We’re normally starting up another hockey season, but we’re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is 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 October 16th, featuring Gordie Howe.
Today in Hockey History
Gordie Howe Makes Debut
1946: The 18-year-old Saskatchewan native makes his debut for the Detroit Red Wings against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Howe makes an impact with a goal in a 3-3 tie with the Leafs. The goal would be the first of his 801, which would stand until Wayne Gretzky broke the record.
Howe wears the No. 17 sweater for his first season, but switches to the iconic No. 9 in the 0ff-season. His final NHL goal comes April 9, 1980, when Howe, now 52, is playing for the Hartford Whalers.
Other Notable Events
1926: The NHL re-aligns into two five-team divisions with 10 clubs in the league. The Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Maroons, Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and New York Americans are placed in the Canadian Division. A second American Division has the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as the League’s three newest teams — the New York Rangers, Detroit Cougars (later the Red Wings) and Chicago Black Hawks.
1960: Boston forward Jerry Toppazzini is the last non-goalie to play the position in a 5-2 loss to Chicago. He comes in to replace the injured Don Simmons with 30 seconds left in regulation, but Toppazzini doesn’t face a shot.
1971: Toronto’s Norm Ullman is the fourth player to reach 1,000 points in league history. Ullman gets two assists, but the Leafs fall, 5-3, to the Rangers.
1979: Washington Capitals rookie Mike Gartner scores his first of his 708 career goals in an 8-6 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Gartner scores 36 in his first season but does not win the Calder Trophy for top rookie.
1982: Victor Nechayev becomes the first Soviet-trained player to appear in an NHL game in a 3-1 Kings loss to the New York Islanders. He scores one goal in three appearances with the Kings.
1986: Denis Potvin breaks Brad Park‘s assist record for a defenceman with his 684th helper. The assist comes in the Isles’ 7-4 win over the Capitals.
1988: Guy Lafleur scores his first goal in four years as the Rangers beat the Vancouver Canucks, 3-2.
2015: Mike Babcock gets his first win as Maple Leafs coach in a 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
2018: Connor McDavid sets an NHL record by having a point on each of the Edmonton Oilers‘ first nine goals of the season.
Happy Birthday to You
1945: Norm Ferguson
1948: Steve Atkinson
1955: Wilf Paiement
1957: Reg Kerr
1965: German Titov
1967: Joe Murphy
1972: Darius Kasparaitis
1974: Paul Kariya
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