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 17 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. 44 - 36 May 17, 1925 - Cleveland Indians centerfielder Tris Speaker reached his 3,000th hit in his MLB career. In 1...
- The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!
May 16 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. 5 - 9 - 22 May 16, 1927 - New York Yankee outfielder, Bob Meusel, wearing Number 5 stole 2nd base, 3rd base and&nbs...
- The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!
May 15 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 15, 1912 - Detroit Tigers star slugger Ty Cobb, let's an obnoxious fan get to him and the player leaped the rail...
- The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!
May 14 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 - 37 - 7 May 14, 1913 - Washington Senator pitcher Walter Johnson, had his amazing MLB record of scoreless innings str...
- The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!
May 13 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. 22 - 21 May 13, 1942 - Who says pitchers can't hit? Boston Braves Pitcher, Number 22, Jim Tobin smacked 3 ball...
- The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!
May 12 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. 27 - 17 - 14 May 12, 1910 - Ace pitcher and future Hall of Fame player of the Philadelphia Athletics, Charles Bender thr...
- The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!