Maple Leafs Forgotten Ones: Dion Phaneuf & 7 Worst Flames Trades Ever
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", revisiting the career of Daniel Tkaczuk, the Bruins' rivalry with the Red Wings, and more.
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
Today in Hockey History: July 31
July 31 is full of big names. One of the greatest undrafted players in the history of the NHL signed with the team where he became a Hall of Famer. An all-time great goaltender returned to where he had great success. Plus, the best coach in league history took a new position to work with a very familiar face. So, let’s begin our daily trip back in time to relive all the memories made on this date.
Maple Leafs’ Forgotten Ones: Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf is now a 39-year-old former NHL defenseman who, in total, played 14 seasons. He was a large defenseman at 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds. He was selected by Calgary Flames in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Phaneuf played parts of seven NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, coming to Toronto in a trade from the Flames during the 2009-10 season. He became a team captain young in his career. He was eventually traded from the Maple Leafs to the Ottawa Senators during the 2015-16 season.
Daniel Tkaczuk: A Promising Career Cut Short
The 1997 NHL Draft is a bit of an anomaly. Not only were three centers projected to go in the first three picks, but all three also went on to have decent careers. Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Olli Jokinen were some of the best players of the 2000s, combining for 10 All-Star appearances. Add in Hall of Famers Roberto Luongo and Marian Hossa, taken 4th and 12th overall, respectively, and Eric Brewer, who was selected 5th overall and played over 1000 NHL games, and you have a draft class that stands clearly above others in the same era.
Today in Hockey History: July 30
The Pittsburgh Penguins changed the future of their franchise on this date by selecting a generational talent. There were also three retirements on July 30, including two soon-to-be members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. The THW time machine has a full tank of fuel and is ready to take us back through the decades.
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Bruins Rivalries Revisited: Detroit Red Wings
When the puck dropped on the 2023-24 NHL season, the Boston Bruins celebrated their centennial. Joining the league as one of the Original Six, the Bruins have formed rivalries with many teams over the years. Today we’ll revisit their long-standing rivalry with the Detroit Red Wings.
7 Worst Flames Trades Ever
In the National Hockey League, making trades is simultaneously an art, a science and a task in intelligent asset management. Over the years, the Calgary Flames have had several general managers that were quite good at the art of the deal – notably the legendary “Trader Cliff” Fletcher.
