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 20, featuring Guy Lafleur.
Today in Hockey History
Canadiens Star Guy Lafleur Born
1951: The Montreal Canadiens star of the 1970s dynasty is born in Thurso, Quebec. He goes first in the 1971 NHL Draft after a successful career with Quebec of the QMJHL. “The Flower” averages 26 goals in his first three seasons but breaks out with 53 in the 1974-75 campaign.
He wins three straight Art Ross Trophies and the Conn Smythe and Hart Trophies in 1976-77. Montreal wins four straight Stanley Cups with Lafleur is the main focus. He retires early in the 1984-85 season, but he returns with the New York Rangers in 1988-89. The 1988 Hockey Hall of Famer wraps up his career with the Quebec Nordiques.
Other Notable Events
1991: Montreal and the New Jersey Devils make a deal that benefits both teams. The Habs get Kirk Muller and Roland Melanson while the Devils acquire Stephane Richer and Tom Chorske. Muller helps the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup in 1993 while Richer and Chorske win the Devils a Cup in 1995.
The Chicago Blackhawks trade forward Wayne Presley to the San Jose Sharks for a third-round pick. Presley scores eight goals with the Sharks before being sent to the Buffalo Sabres in the middle of the season.
1999: The Los Angeles Kings and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim play a wild pre-season game in the final game at the Great Western Forum. Los Angeles gets an 8-1 victory, but there are plenty of fireworks on the ice. Ducks coach Craig Hartsburg and Kings coach Andy Murray get into a shouting match with each other. There were six fights and 149 penalty minutes in the third period.
2000: Hockey returns to the state of Ohio when the Columbus Blue Jackets play their first pre-season game. The Jackets are the first team to represent the state since the Cleveland Barons ceased operations in 1978. Columbus defeats the Detroit Red Wings, 5-2, in front of 18,136 at Nationwide Arena.
2013: The Calgary Flames name defenceman Mark Giordano as the team’s 20th captain. He replaces Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla in the role and still serves as of 2020.
Happy Birthday to You
1941: Ray Cullen
1951: Guy Lafleur
1976: Jan Hlavac
1988: Sergei Bobrovsky
1990: John Tavares
1992: Radim Simek
1994: Ryan Hartman
