October 20th has been a significant date in hockey history, filled with milestones, memorable games, and notable achievements. From Wayne Gretzky's early professional career to coaching milestones and franchise firsts, here's a look at some of the key events that have occurred on this day.
Wayne Gretzky, widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time, had several memorable moments on October 20th. On this day in 1978, a 17-year-old Gretzky scored his first two professional goals while playing for the Indianapolis Racers in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Ironically, he scored against the Edmonton Oilers, the team he would later join. He played only six more games for the Racers before being traded to the Oilers along with Peter Driscoll and Eddie Mio for $700,000. On Oct. 20, 1985, Gretzky recorded his 700th and 701st career assists in his 478th game. Later, as a member of the Los Angeles Kings, Gretzky had a goal and two assists in a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 20, 1993. This game also marked the first time he played against his younger brother, Brent, who was a center for the Lightning. Adding to his legacy, on October 20, 1995, Gretzky achieved another milestone, becoming the first player in NHL history to reach 1,700 career assists, with four assists on that night.
Beyond Gretzky's accomplishments, other notable events have marked this day. On October 20, 2001, Scotty Bowman became the first and only head coach to win 1,200 regular-season games, as his Detroit Red Wings defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2. Bowman retired at the end of that season with 1,244 wins and remains the only coach in NHL history to have won over 1,000 games. On the same night, the New York Islanders retired Bryan Trottier's No. 19.
Team milestones also highlight hockey history on October 20th. The Los Angeles Kings played their first game at the Staples Center on October 20, 1999, drawing a crowd of 18,188 fans, which was the largest to watch a hockey game in California at that time. Jozef Stumpel scored late in regulation, resulting in a 2-2 tie against the Boston Bruins.
Trades and player milestones have also occurred on this date. On October 20, 2009, the Boston Bruins acquired forward Daniel Paille from the Buffalo Sabres for a third-round draft pick, marking the first trade between the two teams since the Sabres joined the league in 1970. Paille went on to play six seasons in Boston and was part of their 2011 Stanley Cup-winning team. Jaromir Jagr scored his first goal of the 2015-16 season on October 20, 2016, in a game where his Florida Panthers lost to the Washington Capitals 4-2. With that goal, Jagr joined Gretzky and Gordie Howe as the only three players in NHL history to score at least 750 goals. More recently, on October 20, 2021, Charlie McAvoy recorded his 100th assist in his 237th game.
Looking at recent games, on October 19, 2025, the Vancouver Canucks beat the Washington Capitals 4-3. The Chicago Blackhawks edged out the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 in overtime, and the Utah Mammoth secured a 3-2 victory against the Boston Bruins.
As of today, October 20, 2025, the NHL season continues with nationally televised games, including the Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens and the Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins. These games promise exciting matchups and further opportunities for players to add their names to the ongoing story of hockey history.
