During the NHL’s hiatus, we at 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 July 2nd, featuring Ed Belfour.
Today in Hockey History
Ed Belfour Signs With Stars
1997: The Dallas Stars land the free agent goalie after coming off a division title. Belfour goes 37-12-10 with a 1.88 goals-against average in his first season with the Stars. “Eddie the Eagle” leads Dallas to the President’s Trophy. The Stars finish with the best record again in 1998-99 and win their first Stanley Cup.
Belfour signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs exactly five years later as a free agent. He wins his 400th game and later finished with 446, which was second to Patrick Roy. Belfour also ties a post-season record in 2004 with three shutouts in one series.
Other Notable Events
1969: Red Kelly is named the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Hockey Hall of Famer replaces George Sullivan behind the bench.
2001: The Detroit Red Wings sign veteran Luc Robitaille after his second stint with the Los Angeles Kings. Robitaille goes on to score 30 goals and help the team win a Stanley Cup in 2001-02.
2002: Detroit signs veteran goalie Curtis Joseph from the Leafs. “CuJo” lasts two seasons in Hockeytown before going to the Phoenix Coyotes.
The Calgary Flames sign free agent forward Martin Gelinas from the Carolina Hurricanes.
2003: The league announces the retirement of longtime officials Paul Stewart, Gerard Gauthier and Wayne Bonney.
2011: The New York Rangers ink Brad Richards to a nine-year deal. The former Conn Smythe winner plays three seasons on Broadway and scores 56 goals.
2017: Carey Price signs an eight-year extension to stay with the Montreal Canadiens. The Vancouver native’s contract now runs through the 2025-26 season.
Patrick Marleau ends his 10-year stint with the San Jose Sharks to sign with Toronto. The No. 2 pick in the 1997 NHL Draft leaves as the Sharks’ all-time leader in games played (1,493), goals (508) and points (1,082).
Happy Birthday to You
1933: Kenny Wharram
1958: George McPhee
1964: Paul Lawless
1975: Eric Daze
1976: Tomas Vokoun
1979: Joe Thornton
1995: Dominik Kahun
1999: Robert Thomas
