June 27th has been a notable date in hockey history, marked by significant draft picks, coaching changes, and memorable player signings that have shaped the landscape of the NHL and other leagues.
One of the most impactful events occurring on this day was the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, held in Buffalo, New York. The Tampa Bay Lightning, holding the first overall pick, selected Vincent Lecavalier from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). This pick proved to be a cornerstone for the franchise. Lecavalier went on to become the all-time franchise leader in games played with 1,037 and ranks second in goals (383), fourth in assists (491), and third in points (874). Notably, the Lightning also drafted Brad Richards in the third round (64th overall) that year. Both Lecavalier and Richards played pivotal roles in the team's 2004 Stanley Cup championship, solidifying the 1998 draft as a crucial moment in Tampa Bay's history.
June 27, 2009, was also a significant day for the New York Islanders as they selected two players who would become mainstays for the team. In the fourth round, they picked Casey Cizikas (92nd overall), and in the sixth round, they chose Anders Lee (151st overall). Cizikas has been a regular in the Islanders' lineup since 2012, amassing 245 career points (107 goals, 138 assists) in 815 games over 13 seasons. Known for his leadership, hustle, and dedication, Cizikas has twice earned the Bob Nystrom Award and has been a key penalty killer. Anders Lee, the current captain of the Islanders, was considered a steal in the sixth round. After considering playing both football and hockey at the University of Minnesota, Lee ultimately chose to focus on hockey at the University of Notre Dame. Turning pro in 2013, Lee quickly became a fixture with the Islanders, scoring his first NHL goal on his first shot in his first game. He reached a career-high of 40 goals in the 2017-18 season, becoming the first Islander in over a decade to achieve this feat. On October 4, 2018, Lee was named the 15th captain in the team's history.
Another notable event on June 27 occurred in 1972 when Bobby Hull, a superstar left winger from the Chicago Blackhawks, made a groundbreaking decision to join the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association (WHA). This move was a significant coup for the WHA, a league attempting to rival the established NHL. Hull signed a 10-year contract worth a record $2.75 million. His impact on the WHA was immediate and substantial, as he scored 303 goals and 638 points in 411 games, helping the Jets win league championships in 1976, 1978, and 1979. Hull's outstanding performance earned him the Gary L. Davidson Award as the league's most valuable player twice, in 1973 and 1975.
Coaching changes have also marked this date in hockey history. On June 27, 1991, Ted Green was appointed as the new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, succeeding John Muckler. Green became only the fourth head coach in Edmonton since the team joined the NHL in 1979. While he led the team to the 1992 Campbell Conference Final, the Oilers missed the playoffs the following season, leading to his dismissal early in the 1993-94 season.
Transactions have also occurred on this date. For example, on June 27, 1998, the Philadelphia Flyers traded Paul Coffey to the Chicago Blackhawks for a fifth-round draft pick.
Finally, June 27, 1950, saw the Hockey Hall of Fame expand its membership by inducting nine new members, including Newsy Lalonde, Joe Malone, Scotty Davidson, and Frank Patrick.
