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 19th, featuring Guy Lafleur.
Today in Hockey History
Guy Lafleur Signs with Rangers
1988: The New York Rangers sign the Hockey Hall of Famer to a one-year deal depending how he does at camp. Lafleur earns a spot on the roster and plays his first games since November 1984. “The Flower” was a five-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens.
He finishes with 18 goals and 45 points in 67 games in his only season with the Blueshirts. Lafleur signs a deal to play with the Quebec Nordiques and retires after two seasons. He finishes with 1,353 points in 1,126 career games.
Other Notable Events
1947: The Rangers acquire Buddy O’Connor and Frank Eddolls from the Canadiens. Montreal gets Hal Laycoe, Joe Bell and George Robertson in return. O’Connor gets 24 goals and 60 points in his first season on Broadway. He ends up second to former teammate Elmer Lach in the scoring race but wins the Hart and Lady Byng trophies that season. O’Connor retires after 1950-51 and is elected to the Hall of Fame in 1988.
1982: The Philadelphia Flyers obtain Mark Howe in a deal with the Hartford Whalers. Ken Linseman, Greg Adams and two draft picks come to the Whalers in return. Howe helps Philadelphia make the Stanley Cup Final 1985 and 1987. He plays 10 seasons with the Flyers before finishing his career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1995. Howe joins his father Gordie Howe in the Hall of Fame in 2011.
1983: The Boston Bruins sign free agent defenceman Jim Schoenfeld to a contract. He plays one season in Boston before finishing his career with the Buffalo Sabres in 1984-85.
1986: Montreal and the Winnipeg Jets trade goalies in an off-season deal. The Habs get Brian Hayward from the Jets while Steve Penney comes to Winnipeg.
1994: The Canadiens trade future Hall of Fame forward Guy Carbonneau to the St. Louis Blues. Jim Montgomery comes to Montreal in exchange.
1996: The Dallas Stars ink free agent goalie Arturs Irbe to a deal. Irbe lasts one season with the Stars before he goes to the Vancouver Canucks next year.
Happy Birthday to You
1952: Jimmy Watson
1956: Mike Fidler
1958: Don Waddell; Darryl Sutter
1981: Taylor Pyatt
1982: Steve Ott
1992: David Rittich
