During the NHL\u2019s hiatus, we at 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 July 12th, featuring the 1972 Summit Series.<\/p>\n
1972:<\/strong> Canada announces its 35 invitees to its camp for the 1972 Summit Series. The inaugural event will have the country’s best take on a team from the Soviet Union. It will be the first time that NHLers will square off against the Russians.<\/p>\n Three goalies, 12 defencemen and 20 forwards are invited to the training camp. Bobby Orr<\/a><\/strong> is on the list, but cannot play due to knee surgery. Gerry Cheevers<\/a>, J.C. Tremblay<\/a>, Bobby Hul<\/strong>l and Derek Sanderson<\/a><\/strong> are replaced due to their contracts with the World Hockey Association. League President Clarence Campbell<\/strong> only has players with NHL contracts in the series.<\/p>\n Canada rallies from a 1-3-1 hole to win the series by taking the last three games. Paul Henderson<\/a> scores the iconic goal in Game 8 in Moscow to win the series.<\/p>\n 1982: Jim Devellano<\/strong> becomes the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> new general manager. He replaces Jimmy Skinner<\/strong> and begins work to end their Stanley Cup drought. Devellano served as Billy Torrey<\/strong>‘s scout and assistant general manager for the New York Islanders<\/a>. The hire comes one month after Mike Illitch<\/strong> buys the Detroit franchise. He stays on as GM until 1990, but moves to senior vice president.<\/p>\n 1998:<\/strong> The Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> ink free agent forward Steve Thomas<\/a><\/strong> to a deal. He scores 28 goals in the 1998-99 season for the Leafs.<\/p>\n 2000: Ron Low<\/a><\/strong> becomes the new head coach of the New York Rangers<\/a>. He goes 69-81-5 with nine ties in two seasons. Low doesn’t make the playoffs in those two years and is subsequently fired.<\/p>\n 2002:<\/strong> The Phoenix Coyotes<\/a> sign free agent forward Tony Amonte<\/a>.<\/strong> He had played previously with the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2004:<\/strong> The New Jersey Devils<\/a> sign free agent defenceman Richard Matvichuk<\/a><\/strong>. He was with the Dallas Stars<\/a>, previously.<\/p>\n 1920: Bob Fillion<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 1950: Gilles Meloche<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 1957: Dave Semenko<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 1976: Dan Boyle<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 1977: Peter Schaefer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nOther Notable Events<\/h3>\n
Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n