Today in hockey history, February 4th has been the stage for remarkable achievements, unforgettable moments, and milestones that have shaped the sport.
One such milestone occurred on February 4, 1965, when Terry Sawchuk, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, became the first goaltender in NHL history to record 400 career victories. The Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 at the Forum that night.
A significant night for Wayne Gretzky happened on February 4, 1989. Wearing a Los Angeles Kings sweater, Gretzky had a memorable hat trick against the Buffalo Sabres. Despite the Kings not starting strong and falling behind 2-0, Gretzky led a comeback, scoring his first goal of the game to give the Kings their first lead. He ultimately scored three goals, including an empty-netter with one second remaining, to secure a 5-3 victory. Also on February 4, 1999, while with the New York Rangers, Gretzky tied Gordie Howe for total career goals scored with 1,071 professional goals.
February 4th also saw individual scoring milestones. Brett Hull scored twice and had two assists on February 4, 1991; this included his 200th career goal, although the St. Louis Blues lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5 in overtime. On February 4, 1973, Bobby Clarke became the second player in Philadelphia Flyers history to score 100 goals with the team.
Expanding the international scope of hockey history, February 4, 1956, witnessed the Soviet Union's first Olympic ice hockey gold medal. They defeated Canada 2-0 at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Games, beginning decades of Soviet dominance and captivating rivalries.
Other notable events:
- On February 4, 1940, the New York Rangers extended their team-record home winning streak to 11 straight games with a 9-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
- Dominik Hasek appeared in his 190th NHL game on February 4, 1996, setting a new record for European-born goaltenders.
- Mario Lemieux reached the 600-goal mark on February 4, 1997, becoming the seventh NHL player to do so.
- Jaromír Jágr (Washington Capitals) scored his 500th career goal on February 4, 2003.
Beyond the NHL, February 4th has seen milestones in other hockey leagues. For example, February 4, 2026, Benny Walchuk, a voice in junior hockey, called his 800th junior hockey game.
These events, spanning several decades, highlight the rich history of hockey and the memorable moments that have occurred on February 4th.