During the NHL’s hiatus, we at Last Word on Hockey are 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 July 4th, featuring Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.
Happy Fourth of July to our American readers.
Today in Hockey History
Zach Parise, Ryan Suter Sign Long-Term with Wild
2012: The Minnesota Wild make a big splash in free agency with the signings of the duo for 13 years each. Parise and Suter each take three days to sign in the state of hockey after mulling multiple offers. The hometown boy, Parise, is coming off a 31-goal season with the New Jersey Devils. Suter has spent the last seven seasons with the Nashville Predators.
However, success has not come to the Wild in the playoffs. Minnesota has never advanced further than the second round of the postseason since the duo was signed.
Other Notable Events
1979: The Toronto Maple Leafs name Punch Imlach as their general manager for a second time. He replaces Jim Gregory in the role.
1984: The Quebec Nordiques sign former Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Richard Sevigny. He took the league’s top goalie award in 1981.
1994: The St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames pull off a swap of future Hall of Fame defencemen. St. Louis gets Al MacInnis while Calgary receives Phil Housley in return. MacInnis retires with the Blues after the 2003-04 season while Housley has two separate stints with the Flames.
Calgary also signs goalie Dwayne Roloson to a contract. The free agent played college hockey with UMass-Lowell.
2000: The Maple Leafs sign free agent forwards Gary Roberts and Shayne Corson. Roberts signs a three-year, $8 million contract while Corson scored a three-year, $6.75 million deal.
2001: The Montreal Canadiens sign free agent Yanic Perreault to a deal. He leads the team in scoring with 56 points in the 2001-02 season.
2007: Sochi, Russia was announced as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics. That tournament was the last one to have NHL players as they weren’t allowed to participate in 2018.
2013: The Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars pull off a major seven-player trade. Dallas gets Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley, and Ryan Button. Boston receives Loui Eriksson and prospects Joe Morrow, Reilly Smith, and Matt Fraser. Seguin flourishes in the Lone Star State as he scores over 30 goals five times with Dallas.
Happy Birthday to You
1910: Wilf Cude
1940: Pat Stapleton
1947: Juha Widing
1962: Kevin McClelland
1971: Steve Rucchin
1972: Mike Knuble
1989: Keith Kinkaid
1990: Jake Gardiner
1995: Artturi Lehkonen
