Top 5 Red Wings Defensemen & Mark Messier's Legendary Career
Also, some "Today in Hockey History", rare Bruins jersey numbers, top 5 players from France, 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, the top 5 Detroit Red Wings defensemen of all time, Mark Messier’s legendary NHL career, rare jersey numbers worn in Boston Bruins history, top players from France, and more.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Today in Hockey History: Jan. 19
Jan. 19 has been a very interesting day in National Hockey League history. Players scoring their 200th career goal was an overwhelming theme of the day. Plus, there were some historic performances in Los Angeles, and we saw one of the most memorable moments in All-Star Game history. Let’s hop in the THW hockey time machine for our daily look back.
Red Wings’ Top 5 Defensemen of All Time Ranked
The Detroit Red Wings are about as decorated as an NHL franchise can be. While legendary forwards like Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman dominate the team’s record books, the Red Wings have also been home to a vast collection of talented defensemen across the decades.
Throughout this list of players, there are numerous Norris Trophy winners, All-Star selections, Hall-of-Fame inductees, and Stanley Cup champions. Likewise, a few decorated blueliners are missing from the list, but that is the reality of rankings. Without further ado, let us take a look at the player who slots into the fifth spot.
Top 5 Players From France in NHL History
When André Peloffy suited up for the expansion 1974-75 Washington Capitals, he became the first player born in France to play in the National Hockey League. Originally selected by the New York Rangers in the ninth round of the 1971 Draft, Peloffy never played for the “Blueshirts” and was traded to the Capitals prior to the start of their inaugural season.
It would not be until Mar. 10, 1992 when Philippe Bozon debuted for the St. Louis Blues that a player who was French-born and trained would play in the NHL. As a passion for hockey has continued to grow in France in the decades since, six other players besides Bozon would fall into that same category. One would even become a Stanley Cup champion, while three more would earn themselves full-time NHL jobs.
THW ranks for you the top-5 players from France in NHL history. See if you agree with who we selected and where we slotted them on our list.
Today in Hockey History: Jan. 18
Jan. 18 is a very important date in National Hockey League history as it was when the color barrier was broken. Also, a trio of major milestones was hit in Detroit, and memories were made on Long Island. There were some big moments between the pipes and at the All-Star Game well. Let’s jump on board for our daily trip on the THW hockey time machine!
They Wore It Once: Bruins Players and Their Unique Numbers
Probably the most memorable sweater number retirement ceremony in Boston Bruins history occurred on Dec. 3, 1987, when Raymond Bourque surprised the legendary Phil Esposito and delighted the fans at the old Boston Garden. Bourque removed his number 7 sweater, the one Esposito made famous, to reveal that he would now be wearing number 77 so 7 could be raised to the rafters forever.
Esposito and Bourque were among seven Bruins who wore number 7 before it was retired. However, there have been 11 numbers worn by just one player in the team’s storied 96-year history, including Bourque’s 77, which was also retired on Oct. 4, 2001 following a career that saw him suit up in four separate decades. Coincidentally, 11 numbers have also been retired or honored by the team, with a handful falling into both categories.
Of the retired numbers, 2, 3 and 77 were only ever worn by one Bruins player. We’ll start with that elite few in our look back at the numbers that were only ever chosen by one player.
Mark Messier – NHL Legend and 6-Time Stanley Cup Winner
Mark Messier did it all in a career that spanned 25 NHL seasons over four decades. He’s the only player in NHL history to captain two different professional teams to championships; he won five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers and one with the New York Rangers—all in a span of 10 years. Simply remarkable.
The 15-time All-Star power forward is third on the all-time point-scoring list with 1,887 points, trailing only Wayne Gretzky and Jaromir Jagr. He played in 1,756 regular season games, behind only Patrick Marleau’s 1,779 and Gordie Howe’s 1,767. And he holds the record for most NHL regular season and playoff season games played at 1,992.
Messier was nicknamed “the Moose” for his determination, aggression, and strength. He had power, playmaking skill, and a goal-scorer’s finesse. He was a fierce competitor whose intense leadership in the dressing room was as important as the goals he scored on the ice. In 1994, he earned a new moniker, “The Messiah” for leading the end of the Rangers’ 54-year Stanley Cup drought.