{"id":80888,"date":"2020-07-21T09:30:40","date_gmt":"2020-07-21T13:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=80888"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:22:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:22:01","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-maple-leafs-sign-auston-matthews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/07\/21\/today-in-hockey-history-maple-leafs-sign-auston-matthews\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Auston Matthews"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Training camps are back, but we at Last Word on Hockey are still 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 21st, featuring <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/matthau01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Auston Matthews<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n<h3>Auston Matthews Signs With Toronto<\/h3>\n<p><strong>2016:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> forward signs his three-year entry-level contract. Matthews is the first American-born player to be taken first overall since <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kanepa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Kane<\/a><\/strong> in 2007. The Scottsdale, Ariz. native is also the first top pick for Toronto since <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/clarkwe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wendel Clark<\/a><\/strong> in 1985.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tpWZoVXJZj0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>He makes a big splash with four goals in his first career game against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/senators\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ottawa Senators<\/a>. Matthews scores 40 goals in his rookie season and helps the Leafs make the post-season. He takes the Calder Trophy for the league&#8217;s top rookie.<\/p>\n<h3>Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1993:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/lightning\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> sign free agent forward <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gallage01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gerard Gallant<\/a><\/strong>. It&#8217;s the last NHL team he plays for as he retires after stints in the IHL with the Atlanta Knights (1994-95) and Detroit Vipers (1995-96).<\/p>\n<p><strong>1996:<\/strong> The New York Rangers sign <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gretzwa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wayne Gretzky<\/a><\/strong> to a two-year, $10 million deal. Gretzky gets to reunite with<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/oilers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Edmonton Oilers<\/a> teammate <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> on Broadway. The duo helps the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Final. However, they are eliminated in five games by the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/flyers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>. Messier leaves for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/canucks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vancouver Canucks<\/a> next season while Gretzky retires in 1999 with the Rangers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1997:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/sabres\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buffalo Sabres<\/a> hire <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/ruffli01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lindy Ruff<\/a><\/strong> as their new head coach. He goes 571-432-84 with 78 ties in 15 seasons in Western New York. Ruff guides the Sabres to the 1999 Stanley Cup Final, but they lose to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/stars\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dallas Stars<\/a> in six games.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1998:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/ducks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mighty Ducks of Anaheim<\/a> hire <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hartscr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Craig Hartsburg<\/a><\/strong> as their new head coach. He replaces <strong>Pierre Page<\/strong> behind the bench to become the team&#8217;s third head coach.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/flames\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calgary Flames<\/a> claim veteran defenceman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/houslph01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phil Housley<\/a><\/strong> off waivers from the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/capitals\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Washington Capitals<\/a>. Housley lasts three seasons with the Flames and scores 11 goals in his first two seasons.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1999:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Florida Panthers<\/a> sign free agent <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pitlila01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lance Pitlick<\/a><\/strong>, who had been with the Senators.<\/p>\n<p>Washington signs free agent forward<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dahleul01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ulf Dahlen<\/a><\/strong> to a deal. The veteran had been playing in Sweden before making a return to North America.<\/p>\n<h3>Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1912: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/trudelo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lou Trudel<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1925: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/peirsjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Johnny Peirson<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1930: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/reibedu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dutch Reibel<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1943: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/flettbi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bill Flett<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1952: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/russeph01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phil Russell<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1968: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/odelely01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lyle Odelein<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/629373622\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 62.457912% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/629373622?et=nJrGuQE7TQJdVPMxBPAXJg&amp;tld=ca&amp;sig=ocBd7nEgehaPDp7Qj4AHbtMBO_meM7OKhQaN0sWId8Q=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"371\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Training camps are back, but we at Last Word on Hockey are still 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 21st, featuring Auston Matthews. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":80907,"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":[18,8245,4547,4548,6331],"tags":[2675,228,939,3534,1136,1041,299,1777,72,590,2315],"class_list":["post-80888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-leafs","category-history","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-today-in-hockey-history","tag-2016-nhl-draft","tag-auston-matthews","tag-gerard-gallant","tag-hockey-history","tag-lindy-ruff","tag-mark-messier","tag-patrick-kane","tag-phil-housley","tag-toronto-maple-leafs","tag-wayne-gretzky","tag-wendel-clark"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80888","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=80888"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80888\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":479136,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80888\/revisions\/479136"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}