This Day In Hockey History-June 22, 2007-Americans Kane, VanRiemsdyk go 1-2 in NHL draft for first time

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -Oh, Canada! For the first time, Americans were taken with the top two picks in the NHL Draft. First, the Chicago Blackhawks, trying to rebuild a once-proud franchise after four consecutive losing seasons, selected Buffalo, N.Y., native Patrick Kane with the No. 1 pick Friday night. Then the Philadelphia Flyers picked left …

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, 1992-Who’s got Lindros? The Flyers or Rangers?

MONTREAL (AP) – The Eric Lindros Derby took another turn on Saturday. Suddenly, the Quebec Nordiques found themselves in the middle of a huge controversy as the result of trying to trade the Canadian juniors superstar. In a statement issued by the NHL during Saturday’s entry draft, the league revealed that the Nordiques had actually …

This Day In Hockey History-June 11, 1974-Bobby Orr Wins 7th Norris Trophy

MONTREAL -(AP)- Bobby Orr, Boston’s peerless defenseman, won the National Hockey League’s Norris Trophy for a record seventh straight time Tuesday, while his teammates Phil Esposito and Johnny Bucyk, plus Henri Richard of Montreal and Denis Potvin of the New York Islanders, also received honors for the 1973-74 season. The 26-year-old Orr’s selection made him …

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 7, 1972-Andre Lacroix jumps to WHA Philadelphia Blazers

Another established National Hockey League player has jumped to the World Hockey Association. Andre Lacroix of Chicago Black Hawks, a former star with Philadelphia Flyers, signed a multi-year contract with Philadelphia Blazers of the WHA. New England Whalers, one of the most active WHA franchises. announced signing Tom Webster, who had 30 goals in 1970-71 …

This Day In Hockey History-June 7, 2000-Injury opened rift between Lindros, Flyers

When Keith Jones awoke between 6:45 and 7 on the morning of April 2, 1999, he was shocked at how Flyers center Eric Lindros’ condition had deteriorated overnight. His roommate lay pale and gasping in a bathtub of warm water in their Nashville hotel room. Something was seriously wrong, far beyond the rib bruise that …

This Day In Hockey History-June 5, 1999-Lindros nixes long-term deal with Flyers

There will be no long-term contract signed between the Flyers and Eric Lindros this summer, a development that leaves the team’s long-term relationship with its franchise player very much up in the air. Carl Lindros, Eric’s father and agent, called team chairman Ed Snider yesterday with that news. He also said he expects to have …

This Day In Hockey History-June 4, 2001-For Devils star Scott Stevens, hits just keep on comin’

Defenseman makes impact without scoring DENVER—Scott Stevens has neither scored a goal nor assisted on one going into Monday’s fifth game of the Stanley Cup championship series. Nevertheless, the New Jersey Devils defenseman is probably the most feared player in the series. Literally and figuratively, Stevens is an impact player, a hockey hit man capable …

This Day In Hockey History-June 4, 1967-1967 NHL Expansion Draft

MONTREAL (AP) – Six infant hockey clubs, whose multiple birth doubled the size of the once-staid old National League, start growing up in a hurry Tuesday….the biggest moving day in the history of professional sports. Hockey’s first expansion draft, to be conducted in conjunction with the NHL’s 50th annual summer meeting, will uproot 120 players …