This date has been very busy over the years in the National Hockey League. There was the addition of two teams. The Hall of Fame officially began, multiple captains were named, a big international game was played, and exhibition contests took place all over the globe. Let’s begin our daily trip back in time to relive all the top moments from Sept. 11.
Two New Teams Welcomed In
The NHL expanded from 12 teams to 14 on Sept. 11, 1969, announcing that Buffalo and Vancouver were awarded new franchises. The Sabres and Canucks both joined the league for the 1970-71 season. They both play in the East Division when they officially enter the fold, while the Chicago Blackhawks move to the West Division.
Related – Buffalo Sabres Jersey History
The two newest NHL cities beat out bids from Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Washington DC. Eventually, except for Baltimore, all these cities get an NHL franchise with varying degrees of success. A group in Vancouver previously tried to buy the Oakland Seals and relocate them but were denied.
An Important Date for Hall of Fame
Perhaps no date is more important than this one for the Hockey Hall of Fame. The NHL approved the proposal to start the Hall on Sept. 11, 1943. The first class of 12 members was inducted in 1945. This group included Hobey Baker, Charlie Gardner, Howie Morenz, and Georges Vezina. The first physical building opened at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto in 1961.
On Sept. 11, 1995, the Hall of Fame inducted its 43rd class in Larry Robinson, Fred “Bun” Cook, Bill Torrey, and Gunther Sabetzki.
Robinson headlined the class after a 20-season career with the Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings. He played 1,384 total games, scoring 208 goals and 958 points. He won six Stanley Cups with the Canadiens and two Norris Trophies for being the best defenseman in the league. He played in the Stanley Cup playoffs in each of his 20 seasons.
Cook played in 477 games between 1926 and 1937, scoring 158 goals and 304 points. The left winger played 10 seasons for the New York Rangers before one last go-round with the Bruins during the 1936-37 season. He was part of two Stanley Cup championships with the Rangers.
Sabetzki founded the German Ice Hockey Federation in 1963 and was president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) from 1975 until 1994. Torrey was the architect of the New…
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