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 29th featuring Mario Lemieux.
Today in Hockey History
Mario Lemieux to Miss 1994-95
1994: The Pittsburgh Penguins centre said he’ll sit out the upcoming season to heal from various ailments. Lemieux takes time off due to back problems and fatigue from his radiation treatment for cancer. Doctors make it clear that his Hodgkin lymphoma in 1993 or the anemia in 1993-94 is not back.
The time off recharges him and he wins the Art Ross Trophy with 69 goals and 161 points. “Super Mario” also takes the Hart Trophy for league MVP for the 1995-96 campaign. Lemieux doesn’t permanently retire until Jan. 24, 2006.
Other Notable Events
1901: One of the league’s first stars, Aurele Joliat, is born in Ottawa. He comes to the Montreal Canadiens after joining from Saskatoon of the WCHL in September. Joliat and Howie Morenz form one of the most potent scoring duos in the early history of the NHL. He scores 270 goals and wins three Stanley Cups with the Habs. The winger enters the Hall of Fame in 1947.
1964: American-born referee Bill Chadwick is among the five new members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Chadwick officiates over 900 regular-season games and a then-record 42 games in the Stanley Cup Final during his 16 seasons as an NHL referee. Doug Bentley, Bill Durnan, Babe Siebert and “Black Jack” Stewart all enter as players.
1985: The New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues make a deal. New Jersey trades Rick Meagher to St. Louis for Perry Anderson.
1997: The Los Angeles Kings acquire Jozef Stumpel and Sandy Moger from the Boston Bruins. Byron Dafoe and Dimitri Khristich come to the Kings in return.
1999: The Washington Capitals name Adam Oates as their team captain. He replaces Dale Hunter in the role and serves for two seasons.
2003: The Toronto Maple Leafs name John Ferguson Jr. as the team’s new general manager. Toronto makes only one post-season appearance during his tenure with the club. He lasts on the job until June 30, 2008 when he’s replaced by Cliff Fletcher.
Happy Birthday to You
1901: Aurele Joliat
1946: Brian Glennie
1959: Doug Sulliman
1967: Shaun Van Allen
1972: Jonas Hoglund
1983: Antti Niemi
