Training camps are back, but we at Last Word on Hockey are still 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 23rd, featuring Rick Nash.
Today in Hockey History
Rick Nash Sent to New York
2012: The Columbus Blue Jackets send the former top overall pick to the New York Rangers. Columbus gets Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon and New York’s 2014 first-round pick. Nash scores a career-high 42 goals in 2014-15 and helps the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014.
However, Nash has struggles in the post-season and is traded to the Boston Bruins at the 2018 deadline. He retires in January 2019 after dealing with post-concussion symptoms. The Brampton, Ontario native finishes with 437 goals and 805 points in 1,060 games.
Other Notable Events
1897: Red Dutton is born in Russell, Manitoba on this date. He becomes the second league president in 1943 after Frank Calder dies. Dutton is a player, coach and general manager of the Brooklyn Americans before the team suspends itself in 1942. The Americans would later fold four years later. Dutton serves until 1946, when he resigns to run his businesses in Calgary. Clarence Campbell would take over as president for Dutton, who is inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1958. He doesn’t attend a game until he drops the puck for the Calgary Flames first game in October 1980.
1957: The Detroit Red Wings trade future Hall of Famers Ted Lindsay and Glenn Hall to the Chicago Blackhawks. Detroit receives Hank Bassen, Bill Preston, Johnny Wilson and Forbes Kennedy in return. Lindsay plays three seasons with Chicago before he retires. However, he returns in 1964-65 after four years away from the game. Hall helps the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961 and plays in 502 straight games. Lindsay makes the Hall of Fame in 1966 and Hall joins him in 1975.
1997: The Phoenix Coyotes sign free agent forward Rick Tocchet to a contract. He had spent the previous season with Boston and the Washington Capitals.
2015: Lou Lamoriello resigns as president of the New Jersey Devils to become general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lamoriello’s first draft pick, Brendan Shanahan, hires him to rebuild the Leafs. Toronto makes the post-season in 2016-17 and 2017-18. Lamoriello is named senior advisor when Kyle Dubas is named general manager on May 11, 2018. However, he becomes the New York Islanders GM just 11 days later.
Happy Birthday to You
1897: Red Dutton
1969: Andrew Cassels; Dmitri Khristich
1977: Shawn Thornton; Scott Clemmensen
1981: Randy Jones
1991: Dmitry Orlov
1996: Kasperi Kapanen
