This Day In Hockey History-July 1, 2006-Boton Bruins Sign Zdeno Chara, Marc Savard

When the Bruins introduced Peter Chiarelli as their new general manager May 31, executive vice president Charlie Jacobs said the front office was committed to winning and getting the Original Six franchise back on track. Yesterday; the Bruins took a very large step in that direction 6 feet 9 inches to be exact when they …

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 13, 1978- Bobby Smith to join Gretzky’s ‘Millionaires Club’

Ottawa 67’s centreman Bobby Smith, who owns OHA scoring records, will soon own hockey’s next million-dollar contract regardless of which league he calls home next winter. “We’ve had meetings with Minnesota,’’ said Smith’s agent Norm Caplan, of Montreal. “Outlines have been made and figures have been clearly defined but as of right now no documents …

This Day In Hockey History-June 13, 1978-Rob Rammage, Pat Riggin, Craig Hartsburg WHA bound

MONTREAL — National Hockey League Players’ Association president Alan Eagleson confirmed here Tuesday night that more under-age juniors will sign with the World Hockey Association. Eagleson now feels it’s essential his under-age clients maintain credibility in the wake of WHA Indianapolis Racers signing Soo Greyhounds sensation Wayne Gretzky, 17, to a reported seven-year, $ 1.75-million …

This Day In Hockey History-June 13, 2000-Claude Lemieux, Rick Tocchet, Mark Messier Left Unprotected, Don’t Expect Wild, Blue Jackets to Bite

Doug MacLean chose a doughnut shop in Edmunston, N.B., in the middle of the night to pour over lists of players to be made available in the NHL expansion draft next week to his new Columbus, Ohio, team. “I was driving my family back to the cottage in Prince Edward Island and we’d stopped but …

This Day In Hockey History-June 11, 1978-Gretzky signs with WHA and ignites hockey war

The palace revolt that Ben Hatskin seemed to be expecting has taken place with the signing of 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky by Indianapolis Racers owner Nelson Skalbania. Skalbania announced Monday he has signed Gretzky, the scoring star last season with Sault -Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, to a personal services contract. …

This Day In Hockey History-June 9, 2008-Dominik Hasek retires

He was only goalie to win MVP twice Dominik Hasek, the Detroit Red Wings goaltender known as the Dominator, retired Monday because he said he lacked the motivation for a 17th season. “I don’t feel today that I’m ready to compete on the highest level,” Hasek said during a news conference at Detroit’s Joe Louis …

This Day In Hockey History-June 9, 1996-Humble Peter Forsberg is an Avalanche of talent

Panthers ‘scared of Peter,’ says Patrick Roy It is called “the general manager’s game,” and they play it everywhere this time of year, even in the jungle heat of Florida. If you had to pick one player to start a team with, which would it be: Eric Lindros or Peter Forsberg? Two years ago, such …

This Day In Hockey History-June 6, 2007-Memory of past MVP victory leaves Ducks’ Giguere Conn Smythe-shy

It has been four years since Jean-Sebastien Giguere won the Conn Smythe Trophy, and the Anaheim Ducks goaltender’s outstanding memory of it was that it felt lousy. So when the media horde descended on the Honda Center after the charter flight from hell on Tuesday afternoon, and began bandying candidates’ names about for the Stanley …

This Day In Hockey History-June 6, 1977-WHA plays $500,000 tune and 67’s Bobby Smith is listening

TORONTO — Ottawa 67’s forward Bobby Smith, considered by many as the top junior hockey player in Canada, says he’s prepared to forego his final year of junior eligibilty to pursue his hockey career in the World Hockey Association. Smith could be one of several under age juniors who might go with the WHA. Smith …