{"id":92070,"date":"2020-12-03T09:30:23","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T14:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=92070"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:17:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:17:16","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-bruins-retire-no-7-of-phil-esposito","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/12\/03\/today-in-hockey-history-bruins-retire-no-7-of-phil-esposito\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Boston Bruins Retire No. 7 of Phil Esposito"},"content":{"rendered":"

Normally we\u2019d be in the midst of starting up another hockey season now, 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 December 3rd, featuring Phil Esposito<\/a>.
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Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n

Bruins Retire Jersey of Phil Esposito<\/a><\/h3>\n

1987:<\/strong> The Boston Bruins<\/a> retire the No. 7 sweater with a little help from Ray Bourque<\/a>. Boston’s captain wore that number since he came into the league in 1978. However, the star defenceman takes off the jersey to reveal his brand new No. 77 sweater.<\/p>\n

Bourque tells Esposito that the No. 7 is his and no other Bruins player will wear it again. Boston beats the New York Rangers<\/a>, 4-3. Esposito was the general manager of the Blueshirts<\/a> at that time.<\/p>\n

Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n

1929:<\/strong> Boston starts a winning streak of 14 overall and 22 at home with a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens<\/a>. The New York Islanders<\/a> break the streak in 1981-82.<\/p>\n

1949:<\/strong> Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> player George Armstrong<\/a> plays in his first of 1,187 games for the club. He is the only player to skate for the Maple Leafs in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Armstrong finishes with 296 goals and was part of four Stanley Cup winners.<\/p>\n

1970:<\/strong> The Detroit Red Wings<\/a> Frank Mahovlich<\/a> is the sixth player to score at least 400 goals. His power-play goal helps the Wings get a 4-4 tie with the Los Angeles Kings<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

1984:<\/strong> The Islanders get their 500th regular season victory with a 5-4 win over the Vancouver Canucks<\/a>. It comes in the team’s 980th game, which is the second-fastest to the mark.<\/p>\n

1991:<\/strong> Ottawa Senators<\/a> forward Kevin Dineen<\/a> gets a misconduct penalty in a 7-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils<\/a>. He becomes the first player to get 300 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes.<\/p>\n

2002:<\/strong> Pavel Bure<\/a> gets his lone Rangers hat trick in a 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>. Brendan Shanahan<\/a> does the same thing four years later in a 7-4 loss to the rival Islanders.<\/p>\n

2016:<\/strong> Patrick Kane<\/a> ties the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> 21-game point streak held by Bobby Hull<\/a>. Kane gets a goal and two assists in a 4-3 overtime loss to Ottawa.<\/p>\n

2017:<\/strong> The Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> beat the Arizona Coyotes<\/a>, 3-2, to become the first expansion team to get 10 home wins in their first 12 games. Reilly Smith<\/a>‘s goal at 3:51 of OT also gives the Golden Knights their fourth win in as many games against Arizona.<\/p>\n

Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n

1952: Bob MacMillan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1960: Igor Larionov<\/a><\/strong>; Mike Ramsey<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1970: Laura Schuler<\/strong><\/p>\n

1978: Tom Preissing<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1995: Julius Honka<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>