Wayne Gretzky Trade Tree & Teemu Selanne's Unbreakable Record
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", the top 10 greatest American hockey players ever, forgotten picks from the 2007 NHL Draft, and more.
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
Today in Hockey History: July 5
Despite no games on the schedule, July 5 has been a rather busy day in National Hockey League history. We’ve seen some familiar faces in new places, plenty of coaching changes, and a generational talent received a huge new contract. So let’s begin our daily trip back in time to enjoy all the best from this date.
Wayne Gretzky Trade Tree: Edmonton to Los Angeles
Trade Trees are attractive because they show how things develop over time. There’s a saying in hockey that if “Wayne Gretzky can be traded, anyone can,” and it’s true. When the greatest player to ever play the game was dealt, everything changed; Gretzky’s trade tree ended a few years ago, but the ramifications of this deal have shaken the league to its core. This is the Wayne Gretzky Trade Tree.
The 10 Greatest American Hockey Players Ever
Hockey has historically been a sport dominated by Canadian players, though in recent years it has become an increasingly international affair. But American players have always had a major role in the game, particularly in the National Hockey League.
Today in Hockey History: July 4
The 4th of July is usually reserved for fireworks in the sky in the United States. However, there have been plenty of fireworks in the form of big trades and free-agent signings on this date throughout National Hockey League history. So let’s hop aboard the THW time machine and relive all the top moments this date has given us through the years.
Don’t forget to check out all of our FREE team Substacks, and sign up for your favorites…or all of them if you want.
You can also upgrade your subscription to a paid THW account, and get access to ALL of our Premium content for one low price.
Teemu Selanne’s Unbreakable Record
76 goals in a rookie season. It’s a total hard to wrap one’s head around. Everyone has a sports record locked in their mind that will live with them forever. For many, it’s the number of goals “Finnish Flash” Teemu Selanne potted in his 1992-93 rookie campaign for the Winnipeg Jets that stands on top.
2007 NHL Draft: 5 Forgotten Picks
The 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus is notable for a number of reasons. It was an American-heavy draft, the first-ever in which U.S.-born players went first and second overall — Patrick Kane to the Chicago Blackhawks and James van Riemsdyk to the Philadelphia Flyers, respectively — and second-ever in which 10 Americans were drafted in the first round.