Today In NHL History - Luongo Trade (NYI-FLA)

On June 24th in 2000, New York Islanders GM Mike Milbury traded Roberto Luongo and Olli Jokinen to the Florida Panthers for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha. The 2000 NHL Entry Draft day play saw the Isles select goalie Rick DiPietro 1st overall ahead of future all-stars Dany Heatley (2nd), Marian Gaborik (3rd) and Henrik Lundqvist (205th), to name a few.

In response to the move Milbury surmised, "In the end, we thought the quality that DiPietro will bring is just a notch above Luongo. If we're wrong, we may have made an unbelievable mistake. It'll be bonehead city. It's my job. If we're not a better team immediately, off with my head. I've been here five years, and I'm tired of losing."

Safe to say the Isles would have been better off with future Vezina/Hart/Pearson finalist Luongo, Calder winner and two-time 50 goal scorer Heatley, and Finnish national teamer Jokinen than the trio of DiPietro, Parrish, and Kvasha. Alas, the Milbury legacy lives on and on.

That's today in NHL history.

* See also Today In NHL History - Luongo's Playoff Poop.
* See also Today In NHL History - Luongo's Stick Gets Stuck.
* See also Today In NHL History - Luongo Trade (FLA-VAN).
* See also Roberto Luongo Interview - 2011 NHL Awards.
* See also Roberto Luongo Interview - 2009 NHL Awards.

Today In NHL History - Hextall Hammers Chelios

On May 11th in 1989, Philadelphia Flyers ferocious goalie Ron Hextall attacked Montreal Canadiens defenseman Chris Chelios after play was whistled offside trailing 4-2 with 1:37 left in Game 6 of the Wales Conference Finals.

The 1987 Vezina and Conn Smythe winner come single season goaltender penalty minute record holder (113 minutes in 1989) pounced in response to Chelios' unpenalized elbow on Brian Propp ten days earlier.

Hextall received a five-minute major and match penalty coupled with a 12 game suspension commencing the following season. The Canadiens eliminated the Flyers that night winning the game and series 4-2.

Asked 20 years later if the pair had made amends, Hextall explained:

"No, we’re not friends. I've talked to him a few times. You know what, honestly, when the game's over, when your career’s over, you look back at guys like that and you respect them more than anyone else because he is a competitor. He’s one of the top competitors in the league. I look at a guy like that, would I like to have played with him? Damn right I would have. Those guys that are competitive, there's a respect there even if you can’t stand the guy. There's a respect there that never goes away. When I was standing at the bench in Detroit two years ago when we were in town who comes over to talk to me? He does. It’s in the past."

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Brodeur's Playoff Goal

On April 17th on 1997, netminder Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils scored an unassisted empty net goal against the Montreal Canadiens joining Ron Hextall as the second goalie to ever score in a NHL playoff game.

The Devils went on to beat the Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal 5-2, eventually taking the series 4-1.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Turco Bets Canadiens Fan

On April 5th in 2011, Chicago Blackhawks benched backup goaltender Marty Turco allegedly wagered with a Montreal Canadiens season ticket holder named Robert during a match at the Bell Center after a second period goal by forward Michael Cammalleri put Montreal ahead 1-0.

According to Robert's retelling on the sports radio station Team 990, the bet began with a friendly $5 wager that Chicago wouldn't score. When Patrick Kane tied the game three minutes later, Robert slid a $5 bill between the glass to Turco with the note "Habs Rule" written on its face.

Double or nothing escalated into triple or nothing and eventually 5 to 1 odds that the Canadiens would win in overtime, which they did when defenseman P.K. Subban scored a powerplay goal 79 seconds into the extra frame giving Montreal a 2-1 victory over Chicago, and prompting Turco to pass a wad of $5 bills to the fan, including the original $5 bill which had been revised from "Habs Rule" to "Turco Rules!".

Despite Exhibit 14.2 of NHL CBA explicitly stating "Gambling on any NHL Game is prohibited", Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed there would be "no investigation and no action", to which Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville added, "it's something that happened, we're handling it internally". For the record, Turco owned up to passing the $5 bill back and forth with the fan, but did not admit to accepting any wagers.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Canucks Fartgate

On January 18th in 2023, a fart sound was heard on Sportsnet during the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks broadcast. Without skipping a beat, Canucks play-by-play legend John Shorthouse quipped to his partner John Garrett "Was that you?". Cheech denied it and Fartgate was born.

The moment in question occurred when netminder Colin Delia slid to his left whilst corralling an Alex Killorn clear during a Canucks powerplay, with three minutes remaining in the first period. When approached days later after Fartgate went viral, Delia admitted "It was my skate".

Delia and teammate Thatcher Demko recently began using a one-piece carbon goalie skate by TRUE that is notorious for making untoward sounds with any movement. So, expect more fart noises from Canucks goaltenders going forward.

The Lightning beat the Canucks by a score of 5-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Ilya Kovalchuk's Own Goal

On December 26th in 2011, New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk fired an errant pass from the Carolina Hurricanes goal line past extra-attacker and intended recipient Adam Henrique and into the Devils empty net for an own goal, down 3-2 with 29 seconds to play.

Afterwards, the oft-maligned overpaid winger acknowledged "we were working hard, but a bad decision by me cost us the game." Compounding matters, it was Kovalchuk's mishandling of the puck in the first period that led to a shorthanded score by Carolina's Brandon Sutter.

Kovalchuk's own goal was awarded to Cam Ward making him the 10th NHL netminder to be credited with a goal and the first in Hurricanes history. Carolina beat New Jersey that night by a score of 4-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Hextall's First Goal

On December 8th in 1987, Philadelphia Flyers netminder Ron Hextall fired a puck the length of the ice into an empty Boston Bruins net becoming the first goalie to score a goal in a NHL game.
Though New York Islanders backstop Billy Smith had been credited with a goal eight years earlier, it was Colorado Rockies defenceman Rob Ramage who in fact last touched the puck. Thus, Hextall was the positional pioneer to actually shoot the puck into an opponent's net.

Hextall repeated the feat two years later in a playoff game against the Washington Capitals. He remains the only goalie to actually score twice.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Roy Trade (MTL-COL)

On December 6th in 1995, the Montreal Canadiens traded Patrick Roy and team captain Mike Keane to the Colorado Avalanche for Jocelyn Thibault, Martin Rucinsky and Andrei Kovalenko in what remains one of the most lopsided exchanges in league history.

The seeds of the move were sewn on December 2, 1995 during a franchise worst 11-1 home loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Allowing five goals in the first period and two more in the first five minutes of the second, Habs freshman bench boss Mario Tremblay elected to strand Roy.

Eventually relieved with eight minutes remaining in the middle frame, after surrendering nine goals on 26 shots, a humiliated Roy returned to the bench and informed team president Ronald Corey that he'd played his last game in Montreal. Four days later, rookie GMs Rejean Houle and Pierre LaCroix pulled the trigger on what is simply known as Le Trade.


From Le Trade through Roy's retirement in 2003, Montreal won only two playoff series ('98, '02) failing to qualify four times ('99, '00, '01, '03). Colorado never missed a postseason with St. Patrick between the pipes, twice taking the Presidents' Trophy ('97, '01) and Stanley Cup ('96, '01).

Roy finished with five Jennings ('87, '88, '89', '92, '02), four Stanley Cup ('86, '93, '96, '01), and three Conn Smythe ('86, '93, '01) and Vezina ('89, '90, '92) wins. He is arguably the best goalie to ever play the game.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Tristan Jarry's Goal

On November 30, 2023, Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry became the 14th goaltender to be credited with a goal in a NHL game and the 9th goaltender to shoot the puck into the net.

Defending a 3-2 lead against Tampa Bay with a minute remaining on the road, Jarry collected an Anthony Cirelli tip in and promptly fired it 175 feet into the Lightning's empty cage. The shot reached a maximum speed of 55mph and a height of 16 feet above the ice en route to history.After the game, Jarry described the moment as "the perfect scenario", noting "it was definitely pretty cool, but the win means more".Jarry's goal marked the 17th time a goaltender has been credited with a goal in an NHL game and the first Penguin, with only two netminders (Ron Hextall, Martin Brodeur) turning the trick more than once. The Penguins held on to beat the Lightning by a score of 4-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Billy Smith's Goal

On November 28, 1979, New York Islanders netminder Billy Smith became the first goaltender to be credited with a goal in a NHL game.

Blindly playing the puck to the blueline, Colorado Rockies defenceman Rob Ramage watched his pass slide the length of the ice into his now empty thanks to an astute move by his goalie on a delayed penalty. Smith, being the last offensive player to touch, was credited with the marker.

It would be another eight years before a goalie scored a goal in the NHL by shooting the puck into an empty net. Ron Hextall holds that honor.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Patrick Roy Dekes Gretzky

On November 16th in 1997, trailing by three goals with 3:30 remaining in the third period of a matinee at MSG, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy elected to skate the puck up the ice stickhandling past Wayne Gretzky before crossing center ice where #33 was whistled by referee Paul Devorski.The unorthodox adventure greatly amused MSG color commentator and former netminder John Davidson, however, Rule 27.7 prohibits such sojourns and Roy was assessed a minor penalty for participating "in the play in any manner (intentionally plays the puck or checks an opponent) when he is beyond the center red line" .

The New York Rangers beat the Avalanche that afternoon 4-1.  Both Saint Patrick and the Great One were held pointless in the affair.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Hextall Fights Felix Potvin

On November 10th in 1996, Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers skated the length of the ice to engage netminder Felix Potvin when a melee broke out at the end of a match against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Hextall was met with a willing and able opponent who quickly bloodied the Flyer backstop with a serious of blows to the left eye. Not surprisingly, the Philadelphia feed (below) hailed Hextall's win while Toronto commentators (further below) praised Potvin's performance.


The highlights clearly show the damage inflicted by Potvin on the NHL's single-season penalty minute record holder for goalies, a fact Toronto enforcer Tie Domi was happy to share with Hextall from the bench.

Philadelphia beat Toronto that night by a score of 3-1.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Lindbergh's Car Crash

On November 10th in 1985, Flyers goalie Pelle Lindbergh crashed his Porsche into a wall at 5:37am returning from an evening of team celebration with a blood alcohol level of .24%. The 26 year-old Vezina winner never regained consciousness and was removed from life support the next day upon his father's arrival from Sweden. Despite his death, the popular Swede topped fan voting for the 1986 NHL All-Star Game marking the first time a deceased player was selected for a North American team sport All-Star roster. Though Philadelphia never officially retired Lindbergh's 31, no Flyer has worn the number since.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Plante's Goalie Mask

On November 1st in 1959, Jacques Plante took a wrist shot in the face from Hart winner Andy Bathgate. Seven stitches and 21 minutes later, Plante returned wearing a mask to the chagrin of Canadiens coach Toe Blake, forever changing the face of NHL goaltending.

Plante had been using the homemade mask during practices but no goalie ever wore one in a game.  Despite Blake's protest, Plante refused to return to the ice without additional protection and Blake had no backup.  The Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers by a score of 3–1.

Plante maintained the mask long after his injury healed launching an 18 game unbeaten streak in the process.  Ironically, the streak snapped when Blake requested the seven-time Vezina winner and six-time Stanley Cup champion to remove the mask, resulting in a 3-0 loss to Detroit.

Interestingly, prior to his "Let's Make A Deal" television fame, Monty Hall was a radio analyst for the New York Rangers during the 1959-1960 season and covered the game at issue.  In a recent interview with Marc Maron for the WTF podcast, Monty recalls the injury, ensuing delay and the moment a masked-Plante returned to the resounding disapproval of MSG fans who showered the backstop with boos.

A comprehensive history of this landmark NHL moment has been scribed by Stu Hackel of The New York Times and may be found here.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Craig Anderson Returns

On October 30th in 2016, Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson returned after a brief absence to care for his wife Nicholle, who had just been diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer, to backstop his team to a 2-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers.

Anderson stopped all 37 shots he faced, including 18 in the third period, to post the 35th shutout of his career. With news of his wife's illness made public a day earlier, the Oilers fans and goalie Cam Talbot loudly applauded Anderson as the game's first star.
Post game comments from an emotional Senators side emphasized the respect and support the squad has for Anderson and Nicholle.
After six months of radiation treatment and chemotherapy, Nicholle was declared cancer free. Anderson led the Senators all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

At the end of the season, the Professional Hockey Writers' Association selected Craig Anderson as the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The award is for the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, dedication and sportsmanship to hockey.
Most importantly, Nicholle remains cancer free and healthy.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Mike Smith's Goal

On October 19th in 2013, Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith gloved a Mikael Samuelsson wrist shot with three seconds to play and promptly fired it 190 feet into the Detroit Red Wings empty net with 1/10th of a second remaining to become the 11th netminder in NHL history to be credited with a goal. 
Coyotes assistant GM Sean Burke was not surprised by the goal having seen Smith's swagger and puck-handling prowess firsthand, "I’ve told people before, he’s going to score a goal at some point – and he’s probably not done. He’ll score again. The way he fired that puck last night, if you gave him 25 pucks, he can do that 25 times. It’s not just a guy who got lucky and it went in. He can do that consistently.".

Afterwards, Smith relived his minor league marker on October 22, 2002 against the ECHL's now defunct Dayton Bombers and reflected on his first NHL goal, "I do shoot the puck quite often in practice but a lot of things have to go right in order for that to happen ... the clock has to slow down at the right time of the game to let it trickle in over the line."

Mike Smith's historic goal capped the Coyotes comeback win over the Red Wings who led 2-0 through 39 minutes before Phoenix scored five unanswered goals to ultimately defeat Detroit by a score of 5-2.

Four years later at the NHL All-Star Game in Los Angeles, Smith once again showcased his shooting skills making an impossible shot from 200 feet away, proving the first wasn't a fluke.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Bernier's Own Goal

On October 17th in 2013, Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier flubbed a 174 foot clearing attempt that bounced off the end boards before deflecting off his skate and into the net, giving the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-2 lead with seven minutes to play.
The miscue was awarded to Hurricanes' defenseman Ron Hainsey with an assist to netminder Cam Ward, but credit goes to hard-charging forward Radek Dvorak who won the skating race to eliminate icing on the play.

Despite the boos that rained down on the recently acquired backstop brawler for his blunder, HNIC's Don Cherry insisted the costly goal was a product of the NHL's confusing new hybrid icing rule.

In the post-game interview Bernier conceded "It was just a bad mistake on my part, the puck was probably spinning a lot, and I just misjudged it". When asked if hybrid icing played a role in the mishap, Bernier noted "That's the new game, so we've all got to adjust".

Bernier's own goal stood as the winner as Carolina beat Toronto 3-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Filip Gustavsson's Goal

On October 15, 2024, Minnesota Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson became the 15th goaltender to be credited with a goal in a NHL game and the 10th NHL netminder to actually shoot the puck into the opposing net.

Leading 3-1 against St. Louis with 15 seconds remaining on the road, Filip gloved a Pavel Buchnevick slapshot and promptly fired it 175 feet into the Blues' empty cage, becoming the first goalie to score in Wild history .After the game, Filip credited teammate Marc-Andre Fleury with giving him the idea 20 seconds earlier during a Blues timeout.The Wild went on to beat the Blues by a score of 4-1.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Quick's Own Goal

On October 7th in 2013, Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick misplayed a 163 foot shorthanded clearing attempt, dropping his stick and inadvertently directing the puck into the net with his blocker for an own goal, giving the New York Rangers a 3-1 lead four minutes into the final frame.

The miscue was credited to Rangers' defenseman Ryan McDonagh, his first point of the season and 13th career NHL goal.

With five minutes remaining, the Los Angeles Kings' fair-weather faithful jeered Quick as he successfully stopped an iced puck.  Unamused by the gesture, the Conn Smythe winner and Stanley Cup champion flipped-off the ungrateful onlookers waiving his glove in response.

In the post-game interview Quick conceded "everybody gives up bad goals, it's part of the game".  When pressed for more detail on the miscue Quick quipped, "you guys are writing a story on that one goal?" which the reporter denied while hockey bloggers everywhere nodded.

When asked for comment about any post-gaffe discussions with his goalie, Coach Darryl Sutter responded "He dropped his stick - what do you want to talk about - tell him not to drop his stick?".  Sutter buttoned his remarks, joking "It's his job to stop the puck, so obviously he didn't think he needed a stick".  The Rangers beat the Kings 3-1.

That's today in NHL history.