{"id":78159,"date":"2020-06-14T09:30:20","date_gmt":"2020-06-14T13:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=78159"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:21:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:21:35","slug":"hockey-history-brian-leetch-new-york-rangers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/06\/14\/hockey-history-brian-leetch-new-york-rangers\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Brian Leetch, New York Rangers Win Stanley Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>During the NHL\u2019s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date\u2019s historical significance to the game. We\u2019ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here\u2019s our look at this date in hockey history for June 14th, featuring <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/leetcbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brian Leetch<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n<h3>Brian Leetch Wins Conn Smythe as Rangers End Drought<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1994:<\/strong> The<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/rangers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> New York Rangers<\/a> defenceman scores along with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gravead01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Adam Graves<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/messima01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Messier<\/a><\/strong> as the Blueshirts win the championship. New York wins 3-2 over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/canucks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vancouver Canucks<\/a> in Game 7 for its first title since 1940. Leetch becomes the first American to win the playoff MVP award.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/d5m7ZLflhE8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lindetr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trevor Linden<\/a><\/strong> scores a pair of goals for Vancouver to create tension with the Madison Square Garden faithful. However, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mactacr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Craig MacTavish<\/a><\/strong> wins a key faceoff and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/richtmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Richter<\/a><\/strong> plays stellar in goal. The Rangers also win their first Cup at home since 1926.<\/p>\n<h3>Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1894:<\/strong> Hall of Famer <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/adamsja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Adams<\/a><\/strong> is born in Fort William, Ontario. He plays 10 seasons, but is more known for being a coach and general manager with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/red-wings\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1945:<\/strong> The Board of Governors rejects a team in Philadelphia that would start in 1946-47. The Philadelphia Quakers last played there in 1930-31.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1977:<\/strong> Detroit takes <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mccouda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dale McCourt<\/a><\/strong> with the top pick of the NHL Draft. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/islanders\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New York Islanders<\/a> select<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bossymi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Bossy<\/a><\/strong> with the 15th pick.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1988:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/stars\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Minnesota North Stars<\/a> fire former United States Olympic coach <strong>Herb Brooks<\/strong>. He has a record of 19-48-13 in one season in charge. General manager <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nannelo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lou Nanne<\/a><\/strong> is also relieved of his duties.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/penguins\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> also let go of <strong>Pierre Creamer<\/strong> after just one season behind the bench.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1993:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Florida Panthers<\/a> are officially given membership into the NHL. Florida&#8217;s team will be based in Miami, but move to Sunrise, Florida eventually.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1994: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/clarkbo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bobby Clarke<\/a><\/strong> is named president, general manager and part-owner of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/flyers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>. He returns to the team after one year with the Panthers as GM.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1999:<\/strong> The<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/kings\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Los Angeles Kings<\/a> name <strong>Andy Murray<\/strong> (not the tennis player) their new coach. Murray replaces Hall of Fame defenceman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/robinla01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Larry Robinson<\/a><\/strong>, who was fired at the end of the season.<\/p>\n<p><b>2006:<\/b> <strong><span id=\"token-573309B77409B7B7053BC\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pisanfe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fernando Pisani<\/a><\/span><\/strong> becomes the first player to score a shorthanded overtime goal in the Final. He helps the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/oilers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Edmonton Oilers<\/a> beat the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3, in Game 5.<\/p>\n<h3>Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1894: Jack Adams<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1901: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dayha01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hap Day<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1929: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wilsojo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Johnny Wilson<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1933: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/macdopa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Parker MacDonald<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1963: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/patrija01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Patrick<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1969: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/desjaer01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eric Desjardins<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1973: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kapansa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sami Kapanen<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1978: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/beginst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steve Begin<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1987: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/coglian01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Cogliano<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1992: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/smithde06.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Devante Smith-Pelly<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"PYKxy2GrRzNQcATmZbpdmQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/667945914\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'PYKxy2GrRzNQcATmZbpdmQ',sig:'QsLz78IiQzb0a6i-Ay0euQyWv8RWhn8bmfQQ5jifCEA=',w:'594px',h:'381px',items:'667945914',caption: true ,tld:'ca',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During the NHL\u2019s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date\u2019s historical significance to the game. We\u2019ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here\u2019s our look at this date in hockey history for June 14th, featuring Brian Leetch. Today [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":78160,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14,8245,4547,4548,6331],"tags":[2855,2234,2244,1902,5154,106,5155,4643,3534,3527,3528],"class_list":["post-78159","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rangers","category-history","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-today-in-hockey-history","tag-andrew-cogliano","tag-bobby-clarke","tag-brian-leetch","tag-devante-smith-pelly","tag-fernando-pisani","tag-florida-panthers","tag-hap-day","tag-herb-brooks","tag-hockey-history","tag-jack-adams","tag-johnny-wilson"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78159","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78159"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78159\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":479096,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78159\/revisions\/479096"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}