This Day in MN Hockey History: Feb. 9

1894:  Hall of Fame defenseman Francis Xavier ‘Moose’ Goheen born in White Bear Lake, MN. Goheen passed away in November 1979, at the age of 85.

1959:  Former NHL defenseman Ed Hospodar born in Bowling Green, Ohio.  Hospodar played in the NHL 1979-80 through 1987-88 with the New York Rangers, Hartford, Philadelphia, the MN North Stars and Buffalo.

1960:  Former NHL defenseman Neil Sheehy born in International Falls, MN.  Sheehy played in the NHL 1983-84 through 1991-92 with Calgary, Hartford and Washington.

1961:  Former NHL right winger Mike Lauen born in Edina, MN.  Lauen played in the NHL 1983-84 with Winnipeg.

1966:  On this date the NHL awarded one of its six expansion franchises to Minnesota (North Stars).  In addition to Minnesota, the five other franchises were awarded to California (Oakland), Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis.  Back on March 11, 1965 NHL President Clarence Campbell announced that the league would expand to twelve teams from six through the creation of a new six-team division for the 1967–68 season.  In response to Campbell’s announcement, a partnership of nine men, led by Walter Bush, Jr. and John Driscoll, was formed to seek a franchise for the Twin Cities area of Minnesota.

1972:  Jude Drouin scored a goal and added two assists to lead the North Stars to a 4-1 win against the Kings at the Met Center.

1980:  Paul Holmgren scored a goal and added two assists to lead the Flyers to a 6-5 win over the Red Wings at Detroit.  It was also the Flyers’ sixth straight victory on the road.

1982:  Former NHL center Nathan Smith born in Edmonton, Alta.  Smith has played in the NHL 2003-04 through 2009-10 with Vancouver, Pittsburgh, and the Minnesota Wild.

1984:  Phil Housley had a goal and three assists as the Sabres extended their home undefeated streak against New Jersey to 7 straight games (6-0-1) with an 8-5 win over the Devils.

1989:  Dave Gagner scored twice as the North Stars won 3-2 over the Vancouver Canucks in Minnesota.

1994:  Kings goalie Robb Stauber made 49 saves in a 4-2 win over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks.

1997:  Neal Broten scored the winning goal at 4:17 of overtime and added an assist as the Stars won 2-1 over the visiting Los Angeles Kings.

2007:  Minnesota traded left wing Pascal Dupuis to the NY Rangers in exchange for right wing Adam Hall.

2008:  Wild were outshot 29-18 by the visiting New York Islanders, but Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom made 26 saves, and defenseman Brent Burns scored at 2:34 of overtime, a 4-3 victory.

2008:  Defensemen Paul Martin, Colin White and Johnny Oduya each scored a goal in the Devils 6-1 win over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes.  It marked the first time the Devils scored three consecutive goals from defensemen since 12/31/91.

2008:  The second annual ‘Hockey Day Minnesota’ was held on this date.  The outdoor games were again held on chilly (-30 below zero) Baudette Bay, MN with Lake of the Woods defeating Eveleth 5-0, and Roseau defeating Blaine 1-0.

2010:  Tampa Bay Lightning signed free agent Mark Parrish.

2010:  Carolina’s Matt Cullen scored a goal and added two assists against his former team as the Hurricanes beat the visiting Florida Panthers 4-1.

Courtesy of Vintage Minnesota Hockey.com,
your No. 1 source for Vintage Minnesota Hockey History and Hockey Apparel!