Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack
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The Day the Mark Messier Era Ended in New York
September 6, 2023 by THW Archives
A decade of futility for the New York Rangers that started in the late 1990s began with one event in July 1997. It wasn’t a game the Rangers lost, a trade they made, or a free agent they signed (although there would be many to follow).
No, the day that led to seven straight non-playoff seasons for the Broadway Blueshirts was the day their captain walked away.
Today in Hockey History: Sept. 6
Sept. 6 has been a pretty big date for the NHL in the state of California. Also, the legendary Summit Series continued in Winnipeg, and a pair of Hockey Hall of Famers were traded. So, let’s take our daily trip back in time to relive all the memories this date has given us over the years.
Dale Hawerchuk Trade Revisited
September 6, 2023 by Nathaniel Oliver
The finest years of Hawerchuk’s success came as a Jet and lasted for nearly a decade. Therefore, when he was eventually moved from Winnipeg to a rightful suitor, it became a landmark move that kicked off the NHL of the 1990s with blockbuster fashion. The man affectionately known as “Ducky” was bid farewell from Manitoba, and forged the later portion of his great career. All with one eye-popping move.
Myth of the Montreal Canadiens’ Early Success
September 5, 2023 by THW Archives
For generations, the Habs have been dogged by accusations that their historic Stanley Cup success was because they had territorial rights to the best players French Canada had to offer. In this great article, originally published May 12, 2010, former THW contributor Mike Moore lays out why all those claims of an unfair advantage are wrong.
Today in Hockey History: Sept. 5
One of the most popular players to ever play on Broadway signed on for one more NHL season on this date. Also, the Pittsburgh Penguins added a huge piece to their recent championship success. Let’s hop aboard the THW time machine to revisit all the best hockey memories from Sept. 5.
Do You Know Your Bruins Trivia?
Are you a die-hard Boston Bruins fan? Think you know all there is to know about the team? Let’s find out. We’ve dug into the past to pull out some key moments by some of the great players and coaches in the franchise’s history.
Longest Stanley Cup Droughts
It’s often said that the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win in professional sports. Of the league’s 32 teams, only 20 have won the Stanley Cup and just 14 have won multiple championships. In the modern era, it’s become tougher to win championships and build dynasties which begs the question: what are the longest active Stanley Cup droughts?
Dating back to the original expansion year of the NHL, there are 11 active teams that haven’t won a Stanley Cup since their inception. The record for the longest drought ever goes to the Toronto Maple Leafs, currently sitting at 55 years since their Cup win in 1967.