They left a mark on the game!! December Hockey History

On December 11th in Hockey history, significant moments include Tom Bladon's record-setting 8-point game (4G, 4A) for the Flyers in 1977, the Minnesota North Stars making trades and seeing milestones like Mikko Koivu's 100th assist in 2008, Mario Lemieux becoming owner/Player in 2000, and recent events like Mikko Rantanen's hat trick and MacKinnon's 600th assist in 2024, highlighting a mix of scoring records, franchise milestones, and significant Player/Team news. 

1970s & 1980s

• 1977: Tom Bladon's Record Night
  Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Tom Bladon set an NHL record for the most points in a single game by a defenseman, recording 8 points (4 goals and 4 assists) in a game against the Cleveland Barons. This record has been tied only once, by Paul Coffey.

• 1985: High Scoring Game
  The Edmonton Oilers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 12-9, setting a league record for most combined points scored in a single game with 62 points and tying the record for 21 total goals.

1990s & 2000s

• 1990: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defensemen Larry Murphy and Peter Taglianetti from the Minnesota North Stars, while Neal Broten had a big night for the North Stars, according to Vintage Minnesota Hockey. 

• 1991: Patrick Roy's Final Canadiens Game
  Following a 9-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, where he was left in net for a brutal stretch and booed by home fans, goaltender Patrick Roy informed Canadiens President Ronald Corey he had played his last game for Montreal. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche four days later, where he would win two Stanley Cups.

• 1992: The NHL Board of Governors allowed the North Stars to relocate, but not to Milwaukee or Hamilton.

• 2000: Mario Lemieux's Return
  Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux announced he would end his 3.5-year retirement and return as an active NHL Player. He became the first owner/Player in NHL history when he officially returned to the ice.

• 2003: Jacques Lemaire coached his 750th game, a milestone matched by only a few others, while Marian Gaborik tied a Wild record with 7 shots in the second period, reports Vintage Minnesota Hockey. 

2020s

• 2021: The New York Islanders got their first win at UBS Arena, with Zach Parise scoring his first goal as an Islander on his late father's birthday.

• 2024: A massive night for the Avalanche saw Mikko Rantanen score a hat trick and Nathan MacKinnon reach 600 assists, while Leon Draisaitl became the first 20-goal scorer of the season for the Oilers.

• 2024: Drake Batherson scored a natural hat trick, becoming the first Senators Player to do so in three years.

• 2025: A historic night saw four games feature game-tying goals in the final 15 seconds, including an own-goal by Erik Karlsson.

• 2021: Zach Parise's Emotional Goal
  Zach Parise scored his first goal as a New York Islander on what would have been his late father J.P. Parise's 80th birthday. He scored the shorthanded game-winning goal, which he described as a very emotional moment. 

Birthdays of Note

• 1969: Rob Blake
  Born on this day, Rob Blake is a Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman who won an Olympic gold medal (2002), two World Championships, and a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. 

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