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 30th, featuring Eric Lindros.
Today in Hockey History
Eric Lindros Trade Approved by NHL
1992: The Philadelphia Flyers end up with the former top pick of the 1991 NHL Draft. An arbitrator ruled that the Flyers deal with the Quebec Nordiques was the one that stands. The New York Rangers also tried to acquire the former Oshawa Generals standout. Lindros went first, but refused to play for Quebec because of the ownership. He spends the year with the Canadian Olympic team after refusing to report.
The Nordiques get Peter Forsberg, Mike Ricci,Ron Hextall,Steve Duchesne,Kerry Huffman, a first-round pick in the 1993 NHL Draft and cash. Quebec becomes a Stanley Cup contender and wins titles in 1996 and 2001. Philadelphia is a top team in the league, but never wins a Cup.
Other Notable Events
1982: The Colorado Rockies decide on the name New Jersey Devils after moving to the East Coast. The Devils name comes about after a fan vote and honours the mythical creature that inhibits the Pine Barrens.
1993: Emile Francis steps down as President of the Hartford Whalers. He ends a 47-year career in hockey that includes stints as a goalie with the Chicago Blackhawks and Rangers. He becomes a coach and general manger with New York. Francis also works with the St. Louis Blues in his time in the sport.
Hall of Fame defenceman Larry Robinson was named an assistant coach by the Devils.
1994: St. Louis signs free agent goalie Jon Casey. He had been with the Boston Bruins the season before.
1995: The Montreal Canadiens send Brian Bellows to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay sends winger Marc Bureau to Montreal in exchange.
1998: The Ottawa Senators hire Rick Dudley as their new general manager. He replaces Pierre Gauthier, who stepped down a day earlier.
2001: The Buffalo Sabres deal Dominik Hasek to the Detroit Red Wings for Vyacheslav Kozlov, a 2002 first-round pick and future considerations.
2002: Chicago acquires Sergei Berezin from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a fourth-round pick in 2004.
2003: The Rangers trade the rights to free agent defenceman Brian Leetch to the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton sends backup goalie Jussi Markkanen to New York as well as a conditional pick.
Happy Birthday to You
1933: Orval Tessier
1942: Ron Harris
1958: Steve Weeks
1960: Randy Ladouceur
1965: Steve Duchesne
1969: Jim Montgomery
1971: Jamie McLennan
