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 22nd featuring Bill Barber.
Today in Hockey History
Flyers Bill Barber Retires
1985: The Philadelphia Flyers forward retires after suffering from chronic knee problems. Barber scored at least 20 goals in all 12 seasons with the Flyers. The Callander, Ontario native finished his career with 420 goals and 883 points in 903 games. Barber’s season-high in goals was 50 in 80 games during the 1975-76 season.
He ends his playing career tied with Rick MacLeish in playoff goals with 53. Barber is a part of the 1975 and 1976 Stanley Cup championship teams and gets one with the Tampa Bay Lighting organization in 2004. He also wins a Calder Cup as coach of the AHL champion Philadelphia Phantoms and the Jack Adams as Flyers coach in 2000-01. Barber reaches the Hall of Fame in 1990.
Other Notable Events
1972: The Montreal Canadiens trade Terry Harper to the Los Angeles Kings for a package of four draft picks. Harper is a five-time Stanley Cup-winning defenceman for the Habs and immediately helps the Kings. Los Angeles has their best season with 105 points in Harper’s first season with the squad. Pierre Mondou is the only draft pick to make an impact with the Canadiens. Mondou plays eight full seasons with the Canadiens, finishing with 456 points (194 goals, 262 assists) in 548 NHL games.
1974: Dickie Moore highlights the seven-person Hall of Fame class that is announced. The Canadiens forward was an integral part of the 1950s dynasty. Moore leads the NHL in scoring in 1957-58 and 1958-59, and is part of six Stanley Cup-winning teams in Montreal, including five in a row from 1956-60. Art Coulter, Billy Birch and Thomas Dunderdale are inducted as players. Former executive Tommy Ivan, referee-in-chief Carl Voss and Charles Hay are also selected to the Hall.
1977: The New York Rangers name Jean-Guy Talbot as the team’s new head coach. He replaces John Ferguson behind the bench. New York makes the post-season, but Talbot and Ferugson are fired in June 1978. Fred Shero becomes the new Rangers coach and he leads them to the Stanley Cup Final in 1979.
1996: The New Jersey Devils trade Stephane Richer to the Canadiens in exchange for defenceman Lyle Odelein.
Los Angeles obtains Petr Klima from Tampa Bay with the Lightning getting a conditional draft pick in return.
Happy Birthday to You
1952: George Ferguson
1964: Dean Evason
1991: Brayden Schenn
1994: Olli Maatta
