Normally we’d be in the midst of starting up another hockey season now, 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 December 3rd, featuring Phil Esposito.
Today in Hockey History
Bruins Retire Jersey of Phil Esposito
1987: The Boston Bruins retire the No. 7 sweater with a little help from Ray Bourque. Boston’s captain wore that number since he came into the league in 1978. However, the star defenceman takes off the jersey to reveal his brand new No. 77 sweater.
Bourque tells Esposito that the No. 7 is his and no other Bruins player will wear it again. Boston beats the New York Rangers, 4-3. Esposito was the general manager of the Blueshirts at that time.
Other Notable Events
1929: Boston starts a winning streak of 14 overall and 22 at home with a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The New York Islanders break the streak in 1981-82.
1949: Toronto Maple Leafs player George Armstrong plays in his first of 1,187 games for the club. He is the only player to skate for the Maple Leafs in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Armstrong finishes with 296 goals and was part of four Stanley Cup winners.
1970: The Detroit Red Wings Frank Mahovlich is the sixth player to score at least 400 goals. His power-play goal helps the Wings get a 4-4 tie with the Los Angeles Kings.
1984: The Islanders get their 500th regular season victory with a 5-4 win over the Vancouver Canucks. It comes in the team’s 980th game, which is the second-fastest to the mark.
1991: Ottawa Senators forward Kevin Dineen gets a misconduct penalty in a 7-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils. He becomes the first player to get 300 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes.
2002: Pavel Bure gets his lone Rangers hat trick in a 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brendan Shanahan does the same thing four years later in a 7-4 loss to the rival Islanders.
2016: Patrick Kane ties the Chicago Blackhawks 21-game point streak held by Bobby Hull. Kane gets a goal and two assists in a 4-3 overtime loss to Ottawa.
2017: The Vegas Golden Knights beat the Arizona Coyotes, 3-2, to become the first expansion team to get 10 home wins in their first 12 games. Reilly Smith‘s goal at 3:51 of OT also gives the Golden Knights their fourth win in as many games against Arizona.
Happy Birthday to You
1952: Bob MacMillan
1960: Igor Larionov; Mike Ramsey
1970: Laura Schuler
1978: Tom Preissing
1995: Julius Honka
