Top 10 Mennonites & '90s Jerseys Gone Too Soon
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, top 10 Mennonites, ‘90s jerseys gone too soon, top lines in Colorado Avalanche history, and more.
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Today in Hockey History: Nov. 13
This extremely busy day in National Hockey League history included a little bit of everything. For the first time, a team used three goaltenders to win a game, and a penalty-shot goal was scored. In addition, three members of the same family each hit personal milestones in three separate decades. So, let’s take our daily trip back in time to enjoy all the great memories Nov. 13 has given us.
Top 10 Mennonites in NHL History
by Dayton Reimer
Over 500 years ago, a group led by Menno Simons in Northern Germany created the Christian denomination of the Mennonites. They were persecuted for their pacifism and Protestant connections, which forced them to flee several European countries. Today, Mennonites live all over the world, though many are still in areas where their ancestors settled, and have developed a culture of their own.
Many have similar surnames and can trace their lineages back several generations, and have a fondness for fried and preserved foods. Most of all, they have become known as hard-working, honest people who have a strong sense of community.
These traits (aside from the fried dough) have made Mennonites top-notch athletes. They generally aren’t the biggest stars, but they are highly respected by their teammates and are invaluable to their teams. In the NHL, several Mennonites have made their mark throughout history, from setting records to having their names engraved on the Stanley Cup. As hockey continues to grow internationally each year, let’s take a moment and look at the stars who seem to avoid the spotlight. These are the 10 best Mennonites in NHL history.
Top Lines in Colorado Avalanche History
The Colorado Avalanche have played host to some of the best hockey players in the league. During their run of multiple championships, and even beyond, the Avalanche have frequently had a combination of skills that made them one of the most exciting teams to watch.
From top to bottom, the Avs lines have always provided fans with great hockey. Here are the top lines in Avalanche history, in no particular order.
Today in Hockey History: Nov. 12
This has been a very interesting and busy date in NHL history. A legendary arena opened, a bitter rivalry began, and a whole slew of Hockey Hall of Famers had big moments throughout the years. So, let’s hop aboard the THW time machine and relive all the best memories made on Nov. 12.
5 ’90s NHL Jerseys Gone Too Soon
Like a fine wine, most NHL jerseys get better with age. Whether they were loved or despised, most sports jerseys end up finding a soft place in our heart as we yearn for the past and get lost in nostalgia.
Currently, in pop culture as well as sports, trends of ’90s are coming back in spades. In that spirit, here are the five best ’90s NHL jerseys that left us too soon.
Today in Hockey History: Nov. 11
Minnesota is rich in hockey history and this date brought some big moments over the years. Also, there were plenty of big offensive performances including some from defenders on the back end. The first-ever empty-net goal in NHL history was scored and a new franchise revealing its name are among the other memories to occur on Nov. 11.
All-Time Best Player From Every NHL Team
Inside the Hockey Hall of Fame, there’s a large room–a sanctuary–that honors hockey’s most notable players, athletes, builders and broadcasters. In addition to the Stanley Cup, there are custom-built trophy showcases filled with the Vezina, Hart, Art Ross and Calder Trophies. And, of course, there are portraits and biographical sketches of each inducted member.
There are so many great players, but if each team could only elect one person in their history, who would that be? In other words, who is the all-time best player for each team in the NHL? This article takes that question to heart–or Hart.