Tim Horton's Legacy & Jets Logo History
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", Giroux's Hall of Fame credentials, best & worst trades in Ken Holland's tenure with the Red Wings, 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, Tim Horton’s legacy of hockey, donuts and coffee, the best and worst trades in Ken Holland’s tenure with the Detroit Red Wings, the Winnipeg Jets logo history, and more.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Today in Hockey History: Jan. 12
Jan. 12 had some big moments from some of the greatest players in National Hockey League history. One legend returned to where he made a name for himself, another became the first to reach a new plateau, while a third had to step away from the game. Plus, there were memorable nights in New Jersey, Calgary, and Chicago. The hockey time machine is fired up, so let’s take our daily trip back through the decades.
Tim Horton: A Legacy of Hockey, Donuts, & Coffee
Miles Gilbert Horton, better known as “Tim” Horton thanks to a nickname his mother gave him before giving birth, was born on Jan. 12, 1930, in Cochrane, Ontario, a mining region in the north of the province. Horton stood out from the crows in a lot of ways, including from the first time he laced up the skates. He enjoyed a successful junior career and was named the top defenseman in the Ontario Hockey Association in 1949 for his performance with the St. Michael’s Majors.
He’s known for more than just hockey, though – you might know him as the most recognizable name in coffee and donuts in all of Canada, too. As a 24-year veteran of the NHL and a successful businessman, he made an impact in more ways than one, and the legacy he left behind has made him remembered by millions.
Claude Giroux: Hall of Fame Worthy?
Thirteen members of the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHoF) have played for the Philadelphia Flyers at some point during their careers. This list includes legends like Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent, and Bill Barber. Does one more former Flyers legend belong on the list someday? There is a lot of disagreement regarding Claude Giroux’s Hall of Fame prospects.
Today in Hockey History: Jan. 11
This wasn’t the most eventful date in National Hockey League history, but there was a huge win in Philadelphia in 1976. Fans in Edmonton and Los Angeles had a lot to cheer about, while there were plenty of personal milestones hit as well. Let’s strap in and go for our daily trip through the decades.
Best & Worst Trades in Ken Holland’s Red Wings Tenure
Ken Holland was the main voice guiding the Detroit Red Wings’ player personnel decisions since he took over as general manager in 1997 following their Stanley Cup championship. Along with a braintrust that included former general manager Jim Devellano, former Red Wings players, and coach Jeff Blashill, Holland constructed a solid Red Wings roster.
In this edition of The Grind Line, The Hockey Writers’ Red Wings columnists make their picks for the best and worst Red Wings trades of the Holland era.
Winnipeg Jets Logo History
The Winnipeg Jets have always been a bit of an odd bunch in the aesthetics department.
Their World Hockey Association days saw them change their uniforms nearly every single year. Once they reached the National Hockey League, they wore a stolen jersey template (from the New York Rangers) for an entire decade before coming up with their own (iconic) design. The return of the Jets to Winnipeg in 2011 saw 15 years of pent-up ideas crammed into one design, making the overall look busy and muddled.
The Aviator third jersey introduced for 2018-19 contained no imagination or appeal whatsoever but the current Heritage Blue third jersey is gorgeous. The Jets’ first Reverse Retro was a flop, but the second was a much better effort.
However, the centrepiece of Winnipeg’s ensemble — their logo — has almost always been a triumph, providing us with some of the most beloved imagery in NHL history.