From the THW Archives, written by previous contributor Alli Baker and originally published Feb. 16, 2015.
So you think you know everything there is to know about hockey, eh? Well if you know more than half of these unusual facts, you are either a hockey fan or you have too much time on your hands.
1. One Dollar Man
In 1993, Kris Draper was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for just $1. This led to his nickname in Detroit – “The One Dollar Man.” However, Draper ended up worth more than a dollar. He went on to play 17 seasons with the Wings, playing in 1137 games and scoring 158 goals during that time. Draper also won four Stanley Cups with Detroit in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008.
2. The Great
You must know that Wayne Gretzky is the NHL’s all-time leading scorer, but did you know that The Great One would still hold the record even if he never scored a goal? Even though he didn’t score a single goal in his career, Gretzky collected so many assists, he will become the NHL’s all-time leading scorer. Lots of help.
3. The First Principle
Dave Ritchie of the Montreal Wanderers scored the first official NHL goal on December 19, 1917. The goal was scored at the Toronto Arenas.
4. Don’t forget the Ladies
There are 12 women named to the Stanley Cup – all are team owners or managers. Marguerite Norris, president of the Detroit Red Wings from 1954-55, was the first woman to have her name engraved on the Cup.
Sonia Scurfield, owner of the Calgary Flames in 1989, is the only Canadian woman to have her name on the Cup.
5. The Million Dollar Man
In 1971, the Boston Bruins signed Bobby Orr to a five-year, $200,000-a-year contract. This was the first million dollar contract signed in the NHL. Orr ended up scoring 181 goals in that span and was well worth the money spent.
6. Size Doesn’t Matter
Roy Worters, former goaltender for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Americans and Montreal Canadiens, is the shortest player to play in the NHL. Waters stood 5-foot-3 tall and played in 484 games from 1925-1937.
On the other end of the spectrum, Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara is the tallest player to ever play in the NHL. The Slovakian native stands at 6-foot-9, a full foot and a half taller than water.
7. Early Puck
Rumor has it that early hockey pucks were actually pieces of frozen cow dung. I think it’s safe to say that we’re all thankful that they came up with something better for pucks. The modern version is made of impact rubber and is one inch thick and weighs between 5.5 and 6 ounces.
8. Cup
The Stanley Cup was originally only seven inches tall. It is named after Lord Stanley of Preston, the governor general of Canada at the time. The trophy is awarded to Canada’s top ranked junior hockey team. This trophy is still awarded to the leading team, but now stands over 35 inches high.
9. Very Fast Shooting
Bobby Hull reportedly holds the record for the fastest slapshot ever recorded at 118 miles per hour, but that was back when the technology wasn’t very sophisticated – his wristshot was clocked at 105 mph. Nicknamed the “Golden Jet,” Hull spent 23 seasons in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association, playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets and Hartford Whalers.
The fastest shortstop recorded in modern times with modern technology was Zdeno Chara’s 108.8 mph monster in 2012 at the All-Star Skills Tournament.
Arguments can still be made that Al MacInnis had the hardest slapshot of all time but his radar speed was hampered by his use of a wooden stick instead of the composite versions that everyone uses today.
10. Goalkeeper goals
Billy Smith, former netminder of the New York Islanders, is the first goaltender to be credited with scoring a goal. Smith scored his goal on November 28, 1979.
Michel Plasse, former goaltender for the CHL’s Kansas City Blues, also scored a goal on February 21, 1971. So if you keep track of all the different leagues, Plasse is technically the first.
Former Philadelphia Flyer goaltender Ron Hextall is the second goaltender to score a goal, but the first to score a goal on his own shot. Including Hextall and Smith, eleven goaltenders scored in the NHL. Martin Brodeur has the most goals by a goaltender with three.
Well, there you have it. Now you are taught about the history of hockey.
How many facts do you already know? Is there an interesting hockey fact you know that wasn’t on the list? Post it in the comments below.
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