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 6, featuring Wayne Gretzky.
Today in Hockey History
Wayne Gretzky Makes Hollywood Debut
1988: Gretzky makes his Los Angeles Kings debut a memorable one with a goal and three assists. His four points guide the Kings to an 8-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The game is the first sellout at the Great Western Forum for a home-opener since 1967.
The Great One gets 168 points on 54 goals and leads the Kings to the second round. However, the Calgary Flames would sweep Los Angeles on their way to their first Stanley Cup.
Other Notable Events
1955: Detroit goalie Glenn Hall starts a streak that will likely never be topped. He makes his first start of 502 in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago BlackHawks. He plays in the record-setting streak despite being traded to Chicago in 1957-58. His record ends in November 1962 against the Montreal Canadiens.
Toe Blake wins his coaching debut in the Habs’ 2-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jacques Plante makes 23 saves for his 11th shutout. Blake wins Stanley Cups in his first five seasons in charge.
1960: Montreal retires the No. 9 sweater of Maurice Richard at the Montreal Forum. He’s the second player after Howie Morenz to have his sweater retired by the club.
1976: Minnesota North Stars forward Roland Eriksson ties a league record with four assists in his debut. He ties Detroit’s Dutch Reibel in 1954, but the New York Rangers win, 6-5.
1982: The Quebec Nordiques feature all three Stastny brothers in their 6-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres.Peter Stastny, Marian Stastny and Anton Stastny all contribute to the victory. Peter gets a hat trick, Anton gets a goal and an assist and Marian hands out two assists.
1993: Roger Neilson is the first man to coach six different teams in the Florida Panthers’ 4-4 tie with Chicago.
2000: Marian Gaborik scores the first goal in Minnesota Wild history. However, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim win, 3-1.
2017: James Neal scores twice as the Vegas Golden Knights rally past the Dallas Stars, 2-1, in their first game.
2018: Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac each score twice as the New Jersey Devils beat the Edmonton Oilers, 5-2. The game is held before 12,044 fans at Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Happy Birthday to You
1974: Kenny Jonsson
1977: Daniel Briere
1983: Ville Leino
1989: Tyler Ennis
1990: Nazem Kadri; Marcus Johansson
1992: Josh Archibald
1993: Nail Yakupov
1994: Jake Guentzel; Ryan Pulock
