Ilya Kovalchuk: A Career Retrospective & Revisiting Darcy Tucker Trade
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", top hockey celebrations of all time, playoff hat tricks, and more.
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
Maple Leafs Rookie Rewind: Auston Matthews
By Matthew Zator (THW Premium Content)
After seeing Matthews score his 69th goal of the 2023-24 season, let's take a look back at what he was up to in his rookie year.
Today in Hockey History: April 17
This date has been very eventful in the history of the National Hockey League. A generational talent in Pittsburgh was the youngest ever to hit a particular milestone. This date has been kind to goaltenders and has also given us plenty of memories in the crease. Let’s take our daily trip back in time to relive all the top moments from April 17.
Ilya Kovalchuk: A Career Retrospective
On Jan. 6, 2006, late in the second period of a regular-season Pittsburgh Penguins-Atlanta Thrashers tilt, a 22-year-old Ilya Kovalchuk is left dangerously uncovered on the near-side point of the Thrashers’ power play. As the Penguins’ defense flails hopelessly to recover, the Russian scorer, receiving a cross-slot pass, wastes no time blasting a one-time slap shot past goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. It’s good for his second goal of the game: 5-0 Thrashers.
Revisiting the Maple Leafs’ Darcy Tucker Trade
It has been 24 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Darcy Tucker from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade on Feb. 9, 2000, and it had fans very interested. Although Tucker wasn’t as big of a name that Leafs’ fans came to love, his trade price wasn’t astronomical. The Maple Leafs gave up a roster player and a collection of draft picks, and in return, got Tucker, who headlined the trade, as well as two draft picks.
Today in Hockey History: April 16
April 16 is a huge date amongst the National Hockey League’s “Original Six” franchises, with four of them winning the Stanley Cup. There are also plenty of Hall of Fame players who left their mark on the game through the years. Let’s hop aboard the THW time machine and go back in time to relive all the best moments this date has had to offer.
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Top 10 Hockey Celebrations of All Time
The NHL has seen its fair share of evolution when it comes to celebrating goals. If you watch video of Jean Beliveau or Gordie Howe scoring back in the 1960s, you’ll see a very tame couple of glove taps with their teammates, and maybe a hug.
All-Time Leaders in Stanley Cup Playoff Hat Tricks
On April 19, 2023, Roope Hintz registered his first career postseason hat trick in the Dallas Stars’ 7-3 win over the Minnesota Wild in Game 2 of their first-round series. The next day, John Tavares got his first playoff hat trick to help propel the Toronto Maple Leafs past the Tampa Bay Lightning, 7-2, and tie the series 1-1.