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 September 5th, featuring Evgeni Malkin.
Today in Hockey History
Evgeni Malkin Signs First Pro Contract
2006: The Pittsburgh Penguins announce the signing of the second pick of the 2004 NHL Draft. Malkin scores 33 goals and 85 points as he wins the Calder Trophy. The Russian becomes a vital part of the Penguins revival with Sidney Crosby.
Malkin wins the Art Ross Trophy for the league’s top scorer in the 2008-09 season. He takes the Conn Smythe Trophy for post-season MVP in the same season. Pittsburgh wins three Stanley Cups with the playmaker.
Other Notable Events
1959: The Hockey Hall of Fame holds its first induction ceremony at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. Members have been inducted since 1945 after the Hall was established two years earlier. Previous inductees show up at the ceremony and 31 of the 34 attend the event. New members include Cy Denneny, Tiny Thompson and Jack Adams, who is inducted as a player. Adams spends 36 seasons as the Detroit Red Wings coach and general manager. He’s the only player to win the Stanley Cup as a player, coach and general manager.
1976: Team Canada beats Team USA, 4-2, in the second round robin game of the Canada Cup. Phil Esposito and Pete Mahovlich netted early power-play goals to give the Canadians a 2-0 lead. Bobby Hull gives Team Canada a three-goal lead before Fred Ahern and Steve Jensen scored for Team USA. Darryl Sittler bags an empty-netter to make it 4-2 for Canada.
2001: The New York Islanders trade Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt and the second overall pick (Jason Spezza) to the Ottawa Senators. Isles general manager Mike Milbury would get Alexei Yashin in return. However, the deal is another one of Milbury’s classic mistakes.
2003: The New York Rangers sign Mark Messier to a one-year contract. Messier plays one final seasons with the Blueshirts on 1,844 points. He passes Gordie Howe for second on the all-time points list in his 25th and final NHL season.
2005: The Phoenix Coyotes sign goalie Bob Essensa to a free agent contract. It’s the second stint with the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes franchise. Essensa plays in 30 games and wins 13 of them with a 2.78 goals-against-average.
Happy Birthday to You
1938: John Ferguson
1949: Bill Hogaboam
1955: Stan Jonathan
1958: Don Maloney
1970: Blaine Lacher
1989: Craig Smith
1999: Filip Chytil
