THW Hockey History Substack - Sept. 18, 2023
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, a look back at the 2011 NHL Draft Top 10, Ovechkin’s milestones and the goalies he beat, and a look back at the career of Maple Leafs legend Darryl Sittler.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Today in Hockey History: Sept. 18
This has been a significant date in the history of the NHL. In addition to two franchises playing their first games, Sept. 18 has been the birth date of four members of the Hockey Hall of Fame; three great players and one legendary coach. It is time to start our daily journey through the decades to revisit all the great moments.
Darryl Sittler – Toronto Maple Leafs Legend
Darryl Sittler, the most popular player in Toronto Maple Leafs history, captured the imagination of hockey fans everywhere. In his 15-year NHL career, he scored 484 goals, 637 assists, and 1,121 points in the regular season. And although he scored another 29 goals in the playoffs, his most famous tally came in overtime against Czechoslovakia to win the Canada Cup in 1976.
Today in Hockey History: Sept. 17
Sept. 17 has been a very busy day in NHL history. One franchise played in its first-ever game, while a future Hall of Famer made his league debut. Plus, two of the best goal scorers to ever lace up a pair of skates are celebrating another trip around the sun. So. let’s take our daily trip back in time to revisit all the memories from this date.
Ovechkin, His Milestone Goals & the Goalies He Beat
Since coming into the league, he’s been arguably the most prolific goal scorer – cementing his place among NHL lore. While he may not have the overall record – yet – it’s on the verge of becoming a no-doubter with each passing game.
On Dec. 13, 2022, he took one step closer to Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 goals with his 800th career regular season tally. With that, I figured we would look back on some of Ovechkin’s milestone goals and which goalies became a part of history as he looks to break the all-time record in the coming seasons.
Today in Hockey History: Sept. 16
The final Canada Cup match ever played occurred on this date. Plus, the greatest player in NHL history reported to his first-ever professional and NHL training camps exactly one year apart. The THW time machine has its engines warm and is ready to take back through the decade. Let’s climb aboard!
2011 NHL Draft Top 10: Where Are They Now?
As players selected at the 2011 NHL Draft reach their 12th anniversary in the NHL, this provides a perfect opportunity to look back on the top-10 selections of the draft. So, have they lived up to their franchise-defining billings, or have these players failed to meet the hype of their draft position?