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 21st featuring Toe Blake.
Today in Hockey History
Toe Blake Born
1912: The Montreal Canadiens bench boss is born in Victoria Mines, Ontario. Blake won three Stanley Cups as a player. One was with the Montreal Maroons during his rookie season and two were with the Habs. He forms the deadly “Punch Line” with Elmer Lach and Maurice Richard.
Blake then wins eight championships as a coach, including five in a row from 1956-1960. He adds Stanley Cups in 1965, 1966 and 1968 for the Canadiens. Blake retires after the team wins the title in 1968 and finishes with 11 Cups between playing and coaching.
Other Notable Events
1969: The star-studded Hockey Hall of Fame class is revealed. Players such as Red Kelly, Sid Abel, Roy Worters and Bryan Hextall Sr. are selected. Longtime Detroit Red Wings owner Bruce Norris gets in via the Builders category.
1980: The Philadelphia Flyers send Bob Kelly to the Washington Capitals. Philadelphia gets a third-round choice in the 1982 NHL Draft.
1984: Washington signs free agent defenceman Mike McEwen. He only spends one season with the Capitals before moving on to Detroit the next season.
1985: The Toronto Maple Leafs trade John Anderson to the Quebec Nordiques. Quebec gets Brad Maxwell in return.
1996: The Dallas Stars announce the signing of free agent forward Pat Verbeek. He scores 31 goals in the 1997-98 season with Dallas. The man known as “The Little Ball of Hate” helps the Stars win the Stanley Cup in 1999.
1998: The Edmonton Oilers ink unrestricted free agent forward Pat Falloon to a contract. He scores 17 goals in the 1998-99 season before he’s sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins the next season.
2006: The Los Angeles Kings announce they will retire the No. 20 jersey of Luc Robitaille. The announcement comes four months after Robitaille plays his final game with the Kings. He did score 557 of his 668 NHL goals with Los Angeles.
Happy Birthday to You
1912: Toe Blake
1918: Billy Reay
1923: Keith Allen
1980: Bryan Allen
1995: Dominik Kubalík
