Martin St. Louis, the Little Big Man & Best Full Right Goalies in NHL History
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", Gretzky, Ovechkin and the goalies they scored on (a lot), why the 1999 Draft class might be the worst ever, and more.
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Today in Hockey History: June 19
June 19 has seen the crowning of two Stanley Cup champions over the years and a third memorable Stanley Cup Final game that ended with some overtime magic. Off the ice, there were a handful of coaching moves, and a new class was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The THW time machine is warmed up and ready to take back through the years to relive all the best moments this date has had to offer.
Martin St. Louis, the Little Big Man
Little Big Men have always been a staple in the NHL. You know the type: fast as the wind, nimble on their feet, quick with their hands and tough to play against. Henri Richard, Marcel Dionne, Brian Gionta.
Who Were the Best Full Right Goalies in NHL History?
“Silly sider” is a term we hear ascribed to right-shooting, right-catching, and often left-handed goalies. Like left-handed baseball pitchers, full right goalies supposedly play at an advantage over left-shooting skaters. While a shooter might instinctively snipe to a goaltender’s left, or glove side, at lower level play, they’re often surprised to find their shot deflected with a blocker or stick save. Retired NHL goaltender, Tomas Vokoun once said it was “a little bit easier” to stop a left-handed shot as right catcher.
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Today in Hockey History: June 18
Although there have only been two games played on this date, there has still been plenty of National Hockey League history made over the years. One of the greatest players to ever play the game was honored following his last full season in the league. A head coach was traded for the first time, and a whole slew of goaltenders were on the move. So let’s begin our daily trip through the years to relive all the best moments from June 18.
1999: The Worst NHL Draft Class Ever?
Before the 1999 NHL Draft took place in Boston, MA on June 26, many believed it was to have a deep amount of talent to choose from – a treasure trove of sorts. European players especially were considered to predominate the early selections, and they had prospective NHL suitors salivating over their supposed skill sets.
Gretzky, Ovechkin and the Goalies They Scored On (A Lot)
Hockey fans who were old enough probably remember where they were on Mar. 23, 1994. Wayne Gretzky, known as The Great One, took a pass from longtime teammate Marty McSorely and fired a snapshot past Kirk McLean to become the league’s all-time scorer with 802 goals.