Normally we’d be in the midst of starting up another hockey season now, 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 December 11th, featuring Joe Sakic.
Today in Hockey History
Joe Sakic Gets 500th Goal
2002: The Colorado Avalanche captain gets his milestone goal in a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Sakic played a hand in franchise’s two Stanley Cup victories in 1996 and 2001. The Burnaby, British Columbua native also helped Team Canada win the gold medal in men’s hockey at the 2002 Olympics.
Sakic retires in 2009 with 625 goals with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. He is now the team’s general manager that has built one of the more promising squads in the league.
Other Notable Events
1969: The Philadelphia Flyers play Kate Smith’s “God Bless America” for the first time. Philadelphia beats the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-3, and go 19-1-1 when the song is played.
1971: Montreal Canadiens forward Guy Lafleur gets his first hat trick in a 4-3 win over the Minnesota North Stars. It’s the first of 17 regular season hat tricks and two in the post-season for his career.
1977: Tom Bladon of the Flyers sets the record for most points by a defenceman on four goals and four assists. He powers Philadelphia to an 11-1 rout of the Cleveland Barons.
1981: Washington Capitals centre Dennis Maruk gets two goals and five assists in an 11-2 drubbing of Toronto. It’s two second five-point game in less than a week en route to a 60-goal season.
1982: Quebec’s Peter Stastny gets his seventh career hat trick in a 7-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Older brother Marian Stastny gets two goals and three assists.
1985: The Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks combine for a wild 21 goals in a 12-9 Oilers’ win. It’s the highest-scoring game in league history as Wayne Gretzky hands out a record seven assists.
1988: Brent Ashton scores on a penalty shot for his 200th career goal in the Winnipeg Jets 8-6 loss to Vancouver. It’s the Jets first penalty shot goal since entering the league in 1979.
1992: The NHL names Gary Bettman as the league’s first commissioner staring Feb. 1, 1993.
2000: Pittsburgh legend Mario Lemieux announces his return after a three-plus year layoff. He retired due to health issues in 1997.
2003: Dave Andreychuk passes Johnny Bucyk for most games played by a left wing. The Tampa Bay Lightning forward scores in a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators.
Happy Birthday to You
1935: Moose Vasko
1936: Ted Hampson
1941: J.P. Parise
1964: Dave Gagner
1972: Daniel Alfredsson
1977: Mark Streit
1997: Matthew Tkachuk
