Hockey is finally back, but we at Last Word on Hockey are 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 August 25th featuring Tim Horton.
Today in Hockey History
Hall of Fame Inducts Tim Horton
1977: The Hall of Fame inducts the late Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman into its hallowed has. He’s part of a class that includes Detroit Red Wings great Alex Delvecchio and builders Harold Ballard, Joseph Cattarinich and John “Bunny” Ahearne.
Horton would also play with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres in his long career. He was a key part of the Leafs four Stanley Cups and was still solid in his final seasons. The Cochrane, Ontario native tragically died in a car accident on Feb. 21, 1974. The Tim Hortons doughnut franchise still bears his name.
Other Notable Events
1938: The Montreal Maroons suspend operations after starting in 1924. They were started as a team to appeal to the English-speaking community in the city. The Maroons would win the Stanley Cup in 1926 and 1935. Financial difficulties caused by the Great Depression forced the team to suspend operations. The franchise finally folded in 1947 despite numerous attempts to revive it. The Maroons were the last non-Original Six team to win a Stanley Cup until the Philadelphia Flyers in 1974.
1939: Recently retired star Babe Siebert drowns at his family’s cottage at St. Joseph, Ontario on Lake Huron. He was ready to take over as the Montreal Canadiens head coach after finishing his playing career in 1938-39. The league holds a memorial game in late October that raises $15,000. Siebert is elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964.
1976: Hockey gets a Rocky Mountain High as the Kansas City Scouts move to Denver. The relocated franchise takes the name of the Colorado Rockies. The Denver-based club makes the playoffs once in six seasons. However, they would pack up again and become the New Jersey Devils. The NHL would do better in hockey’s second attempt in Denver with the Colorado Avalanche.
1997: Hip injuries force the retirement of future Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk. He scored 518 goals in 1,118 games with the Winnipeg Jets, Sabres and Flyers. Hawerchuk would pass away from cancer on Aug. 18, 2020.
Neal Broten of the 1980 U.S. Olympic “Miracle on Ice” team also retires. He played with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars, Devils and Los Angeles Kings. Broten totaled 289 goals and 923 points in 1,099 games.
Happy Birthday to You
1943: Pete Stemkowski
1944: Jacques Demers
1953: Dean Talafous
1957: Frank Serratore
1958: Bill Derlago
1961: Greg Paslawski; Dave Tippett
1977: Andy McDonald
1982: Nick Schultz
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