This Day in Hockey History

1988 - Maple Leafs name Gord Stellick GM

On 28 April 1988 the Toronto Maple Leafs hired 30-year-old Gord Stellick as general manager. Stellick, who replaced Gerry McNamara as the top hockey executive in Toronto, became the youngest general manager in NHL history.

Stellick retired a year later, citing the meddling of owner Harold Ballard. 

1996 - The "last" game in Winnipeg

In a 4-1 win on 28 April 1996, the Detroit Red Wings eliminated the Winnipeg Jets from the NHL postseason in six games. It was the last season for the Jets franchise in Winnipeg, so their Game 6 loss marked the start of the NHL's 15 year absence from Manitoba.

1998 - Alfredsson nets Senators' 1st playoff hat-trick

Ottawa Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson scored his first of two playoff hat-tricks in 1998 on April 28th against the New Jersey Devils in a 4-3 Ottawa win.

It was the first Stanley Cup playoff hat-trick of Alfredsson's career, and the first postseason hat-trick in Ottawa Senators history. Two weeks later Alfredsson would net his second hat-trick of the postseason against the Washington Capitals.

Birthdays

1955 - Mel Bridgman
1969 - Ted Donato
1970 - Nicklas Lidstrom
1986 - David Krejci