This Day in Hockey History

1988 - Mike Bossy retires

Back injuries cut short the career of one of the NHL's most prolific goal scorers, Mike Bossy, and the New York Islanders legend announces his retirement from professional hockey.

Bossy hadn't played a game in 18 months. 

The Islanders' super sniper amassed 573 goals and 1126 points in 752 career games. He remains the NHL's all-time leader in rate of goals scored per game.

2002 - Patrick Roy bests Terry Sawchuk

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy appears in his 972nd NHL game, a 3-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes, and eclipses Terry Sawchuk's all-time record for games played by an NHL goaltender. 

Roy doesn't hold the record for as long as Sawchuk did, as he's eventually surpassed by Martin Brodeur in 2009.

Birthdays

1954 - Mike Rogers
1954 - Harold Snepsts
1974 - Jamal Mayers
1984 - Jonas Gustavsson