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 15th, featuring Eric Staal.
Today in Hockey History
Eric Staal Nets 1,000th Point
2019: The Minnesota Wild forward gets his 1,000th career point in a 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Staal gets a power-play goal 12:37 into the first period to reach the milestone. He’s the 89th player to reach that many points, but the first to do so with the Wild.
The Thunder Bay, Ontario native is traded to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Marcus Johansson in a straight up trade. Staal currently has 1,021 career points.
Other Notable Events
1925: The NHL makes its debut in New York City as the Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Americans, 3-1. It marks the first ice hockey game at Madison Square Garden. The game is a big success as 17,000 attend the game and it would lead to a second New York team added the next season in the New York Rangers.
1929: The Blackhawks christen Chicago Stadium with a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. A total of 14,212 fans take in the game, which brought in 6,000 more fans than at their old home.
1970: St. Louis Blues goalie Glenn Hall becomes the second netminder to get 400 career wins. He makes 38 saves in a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota North Stars.
1992: Texas welcomes the NHL as the New York Islanders beat St. Louis, 4-2, at Reunion Arena. The North Stars would relocate one year later to become the Dallas Stars.
1995: Winnipeg Jets defenceman Deron Quint ties Nels Stewart‘s record of two goals in four seconds. Teemu Selanne adds four goals in Winnipeg’s 9-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
2001: The Rangers Mark Messier becomes the third player to get 1,800 points in a 4-2 win over the Sabres. He joins Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky in the club.
2015: Patrick Kane of Chicago sees his 26-game point streak end in a 3-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. It was the longest point streak since Mats Sundin of the Quebec Nordiques got points in 30 straight games in the 1992-93 season.
2018: Alex Ovechkin extends his career-best point streak to 14 as the Washington Capitals beat Buffalo, 4-3, in a shootout. He gets his 29th goal of the season.
Happy Birthday to You
1915: Art Jackson
1957: Mario Marois; Ric Seiling
1991: Yanni Gourde
