We’re normally starting up 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 19th, featuring Maurice Richard.
Today in Hockey History
Maurice Richard Gets 500th Goal
1957: The Montreal Canadiens forward scores the milestone goal on the power play in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Richard beats Glenn Hall after getting a pass from future Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau. No other NHL player had 400 goals at the time. He gets a thunderous ovation from the Montreal Forum crowd.
The Rocket finishes his career with 544 goals after he finishes his career in 1959-60. Richard also scored 82 goals in the Stanley Cup playoffs throughout his career.
Other Notable Events
1966: Rookie defenceman Bobby Orr plays his first game for the Boston Bruins and gets an assist. Boston beats the Detroit Red Wings, 6-2, in Gordie Howe‘s 21st season in the league. Howe surpasses Dit Clapper and Bill Gadsby for most seasons played.
1967: Bill Sutherland‘s goal powers the Philadelphia Flyers to a 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Doug Favell makes 17 saves for his first NHL shutout in the Flyers’ first home game.
1974: Grant Mulvey is the youngest player since World War II to score in an NHL game. Mulvey is 18 years, one month and two days old as he helps Chicago beat the St. Louis Blues, 3-1.
1979: Two of the four teams absorbed from the WHA pick up their first victories. The Edmonton Oilers top the Quebec Nordiques, 6-3, thanks to a Blair McDonald hat trick. Mark Howe gets two goals and an assist in the Hartford Whalers 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
1989: Nordiques forward Peter Stastny is the first European-trained player and 24th overall to get 1,000 points. He gets an empty-net goal in Quebec’s 5-3 triumph over Chicago.
1997: San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau scores his first goal in a 5-3 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes. Marleau is the second-youngest player in 50 years to score a goal. The 18-year-old would go on to score 508 goals in 19 seasons with the Sharks before signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marleau has re-signed with the Sharks and will return for the 2020-21 season.
2017: New Jersey Devils top overall pick Nico Hischier scores his first two NHL goals. He helps the Devils to a 5-4 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators.
Happy Birthday to You
1926: Roy Worters
1950: Dale Tallon
1969: Zdeno Ciger
1983: Boyd Gordon
1994: Calvin Petersen
