NHL Legends Who Never Hoisted the Cup & Epic Comebacks in the Playoffs
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", NHL's top 50 Russians of all time, who invented hockey, and more.
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
Surprising Playoff Performers: Oilers' Fernando Pisani
By Matthew Zator (THW Premium Content)
Stars often get checked to death in the playoffs, giving way to surprising playoff performances from some lesser-known players, like Fernando Pisani in 2006.
Today in Hockey History: April 29
If you are a fan of a good Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, then April 29 is the day for you. This date in National Hockey League history has supplied us with a ton of drama. Let’s take our daily trip back in time and enjoy all the great moments this date has had to offer.
Top 10 NHL Legends Who Never Hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup
If you ask any young hockey player what they want, more than anything, their answer will likely be to win the Stanley Cup. Precious few have the chance to play a game in the NHL, and even fewer get the chance to hoist the greatest trophy in sports.
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The NHL’s Top-50 Russians of All-Time
The very first Russian-born and trained player to make it to the NHL was Victor Nechayev, whose marriage to an American woman allowed him entry into the USA. He played one season of professional hockey in North America, which included three games for the Los Angeles Kings during the 1982-83 season. He even scored in one of them, starting a legacy the carries on to this day.
Epic Comebacks: History of Stanley Cup Playoff 3-0 Series Deficits
Historically, when a team has secured their third win of the series, the foregone conclusion, based on statistics, is the matchup is all but over. However, throughout the 204 incidents (as of 2023) when a team fell behind 3-0 in a series, only four of those clubs rallied back and won in Game 7.
Today in Hockey History: April 27
April 27 has provided some big moments throughout the course of National Hockey League history. There have been plenty of dramatic playoff games as well as new league and franchise records set on this date. Let’s take our daily trip back in time to relive all the best moments.
Who Invented Hockey?
Today, it’s known as Canada’s game. Even with stiff competition at the international level, Canadians still claim that ice hockey is a product of their country. But what if that wasn’t the case? What if researchers have been able to provide evidence to the contrary?