Dale Hunter's Unbreakable Record & Maple Leafs' History of Black Hockey Players
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", revisiting Joffrey Lupul's short stint in Toronto, a brief history of rinkside advertising, and more.
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
Today in Hockey History: Aug. 2
Aug. 2 was a big day for the Buffalo Sabres as they pulled off a big trade to land a dynamic player in 2018. Also, a group of veteran players, including a current NHL head coach, signed on with new teams on this date. Plus, there was a dramatic finish in the bubble as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued to get rolling. Let’s hop aboard the THW time machine to relive all the best from this date.
Dale Hunter’s Unbreakable Record
Nicknamed “The Nuisance” for his sandpapery, face-wash, stick-to-the-groin style of play, Dale Hunter was a difference maker for every season of his 19-year NHL career. Though he never won the Stanley Cup, he was in many ways a “winner” just the same. Hunter did everything in his power to ensure victory for the teams he played for, even if that meant not adhering to the rules. For Hunter, hockey was a war on ice – not merely a game. He had the will to win, and it was contagious among his teammates
Maple Leafs’ Forgotten Ones: Joffrey Lupul
From 2011 to 2016, Joffrey Lupul played 280 career games with the Toronto Maple Leafs before injuries forced him into early retirement in 2017. His 40th birthday was in Sep. 2023. In this post, I want to focus on Lupul’s time with the Maple Leafs. He was a really good hockey player whose career with the team was cut short by injuries.
Today in Hockey History: Aug. 1
Aug. 1 is a great date in the history of the New York Rangers as they signed a future Hall of Famer who went on to rewrite their record books. Also, two Canadian teams made some memorable moves, and a historic name took a new job with the most storied franchise in National Hockey League history. Plus, the NHL returns to the ice after a pandemic shuts down the world.
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Toronto Maple Leafs History of Black Hockey Players
In their 107-year-old history, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had a total of 1,074 players suit up to don the blue and white. Only nine of these 1,074 players are black, equaling a total of 0.84% of the team’s entire history of players.
A Brief History of Rinkside Advertising
Attend any NHL game today and you’ll be bombarded by colorful ads from large corporations. From arena sponsorship signage to dasher board and on-ice advertising, there’s no avoiding it; and there’s more every year.
