Hockey is finally back! Normally we’d be 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 23rd featuring Jean Beliveau.
Today in Hockey History
Jean Beliveau First NHLer on Sports Illustrated Cover
1956: The stately Montreal Canadiens forward is the first NHLer player to make the cover of Sports Illustrated. Beliveau was in the middle of his career-best 47 goal season and at a start of the Habs five straight Stanley Cups.
Athletes from other sports like the NFL, MLB and college sports had featured on the cover. However, no NHL player had been on the magazine since its inception in 1954.
Other Notable Events
1934: The New York Rangers honour Murray Murdoch for playing in its 400th consecutive game before a 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. He plays in 508 straight games before going on to coach at Yale.
1944: The Detroit Red Wings score 15 straight goals in a 15-0 victory over the Rangers. Syd Howe leads the Red Wings with three goals and two assists, and Connie Dion gets his first NHL shutout.
1983: Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers has a goal and three assists in an 8-6 win over the Los Angeles Kings. He nets his 400th career assists in just his 290th career game.
1985: The Kings end their 21-game home winless streak against the Philadelphia Flyers with a 6-3 win at the Great Western Forum. It was the Kings first win at home in 17 tries and 12 years.
1993: Rangers forward Mike Gartner becomes the first player in NHL history to score 30 goals in 14 consecutive seasons. He gets his 30th in an 8-3 rout of the Kings at the Forum.
2004: Carolina Hurricanes forward Ron Francis becomes the third player to play 1,700 NHL games. He gets an assist in a 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders.
2018: Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson gets two goals against his former team in a 6-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The victory extends their point streak at home to 12 games (10-0-2).
2019: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri gets a hat trick in a 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals. It’s the Leafs 30th win in 49 games, which is only the second time it’s happened. Alex Ovechkin also ties Sergei Fedorov with 1,179 points, which is the most for a Russian.
Happy Birthday to You
1960: J.F. Sauve
1969: Brendan Shanahan
1970: Richard Smehlik
1973: Tomas Holmstrom
1979: Scott Hannan
1987: Leo Komarov
