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Today in Hockey History: New York Rangers Draft Henrik Lundqvist

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 25th, featuring Henrik Lundqvist.

Today in Hockey History

Rangers Take Henrik Lundqvist

2000: The New York Rangers find their goalie of the future in the seventh round. Lundqvist is picked with the 205th overall selection after the Rangers don’t have a first-round choice. The Blueshirts also don’t find much help in rounds 2-6. Lundqvist was playing with Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League.

He doesn’t arrive on Broadway until 2005, but he makes an impact. “Hank” becomes a staple in the lineup and bails the Rangers out time and again. He is the team leader in wins with 459. Lundqvist wins the Vezina Trophy in 2012 and leads the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014.

Other Notable Events

1992: The Los Angeles Kings hire Nick Beverley as general manger and Barry Melrose as head coach. Los Angeles makes its first Stanley Cup Final in 1993. However, Beverley leaves in May 1994 and Melrose is fired in 1995.

1993: The Hockey Hall of Fame class is announced. New York Islanders goalie Billy Smith, Montreal Canadiens forward Steve Shutt and defenceman Guy Lapointe earn spots. Rangers centre Edgar Laprade and Buffalo Sabres owner Seymour Knox and Vancouver Canucks owner Frank Griffiths are added in the Builders category.

1997: The NHL agrees to expand to 30 teams with the addition of four new teams. It’s another round of expansion from 21 teams in 1991. The Nashville Predators come into the league in 1998-99 while the Atlanta Thrashers join the next season. Both the Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets start in 2000-01.

1998: The Board of Governors creates the Maurice Richard Trophy for the league’s top goal-scorer.

2010: The Edmonton Oilers draft Taylor Hall with the top pick of the 2010 NHL Draft. Tyler Seguin goes second overall to the Boston Bruins.

2019: Former Dallas Stars teammates Sergei Zubov and Guy Carbonneau are both selected for the Hall of Fame. European star Vaclav Nedomansky and women’s hockey star Hayley Wickenheiser are also added. Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford and Boston College head coach Jerry York make it in the Builders category.