During the NHL’s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date’s historical significance to the game. We’ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here’s our look at this date in hockey history for June 21st, featuring Barry Trotz.
Today in Hockey History
Barry Trotz Joins New York Islanders
2018: The New York Islanders sign the former Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators coach to a five-year deal. Trotz is fresh off winning the Capitals their first Stanley Cup in five games over the Vegas Golden Knights. The move comes three days after he resigns from Washington after the two sides couldn’t reach an extension.
Trotz becomes the first coach since Mike Keenan to not return to a team after winning a Stanley Cup. Keenan helped the New York Rangers end their 54-year drought with a win in the 1994 Final. The Islanders have made the playoffs the last two seasons under Trotz.
Other Notable Events
1996: The San Jose Sharks obtain Al Iafrate from the Boston Bruins. Boston gets Jeff Odgers and a future draft pick in exchange.
1999: The NHL approves 4-on-4 overtime and gives a point to both teams if a game is tied after 60 minutes. This change did not apply to the postseason.
2000: The Pittsburgh Penguins hire Ivan Hlinka as their new head coach. He’s the second European born and trained person to get a head coaching job in the league. The Czech-born coach is second behind Alpo Suhonen. He reaches the conference final in his first season, but is fired four games into the 2001-02 season.
2003: Pittsburgh selects Marc-Andre Fleury with the top pick on the 2003 NHL Draft in Nashville, Tenn. The Carolina Hurricanes take centre Eric Staal with the second selection. All 30 players taken in the opening round see NHL action, with 27 playing at least 240 career games.
2013: Alain Vigneault becomes the Rangers new head coach. He leads the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14 and the to President’s Trophy in 2014-15. The Rangers previous head coach John Tortorella is hired by the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver fired Vigneault earlier in the off-season.
2019: The New Jersey Devils take Jack Hughes with the top overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft. Kaapo Kakko is selected second by the Rangers while Kirby Dach is picked third by the Chicago Blackhawks. The Colorado Avalanche take Bowen Byram at No 4 overall while the Los Angeles Kings draft Alex Turcotte at the five slot.
Happy Birthday to You
1916: Buddy O’Connor
1948: Denis Dupéré
1950: Ron Low
1954: Bob Bourne
1957: Lucien DeBlois
1968: Darryl Shannon
1977: Jochen Hecht
1985: Marc Methot
