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 3rd, featuring Steve Yzerman.
Today in Hockey History
Steve Yzerman Retires
2006: The Detroit Red Wings great calls it a career after 22 seasons in the NHL. Yzerman played his whole career with the club and retires with 1,755 points (692 goals, 1,063 assists). He scored a lot earlier in his career, but became better on the defensive end later on.
Yzerman helps the Wings end their 42-year drought with a Stanley Cup in 1997. He’s also a part of two other champions in 1998 and 2002. The Cranbrook, British Columbia native helps build a perennial contender in the Tampa Bay Lightning as their general manager. He comes home to become general manager of the Red Wings in 2019.
Other Notable Events
1972: Boston Bruins defenceman Ted Green signs with the New England Whalers of the WHA. He becomes the team’s first captain.
1991: Stan Smyl of the Vancouver Canucks announces his retirement. He was the team’s all-time leader in games (896), goals (262), assists (411) and total points (673). Smyl becomes an assistant coach with the club.
1997: Chicago Blackhawks general manager Bob Pulford announces his retirement after 20 years. Bob Murray takes over for Pulford in the role.
1998: The Dallas Stars sign free agent forward Brett Hull. He may not light up the scoreboard like he used to, but he scored 32 in his first season in Texas. Hull adds eight more in the playoffs, including the Cup-clinching goal.
Chicago adds free agents Doug Gilmour and Mark Janssens.
2001: The Toronto Maple Leafs sign free agent forward Alexander Mogilny and goalie Mikael Tellqvist.
2003: The Colorado Avalanche land a pair of Hall of Famers in Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya. Both sign one-year deals and helps the Avalanche win the Northwest Division title. However, Colorado is eliminated in the second round and both don’t return after the lockout.
Detroit announces the signing of free agent defenceman and Dallas captain Derian Hatcher. The Stars name Mike Modano as the new team captain.
2006: The Anaheim Ducks pick up Chris Pronger in a deal with the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton gets Joffrey Lupul and Ladislav Smid in return. Pronger is a key part of the Ducks winning the 2007 Stanley Cup.
Happy Birthday to You
1903: Ace Bailey
1912: Cully Dahlstrom
1953: Dave Lewis
1960: Hakan Loob
1966: Jarmo Kekalainen
1968: Teppo Numminen
1970: Teemu Selanne
1973: Adrian Aucoin
1976: Wade Belak
1990: Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson; Monique Lamoureux-Kolls; Anders Lee
