Normally we’d be closing in on the final push of the 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 March 8th, featuring the passing of Howie Morenz.
Today in Hockey History
Habs Howie Morenz Passes Away in 1936
1936: The Montreal forward dies from a blood clot unrelated to his career-ending broken leg from six weeks prior. Morenz is hospitalized after breaking four bones in his left leg and ankle in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 28.
[pickup_prop id=”4179″]
He’s told that he’ll never play hockey again and passes shortly after. Over 200,000 people line the streets of Montreal for his funeral procession. Morenz finishes his career with 271 goals and 201 assists for 478 points.
Other Notable Events
1945: Detroit Red Wings forward Syd Howe passes Nels Stewart to become the league’ all-time top scorer. Howe picks up an assist for his 516th point in a 7-3 win over the New York Rangers.
1953: Detroit becomes the first team to win five regular season titles in a row when they beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-1.
1975: Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Ron Stackhouse becomes the fourth blueliner to get six assists in one game. Stackhouse joins Babe Pratt, Pat Stapleton and Bobby Orr in getting six assists after an 8-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
1977: Orr announces he won’t play the rest of the season due to knee issues. The Chicago defenceman finishes with four goals and 19 assists in his first year with team. He returns next season, but only plays six games and the retires.
1978: Montreal forward Guy Lafleur scores 50 goals for the fourth straight season after getting a pair in a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals.
1983: Ray Bourque joins Orr as the only Boston Bruins defencemen to get hat tricks. Bourque scores the only hat trick of his career in an 11-5 road win over the Quebec Nordiques.
1987: New York Islanders forward Mike Bossy scores his 39th and final hat trick in a 6-5 win at Chicago. Bossy gets the 100th hat trick in team history, but retires at 30 due to back issues.
1991: Buffalo Sabres forward Dale Hawerchuk becomes the 31st player to get 1,000 career points. He gets a power-play goal in a 5-3 loss to Chicago.
1997: Pittsburgh great Mario Lemieux gets 100 points for the 10th time in his career. He reaches the mark with an assist on the 3-2 OT winner versus Philadelphia.
Happy Birthday to You
1943: Tracy Pratt
1956: Greg Malone
1961: Larry Murphy
1963: Mike Lalor
1967: Brent Fedyk
1971: Bob Boughner; Rob Pearson
1976: Chris Clark
