The Legendary Game - Ultimate Hockey Trivia

By Tom King

Tom has been researching hockey for the past 35 years. Throughout his passion for hockey, The Legendary Game - Ultimate Hockey Trivia" includes more than 1000 trivia facts of the history of hockey covering more than 100 years of Canada's favourite sport. This exciting edition chronicals the feats of everybody from the Hall-of-Famers to the infamous. The trivial facts includes everything from the pros to amateurs to international competitions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Oct 6, 2010
• ISBN: 9781426943805

Tom King

Tom King, Lord King of Bridgwater CH, was Secretary of State for five different departments in the Cabinets of Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He was Secretary of State for Employment during the miners’ strike, and for Northern Ireland during one of the worst periods of terrorism; he was responsible for launching the Anglo-Irish Agreement, a controversial initiative that helped start the peace process. Later, when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, King was responsible for the biggest deployment of British troops and heavy armour since World War II. He was appointed by John Major as first Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee, overseeing MI5, MI6, and GCHQ, and on the change of government was reappointed by Tony Blair.

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Copyright 2010 Tom King.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN:

978-1-4269-4379-9 (sc)

ISBN:

978-1-4269-4380-5 (ebook)

Trafford rev. 03/17/2015

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Contents

Evolution Of The Game

He Shoots…He Saves!!

Defending The Zone

Training Camp - (Trivia Rookie)

High Powered Offense

Mentors And Leaders

Ladies, Gentlemen… And Tough Guys

Game On - (Trivia Veteran)

Honored Members

The Second Season

Making The Show

We Are The Champions - (Trivia Experts)

All In The Family

International Affairs

World War Era

Around The Rink

Hall Of Fame - (Trivia Genius)

EVOLUTION of the GAME

- FUN FACTS -

January 31, 1877 - McGill University defeated Victorias 2 - 1. It is thought to be the first formal game of hockey ever played. The ball was rubber and flat on the sides. The sticks were comparable to those used in polo and several of the players were tackled. Harry Abbott captained the winning side.

McGill University students and James G.A. Creighton drew up, February 27, 1877, the first hockey rulebook entitled: McGill Rules. Published in the Montreal Gazette, the guidelines were a combination of field hockey, lacrosse and rugby. The lineups were permitted nine players per team on the ice at one time.

Canada’s first pioneer hockey league was the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada. In Montreal, the association was established December 8, 1886.

The first year of challenging for the Stanley Cup was 1893. Montreal Amateur Athletic Association won the (Stanley Cup) Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup championship. Montreal represented the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada.

The second season of the Canadian Amateur Hockey League (CAHL), 1899 - 1900, the league highlighted netting between the goal posts for the first time.

The first hockey game in Europe was played in 1900. The on-ice Oxford – Cambridge rivalry began. Played at the Princess Ice Rink, Oxford prevailed 7 - 6. Previously, in 1885 and 1895, the English universities had competed in a friendly game of bandy.

Fred Waghorne started the practice of dropping the puck. Previously, with the puck positioned on the ice, the players would make a striking motion towards the puck to start play…similar to lacrosse. The Hall of Fame member was a referee for approximately fifty years.

Calumet and Portage Lakes played the first International Hockey League game. December 16, 1904 - at the Palestra in Laurium, Michigan - Calumet edged the Lakers 4 - 3. 3000 fans watched the encounter. The IHL was very popular in Upper Michigan. Calumet, with a population of 4668, had a 4000 seat arena.

Two important rule amendments were presented for the 1906 season. Official penalty timers were deemed necessary to monitor the penalty box activity. Controlling the increased violence in games, the 2-referee system was adopted.

The Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association was the first league to allow pros play with amateurs in 1906 - 07. The Montreal Wanderers, immediately, signed four veterans. Riley Hern, Hod Stuart, Ernie Johnson and Pud Glass brought instant success to the squad.

Delegates of four ice hockey countries met in Paris from the request of French journalist Louis Magnus in 1908. After discussion, they established the Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace (LIHG). Magnus was elected president. France, Bohemia, Great Britain, Switzerland and Belgium became members in the founding year. Representatives from Russia and Germany, who had also been invited, did not attend.

After being refused an opportunity to play for the Stanley Cup, Renfrew Creamery Kings owner J. Ambrose O’Brien founded and owned the National Hockey Association. December 2, 1909 - representatives from Renfrew, Cobalt, Haileybury and the Montreal Wanderers met in Montreal to establish the new league.

The first Stanley Cup game played with 3 – 20 minute periods was organized March 11, 1912. Quebec Bulldogs (NHA) defeated Moncton 9 - 3.

The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association was established December 4, 1914. The assembly, chaired by William Northey, was held in Ottawa. Northey was the trustee of the Allan Cup. It was decided that the Allan Cup would be the championship trophy for the senior amateur teams from across Canada.

In the autumn of 1919 Raoul Le Mat, a movie director from the United States, with Thomas Cahill and Ernest Viberg visited Sweden. They met Anton Johanson, chairman of the Swedish Football Association and a member of the Swedish Olympic Committee, at the Strand Hotell in Stockholm. Cahill suggested that Viberg should put a team together and introduce ice hockey to the country. At that time bandy was the big winter sport in Sweden.

March 13, 1922 - the NHL played its final game on natural ice at the Ottawa Dey Arena. Toronto St. Pats claimed the league’s championship with a 0 - 0 tie against the Senators. Due to the warm spring weather in Ottawa, the game was delayed by large puddles of water on the ice.

December 1, 1924 - the Boston Bruins made their NHL debut. In the first league game played in the United States, at the Boston Garden, the Bruins edged the Montreal Maroons 2 - 1.

1928 - 29 marked the lowest scoring season in league history averaging 2.8 goals per game by both teams. Hence, the NHL changed its forward passing rule for the first time. Forward passing in the defensive and neutral zones was allowed. Officials considered that the new regulation would open up the game and be more fan friendly.

The NHL officially instituted, in 1931 - 32, the ruling that each team was allowed only one goaltender on the ice at the same time. Oddly enough, no team had ever attempted to play two goalies at the same minute of the game.

In an effort to control costs during the North American depression, the NHL introduced its first salary cap. May 10, 1932 - all teams would have a pay roll of less than $70,000. The maximum was lowered in 1934 - 35. The new revised salary cap was $62,500. The player’s salary was limited to $7,000 per season.

One of the most unusual venues for an ice rink was located in the basement of the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London. The Hotel was home to a championship ice hockey team Grosvenor House Canadians. They played out of their below stairs location in the early 1930’s winning the English League in 1933 - 34. Now a ballroom, it had a 1500 capacity for ice hockey.

The NHL introduced the penalty shot in 1934 - 35. It was awarded when a player was tripped and prevented from having a clear shot on goal. The shot was taken from a ten foot circle located 38 feet from the goal. The goalie could not move more than one foot from his goal line.

The British, with a Canadian behind the microphone, were the first to feature a hockey game on television. Calling the play-by-play was the veteran Canadian broadcaster Stewart MacPherson, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba. October 26, 1938 - the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcast the game in London, England. It featured the Harringay Racers and Streatham.

Bill Chadwick was the first NHL referee to use hand signals. Bill began using the hand signals to indicate penalties and other rulings for the 1946 - 47 season. The NHL’s head referee thought that it would give fans a better understanding of the on-ice official’s decisions.

The IIHF Congress introduced numerous ice-breaking rule changes for the 1947 World Championships. The game would be 3 - 20 minute periods. The rink had a goal line and a center-ice red line. One and three minute penalties were eliminated and the penalty shot was introduced.

Brothers Herb and Ossie Carnegie and Manny McIntyre pioneered the first all-black forward line in pro hockey. The trio was nicknamed the `Black Aces (Les Noirs). The line played for the QSHL Sherbrooke Red Raiders in 1948 - 49. The next year Herb joined the Quebec Aces. Ossie and Manny continued their careers in France.

Canada played the Soviet Union, for the first time, at the 1954 IIHF World Championships. Finishing the tournament with the Gold Medal game, the Soviets whipped Canada 7 - 2. Canada was represented by the Toronto East York Lyndhursts. 16,000 viewed the massacre.

February 9, 1966 - the NHL Board of Governors announced that expansion was an opportunity. Six conditional franchises had been accepted. The league was moving into the hockey hotbeds of Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

June 10, 1971 - the WHA was launched when Articles of Incorporation were filed in Delaware. Step two was to find some brave individuals who would wage war on the old boys’ club – the NHL. League founders Gary Davidson and Dennis Murphy were the original organizers of the American Basketball Association. They came across some eager partners in veteran Canadian hockey execs Wild Bill Hunter, Ben Hatskin, and Scotty Munro.

February 16, 2005 - after months of negotiations and trying to salvage the 2004 - 05 NHL season, the league closed its doors for the year. After the lockout, an up-to-date six year deal was endorsed. The NHL Board of Governors agreed to the contract with the NHLPA. The contract discussion lasted 5 months 6 days. July 22, 2005 - Bob Goodenow and Gary Bettman signed the contract.

DO YOU KNOW

ANSWERS

A - 1. The original plan to buy out the Western Hockey League was the scheme of Boston Bruins owner CHARLES ADAMS. Lack of talent persuaded Adams to spend $300,000 to improve the Bruins. Limited by roster size, Charles made the talent pool available to Detroit, Chicago and New York for the 1926 – 27 NHL expansion. However, Boston retained Hall of Fame members Harry Oliver, Duke Keats and Eddie Shore.

A - 2. With the NHL expanding to 12 teams, the players and agents felt that salaries and benefits should be increased. 1967 - 68 was the first year for NHLPA President ALAN EAGELSON. The Eagle negotiated a minimum player’s salary of $10,000. Also, the players made more $$$ during the playoffs and more endorsements were available.

A - 3. The first artificial ice arena in North American opened its doors in BALTIMORE, Maryland in 1894. North of the border, the Patrick family built the first Canadian artificial ice rink. The Vancouver Denman Street Arena got underway in 1912. The seating capacity was 10,000…cost $175,000.

A - 4. The British, with a Canadian behind the microphone, were the first to feature a hockey game on television. Calling the play-by-play was the veteran Canadian broadcaster Stewart MacPherson, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba. October 26, 1938 - the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcast the game in LONDON, ENGLAND. It featured the Harringay Racers and Streatham.

A - 5. GEORGE MERRITT revolutionized goalie equipment in the late 1890’s. The Winnipeg Victorias goaltender wore cricket pads in the 1896 Stanley Cup finals. Previously, the goalie wore small shin pads that buckled on the outside of his hockey socks.

A - 6. Representing the Western Hockey League, Victoria Cougars won the 1925 Stanley Cup. They defeated the MONTREAL CANADIENS 3 games to 1. The series featured future Hall of Fame members on the Cougars roster - Frank Foyston, Frank Ferrickson, Jack Walker and Hap Holmes. Their opponents: Howie Morenz, Sprague Cleghorn, Aurel Joliat and Georges Vezina.

A - 7. September 23, 1992 - MANON RHEAUME was the goaltender for Tampa Bay in an exhibition match against St. Louis. Headed to the minors, her career included 24 games in the IHL, ECHL and WCHL. November 8, 1993 - Manon recorded her first win in the ECHL. Knoxville defeated Johnstown 9 - 6.

A - 8. THREE times minor pro champions have challenged the NHL for the Stanley Cup. The American Hockey Association leads the way with two and the American Hockey League challenged the Stanley Cup champions once. Two straight years the AHA came up with the challenges. 1930 - 31, the Tulsa Oilers challenged the Canadiens. The next season, Babe Dye’s Chicago Shamrocks requested to play the Maple Leafs. The 1951 - 52 AHL Cleveland Barons believed they had the talent to defeat Detroit.

A - 9. Mike Marson debuted with the WAHINGTON CAPITALS in 1974 - 75. December 26, 1974…Bill Riley signed a tryout contract. For the first time, two black players appeared in the same NHL contest.

A - 10. The first NHL team to use game film for evaluating their team was the BOSTON BRUINS. General manager Art Ross studied the revolutionary idea of recording the team for future examination. January 21, 1948 - coach Dit Clapper used the film to assess the player’s ability.

A - 11. FRED WAGHORNE’s main problem was that too many fans brought their farm cowbells to the games. To avoid confusion, Waghorne started blowing a whistle. Because of the severely cold temperatures, most Canadian rinks featured natural ice. Hence, the Hall of Fame referee switched from metal to plastic.

A - 12. The extra position player when teams played seven man hockey was known as the ROVER. With the arrival of six man hockey…the age of the rover died. The rover positioned himself between the two defensemen and behind the centre. He would roam the ice and would play either forward or defense. The coach determined the value of his location at the given time.

A - 13. The tradition of identifying hockey players with numbers began in 1911 - 12. The Patrick brothers started the procedure in the PCHA’s first season. Going one step further, the 1926 - 27 NEW YORK AMERICANS were the first pro sports franchise to display the player’s last name on the back of their jerseys.

A - 14. The NHL discontinued overtime during World War ll. Due to travel restrictions for train schedules, the last OT game was played November 21, 1942. At Madison Square Garden the RANGERS battled the BLACK HAWKS. New York defeated Chicago 5 - 3. Previously, the league played 20 minutes of overtime - not sudden death.

A - 15. After the Hamilton player strike of 1924 - 25, New York was looking for an NHL franchise to fill Madison Square Garden. Acquiring the league’s first place team seemed like a brilliant idea. For the transfer fee of $75,000 the Tigers were renamed the New York Americans.

A - 16. After a 94 point season in 1974 - 75, MARCEL DIONNE decided to test the free agent market. June 17, 1975 - the NHL manufactured an arrangement to make the deal possible. Traded to the Los Angeles Kings were Dionne and defenseman Bart Crashley. As compensation, Detroit received Dan Maloney, Terry Harper and a second round draft choice.

A - 17. FOUR WHA franchises joined the NHL for the 1979 - 80 campaign. Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Quebec Nordiques and New England (Hartford) Whalers were added to the league. The two remaining franchise ownerships, Cincinnati Stingers and Birmingham Bulls, were paid a nominal fee not to contest the merger agreement.

A - 18. ABBY HOFFMAN cut her hair short and joined a boy’s team as a defenseman at the age of eight. Everyone thought Abigail (Abby) Hoffman was a boy, until, just before the 1955 all-star game. The game required players to submit their birth certificates. When her secret was revealed, Abby became an overnight sensation and defense girl.

A - 19. The unknown rebel league WHA, guided by Bobby Hull, Bernie Parent and Gerry Cheevers invaded the hockey world by declaring war on the NHL in 1972 - 73. In OTTAWA, the official opening game was held October 11, 1972. Canada’s capitol city hosted the occasion. The Nationals battled the Alberta Oilers.

A - 20. BOSTON BRUINS added Czechoslovakian star Jaroslav Drobny in 1949 to their reserve list. Jaroslav did not venture to North America to continue his career. The super star left winger changed sports. Regarded as a world class tennis player, Jaroslav defeated Ken Rosewall to win the 1954 Wimbledon Tennis Tournament…the first lefthander to claim the championship.

A - 21. INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE (IHL) champions Portage Lake challenged the Ottawa Silver Seven for Stanley Cup supremacy in 1905. Portage Lake then challenged the Montreal Wanderers for the 1906 championship. The two year refusal was explained by the Stanley Cup trustees. Only amateur teams would be considered.

A - 22. A big complaint for hockey fans was, I can’t see the puck while watching a game on television. Always seeking new fans, the WORLD HOCKEY ASSOCIATION decided to solve the problem. Why not use a red or blue colored puck because the puck was too small. The biggest disadvantage was that the puck would change back to black with its constant abuse during the game…just one problem of many for the league.

A - 23. JACK GIBSON played football at the U. of Michigan while attending the Detroit Dental School. He set up his dental practice in Houghton Michigan. Gibson established the Portage Lake hockey team in 1902 - 03. He was the team captain and leading scorer. Jack organized the first professional hockey league (IHL) in 1904 - 05.

A - 24. Montreal Maroons paid $15,000 to enter the NHL. Montreal businessman James Strachan decided to put another NHL franchise on the ice in 1924. Montreal Canadiens ownership, led by Leo Dandurand, sold half of the Canadiens territorial rights to Strachan. Strachan’s Canadian Arena Company handed over the cash to join the league to begin the 1924 - 25 campaign.

A - 25. James Norris and Arthur Wirtz bought the Detroit Falcons and changed the name in 1932. Influenced by the Montreal AAA team, Red Wings was the name chosen by Norris. The partnership purchased the Detroit Olympia for $250,000. The Falcons were added to the deal for $100,000. October 5, 1932 – Detroit hockey fans were introduced to the new name, red uniforms and the fabled Winged Crest.

A - 26. April 29, 1997 - CRAIG MacTAVISH announced his retirement. The seventeen year veteran ended a tradition in the NHL. 1996 - 97 - the centre finished his career with St. Louis. He played 1093 regular season games. Craig’s name is engraved on the Stanley Cup four times.

A - 27. JOHN ZIEGLER, the fourth President of the NHL, was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. John succeeded Clarence Campbell in 1977. Previously he was involved with the Red Wings and was chairman of the NHL Board of Governors. Ziegler was forced out of office in 1992 by the settlement which resolved the league’s ten-day players’ strike.

A - 28. In a very rare trick a cricket bowler took three wickets with three consecutive balls. As a reward, the player would receive a new hat from the team to mark the occasion. Using the CRICKET term, it seemed appropriate that a hockey player scoring three goals in a game should receive the hat trick. Hockey fans started the tradition of littering the ice with their hats.

A - 29. BERLIN hosted the tournament in 1911…at the indoor Eistaplast. Bohemia (Czechoslovakia) was the surprise winner. Arriving the same day, they played two games. Win #1…Bohemia shutout Switzerland 13 - 0. Game # 2 - they upset Germany 4 - 1. Bohemia claimed their first championship with a 3 - 0 victory against Belgium.

A - 30. January 4, 1934 - playing in Ottawa, the whole BOSTON BRUINS squad wore leather head gear. Despite the numbered uniforms, the fans had difficulty identifying individual players. The helmets did not help. Ottawa thrashed the Bruins 9 - 2.

HE SHOOTS…HE SAVES!!

- FUN FACTS -

Fred Brophy scored the first recorded goal by a goaltender. February 18, 1905 - Brophy skated the length of the ice to score a goal against Quebec’s Paddy Moran. A year later the Westmount net minder repeated the feat against Montreal Victorias Nathan Frye.

Alex Connell is the only goaltender in NHL history to register 15 shutouts during the regular season twice…in consecutive years. The Ottawa Senators net minder recorded the milestone achievement in 1926 - 27 and 1927 - 28.

Clint Benedict was the first goaltender to win 30 games during the NHL regular season. With the expansion in 1926 - 27, the NHL increased their franchise number to ten teams. It increased the regular schedule from 36 to 44 games. March 3, 1927 - Ottawa picked up win #30 with a 3 - 2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

141 shots is the highest shots-on-goal total in an NHL regular season game. December 26, 1925 - Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Americans established the record. The Americans (73) outshot the Pirates (68). Roy Worters made 70 saves in the Pittsburgh net. Jake Forbes stopped 67 shots. By the way, New York won 3 - 1.

Hal Winkler was the first goaltender to record a shutout in his first NHL game. November 16, 1926 - Winkler made his big league introduction with New York. The Rangers played their first game at Madison Square Garden. Hal blanked the Montreal Maroons 1 - 0.

Lorne Chabot began the regular season with five straight shutouts. Number five came November 22, 1930 as the Toronto Maple Leafs blanked the Ottawa Senators 2 - 0.

George Hainsworth stopped the first NHL penalty shot. The league introduced the rule in 1934 - 35. Armand Mondou and Hainsworth challenged each other on the first call. November 10, 1934 - George was the winner as he stopped Mondou.

Frank Brimsek recorded 3 consecutive shutouts, twice, during his first month with Boston. He also set an NHL record with his 4th straight road shutout December 18, 1938. Frank blanked the Red Wings 2 - 0. He quickly earned the nickname Mr. Zero.

Bill Durnan recorded the fewest shutouts by a Vezina Trophy winner in 1944 - 45. Montreal finished first as they outscored the opposition 228 to 121. Durnan was the league’s leading goalie with a 2.42 goals against average. However, with 38 wins, he recorded only 1 shutout.

Turk Broda was the first goaltender to win 300 NHL regular season games. December 20, 1950 - the Maple Leafs thumped Montreal 6 - 1.

The goalie that had the longest time between games in the NHL was Moe Roberts. Roberts did not make a return to the NHL until 1951 - 52…18 years after his last cup of coffee with the New York Americans. November 25, 1951 - the assistant trainer of the Chicago Black Hawks replaced Harry Lumley. At the age of 46, Roberts shutout the Red Wings for the final 20 minutes of his 26 year pro career.

November 1, 1959 - Jacques Plante played his first NHL regular season game wearing his now legendary face mask. Fittingly, Plante decided to wear the protection against the New York Rangers. Previously, New York’s Andy Bathgate broke his nose with a wicked shot. Montreal’s management did not approve of Plante’s revolutionary idea. However, the Habs proceeded to go on a 10 game undefeated streak. Plante kept the face mask.

Ken Dryden was the first player to be named to the NCAA All-American team for three consecutive years. In his sophomore year, Dryden was undefeated with 26 wins and 1 tie. Cornell U. won the 1967 NCAA tournament with a 27 - 1 - 1 record. The future Hall of Fame goaltender finished his three years of eligibility with lifetime totals of 76 wins - 4 losses - 1 tie - 4844 minutes - 128 goals against - 13 shutouts - 1.59 Goals Against Average.

Ken and Dave Dryden are the first (only) net minding brothers to play against each other in an NHL game. March 20, 1971 - the Canadiens faced off against Buffalo. The starting goalies were Rogie Vachon and Joe Daley. They were replaced by the Dryden brothers. Ken gave up 2 goals and Dave surrendered 3 in the Sabres net. Montreal won 5 - 2.

Bruce Gamble finished his playing career while suffering a heart attack during an NHL game. Suffering from heart problems throughout his career, Bruce had very serious health difficulties during the 1971 - 72 campaign. Playing with the Flyers, against Vancouver, his hockey career ended February 9, 1972.

Gerry Cheevers recorded the first shutout in the WHA. Wasting no time…Cheevers blanked the opposition in the first game he played in the new pro league. October 11, 1972 was the home opener for the Quebec Nordiques. The visiting Cleveland Crusaders won 2 - 0.

Michel Plasse was the first goaltender shoot and score a goal during a pro hockey regular season game. Playing with the Central Hockey League Kansas City Blues, the St. Louis farmhand sent a clearing pass into the Oklahoma City Blazers net. Michel hit the scoreboard February 21, 1974.

Washington Capitals were the first NHL team to surrender 400 goals during the regular season. 1974 - 75 - dead last in the league, with only eight wins, the Capitals were outscored by a 265 goal margin. Opponents hit the net 446 times. Oddly enough, Capitals goaltender Ron Low recorded one shutout during the year.

Michel Bunny Larocque is the only goaltender traded the same year he won the Vezina Trophy. The Montreal trio of Richard Sevigny, Denis Herron and Larocque were awarded the trophy in 1980 - 81. Larocque was eligible for the award as he played 28 games with the Canadiens. March 10, 1981 - he was traded to Toronto for Robert Picard.

Jim Rutherford was the first goaltender to play with three NHL teams in one season. Jim started the year with Detroit before being traded to Toronto December 4, 1980. He finished the 1980 - 81 campaign in Los Angeles. Team #3…game #1…March 22, 1981 - the Kings defeated Winnipeg 7 - 5.

Grant Fuhr holds the NHL record for the most assists by a goaltender during the regular season. Fuhr helped the Oilers attack by recording 14 during the 1983 - 84 campaign. During his NHL career Grant recorded 40 assists.

Ron Low was the first netminder to lose 100 more NHL games than he won. Low debuted with the 1972 - 73 Maple Leafs recording 12 wins and lost 24 games. He ended his big league career with the 1984 - 85 New Jersey Devils. With 6 triumphs and 11 defeats, Ron retired with 102 wins and 203 losses.

1986 - 87 was the first time an NHL goaltender recorded 100 penalty minutes during the regular season. The aggressive style of Ron Hextall made a quick impression on the league. During his rookie season with the Flyers, Hextall topped the 100 PiM plateau with 104.

Pokey Reddick was the first goaltender to play 100 NHL regular season games without recording a shutout. January 13, 1989 - game #100 - Reddick stopped 35 of 36 shots. Winnipeg Jets edged Vancouver 3 - 1.

John Tanner made his NHL debut with Quebec March 31, 1990. The Nordiques became the first team in NHL history to use seven goaltenders in one season. Previously, the 1934 - 35 New York Americans and 1980 - 81 Edmonton Oilers had employed six. For the record, John gave up three goals in his one game loss.

Grant Fuhr holds the NHL record for the most consecutive starts by a goaltender in the regular season. The milestone record stands at 76. He played 79 games. Fuhr set the record in 1995 - 96. The St. Louis Blues goalie logged 30 wins - 28 lost - 16 ties.

Martin Brodeur was the first NHL goaltender to score a game winning goal. February 15, 2000 - the Devils played Philadelphia. During the action, the Flyers misplayed the puck and it ended up in their net on a delayed penalty call. The goal was awarded to Brodeur. The Devils won 4 - 2.

Florida Panthers are the only NHL team to employ two Afro-Canadian goaltenders. First to join the Panthers was Kevin Weekes. The 1993 draft pick made his debut in 1997 - 98. Number two was Eldon Pokey Reddick. After winning 12 straight playoff games (IHL playoffs MVP), Pokey signed with Florida July 12, 1999. Two games and one loss later, Reddick returned to the minors.

San Jose Sharks Evgeni Nabokov scored the only power play goal by an NHL goalie. Vancouver’s coach Marc Crawford pulled Peter Skudra with the Canucks trailing San Jose 6 - 4. Sharks Jarko Ruutu was serving a major penalty. At 19:12 of the third period, Nabokov seized the loose puck and scored into the empty net.

January 29, 2014 - Ben Scrivens set the NHL’s regular season record for most saves while recording a shutout. Edmonton Oilers blanked San Jose 3 - 0. Ben made 59 saves. He stopped the puck 20 times in the first period and 20 in the second. Scrivens blocked 17 in the third period. Justin Schultz scored the winner in the first period.

DO YOU KNOW

ANSWERS

A - 1. December 2, 1950 - the first recorded shared shutout in the NHL was recorded. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS net minders Al Rollins and Turk Broda, saw action against the Black Hawks. Rollins started for the Maple Leafs and was replaced by Broda at 6:50 of the second period. Rollins received a cut under his eye. The Leafs battled Chicago, and Harry Lumley, to a 0 - 0 tie. Strangely enough, Rollins was substituting for Broda who had a broken nose.

A - 2. Starting his Hall-of Fame career in 1984 - 85 with Montreal, PATRICK ROY won 289 games and two Stanley Cups. After a disagreement with management, he was traded to Colorado December 9, 1995. The move was an instant success. The Avalanche won the 1996 Stanley Cup. Patrick ended his Avalanche career with 262 wins. He won four Stanley Cup championships.

A - 3. EDDIE JOHNSTON played for Boston in 1963 - 64. The Bruins finished dead last with 18 wins - 40 lost - 12 tied…23 points out of the playoffs. March 22, 1964…game number 70…Chicago defeated Boston 4 - 3.

A - 4. BILL DURNAN could catch and shoot the puck with his left or right hand. He would confuse the goal scorers by switching catching hands at the last second. A natural rightie, Bill held his stick depending on which side the attacking players shot the puck. He never used the blocker glove…Preferring to use a catching mitt for both hands.

A - 5. Backstopping the high powered Boston Bruins in 1971 - 72, Gerry Cheevers recorded an unbeaten streak of 24 wins and 8 losses…32 GAMES. Signing for big $$$, Cheesy jumped to the WHA’s Cleveland Crusaders for their initial 1972 - 73 season.

A - 6. As a member of the Maple Leafs, TERRY SAWCHUK played milestone game #400. A veteran of 16 years in the league, Sawchuk defeated Montreal 5 - 2 February 4, 1965.

A - 7. RON HEXTALL was the first goaltender to shoot and score a goal during an NHL game. The exact date and time in history: December 8, 1987 - 18:48 of the third period. Hextall shot and scored into the empty Boston net. Philadelphia won 5 - 2 at the Spectrum.

A - 8. The first European trained goaltender to play 500 NHL games was DOMINIK HASEK. During the 2000 - 01 season, The Dominator, once again, was the dominant player. He led the Sabres to a 5 - 2 victory over Tampa Bay. Hasek played his final season with Buffalo.

A - 9. TONY ESPOSITO was the first goaltender to play 40+ NHL games for thirteen straight years. February 15, 1982 - Vancouver defeated the Blackhawks 5 - 2. The previous record was held by Hall of Fame member Tiny Thompson.

A - 10. The first NHL team to give up 400 goals during the regular season was the WASHINGTON CAPITALS. Dead last in the league, the Capitals were outscored by a 265 goal margin in 1974 - 75. Opponents hit the back of the net 446 times.