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 22nd, featuring Eric Lindros.
Today in Hockey History
Eric Lindros Drafted First by Quebec
1991: The Quebec Nordiques select Lindros with the first overall pick of the 1991 NHL Draft. Lindros said he would never play for the club, citing ownership. The Memorial Cup winner with the Oshawa Generals would stay in the CHL and play for the 1992 Canadian Olympic team while he waited.
Quebec worked out trades with both the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. The case would go arbitration and the Flyers would be awarded Lindros. However, the Nordiques did get Steve Duchesne, Ron Hextall, Kerry Huffman, Mike Ricci, the rights to Peter Forsberg, $15 million and their 1992 and 1993 first-rounders and $15 million. Forsberg would become a vital part of the team’s success when they moved to Colorado.
Other Notable Events
1938: The Montreal Maroons withdraw from the league making it a seven-team circuit. This comes three years after beating the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Final. The only team left in the city is the Montreal Canadiens.
1977: John Ziegler is named the fourth president in NHL history, replacing Clarence Campbell. Ziegler serves for 15 years and oversees the merger between the NHL and WHA and helps the league set up for expansion.
1982: Mike Illitch buys the Detroit Red Wings from Bruce Norris for $8 million. He helps turn the team into a perennial Stanley Cup contender. The Red Wings win four Stanley Cups from 1997-2008.
1993: Eddie Johnston returns to coaching after 10 years away. He becomes the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bryan Trottier later joins as an assistant coach.
1995: The New Jersey Devils win their first Stanley Cup Final home game, 5-2, in Game 3 over Detroit. New Jersey scores four times in just over 28 minutes to take a 3-0 series lead.
1996: The Phoenix Coyotes acquire future Hall of Famer Mike Gartner from the Maple Leafs. Toronto gets a fourth-round pick in exchange.
2000: Former Edmonton Oilers player Craig MacTavish is named the team’s new head coach. Kevin Lowe moves up to become the general manager, replacing Glen Sather.
2013: Patrick Kane scores twice as the Chicago Blackhawks win 3-1 in Game 5 of the Final. Dave Bolland adds an empty-netter as the Blackhawks hold off the Boston Bruins for a 3-2 series lead.
Happy Birthday to You
1957: Scott Campbell
1961: Steve Gatzos
1980: Ilya Bryzgalov
1983: Patrick Dwyer
1994: Adam Johnson
