This Day in Hockey History

1917 - NHL is open for business

The first two games in NHL history are played, as the Montreal Canadiens defeat the Ottawa Senators 7-4, and the  Montreal Wanderers beat the Toronto Arenas 10-9.

Wanderers defenseman Dave Ritchie scored the first goal in NHL history one minute into the opening contest, while Joe Malone of the Canadiens registered five goals - including the franchise's first goal - and added an assist, setting the tone for the club's forthcoming legacy.

1984 - The Great One hits 1,000 points

Wayne Gretzky records two goals and four assists in a 7-3 win by the Edmonton Oilers over the Los Angeles Kings, reaching the 1,000 point milestone.

He hits the mark in only his 424th career game, breaking Guy Lafleur's record for fastest player to reach 1,000 points by 296 games.

Gretzky finished the 1984-85 season with 205 points (73 goals, 135 assists), the third-highest single season total of his career. 

He would go on to set the NHL's all-time points record at an unreachable peak of 2,857.

1995 - Calgary gets Iggy with it

The Calgary Flames trade center Joe Nieuwendyk to the Dallas Stars in exchange for winger Corey Millen and the rights to 1995 first-round draft pick Jarome Iginla.

A two-time 50-goal scorer and Stanley Cup champion in Calgary, Nieuwendyk was unhappy with his contract situation with the Flames and began that season as a holdout, prompting the deal.

Nieuwendyk enjoyed a successful tenure with the Stars, winning a Cup in 1999, while Iginla went on to be the greatest Flame of all time, leading the club in games played (1,219), goals (525), and total points (1,095). 

The team's long-time captain would fall just short of leading the Flames to another championship, as Calgary fell to the Tampa Bay Lighting in seven games in the Cup final back in 2004.

Birthdays

1924 - Doug Harvey
1970 - Robert Lang
1983 - Matt Stajan