We’re normally getting ready for another hockey season, but we’re in different world. 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 30, featuring Mats Sundin.
Today in Hockey History
Mats Sundin Becomes Leafs Captain
1997: Sundin becomes the first non-Canadian to captain the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Swede takes the “C” seven months after the Leafs trade former captain Doug Gilmour. He holds the position for the next 11 seasons for Toronto.
Sundin becomes the team’s all-time leading scorer with 987 points (420 goals, 567 assists). He retires on Sept. 30, 2009, which is 12 years to the day he was named captain. The Stockholm native enters the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012.
Other Notable Events
1923: The Montreal Canadiens sign free agent Howie Morenz to a contract. The “Stratford Streak” joins the Habs after offers from several other teams and becomes one of the league’s early stars. Montreal wins three Stanley Cups in his first 11 seasons with the club. Morenz plays for the Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers before returning to Montreal in 1936-37. He dies six weeks after suffering a career-ending injury due to a blood clot. The Hall of Famer is inducted in 1945 and is one of the 100 Greatest Players.
1933: The Board of Governors says there will be two referees instead of one referee and one linesman. Things would revert to the old format five years later and stay that way for many years. A system of two referees and two linesmen is instituted in the late 1990s.
1997: The St. Louis Blues acquire Kelly Chase from the Maple Leafs. It’s the enforcer’s second stint with the Blues and he stays there until retiring in 1999-2000.
1999: The New York Islanders name Kenny Jonsson as their eighth team captain. He steps down after a year-and-a-half before Michael Peca take over in the role.
2000: Chicago names veteran forward Tony Amonte as the team’s 31st captain in history. He serves two seasons as captain before signing with the Phoenix Coyotes.
2007: The Anaheim Ducks pick up a split of the two-game Premiere Series with a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Corey Perry scores two goals and has an assist in the game played at London’s O2 Arena. Los Angeles won the first game a day earlier by a 4-1 score.
Happy Birthday to You
1950: Per-Olov Brasar
1982: Ryane Clowe; Yan Stastny
