Despite no games on the schedule, July 5 has been a rather busy day in National Hockey League history. We’ve seen some familiar faces in new places, plenty of coaching changes, and a generational talent received a huge new contract. So let’s begin our daily trip back in time to enjoy all the best from this date.
The End of an Era
The face of the Ottawa Senators franchise changed addresses on July 5, 2013. Daniel Alfredsson signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings, ending his 17-season career with the Senators.
Alfredsson was one of the greatest late-round draft picks in NHL history after he was selected by the Senators in the sixth round (133rd overall) of the 1994 Entry Draft. He won the Calder Trophy, for being the top rookie, by scoring 26 goals and 61 points during the 1995-96 season. He is still the Senators’ all-time leader in goals (426), assists (682), and points (1,108).
Chronic back problems limit Alfredsson to 68 games in his lone season with the Red Wings, but he still scored 18 goals and 49 points. He officially retired back in Ottawa in December 2014.
The Coaching Carousel
On July 5, 1978, Harry Howell took over as the Minnesota North Stars’ head coach, replacing Lou Nanne, who was named the new general manager. Howell was the general manager of the Cleveland Barons before the two franchises merged the previous month. Howell’s tenure as head coach only lasted 11 games before he was replaced with Glen Sonmor.
The Boston Bruins hired Fred Creighton to be their new head coach on July 5, 1979, to replace the recently fired Don Cherry. The controversial coach was let go after five seasons behind the Bruins bench that included four division titles and back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 1977 and 1978.
Creighton didn’t even make it through the 1979-80 season as he was let go with just seven games remaining in the regular season. General manager Harry Sinden served as head coach for the remainder of the season and playoffs.
The New York Islanders began their relationship with Mike Milbury on July 5, 1995, when they named him their new head coach. In December of that year, he added general manager to his title, a job he held until 2006. Milbury served as head coach on three different occasions during his time with the team, going 56-111-24 with him behind the bench.
Dave King was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 5, 2000, to be their first head coach in franchise history. King went 64-106-34 before being let go…
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