Revisiting the Career of Frank Mahovlich & the Montreal Forum
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", revisiting the trade that brought Nathan Horton to the Bruins, 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 couple “Today in Hockey History” posts, a look back at the Hall of Fame career of Frank Mahovlich, the trade that brought Nathan Horton to the Boston Bruins, the history of the legendary Montreal Forum, and more.
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Today in Hockey History: Jan 10
Some of the greatest players in National Hockey League history have had plenty of reasons to celebrate on Jan. 10. The fans in Montreal, Boston, and Buffalo were treated to multiple big moments throughout the decades. It is time to fire up our hockey time machine to take a look at all the best this date has had to offer us.
Frank Mahovlich: Highs & Lows of a Hall of Fame Career
Few players had a life as remarkable as Hall of Famer Frank Mahovlich. He played 1,418 professional games in 22 seasons between the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association (WHA). He was an All-Star in half of the NHL’s “Original 6” cities, played on both sides of the biggest rivalry in the game, won six Stanley Cups, and then served in the Canadian Senate when his playing days concluded.
Revisiting the Bruins Trade for Horton
On May 5, 2010, the Boston Bruins beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 in Game 3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals for a commanding 3-0 series lead. Needing to win just one of their next four games to advance to the Conference Final against the hated Montreal Canadiens, it seemed the Bruins and Habs were destined to battle for a berth in the Stanley Cup Final.
What seemed like an almost certainty turned into NHL history for the Bruins that they don’t want to be part of. They lost Game 4 in overtime 5-4, then proceeded to lose the final three games of the series, including Game 7 at home after holding a 3-0 lead to become just the third team in league history to blow a 3-0 series lead.
After the dust settled from one of the biggest disappointments in the franchise history, general manager Peter Chiarelli decided to make a move to add to their roster. He looked to add more scoring to a team that struggled to score in 2009-10 and in the playoffs.
Today in Hockey History: Jan. 9
One of the greatest goal-scorers in the history of the National Hockey League laced up his skates one final time on this date. Plus, Jan. 9 was a big night for memorable shutouts, and we had plenty of moments from the early years of the league. Let’s take our daily trip back through the years of the game’s glorious history.
The Montreal Forum 1908-1996
The Montreal Forum was built at the foot of a mountain dominated by St. Joseph’s Oratory on one side and an illuminated cross on another. It was a fitting place for fans to make pilgrimages to a hockey shrine.