This Day in Hockey History
1999 - Oilers retire No. 99
The Edmonton Oilers retire Wayne Gretkzy's iconic No. 99 prior to a 1-1 tie against the New York Rangers.
Gretzky, of course, finished his career as the Oilers' all-time leading scorer with 583 goals and 1,086 assists in 696 games with the franchise. His four Stanley Cup rings were also all earned in Edmonton colors.
"I guess it's only fitting that they're parking me (the banner) behind that net," Gretzky said, referring to the area from where he so famously and effectively dished the puck.
"As emotional as it was, I couldn't help but stand there and smile, thinking over all the wonderful times that I had playing and living here."
Gretzky also saw the ceremony as the point of no return in terms of the end of his legendary playing career.
"The fact I can't do it (play hockey), it kills me but I've got peace of mind because it was time to move on. When I saw that banner go up, there was no turning back."
Later that year, No. 99 was retired league-wide.
1991 - Bowman steps behind Penguins' bench
Scotty Bowman, already inducted into the Hall of Fame, assumes the role of Pittsburgh Penguins head coach after Bob Johnson is diagnosed with brain cancer.
That season, the Penguins won their second consecutive Stanley Cup, Bowman's sixth as a head coach. They dedicated the win to Johnson, who succumbed to cancer in November 1991.
In 1992-93, Bowman's Penguins posted their first 100-point season in franchise history (setting a franchise record with 119 points) and finished with the league's best record. They also set the NHL record for consecutive wins in the regular season with 17. In the playoffs, however, the Penguins were upset in seven games by the New York Islanders.
After his two seasons as head coach in Pittsburgh, Bowman was reportedly offered a long-term deal by the club. However, he indicated that he was not interested in the initial offer, which was later rescinded. Bowman went on to coach the Red Wings, winning another three Stanley Cups in Detroit.
Birthdays
1965 - Cliff Ronning
1970 - Alexei Zhamnov
1981 - Johnny Oduya
1990 - Alex Chiasson