Hockey is finally 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 August 6th, featuring Barry Trotz.
Today in Hockey History
Barry Trotz Hired by Nashville
1997: The Nashville Predators hire Trotz as the team’s first head coach. Trotz led the Portland Pirates to the AHL Calder Cup championship in 1994. General manager David Poile picks Trotz to lead the club in for the inaugural 1998-99 season. Poile and Trotz worked together in the Washington Capitals organization.
He stays with the Predators’ organization for 15 seasons and 1,196 games, going 557-479-100 with 60 ties. Trotz is let go in April 2014, but the Capitals hire him a month later. He gets that elusive Stanley Cup in 2018, but leaves for the New York Islanders after not being able to work out a new deal.
Other Notable Events
1993: The San Jose Sharks acquire veteran Russian winger Sergei Makarov from the Hartford Whalers. Makarov completed a draft-day trade made in June between the two teams.
1998: The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim fire general manager Jack Ferriera. Team president Pierre Gauthier takes over in the role.
2004: The Phoenix Coyotes sign veteran forward Brett Hull to a contract. Hull would only play five games for the team after the lockout wipes out the 2004-05 season.
2005: The Carolina Hurricanes sign free agent forward Ray Whitney to a two-year contract. Whitney has nine goals and 15 points and helps the Hurricanes win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. He stays with the club for five seasons and totals 1,064 points (385 goals, 679 assists) in 1,330 games during 22 NHL seasons.
2010: Mike Modano signs with the Detroit Red Wings after 20 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars organization. Modano is a Livonia, Mich. native and wears number 90 for the first time in his career. Injuries limit the American to 40 games and gets four goals and 15 points. He retires that summer with 1,374 points (561 goals, 813 assists) in 1,499 NHL games.
Detroit also brings back former defenceman Chris Chelios in a front office role after his retirement. He spent 10 of his 26 seasons with the Red Wings and is part of Cup winners in 2002 and 2008.
Happy Birthday to You
1925: Gerry Couture
1986: Erik Condra
