Hockey is going strong, 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 September 22, featuring Mike Richter.
Today in Hockey History
Rangers Great Mike Richter Born
1966: The New York Rangers goalie is born in Abington, Pa. New York takes him 28th overall of the 1985 NHL Draft. He joins the Blueshirts after playing in the 1988 Olympics in Calgary for Team USA. Richter and John Vanbiesbrouck split the goalie duties until the 1993-94 season.
He wins 42 games and goes 16-7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs to give the Rangers their first Cup since 1940. Richter then leads the Americans to the 1996 World Cup of Hockey over Canada.He wins 301 NHL games before injuries force him to retire in 2003. The top college hockey goalie award in the NCAA bears his name.
Other Notable Events
1934: The Ottawa Senators move their franchise to St. Louis to become the Eagles. Things wouldn’t get better for the club and they would fold after one season in the Midwest. Hockey would return to both cities as the St. Louis Blues are part of the expansion of 1967. Canada’s capital city would get a new version of the Senators in 1992.
The NHL also issues its first salary cap at their Board of Governors meeting. Teams agree to salary limits for all clubs in the 1935 season would not exceed $62,500, with an individual salary limit of $7,000 for anyone player.
1972: The Soviet Union rallies to beat Canada, 5-4, in the first game in the Summit Series to be in the USSR. Canada blows a 4-1 lead with less than 11 minutes as Vladimir Vikulov gets the game-winner with 5:14 left in regulation. The Soviets lead the best-of-eight series 3-1-1.
1983: One of the more star-studded classes enters the Hockey Hall of Fame. Chicago Blackhawks teammates Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull both make it in the same year. Montreal Canadiens goalie and six-time Stanley Cup champion Ken Dryden is also part of the class. Longtime Boston Bruins executive Harry Sinden makes it via the builders’ category.
1991: St. Louis trades Dan Quinn and Rod Brind’Amour to the Philadelphia Flyers. Philadelphia sends Ron Sutter and Murray Baron over in an exchange.
1994: The Flyers bring back fan favourite goalie Ron Hextall in a trade with the New York Islanders. Tommy Soderstrom heads to Long Island in this one-for-one swap.
Happy Birthday to You
1957: Mark Johnson
1966: Mike Richter
1972: Pat Falloon
1975: Ethan Moreau
1987: Derick Brassard
1994: Alexander Wennberg
