Today in Hockey History: January 9th, brings forth a collection of memorable moments, milestones, and outstanding performances that have shaped the sport. From legendary players achieving personal bests to teams setting records, this date has consistently delivered excitement for hockey fans.
One of the most recent highlights on this day is Sidney Crosby surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the second-most assists with a single team in NHL history. With two assists in the Pittsburgh Penguins' game against the New Jersey Devils, Crosby now boasts 1,087 career assists, all earned with the Penguins. He trails only Ray Bourque, who had 1,111 assists with the Boston Bruins.
Looking back further, January 9th has been a stage for individual brilliance. On January 9, 1954, Bert Olmstead had an incredible night, racking up eight points in the Montreal Canadiens' dominant 12-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. In 1965, Bobby Hull scored twice on this day to become the Blackhawks' all-time leading goal scorer with 259 goals. In 1980, Rick Martin became the first Buffalo Sabres player to score 350 career NHL goals. Wayne Gretzky also had a memorable performance on January 9, 1982, scoring a goal and adding four assists in the Edmonton Oilers' 7-2 win against the Calgary Flames. Cam Neely recorded two goals and two assists in the Boston Bruins' 5-4 victory over the Quebec Nordiques on January 9, 1992.
January 9th has also witnessed remarkable team achievements. The Boston Bruins set an NHL record on January 9, 1930, by winning their 14th straight game. This record stood until the New York Islanders won 15 consecutive games in the 1981-82 season. In 1936, Johnny Gottselig became the first player in NHL history to score four goals in a game and account for all of his team's goals in the Chicago Blackhawks' 4-1 victory. The Washington Capitals recorded their 1,000th regular-season victory in franchise history on January 9, 2004, with a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Other memorable moments include Jeremy Roenick becoming the sixth U.S.-born player to reach 600 career assists on January 9, 2003. In the ECHL, several players and teams are currently showcasing impressive performances. Kristóf Papp of Norfolk is on a five-game goal streak, while Brandon Hawkins of Toledo leads the league with 42 points.
January 9th continues to be a date filled with exciting hockey action and historical significance. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see what new milestones and memories will be added to the legacy of this day in hockey history.
