{"id":89270,"date":"2020-10-15T09:30:41","date_gmt":"2020-10-15T13:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=89270"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:17:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:17:29","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-kings-wayne-gretzky-passes-gordie-howe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/10\/15\/today-in-hockey-history-kings-wayne-gretzky-passes-gordie-howe\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Los Angeles Kings Wayne Gretzky Passes Gordie Howe"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We\u2019re normally starting up another hockey season, but we\u2019re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is 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 October 15, featuring <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>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n<h3><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> Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1989:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/kings\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Kings<\/a> centre passes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/howego01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gordie Howe<\/a> as the league&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/10\/14\/today-in-hockey-history-edmonton-oilers-wayne-gretzky-scores-first-nhl-goal\/\" target=\"_self\">all-time leading scorer<\/a>. He assists on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nichobe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bernie Nicholls<\/a>&#8216; goal to tie Howe with 1,850 points. However, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/oilers\/\" target=\"_self\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a> keep taking the lead.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/video\/embed\/memories-gretzky-passes-howe\/t-277350912\/c-53377303?autostart=false\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Gretzky scores with 53 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at four and pass Howe. The game is paused for 15 minutes in a ceremony with the Gretzky and Howe families. The Great One caps the night with the overtime-winner to give the Kings a 5-4 victory.<\/p>\n<h3>Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1955:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/richama01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Maurice Richard<\/a> scores twice and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/richahe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Richard<\/a> gets the game-winner in the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/canadiens\/\" target=\"_self\">Montreal Canadiens<\/a> 4-1 win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/rangers\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Rangers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1964:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lindste01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ted Lindsay<\/a> is the fourth player to appear in 1,000 career games in the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/redwings\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a> 5-3 loss to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/leafs\/\" target=\"_self\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>. Only <span id=\"token-A72D1ECDD9F29934695A9\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\">Howe<\/span> (1,189), <span id=\"token-26B49E570E5146E3DE38C\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gadsbbi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bill Gadsby<\/a><\/span> (1,129) and <span id=\"token-DC0155BDAC64323E0D5BD\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kellyre01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Red Kelly<\/a><\/span> (1,122) have played in more games to that date.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1970:<\/strong> <span id=\"token-43DC09BAD29E991A33CBD\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/cournyv01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yvan Cournoyer<\/a><\/span> scores two goals and <span id=\"token-B1DF205739937B8A2C597\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/myreph01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phil Myre<\/a> gets his first career shutout in a 3-0 Habs victory over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/sabres\/\" target=\"_self\">Buffalo Sabres<\/a>. Buffalo was playing its first game at the Memorial Auditorium.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>1972:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/blackhawks\/\" target=\"_self\">Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mikitst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stan Mikita<\/a> becomes the sixth player to reach 1,000 career points. Mikita assists on a goal by <span id=\"token-621509B2A7D3B455592A9\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/korolcl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cliff Koroll<\/a> in a 3-1 loss to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/blues\/\" target=\"_self\">St. Louis Blues<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>1983:<\/strong> Toronto and Chicago combine for five goals in a span of 1:24 that sets a record for the fastest five goals in history. The Leafs win the game, 10-8, despite the Hawks scoring three of the five goals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1988:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lemiema01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mario Lemieux<\/a> records two goals and six assists as the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/penguins\/\" target=\"_self\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> rout the Blues, 9-2. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/brownro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rob Brown<\/a> gets his first career hat trick in the victory.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2009:<\/strong> Red Wings defenceman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lidstni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nicklas Lidstrom<\/a> is the first European-born blueliner to reach 1,000 points in a 5-2 win over the Kings. The Swede nets two assists in a game at the Joe Louis Arena.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2018:<\/strong> Toronto&#8217;s <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> is the fifth player to get multiple points in his team&#8217;s first seven games. Matthews gets two assists in a 4-1 victory over the Kings. He joins Lemieux and <span id=\"token-BFCAFC7624977539D1593\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/player\/kevin-stevens-8451711\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevi<\/a>n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/player\/kevin-stevens-8451711\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Stevens<\/a><\/span> of the Penguins (1992-93), <span id=\"token-DDF3DD077C66F627D189C\" class=\"token token-hyperLink\"><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><\/span> of the New York Islanders (1984-85) and Gretzky with the Oilers (1983-84).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1935: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/oreewi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Willie O&#8217;Ree<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1957: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/saganro01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rocky Saganiuk<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1991: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nelsobr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brock Nelson<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1997: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gauthju01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Julien Gauthier<\/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.com\/detail\/516256569\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 68.181816% 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\/516256569?et=eG4pb0mgRUlF9N0N_Xx16Q&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=UNUiIvhih9ONeVLp1gDgTLf1SFsTKQwqdK-4rItBsE4=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"405\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We\u2019re normally starting up another hockey season, but we\u2019re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":89271,"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":[24,8245,4547,4548,6331],"tags":[228,757,4669,3534,1086,2248,2161,2087,2160,590,3453],"class_list":["post-89270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kings","category-history","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-today-in-hockey-history","tag-auston-matthews","tag-gordie-howe","tag-henri-richard","tag-hockey-history","tag-mario-lemieux","tag-maurice-richard","tag-nicklas-lidstrom","tag-stan-mikita","tag-ted-lindsay","tag-wayne-gretzky","tag-willie-oree"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89270","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=89270"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":478994,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89270\/revisions\/478994"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/89271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=89270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=89270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=89270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}