Today in Hockey History
1971 - Ken Dryden called up by the Canadiens
After graduating from Cornell University in 1969, Hall of Fame goaltender, author and Canadian politician Ken Dryden turned pro. In the 1970-71 season Dryden played 33 games for the Montreal Voyageurs before being called up by the Canadiens on March 7th.
Dryden would make his NHL debut a week later, winning his first six regular season games. He'd go on to start for the Habs in the postseason, leading them to a Stanley Cup victory and taking home Conn Smythe honors.
The next season he won the Calder Trophy, because having appeared in only six regular season games in 1970-71 he was still considered a rookie the next season (despite having been named playoff MVP the previous spring).
1988 - Flames trade Brett Hull to St. Louis
Oh, what could've been.
On March 7th, 1988 the Calgary Flames traded promising forward Brett Hull to the St. Louis Blues along with Steve Bozek in return for Rick Wamsley and Rob Ramage. Statistically, it's considered one of the worst trades of all time.
While the Flames got hosed in this deal long-term, they did win a Stanley Cup the next season. While Wamsley was a backup, Ramage played top-four minutes and was second among Flames blue-liners in points during their cup run.
Hull, however, would go on to score more than 700 goals in his career...
1989 - Lemieux sets Penguins record for SH goals
On March 7th, 1989 Mario Lemieux scored his 11th short-handed goal of the season, setting a Penguins franchise record. Lemieux would add two more shorties before the end of the season, setting the NHL record with 13 goals on the penalty-kill in a single season.
Lemieux's ability, as demonstrated throughout his career, to manufacture goals in all situations has led hockey nerds to refer to a "Mario Lemieux hat-trick" whenever a player scores a goal at even-strength, a goal on the power-play, and a shorthanded goal in the same game.
Birthdays
1963 - Mike Eagles
1966 - Terry Carkner
1990 - Matt Hackett
1990 - Danny DeKeyser