We’re normally getting ready for another hockey season, but we’re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is 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 October 4, featuring Mark Messier.
Today in Hockey History
Oilers Deal Mark Messier to Rangers
1991: The New York Rangers make a franchise-altering move by getting Messier from the Edmonton Oilers. Messier’s hold out forces a trade from the team he won five Stanley Cups with. The Blueshirts send forwards Bernie Nicholls, Steven Rice and Louie DeBrusk to the Oilers.
Messier helps the Rangers win the President’s Trophy in 1991-92 and 1993-94. However, the Rangers also add the big prize of their first Stanley Cup in 54 years in 1994. He nets the game-winner in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Other Notable Events
1926: The Detroit Cougars purchase the Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League. Detroit is one of three teams set to debut for the 1926-27 season. The Detroit roster would have nearly half their roster comprised of Victoria players. Detroit’s name would eventually morph into the Detroit Red Wings.
1958: Maurice Richard scores twice and brother Henri Richard gets a goal and two assists in the Montreal Canadiens 6-3 win over the NHL All-Stars.
1991: The San Jose Sharks lose their debut game, 4-3, against the Vancouver Canucks. Chula Vista, Calif. native Craig Coxe scores the first goal in Sharks’ team history. San Jose goes 17-58-5 in their inaugural season.
1999: The Sharks get their first double hat trick in team history in a 7-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Owen Nolan and Jeff Friesen each score three goals in the victory. Nolan also dishes out three assists in the rout for the Sharks.
2001: Brendan Shanahan is the first to score two opening-night hat tricks in Detroit’s 4-3 win at San Jose. The Boston Bruins also retire Ray Bourque‘s No. 77 jersey on the same night. Boston beats the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 4-2.
2008: The NHL plays its first regular-season games in Stockholm and Prague. Tyler Kennedy scores in overtime to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. Brandon Dubinsky gets the winning goal as the Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1, in the Czech Republic.
2017: Patrick Marleau scores twice in his Toronto Maple Leafs debut in a 7-2 drubbing of the Winnipeg Jets. It was Marleau’s first game with a different team after 19 seasons with the Sharks.
Happy Birthday to You
1940: Vic Hadfield
1943: Karl-Gustav Kaisla
1981: Justin Williams
1989: Zach Boychuk
Main Photo
