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Today in Hockey History: Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin Born

Hockey is going strong, 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 16, featuring the Alex Ovechkin.

Today in Hockey History

Alex Ovechkin Born in Moscow

1985: The Washington Capitals winger is born on this date in Moscow. He is the top pick of the 2004 NHL Draft and wins the Calder Trophy in his first season in 2005-06. Ovechkin is the first player to score 60 goals since 1995-96 when he did in 2007-08 with 65.

He is the first Russian to score 500 and 600 goals in the league. The “Great Eight” wins the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2017-18 and wins the Stanley Cup in that same season. He becomes the highest-scoring Russian in February 2019 when he passes Sergei Fedorov.

Other Notable Events

1970: The Buffalo Sabres play their first exhibition game against the New York Rangers in Peterborough, Ontario. Buffalo and New York play to a 4-4 tie after Billy Inglis scored for the Sabres. He would never score in a regular season game for Buffalo. Inglis gets one assist in 14 games with the Sabres.

1971: Guy Lafleur plays his first exhibition game with the Montreal Canadiens. The top pick of the 1971 NHL Draft hands out three assists in a 7-4 victory over the Boston Bruins.

1979: The Atlanta Flames sign 1972 Summit Series hero Paul Henderson to a contract. Henderson scores seven goals and 13 points in 30 games in his final NHL season.

1986: The New York Islanders sign Randy Wood out of Yale University. He scores over 20 goals for the Islanders three times and twice with the Sabres.

1991: Montreal trades forward Andrew Cassels to the Hartford Whalers for a second-round pick. The Habs take Valeri Bure with that draft choice.

1997: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews is born in San Ramon, Calif. The top pick of the 2017 NHL Draft wins the Calder Trophy in his first season with the Maple Leafs.

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim acquire Scott Young from the Colorado Avalanche. Colorado gets a third-round pick in exchange for the forward. Young scores 13 goals in 73 games before going to the St. Louis Blues.