Best Defensive Forwards in Hockey History & Remembering the Memorial Auditorium
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", a look back at when the Messier era ended in New York, the Senators jersey history, and more.
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
In today’s edition, we have a few “Today in Hockey History” posts, ranking the best defensive forwards of all time, remembering Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium, revisiting the day the Mark Messier era ended in New York, and more.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Today in Hockey History: Jan 15
The list of players who had big days on Jan. 15 reads like who’s who of the Hockey Hall of Fame. This was a huge date for defensemen as well as some of the greatest to ever play in Chicago. Let’s begin our daily trip back in time through the years of National Hockey League history.
The 8 Best Defensive Forwards in Hockey History
To many, high scoring, firewagon hockey carries the highest degree of entertainment. While others, this author included, prefer the bite-your-nails-to-the-knuckle closeness of a hard-fought, tactically masterful, defensive battle. Though many may not realize it while clamoring for larger nets, the elimination of the offside whistle and marbles to replace hockey pucks, the sporting world turns to the tightly-contested Stanley Cup Playoffs for the most rugged marathon of organized on the world stage. Where every rare goal means so much more, whether it’s invigorating a downtrodden team with new life or claiming a victim in sudden death.
To pay homage to the goal prevented over the goal scored, I present for your approval, the elite eight of greatest defensive forwards in hockey history.
The Day the Mark Messier Era Ended in New York
A decade of futility for the New York Rangers that started in the late 1990s began with one event in July 1997. It wasn’t a game the Rangers lost, a trade they made, or a free agent they signed (although there would be many to follow).
No, the day that led to seven straight non-playoff seasons for the Broadway Blueshirts was the day their captain walked away.
Today in Hockey History: Jan. 14
This was a significant date for the pioneers and early stars of the National Hockey League. Jan. 14 stood out for a legend in Boston and a pair of all-time great goaltenders. This has also been a pretty good date behind the bench in the Windy City. So, let’s begin our daily trip through time and look back at all the best memories from this date.
Remembering an Old Friend: Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium
An electric atmosphere. Great sightlines. Lively glass panels and boards that would rattle and reverberate from solid body checks. There was so much to love about Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium.
We take a moment to pause and turn back the clock to reminisce about the earlier years of the beloved Blue & Gold.
Today in Hockey History: Jan. 13
This date in National Hockey League history is jammed-packed with so many all-time greats that even one of the biggest baseball legends made an appearance on the ice. Fans in New York and Edmonton had plenty to cheer about, one of the most dangerous lines in league history was put together for the first time, and an elite goal-scorer picked up his first career hat trick. Let’s buckle into our hockey time machine and begin our daily trip throughout the years.
Ottawa Senators Jersey History
The NHL has been under a redesign fever for the last several seasons. The Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars have been some of the boldest as of late, completely changing their colour scheme, but most teams in the league have undergone some form of an overhaul in the past 15 years. Even the Toronto Maple Leafs, who arguably has one of the most timeless jerseys in all of sport, decided to use a new logo in 2016-17, going for a leafier design.
Finally, after years of rumours and speculation of a logo change, the Ottawa Senators have finally joined the rest of the league. Prior to the 2020 draft, the team announced they were updating the unpopular 3-D centurion they’ve used since 1999 and returning to their original concept with the 2-D logo. The new logos and uniforms were received incredibly well, not only because they looked great, but because fans had grown accustomed to seeing sub-par redesign after sub-par redesign. A return to something that worked in the past was, surprisingly, something that didn’t happen all that often in Ottawa.