Sports History

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Hooked on Hockey has multiple events to share from May 29 such as:
2001 – The Columbus Blue Jackets signed free agent Brett Harkins.

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TedTalksHockey.com tells of the 1989, The Calgary Flames defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 to win the 1989 Stanley Cup.

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The NHL.com posts some great items for June 3 Hockey history including:
1982 -Dave Keon retires after 18 NHL seasons
1993 - Eric Desjardins has first hat trick by defenseman in Cup Final.
2000 - Jason Arnott has a goal and an assist, rookie defenseman Brian Rafalski has two assists and the New Jersey Devils defeat the Dallas Stars 2-1 in Game 3 of the Cup Final
2004 - Calgary Flames earn playoff-record 10th road win

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The NHL.com shares these gems of May 28 hockey history:
1999 - Rookie Chris Drury scores at 19:29 of overtime to give the Colorado Avalanche a 3-2 victory against the Dallas Stars
2013 - Justin Williams scored two goals to help the Los Angeles Kings defeat the San Jose Sharks 2-1 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

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The NHL.com shares events from May 12 in hockey history including the Monday Night Miracle, Joe Mullen, Mike Vernon, Bryan Trottier, Anders Kallur, and more. NHL May 12

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Jari Kurri scores hat-trick in Game 2 win over Boston Bruins, May 18, 1990

Gordon Blanchard Keats, better known as "Duke" or the "Iron Duke," wasn't your typical hockey player. He wasn't a flashy scorer or a bone-crushing defenseman. Yet, Duke Keats carved a unique path in hockey history, leaving his mark on the game with his exceptional talent, leadership, and unwavering dedication.

-Early Days and a WCHL Legacy

Born in 1895, Keats began his professional career at the tender age of 14, playing semi-professionally in the Cobalt Mining League. His journey continued with the Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association (NHA) before taking a break to fight in World War I. Upon his return, he joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) in 1919. This marked the beginning of a dominant era for Keats.

-A Star in the West

For the next five seasons, Keats established himself as a force in the WCHL. He was a complete player, excelling at both offense and defense. His leadership qualities were evident, earning him the captaincy of the Eskimos. Keats led the league in scoring on multiple occasions and was a fixture on WCHL All-Star teams. He helped guide the Eskimos to the league finals in 1923, showcasing his competitive spirit and clutch play.

-The NHL and a Brief, Impactful Stint

Despite his dominance in the WCHL, Keats' arrival in the NHL at the age of 31 was relatively late. He played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Cougars, and Chicago Black Hawks between 1926 and 1929. Though his time in the league was brief, Keats left his mark. He was known for his strong work ethic, leadership qualities, and ability to elevate the play of his teammates. He even recorded the first hat trick in Detroit Cougars franchise history.

Duke Keats played for Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association, Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Canada Hockey League, and the Boston Bruins, Detroit Cougars and Chicago Black Hawks of the NHL. He is in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Bud Poile wasn't just a hockey executive; he was a visionary architect, shaping the fortunes of multiple franchises and leaving an indelible mark on the sport. His 50-year career (1964-2014) spanned various roles, from scout to general manager, president, and advisor, his Midas touch evident in the Stanley Cup championships and the teams he built.

Early Days and Scouting Prowess:

Poile's journey began with the Montreal Canadiens, where he served as a scout, his keen eye discovering future stars like Guy Lafleur and Bobby Smith. This talent identification prowess laid the foundation for his future success.

Building Champions in Philadelphia and Washington:

In 1982, Poile took over as general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, orchestrating trades that brought in ключевые игроки, как Яри Курри и Mark Recchi. This team transformed into a contender, culminating in a Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1985 and 1987.

Poile's next challenge came in 1994 when he joined the Washington Capitals as president and general manager. He embarked on a complete roster overhaul, drafting future superstars like Alexander Ovechkin and building a team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998.

Nashville's Rise to Prominence:

In 1998, Poile took on the daunting task of establishing the Nashville Predators as an NHL expansion team. His shrewd drafting and trades, acquiring players like Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, laid the groundwork for the franchise's future success. Under his leadership, the Predators blossomed into perennial contenders, finally reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017.

Beyond the Wins: A Legacy of Innovation and Collaboration:

Poile's achievements go beyond just Stanley Cup appearances. He was a pioneer in utilizing advanced analytics and statistics in player evaluation, a practice now commonplace across the league. He also fostered a collaborative environment, empowering his staff and valuing diverse perspectives.

Born February 9, 1907, in Newmarket, Ontario, was Hockey Hall of Fame Right Wing/Defenseman Dit Clapper. This legend was a three-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Boston Bruins and a six-time NHL All-Star. Along with teammates Dutch Gainor and Cooney Weiland, they made up the original Bruins line that was called the "Dynamite Line." Clapper set a few scoring record marks during the 1930s. Dit was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947 as the first member to be alive at the time of induction.

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Hooked on Hockey reminds us of many events on may 25 like:
1978 – The Canadiens beat the Bruins 4-1 in Game 6 of the Finals to become the 1978 Stanley Cup Champions