Today in Hockey History
1938 - Bill Masterton is born
The man who gained unfortunate notoriety for the circumstances of his death is born in Winnipeg.
Masterton was a college standout at the University of Denver who played less than one season for the Minnesota North Stars in the NHL.
He died on Jan. 15, 1968 at the age of 29 after suffering a severe internal brain injury in a game against the Oakland Seals. It was the first on-ice casualty in NHL history.
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy was created later that year. It is still presented annually to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perserverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."
His death inspired some players to begin wearing helmets and two legislators in New York considered a law that would make their use mandatory.
Eleven years later, the NHL did just that, instituting a rule mandating that all players signed after June 1, 1979 are required to wear them.
Other Birthdays
1949 - Bobby Clarke
1961 - Mark Osborne
1966 - Shayne Corson
1975 - Marty Turco
1983 - Ales Hemsky
1993 - Johnny Gaudreau