Today in Hockey History: Detroit Red Wings Terry Sawchuk Debuts

Normally we’d be in the closing in on the mid-way point of the regular season, however, 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 January 8th, featuring Terry Sawchuk.

Today in Hockey History

Terry Sawchuk Plays First NHL Game

1950: The young Detroit Red Wings goalie debuts in a 4-3 loss to the Boston Bruins. Sawchuk is filling in for the injured Harry Lumley, who will miss the next seven game. The Winnipeg native wins three starts gets the first of his 103 shutouts.

Sawchuk wins the job next season and wins 44 games in his rookie season. He wins 445 games and enters the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1971. The decorated goalie passes away in 1970 before his induction.

Other Notable Events

1944: Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Babe Pratt is the first blueliner to get six assists in a 12-3 win over Boston. Pratt shares the record with five other defencemen, including Bobby Orr.

1947: Maple Leafs rookie Howie Meeker sets a record for first-year players with five goals in a single game. Meeker powers Toronto to a 10-4 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks.

1973: Larry Robinson makes his debut for the Montreal Canadiens in a 3-3 tie with the Minnesota North Stars. Robinson impresses the coaching staff that he stays after he gets a shot due to injuries. He plays 17 seasons with Montreal and wins six Stanley Cups.

1986: Toronto wins a wild 11-9 game with the Edmonton Oilers. Leafs forward Miroslav Frycer scores four goals to stop Wayne Gretzky (three goals) and Jari Kurri (six points).

1990: Mario Lemieux extends his point streak to 31 games as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Rangers, 7-5. Lemieux scores four goals to get his 24th career hat trick en route to a 46-game streak.

1994: Detroit’s Dino Ciccarelli becomes the 19th player to get 500 career goals. He scores the milestone goal in a 6-3 win at the Los Angeles Kings.

2004: Florida Panthers rookie Nathan Horton becomes the youngest player to score on a penalty shot. Horton (18 years, 224 days old) breaks Jack Hamilton‘s record in a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

2019: Boston goalie Tuukka Rask is the fourth Finnish goalie to win 250 games in a 4-0 win over the Minnesota Wild.

San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson becomes the fifth defenceman to have an assist streak of 14 games in a 7-2 victory over Edmonton.