Patrick Roy Announces His Retirement-This Day In Hockey History-May 27, 2003

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Sports Writer DENVER—Colorado’s Patrick Roy is retiring, ending the 18-year career of one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. Roy will make the announcement at a news conference today, team spokesman Jean Martineau said. A four-time Stanley Cup champion, Roy leaves as the NHLs career leader in victories with 551 …

This Day In Hockey History-June 23, 1973-Gordie Howe-Nobody Teaches You How to Retire

Gordie Howe came east from Saskatoon in 1946 with $2 in his pocket and a suit supplied by the guy who scouted him; he slept on a cot in Olympia and killed rats with his hockey stick. When his two untried teenaged sons turned up in Houston recently for the signing of their first pro …

This Day In Hockey History-June 21, 1997-Bruins Draft Joe Thornton, Sergei Samsonov

PITTSBURGH — The Boston Bruins don’t envision Joe Thornton as another Wayne Gretzky, even if the 17-year-old threatened some of the Great One’s junior scoring records. They’ll be perfectly satisfied if the first player chosen in Saturday’s NHL draft is another Eric Lindros, a physical presence with a deft scoring touch who revives a floundering …

This Day In Hockey History-June 20, 1999- Dallas Stars Win Stanley Cup in Triple Overtime

BUFFALO. N.Y. (AP) – In the third exhausting overtime, the tired eyes of Texas finally gazed upon the Stanley Cup. Brett Hull scored on a rebound at 14:51 of the third overtime, putting a rebound over weary Dominik Hasek as the Dallas Stars won hockey’s biggest prize as much by exhaustion as execution, beating the …

This Day In Hockey History-June 18, 1992-Lindros Trade Decision Due

The wait is over. Eric Lindros’ day of reckoning is at hand. Quebec Nordiques general manager Pierre Page, the man who holds the key that will free the 19-year-old sensation from a year in hockey bondage, said Thursday that Eric The Great will be traded by the end of today, one day before the NHL …

This Day In Hockey History-June 17, 1993-Mario Lemieux takes Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy & Masterton

TORONTO (CP) — Mario Lemieux has two important dates this summer. First, he’s getting married June 26. Then he’ll check into the hospital in July for more surgery on a back that has slowed him slightly the last two years. “It will be minor surgery to take scar tissue out of there,” he said after …

This Day In Hockey History-June 17, 2011-Heroics put an end to a long, unpredictable journey for Tim Thomas

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Tim Thomas was never the Golden Boy. You kidding? He didn’t start a game in the NHL until he was 28 and he didn’t become anyone’s regular goalie until he was 31. Until very recently, he would have been recognized on the street in Finland more readily than in downtown Boston. …

This Day In Hockey History-June 16, 1977-WHA clubs perform annual draft ritual

TORONTO (CP) – The World Hockey Association may or may not operate as an independent league next season, but if it does it will be ready to do battle with the National Hockey League for some of the best graduates of amateur ranks. The nine WHA teams still in existence after the demise of Phoenix …

This Day In Hockey History-June 15, 1985-Maple Leafs Choose Wendel Clark #1 Overall in 1985 NHL Draft

Toronto makes 4th-ranked defenseman Clark No. 1 draft pick TORONTO – Wendel Clark, a rugged defenseman from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, reacted “with shock” when the Toronto Maple Leafs made him the No. 1 pick in Saturday’s National Hockey League draft. Clark, 18, also plays left wing and said he will gladly “play anywhere and everywhere” for …

This Day In Hockey History-June 14, 1994-Rangers Win the Stanley Cup, Kiss the Curse Goodbye

NEW YORK — Mark Messier kissed th^ Stanley Cup as more than 18,000 long-suffering Rangers fans danced in the aisles of Madison Square Garden. They broke into a gleeful chorus of what only teasing opposition fans had chanted in the past.“1940, 1940, 1940, 1940.” Then, in the dressing room, New York’s 54-year-old championship curse was …