Born December 30, 1883, in Drummondville, Quebec, was Hockey Hall of Fame Defenseman Lester Patrick. This legend hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup on one occasion while skating for the New York Rangers. He may be best known for his role as an executive and coach. Perhaps his most well-known contribution was that he, along with his brother Frank Patrick and father Joseph Patrick, helped found the PCHA and developed several rules for the game of hockey.
Sports History
Lester Patrick - Hockey Hall of Fame InnovatorHockey Giant, Builder, and Champion
Playing Prowess:
-Six Stanley Cup rings: As a player, Patrick hoisted the coveted trophy with Victoria (1912, 1925) and Montreal (1916, 1917, 1924). His defensive brilliance and leadership were undeniable.
-Scoring touch: Though known for his defense, Patrick wasn't shy about
offense. He twice led the PCHA in scoring and amassed over 300 career goals.
Building Legacies:
-PCHA co-founder: Along with his brother Frank, Patrick helped establish the Pacific Coast Hockey Association in 1911, laying the groundwork for future expansion and ultimately contributing to the NHL's formation.
-Rule innovator: Patrick pioneered significant rule changes like numbered jerseys, player changes "on the fly," and penalty shots, forever impacting the game's flow and fairness.
Coaching & Management:
-Two more Stanley Cups: Patrick transitioned seamlessly to coaching, guiding the New York Rangers to their first championships in 1933 and 1940. His tactical acumen and player management skills were highly respected.
-Executive vision: As general manager, Patrick built contender teams for both Victoria and New York, showcasing his talent for identifying and nurturing talent.
Legacy Lives On:
-Hall of Fame member: Inducted in 1947, Patrick's place among hockey's elite is undisputed.
-The Lester Patrick Trophy: Awarded annually to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport in the United States, this trophy further cements his lasting impact.
May 9 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 4 - 5 -19 May 9, 1901 - Cleveland Blue's rookie pitcher, Earl Moore threw a no-hit ballgame for a full nine innings...
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May 8 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 10 - 17 - 32 - 4 - 22 May 8, 1878 - Paul Hines made the very first recorded triple play in professional baseball as a member of th...
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May 7 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 3 - 51 - 34 May 7, 1917 - Babe Ruth was an outstanding hitter right? Well he was a pretty good pitcher too. On this day in history...
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May 6 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 3 - 5 - 22 - 7 - 8 May 6, 1915 - The Sultan of Swing, Future Baseball Hall of Fame hitter, Babe Ruth smacked his first M...
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May 5 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. May 5, 1904 - Did you ever wonder how you get your name on an iconic award? This next story is a great step towards doing just that...
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