his brother Maurice “The Rocket” to become the first pair of brothers to each score 250 career NHL goals as the Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3. “The Pocket Rocket” was the seventh player in franchise history with 250 career goals.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 7 , 1929, Harvey “Busher” Jackson played his first game as a Leaf. At age 18, he was the youngest player in the NHL. Jackson played ten years with the Leafs and holds the team recordd for most first team all star selections with four. He played on the famous “Kid Line” with Joe Primeau and Charlie Conacher and was part of the Leafs 1932 cup winning team.





On this date in hockey history, December 8, 1987, Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers became the first NHL goalie to actually shoot and score a goal. Here is his recollection of that game as told to Philadelphia Business Journal: “[Scoring a goal] was not high on my list of wanna-does,” he said. “The fans were on me to shoot — not only that night, but in prior games too. The media kept asking me questions about it. I said it would have to be the right opportunity, and if I had the right opportunity I’d take a shot. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. Then I scored and our whole team came off the bench and guys were hooting and hollering almost like we won a playoff series. That’s what made it special to me, that my teammates were all there celebrating with me. It made it a bigger deal than I ever envisioned it would be. When I think back, I have fond memories of it.”





On this date in hockey history, December 8, 1984, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 3-1 at Boston Gardens to give coach Scotty Bowman his 692nd career win to tie Dick Irvin for most victories by an NHL coach. Bowman coached for another 13 seasons and finished within 1,248 wins. Al Arbour is second with 782 victories. Scotty's nine Stanley Cups are also the most by any NHL coach. He also won five Stanley Cups as an executive, with Pittsburgh as Director Of Player Development in 1991, another with Detroit in 2008 as a Special Advisor, and threee more with Chicago as Senior Advisor of hockey Operation for a career total of 14, second only to Jean Beliveau's 17.





On this date in hockey history, December 9, 1924, the Toronto St. Patrick's signed a pharmacy student from the University of Toronto to play left wing. He moved to defense and played for the St. Pats/Maple Leafs until 1937, 11 years as team captain. His name was Clarence “Hap” Day.

On this date in hockey history, December 9, 1979, the Edmonton Oilers rookie goaltender Eddie Mio recorded the first shutout in the Oilers NHL history. Mio stopped 30 shots for his first career shutout while Wayne Gretzky and Pat Price each added a goal and an assist.

On this date in hockey history, December 9, 1954, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0 at the Montreal Forum. The game featured a brawl where the teams combined for 36 penalties and 15 misconducts, setting a record for most penalties at that time.

On this date in hockey history, December 9 1976, the Philadelphia Flyers played the Boston Bruins at the Boston Gardens winning 3-1. this was the fourth consecutive season in which the Flyers and Bruins played on December 9th. Rick MacLiesh, Gary Dornhoefer on the power play and Bobby Clarke with a shortie into the empty net handled the scoring while Bernie Parent stopped 17 shots.

This date in hockey history, December 10, 1970, the Boston Bruins peppered Buffalo Sabres goaltender Joe Daley with 72 shots. Daley stopped 64 shots in an 8-0 loss. The 64 saves in one game are a Sabres record. The 72 shots were the most by an NHL team since 1943.

On this date in hockey history, December 10, 1924, the Montreal Maroons played the Montreal Canadiens in the first all Montreal game NHL game. The Canadiens won 5-0 with Auriel Joliet scoring four goals and Georges Vezina picking up the shutout. The Candiens won that game and also won the war as the Maroons folded in 1938.





On this date in hockey history, December 10, 1986, Wayne Gretzky had three goals in a 7-4 edmonton Oilers victory over the Winnipeg Jets. This was Gretzky's 40th career hat trick. That's right – 40 hat tricks by age 25. On December 10, 1989 Gretzky tallied his 1,900th point in only his 803rd NHL game, an 8-4 victory for the los Angeles Kings over the Quebec Nordiques.

On this date in hockey history, December 10, 1975, The Montreal Canadiens retired jersey number 16 which had been worn by Henri Richard and Elmer Lach prior to a game against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. The game ended in a 3-3- tie.

On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 10, 1969, Johnny Bower played his final game for the Leafs, retiring from the NHL at age 45. He only played one game in that 1969-70 season,losing 6-3 to the Montreal Canadiens. His career record with Toronto was 22—161-79 with a 2.49 GAA. He returned to the Leafs as an assistant coach for the 1976-77 and 1977-78 seasons.


On this date in hockey history, December 11, 1982, the Hartford Whalers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 7-4. this became known as the “First Cooperall Game” because both teams wore the long pants style popularized with the introduction of the Cooperall uniform system. Actually both teams wore CCM pants but the Cooperall name has become synonomous with the long pants look. The NHL banned the use of the long pants for safety reasons. The fabric was a sleek nylon like the short pants which created little friction when players slid on the ice as compared to the knit fabric of the hockey sock which acted more like a braking mechanism when players slid. As a result, players wearing the long pants tended to slide faster into the boards raising concerns about an increase in the number and severity of injuries resulting from their use.

On this date in hockey history, December 11, 1985, the Chicago Black Hawks scored nine goals in a single game. And lost. Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers scored 12 goals in a 12-9 victory over Chicago. The Hawks held Gretzky scoreless but he tied an NHL record with seven assists in one game while linemates Jari Kuri and Glenn Anderson each had a hat trick. Chicago outshot Edmonton 46 to 44 and both teams pulled their starting goalies with Murray Bannerman and Bob Suave sharing the net for Chicago while Andy Moog and Grant Fuhr split goaltending duties for the Oilers. The Oilers did not score on their one power play opportunity while the Hawks scored three times on four power plays. The 21 goals tied an NHL record for most total goals in a single game. Here is the game summary:

First Period
1 - EDM : Glenn Anderson 21 (Wayne Gretzky, Randy Gregg) (EV) 1:35
2 - EDM : Dave Lumley 5 (Billy Carroll, Kevin Lowe) (EV) 3:19
3 - EDM : Dave Semenko 5 (Craig MacTavish, Mark Napier) (EV) 4:58
4 - EDM : Marty McSorley 4 (Wayne Gretzky, Don Jackson) (EV) 13:24
Second Period
10 - CHI : Bill Watson 4 (Ken Yaremchuk, Jerry Dupont) (EV) 7:11
11 - CHI : Troy Murray 14 (Behn Wilson, Keith Brown) (PP) 9:36
12 - CHI : Jack O'Callahan 1 (Jerry Dupont, Troy Murray) (EV) 11:36


13 - EDM : Jari Kurri 20 (Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson) (EV) 14:52
14 - CHI : Keith Brown 3 (Ed Olczyk) (EV) 16:07
15 - EDM : Marty McSorley 5 (Lee Fogolin Jr., Kevin McClelland) (EV) 18:58
16 - EDM : Glenn Anderson 23 (Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey) (EV) 19:50
5 - EDM : Glenn Anderson 22 (Don Jackson, Wayne Gretzky) (EV) 1:20
6 - EDM : Kevin McClelland 5 (Marty McSorley, Raimo Summanen) (EV) 3:08
7 - CHI : Denis Savard 15 (Steve Larmer, Al Secord) (PP) 5:38
8 - EDM : Lee Fogolin Jr. 2 (Kevin McClelland, Raimo Summanen) (EV) 6:11
9 - CHI : Curt Fraser 14 (Troy Murray, Doug Wilson) (EV) 6:38
Third Period
17 - CHI : Troy Murray 15 (Ed Olczyk, Keith Brown) (PP) 13:22
18 - EDM : Jari Kurri 21 (Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson) (EV) 15:34
19 - CHI : Ken Yaremchuk 5 (Bill Gardner, Behn Wilson) (EV) 17:59
20 - EDM : Jari Kurri 22 (Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson) (EV) 19:24
21 - CHI : Ken Yaremchuk 6 (Tom Lysiak, Bill Gardner) (EV) 19:37

On this date in hockey history, December 11, 1982, the Quebec Nordiques defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4. Peter Stastny scored three goals and had three helpers while his brother Marian had two goals and three assists for an 11 point night by the Stastny's. Peter Stastny would finish the season with 124 points, second in NHL scoring only to Wayne Gretzky's 196 points.





On this date in hockey history, December 12, 1970, Orland Kurtenbach scored the first hat trick in Vancouver Canucks history. This was Kurtenbach's pnly NHL career hat trick and he added an assist in the Canucks 5-2 win over the Oakland Seals. Kurtenbach finished the season with 21-32-53 totals in only 52 games. He was well known to old time hockey fans in vancouver having played for the WHL Vancouver Canucks during the the 1957-58, 1959-60 and 1960-61 seasons.

On this date in hockey history, December 12, 1971, Brad Park scored three goals and an assist for the New York Rangers in a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Park was the first Rangers defenseman to score a hat trick. He finished the 1971-72 season with 24-59-73 totals and 130 penalty minutes.

1981 - Ian Turnbull became the first defenseman in Kings history to score a hat trick (the second of his career) as the Kings won 7-5 over the Canucks. Turnbull finished the game with four goals.

On this day in hockey history, December 12, 1933 The Toronto Maple Leafs were playing in Boston against the Bruins. Early in the second period the Leafs were two men short and coach Dick Irvin dispatched his penalty killers, Frank “King” Clancy with Red Horner on defense with Irvine “Ace” Bailey at forward. Bailey proceeded to put on a penalty killing clinic ragging the puck using his exceptional stickhandling skills. Finally, Boston's Hall of Fame defenseman, Eddie Shore gathered the puck in and carried the play into the Toronto zone where he was hip checked by Horner.

Shore was dazed by the hit and sought his revenge. He skated after Ace Bailey perhaps thinking he was Horner. Shore caught Bailey with a viscious check flipping him in the air. Bailey hit the ice head first and went into convulsions, bleeding from a head wound. Horner went after Shore and punched him, knocking him unconscious. Both Bailey and Shore had to be carried of the ice.

While Shore had a small cut on his head, Bailey's injury was far more serious and he was taken to the Bruins dressing room where the Bruins team doctors examined his wound. Shore had regained consciousness and went to Bailey to apologize. Bailey told Shore “It's all part of the game”, before he slipped back into unconsciousness.

Bailey was hospitalized with a cerebral hemmorhage and his death seemed imminent. In the event of Bailey's death, homicide detectives were prepared to charge Shore with manslaughter. Bailey's father travelled to Boston with a pistol intent on avenging his sons injury against Shore but Boston police interceeded and convinced him to abandon his plan.

Bailey underwent two operations after which his death seemed imminent. A priest was summoned to administer the last rites. But by morning his prospects had improved. Within two weeks it was clear that Bailey would survive but would never be able to play again. The Bruins donated $8,000 to Bailey and his family and the NHL held a special game to benefit Bailey and his family, featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs playing at Maple Leaf Gardens against a group of star players selected from other NHL teams. The benefit game raised $20,000 for Bailey. This was the forerunner of what would become the Anuual NHL all star game.

As the all star players skated onto the ice they wore their individual teams jerseys and were then presented with their all star game jersey. The first player onto the ice was goaltender Charlie Gardiner who was given his jersey with number one. When Shore skated onto the ice in his Boston Bruins uniform, he was greeeted at center ice by Ace Bailey in street clothes. Bailey handed Shore his number 2 game jersey and extended his hand. When Shore clasped and shook Bailey's hand the Gardens crowd roared it's approval.

Shore was suspended for 16 games as a result of the incident. Bailey remained in the Leafs organization, serving as the timekeeper at Leafs games from 1938 until 1984. He passed away in 1992 at age 89.

On this date in hockey history, December 13, 1987, rookie Joe Nieuwendyk of the Calgary Flames scored four goals against the Buffalo Sabres. He became the first rookie in the modern NHL (post red line) to have two four goal games. Cully Wilson had a pair of four goal games duirng his initial NHL season in 1919-20 although he was hardly a true “rookie” having played three seasons in the NHA (NHL's predessor league) and four seasons with the seattle Metropolitans of the PCHA.

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1929, Harold “Baldy” Cotton spoiled a history making appearance by the New York Rangers at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens by scoring a pair of overtime goals in Toronto's 7-6 victory. This waspossible because overtime was a ten minute period played in it's entriety, ie not sudden death. But the history making event was that the Rangers became the first team to travel to their game by airplane.

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1974, the New York Rangers Greg Polis set a team record for most penalty minutes in one game with 33. The St. Louis Blues won the game 6-2. The two teams combined for 256 penalty minutes

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1933, Howie Morenz of the Montreal Canadiens scored his 247th goal, making him the NHL's career goal scoring leader as he passed Cy Denneny. Denneny had 245 goals in his first 259 games before finishing his career with only four goals in his final 66 games.

1943 - Boston's Bill Cowley had a goal and two assists to become the NHL's all-time leader in assists. He scored #258 to pass New York's Frank Boucher in a 4-3 win over Chicago. Cowley retired 4 years later with a record 353 career assists.

On this date in hockey history, December 14, 1968, Bobby Orr scored his first NHL hat trick at Boston Garden during a 10-5 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks.





On this date in hockey history, December 15, 1917, the first NHL game was played between the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Wanderers. This was an exhibition game to benefit the victims of the Halifax Explosion in which a munitions ship exploded in Halifax harbor Over 1,950 were killed, more than 9,000 were wounded. Every building within a ten mile radius, 12,000 in all, were destroyed. Thirty one thousand people were left homeless or lacking adequate housing. A 1994 study of major non nuclear explosions concluded that "Halifax Harbour remains unchallenged in overall magnitude as long as five criteria are considered together: number of casualties, force of blast, radius of devastation, quantity of explosive material and total value of property destroyed."


This date in hockey history, December 15 1983, the Philadelphia Flyers scored an NHL record three shorthanded goals in one period during a 9-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. Mark Howe, Ilka Sinisalo and Miroslave Dvorak each scored a shortie during the second period.





On this date in hockey history, December 15, 1915, Art Jackson was born in Toronto, Ontario. Art was the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs Hall of Famer Harvey “Busher” Jackson. Art played with his brother on the Leafs from the 1934-35 season to 1936-37. He played for the New York Americans in 1937-38, then the Boston Bruins from 1939-40 to 1940-45 before finishing his career back with the Leafs in 1945-46 where he played on a Stanley Cup winner for his hometown team. He also won a Stanley Cup with Boston in 1941. Art centered the Leafs “Cyclone Line” with Nick Metz and Bob Davidson.

Happy birthday to the NHL's offside rule, drafted on this date in hockey history, December 16, 1929. Hockey had originally been played like rugby with no forward passing allowed anywhere on the playing surface forcing players to caary the puck in order to move it forward. In 1905 the Ontario Hockey Association began allowing defensemen to play the puck forward from rebounds within three feet of the goaltender. Some ice surfaces had a black line painted on the ice at the three foot distance. To promote scoring, the NHL allowed forward passing in the defensive and neutral zones in 1927 but scoring remained low. In 1928-29 the NHL allowed forward passing in the attacking zone and scoring doubled almost immediately as players would position themselves in front of the opposition goal and wait until a teamamte stickhandled over the offensive blue line then passed the puck down low to the player at the net. The league decided that too much scoring was undesireable and instituted the new rule during the season to cut down on these “easier” goals.

On this date in hockey history, December 16, 1950, the Montreal Canadiens debuted two future Hall Of Fame players Jean Beliveau and Bernie Geoffrion in a 1-1 tie with the New York Rangers with Geoffrion scoring Montreal's only goal in his NHL debut.

On this date in hockey history, December 16, 1981, Dave Lumley of the Edmonton Oilers scored a goal in his 12th consecutive game going 2-2-4 during a 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Lumley scored 15 goals during the streak. This was one game fewer than the NHL record at the time held by Charlie Simmer (13 games) as Lumley filled in as a winger on Wayne Gretzky's line.

On this date in hockey history, December 17, 1977, rookie defenseman Barry Beck of the Colorado Rockies scored a hat trick and added an assist in a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota North Stars. He scored 22 goals and 38 assists for 60 points as a rookie, including a stretch of six consecutive games with a goal. The 22 goals was a rookie record for defensemen until Brian Leetch scored 23 in 1988-89.

On this date in hockey history, December 17, 1977, the Hartford Whalers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2-0 for their first NHL shutout away from home. Mike Veisor earned the shutout.

On this date in hockey history, December 17, 1977, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Quebec Nordiques 8-1. Gretzky scored one goal and adding five assists for six points in his 352nd career game. These included his 500th assist and 800th point, an amazing pace of 2.27 points per game.

On this date in Buffalo Sabres history, December 17, 1990, the struggling Sabres (10-15-7) traded Mike Foligno to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Brian Curran and Lou Franschetti. Foligno played 663 games over ten seasons with the Sabres and became a fan favorite scoring 247 goals and 511 points. He earned a reputation as a player who stood up for himself and his teammates, piling up a then team record 1,450 penalty minutes for the blue and gold. Foligno was the team captain when he was traded, having been named captain on February 15, 1989. Foligno only scored 27 goals for Toronto in 129 games but scored twice against the Sabres at Maple Leaf Gardens on January 14, 1991. I wonder if Leafs fans found it as unusual watching Rick Vaive playing for Buffalo that bnight as it looked to see Foligno in a Maple Leafs uniform.

On this date in hockey history, December 18, 1983, Wayne Gretzky had a pair of goals to go along with two assists in an Edmonton Oilers 7-5 victory against the Winnipeg Jets. That sounds like just another day at the office for Wayne as he hit 100 points for the season in his 34th game. That's right, 100 points in only 34 games. In todays NHL standings there are only two teams with 100 goals, Montreal with 101 in 33 games and Dallas with 108 in 32 games.

On this date in hockey history, December 18, 1952, Jean Beliveau and Bernie Geoffrion each scored a ht trick at the Montreal Forum during Montreal's 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers. This was Beliveau's first three goal game, and Geoffrion's second.





On this date in hockey history, Maurice “The Rocket” Richard scored his 400th career goal in a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks He was the first NHL player to reach that milestone.
On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 18, 1965, Bob Pulford and Dave Keon each scored three goals in an 8-4 victory over the New York Rangers. This was the first and only time two Maple Leaf players had hat tricks in the same game.




On this date in Toronto Maple Leafs history, December 18, 1971, the Leafs signed free agent goalie Gord McRae. McRae had played three seasons at Michigan Tech from 1967-68 to 1969-70. He worked his way up from the EHL to the AHL Providence Reds before settling in with Toronto's CHL farm team the Tulsa Oilers. He played a total of 71 games in the NHL from 1972-73 to 1977-78, all with the Leafs as he was yanked up and down from the minors. His biggest impact in the NHL was in the 1974-75 season when he played 20 games with a 3.29 GAA going 13-3-6 and 2-5 with a 2.86 GAA in the playoffs including a first round upset over the Los Angeles Kings who had finished the regulat season with 105 points, 27 more than the Leafs 78. When McRae posed for the 1977-78 team picture with a beard, the Leafs owner Harold Ballard had McRae's head removed from the picture and replaced with Gord Shervens clean shaven head from the previous season.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1984, Scotty Bowman was behind the bench when the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-3 to set a record for most victories by a coach with his 691st win. Of course that record was broken by Scotty Bowman himself who finished his career with 1,248 victories.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1984, Wayne Gretzky reached 1,000 career points with a six point game on home ice against the Los Angeles Kings, going 2-4-6. He set a record by accumulating 1,000 career points in only 424 games, breaking Guy Lafleur's previous mark by 296 games. Lafleur had reached 1,000 points in 724 games.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1967, Gary “Suitcase” Smith was beaten for two goals by his brother Brian Smith who led the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-1 victory over the Oakland Seals. While at first glance, Gary Smith is the more familiar player to most, Brian smith was a significant figure in 1960's hockey and his tragic end was shocking.

Smith played for the Memorial Cup in 1960 with the Brockville Canadiens and played in the EPHL from 1960-63 with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens. When he was acquired by the Springfield Indians in 1963 he refused to report because of coach Eddie Shore's reputation for poor treatment of his players. Smith played in Austria but was suspended by the IIHF beacsue he hadn't obtained a release. So he was forced to play for Springfiled from 1964-67 where he and Bill White started Alan Eagleson on his career in hockey by strking against Shore in 1966 with Eagleson representing the players.

Shore was forced to sell the team to Jack Kent Cooke the owner of the expansion Los Angeles Kings and Smith suited up in 1967 as one of the original Kings. He played for Phoenix in the WHL then with the Minnesota North Stars in 1968-69 and finished his playing career with the WHA Houston Aeros in 1972-73. Smith then became a sports broadcaster with CJOH TV in Ottawa where he anchored the 6 PM news until 1995.

On August 1 1985 Smith was shot in the station parking lot by a paranoid schizophrenic who believed that the station had been broadcasting messages in his head.. Smith's death stunned the community. He was honored by the Ottawa Senators who renamed the press box at their home rink Canadien Tire Center the “Brian 'Smitty' Smith Press Box” and the team wore a memorial patch honoring Smith during the 1995-96 season.

On this date in hockey history, December 19, 1985, Larry Robinson scored the only hat trick of his NHL career during a 5-4 Montreal Canadiens loss to the Quebec Nordiques.

On this date in NHL history, December 19, 1917, the National Hockey League played it's first two games. Dave Ritchie scored the first goal in NHL history one minute into the game as his Montreal Wanderers defeated the Toronto Hockey Club 7-4. Joe Malone scored five goals and an assist for the Montreal Canadiens including Montreal's first ever NHL goal in a 7-4 win over the Ottawa Senators in the other opening day game.


































This day in hockey history, October 2nd 1948, Donald Harold Luce was born in London Ontario. Don played three years of junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers where he led the OHA in assists with 70 in 1967-68. After turning pro he played on the Rangers farm team the Omaha Knights that won the CHL regular season and playoff titles in 1969-70. Luce was named to CHL All-Star First Team.

In spite of two strong seasons in the CHL (1968-69 22 goals and 56 points in 72 games and 1969-70 with 22 goals and 57 points in 64 games), Luce appeared in only 21 NHL games during that time as the Rangers were a strong team and deep at center with Jean Rattelle, Walt Tkaczuk, Juha Widing and Orland Kurtenbach in an era where team employed only three regular forward lines.



On November 2nd 1970 the Rangers traded Don to the Detroit Red Wings for Steve Andrascik.

While with Detroit, Luce assisted on Gordie Howe’s last goal before he retired from the Red Wings. Then on May 15th 1971, Don was traded to the Buffalo Sabres along with defenseman Mike Robitaille for goaltender Joe Daley.

Luce blossomed in Buffalo where he developed into one of the best two way players of the 1970’s. Don won the Buffalo Sabres' Unsung Hero Trophy and Wilkinson Sword Award as team's Most Improved Player in 1971-72. He recorded the first playoff assist in Buffalo Sabres history on April 4, 1973, at Montreal. He was the inaugural winner of the Buffalo Sabres' Charley Barton Silver Stick Award for dedication and spirit in 1972-73.

Don was named an alternate captain during 1973-74 season and wore the "A" through the 1975-75 season. He won the Wilkinson Sword Award as the Buffalo Sabres MVP in 1973-74. He set a Buffalo Sabres team record for the fastest three goals by one player with three goals in span of 3:49 on Dec. 22, 1974, at Washington. He set a Buffalo record (since tied) for the most shorthanded goals in a game with two on Dec. 22, 1974, at Washington.

Luce was voted the Bill Masterson Trophy winner for the 1974-75 season which is awarded to the NHL player annually who best demonstrates the qualities of perseverance, leadership and dedication to the sport of hockey

Don represented Buffalo in 1975 NHL All-Star Game. He set Sabres single season records for shorthanded goals (8) and highest plus-minus rating (plus-61) in 1974-75. The eight shorthanded goals were also an NHL record (since broken), breaking Dave Keon's previous mark of seven. He scored the first postseason shorthanded goal in Buffalo Sabres history on May 3, 1975, at Montreal and played on Buffalo team that went to 1975 Stanley Cup Finals. H e scored the series winning goal at 14:27 of overtime as Buffalo eliminated St. Louis from the first round of the 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Luce was traded by new Sabres GM/coach Scotty Bowman to the Los Angeles Kings March 10th 1981 for a 1982 sixth round draft pick which he used to draft Jeff Parker 111th overall. He left Buffalo ranked third behind Gil Perreault and Craig Ramsay for most games as Sabre with 766. The Kings later traded Don to Toronto where he finished his career.

Don was named as the head coach of the Pine Bridge Bucks in the ACHL prior to 1983-84 season. He was a pro scout for Buffalo for the 1984-85 season and also served as a part time assistant coach for the Sabres that season. He was an assistant coach for Buffalo for parts of 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons. 


Luce was named the director of U.S. Scouting for the Sabres prior to 1985-86 season and remained in position through 1986-87 season. He was named Buffalo’s Director of Amateur Evaluation and Development prior to 1987-88 season and remained in that position through 1989-90 season. Played key role in helping to get Alexander Mogilny out of USSR and into NHL in 1989.

He was then named Buffalo’s Director of Player Personnel prior to 1990-91 season and remained in that position through 2004-05 season. His work was recognized when The Hockey News ranked team's prospects No. 2 in NHL for 1997. He was named Buffalo Director of Player Development prior to 2005-06 season and remained in that position through 2005-06 season. Luce left the Sabres in July 2006, when the team let him go and cut much of its scouting department. Luce had been responsible for bringing in the likes of Alexander Mogilny, Maxim AfinogenovMartin BironBrian Campbell, and Jason Pominville.

Luce was named the Director of Player development for the Philadelphia Flyers in late November 2006. He was a pro scout for the Flyers starting in the 2012-13 season and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in that same capacity on September 20th 2015. He is now retired from hockey



Don Luce played 894 career NHL games, scoring 225 goals and 329 assists for 554 points. His best statistical season was the 1974-75 when he set career highs with 33 goals and 76 points.

Don was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1986 and into the Greater Buffalo Sports hall of Famein 1997.

Happy Birthday to Glenn Hall, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1931. Glenn earner the nickname “Mr. Goalie” over his 21 year career. He developed the innovative Butterfly Style of goaltending is credited with incorporating the butterfly style of goaltending which was revolutionary in its day where goaltenders played a stand up style primarily because keeping their head above the crossbar protected their faces better. As a result goalies would leave a wide open “Five Hole” between their legs and tended to let in some easy shots along the ice. Tony Esposito further popularized this style in the 1970’s and today most goalies use a modernized butterfly style in a golden era of great goaltenders (But boring hockey).



This day in hockey history, October 3rd,1989, Darryl Sittler, Vladislav Tretiak and Herbie Lewis were inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with "builders" Alan Eagleson and Father David Bauer.



This day in hockey history, October 3rd 1953 ,Wally Hergesheimer of the New York Rangers scored twice within 5:25 of the opening faceoff to set an all star record game for the fastest two goals from the start of a game, as the all stars beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens 3-1. Hergesheimer went on to score a career best 30 goals and 59 points that season.



Happy Birthday to Glenn Hall, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1931. Glenn earner the nickname “Mr. Goalie” over his 21 year career. He developed the innovative Butterfly Style of goaltending is credited with incorporating the butterfly style of goaltending which was revolutionary in its day where goaltenders played a stand up style primarily because keeping their head above the crossbar protected their faces better. As a result goalies would leave a wide open “Five Hole” between their legs and tended to let in some easy shots along the ice. Tony Esposito further popularized this style in the 1970’s and today most goalies use a modernized butterfly style in a golden era of great goaltenders (But boring hockey).

Happy Birthday to “Gentleman” Jean Ratelle, born on this day in hockey history, October 3rd 1940. Over his 21 season career with the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins he averaged almost a point a game. Combining a high level of playing ability with great sportsmanship, he twice won the Lady Byng Trophy.

His greatest success came with the linemates Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield to form the GAG line (Goal A Game). He was the annual scoring leader for the Rangers from 1968 and 1973 when the team was a powerhouse and ranked among the best teams in the NHL.



Ratelle’s greatest season was 1971-72 when he led the league’s scorers with 109 points and certainly would have beaten the legendary Phil Esposito for the scoring tittle when he was injured and missed the final 15 games of the season.

At that time only three players had ever scored more than the 109 points in Ratelle’s injury shortend season including Esposito, Bobby Orr and Johnny Bucyk. Ratelle was voted the winner of the Lester Pearson Trophy as the best player in the league as chosen by the NHL players.



In one of the most shocking trades in NHL history, November 1975, Ratelle was traded along with Brad Park and Joe Zanussi to the Rangers hated arch rivals the Boston Bruins for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais. Ratelle Ratelle had started the year relatively slowly going 5-10-15 in 13 games for the blueshirts (1.15 PPG) but picked up the pace with the Bruins with 31 goals and 90 points in 67 games (1.34 PPG). And finished with 105 points, the second best total of his career. He continued his excellent play with the B’s for several more years as the Boston fans marveled at his all around game, slick passing and mastery of the face off circle until he retired in 1981.



Ratelle played twenty one seasons in the NHL scoring 491 goals and adding 776 assists for 1,267 points. ranking him as the sixth all time leading scorer when he retired.. While he never played on a team that won the Stanley Cup championship, he was a member of the 1972 Team Canada squad that defeated the Soviet Union He earned his reputation as a gentlemanly player, finishing in the top-five for the Lady Byng Trophy awarded for sportsmanship and excellence nine times, including a stretch between the 1970 and 1978 seasons where he was in the top three six times and won the trophy twice.

Ratelle was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2009, Ratelle was ranked No. 7 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats. The Rangers plan to retire Ratelle's No. 19 jersey on February 25, 2018.



This day in hockey history, October 3rd,1959, Jean Beliveau scored two goals, and teammate Doug Harvey added three assists, as the Canadiens beat the All Stars 6-1 at the 13th NHL All Star game, in Montreal.



This day in hockey history, October 3rd 1934 , the Montreal Canadiens traded Howie Morenz, Marty Burke and Lorne Chabot to the Chicago Black Hawks in exchange for Lionel Conacher, Roger Jenkins and Leroy Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy was the first American born player to skate for the Red Wings.











On May 15, 1926, the Townsend syndicate of investors was granted a conditional expansion NHL franchise, to begin play in the upcoming season if their arena was ready. For players, the syndicate decided to purchase one of the most successful teams from the bankrupt Western Canada Hockey League, the Victoria Cougars, who had won the Stanley Cup in 1925. On September 25, 1926, the NHL made the franchise purchase permanent, although the arena was not ready.The expansion club kept the Cougars name. The club played in Windsor for the entire season.



On this day in hockey history, October 4th 1926, the Townsend Syndicate, owners of the new Detroit Cougars franchise who would begin NHL play in a month, purchased the Victoria Cougars team from the defunct Western Hockey League for $100,000 because they needed players for their NHL team The Victoria players made up nearly half of the Detroit squad which played it’s first season across the river from Detroit in Windsor, Ontario because the Olympia was not yet ready in Detroit. The Detroit team would be known as the Falcons in 1930 before changing their name to the Red Wings in 1932.



This day in hockey history, October 4th 1934, Connie Madigan was born in Port Arthur, Ontario. Madigan is remembered as the oldest rookie in NHL history at age 38 with the St. Louis Blues. He had been a long time player in the minor leagues primarily for the Portland Buckaroos of the Western Hockey League. Madigan played in 20 games for the Blues during the 1972-73 season and had three assists. He appeared in the movie Slap Shot as “Mad Dog” Madigan,





This day in hockey history, October 4th 1991, the San Jose Sharks lost 4-3 to the Vancouver Canucks in their their first NHL game. Jeff Hackett was besiged with 52 shots and Crag Coxe a native of Chula Vista California, scored the first goal in Sharks history. The sharks lost 58 games that season finishing with a 17-58-5 record. The next year was even worse with an 11-71-2 record. But their teal jersey was the NHL’s best seller.

This day in hockey history October 4th 1991, the Edmonton Oilers traded Mark Messier to the New York Rangers for Bernie Nicholls, Steven Rice, and Louie DeBrusk. Messier had been the Oilers captain and a member of five Stanley Cup championship teams with Edmonton. Messier would be named the Captain of the Rangers lead them the Cup championship in 1994.

This day in hockey history October 4th 2001, the Detroit Red Wings won 4-3 in OT at San Jose against the Sharks with Brendan Shanahan scoring a hat trick for the second time in his career. On a related note, the Hockey News reported that Shanahan holds the unofficial NHL record for most modern day career Gordie Howe hat tricks, with 17.







On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1932, the Detroit Falcons are renamed the Red Wings. The team logo is changed to a winged wheel and red uniforms are introduced. It's the third name for the franchise, known as the Detroit Cougars from 1926-30 and the Detroit Falcons from 1930-32.



On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1976, the Colorado Rockies made their debut in Denver and defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 with rookie forward Larry Skinner scoring the first goal. The franchise had just transferred from Kansas City where they played from 1974-1976 and had been known as the Scouts. The franchise would relocate again in 1982, to New Jersey where on October 4th 1982 the New Jersey Devils would play their first NHL game, a 3-3 tie with the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.



On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, Wayne Gretzky scored a goal and added an assist as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 at the Northlands Coliseum. Thus began Gretzky’s famous record 51 game scoring streak where he had at least one point in every Oilers game until January 28th 1984.



On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, rookie Steve Yzerman scored his first career NHL goal as the Detroit Red Wings' tied the Jets 6-6 in Winnipeg. He finished his career with 692 goals, 1,063 assists and 1,755 points in 1, 514 games. And four Stanley Cup championships.






On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1983, Marcel Dionne scored his 545th goal during a 3-3 tie against the Minnesota North Stars at the Forum in Inglewood. With that goal he passes Maurice Richard into fifth place on the NHL’s all time goal scoring list.

On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1990, Kevin Stevens sets an NHL record for most points in a season-opening game when he scores twice and added four assists for six points in the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 victory against the Capitals in Washington.

 

On this day in hockey history, October 5th 1993: Neal Broten scored twice and Andy Moog makes 31 saves as the Dallas Stars playing in their first game since relocating from Minnesota defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-4 at Reunion Arena.


On this day in hockey history, October 5th 2005, Alexander Ovechkin made his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals scoring twice in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Verizon Center.

Ovechkin had been the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL entry draft. The goals are the first two of 52 rookie goals by Ovechkin as he won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. He was also named to the first all star team for the first of three consecutive seasons.



This day in hockey history, October 6th, 1955 - Toe Blake made his NHL coaching debut as the Montreal Canadiens beat Toronto 2-0. Jacques Plante got his 11th career shutout.


This day in hockey history, October 6th 1984, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 at the Spectrum with Mike Keenan picking up his first NHL coaching victory.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1992, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers played to a 3-3- tie at the Igloo with Mario Lemieux scoring to begin a team record 12 game goal scoring streak. Flyers rookie Eric Lindros also scored his first NHL goal.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1996 , Tony Granato, in his second game back from a career-threatening brain surgery in February '96, scored his 6th career hat trick, his first with San Jose, and added an assist in the Sharks' 7-6 overtime win, at Los Angeles.


This day in hockey history, October 6th 1955, the Detroit Red Wings lost 3-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks as Detroit goaltender Glenn Hall began an NHL record of 502 consecutive complete games played. He started every game and played all 60 minutes during that streak. The streak ended seven years later when Hall was the goaltender for the Blackhawks.

This day in hockey history, October 6th 1976, the Minnesota North Stars lost 6-5 to the New York Rangers in spite of rookie Roland Eriksson tieing an NHL rookie record with four assists in his first NHL game. The mark had been set in 1953 by Earl “Dutch” Reibel of the Detroit Red Wings.



This day in hockey history, October 6th 1989, the New York Rangers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 with Roger Nielson behind the bench making him the first man in history to coach five different NHL teams. Exactly four years later (1993), he’d become the first man to coach six different teams, when his Florida Panthers tied the Blackhawks 4-4 at Chicago in the Panthers first regular season game.



On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1901, Frank Boucher was born in Ottawa, Ontario.

Although later Rangers such as Gilbert and Mark Messier have been more honored by recent fans, Boucher's status as the star of two Ranger Stanley Cup championship teams and the coach of another makes him, except perhaps for team builder Lester Patrick, as the greatest Ranger of them all.



Boucher played for the Rangers until he retired in 1937–38 and Boucher centered the famous Bread Line with the brothers Bill and Bun Cook. Together they helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1928 and 1933, also reaching the Finals in 1932.



Frank was not only a brilliant forward, but was also one of the game's classies players. Lady Byng, wife of Viscount Byng, the Governor-General of Canada, donated a trophy to be awarded to the NHL's "most gentlemanly player." While playing for the New York Rangers, Boucher won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy 7 times in 8 years. He was then given the trophy outright, and Lady Byng donated another trophy to the NHL.



The Rangers hired him to coach the New York Rovers, a minor-league team that also played at Madison Square Garden, as his apprenticeship to coaching the Rangers. When general manager Lester Patrick made the decision to retire from coaching prior to the 1939–40 season, he hired Boucher, who led his Ranger club to the last Stanley Cup. The franchise would be in existence for 68 seasons before they won a Cup without Boucher being directly involved.



After finishing first in the NHL's regular season in 1942, the Rangers lost in the playoffs to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Soon they became victims of the military draft of World War II and went into a steep decline. In 1943–44 NHL season the New York Rangers were so bad that Boucher came out of retirement for 15 games to play where he recorded 14 points; at age 42, he was the oldest position player ever to play in the NHL, a record he held until surpassed by Doug Harvey in 1968. The Rangers finished the 50 game season with only 6 wins. From 1940 to 1972 they reached the Stanley Cup Finals only once.



When Patrick retired, Frank took over as general manager. He got the Rangers into the playoffs in 1947–48 with his trade to get Buddy O'Connor and Frank Eddolls. He stepped down from coaching to concentrate on his manager's job and hired Lynn Patrick, Lester's son and an ex-teammate, to coach the Rangers, and Lynn came very close to winning the Stanley Cup in 1950, proving Boucher astute in hiring him as coach. But the Rangers were an aging team, and eroded. Lynn Patrick resigned to go to Boston, and neither Neil Colville nor Bill Cook, also former teammates of Boucher's, could get the Rangers into the playoffs. General John Kilpatrick, the Rangers' owner, thought about replacing Boucher, but he held off.



During the 1945–46 season, Boucher became the first coach to use two goalies regularly. Alternating Charlie Rayner and Jim Henry every game, and later, every four to six minutes, he proved the usefulness of having two goalies.



Frank went back behind the bench in 1953–54, but could not get the Rangers into the playoffs. He then hired Muzz Patrick, another son of Lester and ex-teammate, to coach the team, but the Rangers won only 17 games and missed the playoffs again. So General Kilpatrick had a talk with Frank and reluctantly expressed that Frank could not build the Rangers into a winner, and recommended Frank resign as general manager. Frank thought it over, realizing that it was better than being fired. He then typed his resignation and handed it in to the General, ending his 29-year association with the Rangers.



He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. In 1998, he was ranked number 61 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. His uniform number 7 hangs in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, although it was retired for a later Ranger, Rod Gilbert.



In 1974, Boucher wrote When the Rangers Were Young, a book about his experiences with the old-time Broadway Blueshirts, giving him one last moment of fame during his lifetime. He died of cancer on December 12, 1977 in the town of Kemptville, Ontario, near Ottawa at the age of 76. In 2009, Boucher was ranked No. 9 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats.



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On this day in hockey history, October 7th
1991, Mark Messier was introduced as the 22nd captain in Rangers history in a pre game ceremony prior to the Blueshirts’ home opener. Messier would set up Mike Gartner’s game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2001, In the Rangers’ first regular season game in New York after the 9/11 tragedy, Brian Leetch scores the overtime winner in a 5-4 Rangers victory over the Buffalo Sabres at MSG. Also, Mike Richter becomes the first Rangers goaltender to appear in 600 games.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1954, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1, extending their opening-night unbeaten streak to 15 games (14-0-1).

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1955, New York Rangers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 7-4 as rookie Andy Hebenton played his first career game, the first of 630 consecutive games, an NHL record at the time.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1983, the Minnesota North Stars scored four power play goals and the Vancouver Canucks scored six in a 10-9 win by Vancouver.

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This day in hockey history, October 7th 1986, 21 year old Steve Yzerman was named the youngest captain in Detroit Red Wings history and the teams 34th captain. He’d would remain captain for 19 seasons.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1996, the Phoenix Coyotes defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2 with Mike Gartner scoring the first goal in Coyotes history in the first NHL game played in Arizona. He added two more to also score the first hat trick in team history.



On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2001, the first hockey game since the 9/11 tragedy was played in New York City, as the Rangers beat the Sabres 5-4 in overtime. Newly acquired Eric Lindros scored his first goal as a Ranger and added an assist.


On this day in hockey history, October 7th 2000, the Toronto Maple Leafs shutout the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 in the season opener at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. As at the end of the 2006-07 season, the Leafs and Canadiens have played each other a total of 766 times in the regular season, more than any other two teams in NHL history. The Habs lead with 355 wins 285 losses 88 ties and 8 OT losses. In the playoffs the Habs have won seven series and the Leafs six but have not met in the postseason since 1979.

On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1995 , the Montreal Canadiens retired jersey #1 worn by goaltender Jacques Plante three decades earlier, as the Canadiens lost 7-1 in their season opener to the Flyers, at the Forum.
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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1995 , Cam Neely became the first player in NHL history to get an opening night hat trick twice in his career.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th1972, Nassau Veterans County Coliseum opened in New York, but the Islanders lost their first NHL game, 3-2 to the Atlanta Flames. Eddie Westfall scored the Isles' first goal. Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey

On this day in hockey history, October 7th1976, Bobby Orr played his first game with the Chicago Black Hawks. He scored a goal and added an assist, as the Black Hawks won 6-4 at St. Louis.

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On this day in hockey history, October 7th 1990, Penguins rookie Jaromir Jagr scored the first goal of his NHL career in his second NHL game as Pittsburgh won 7-4 over the Devils. Visit vintagehockeyjerseys.net for more vintage hockey


This day in hockey history, October 10th 1974, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 9-5 at the Aud in Buffalo with rookie right wing Danny Gare opening the scoring with his first NHL goal, only 18 seconds into his first NHL game, the second fastest NHL goal ever scored by a rookie. The record is 15 seconds, set by Gus Bodnar in 1943.

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This day in hockey history, October 10th 1979, Wayne Gretzky earned his first NHL point assisting on a goal by Kevin Lowe as the Edmonton Oilers playing their first game as an NHL team lost 4-2 to the Blackhawks at the venerable Chicago Stadium.

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This day in hockey histor