This Day in Hockey History

1965 - Mario Lemieux and Patrick Roy are born

In a rare instance of coincidental symmetry, two of the greatest hockey players of all time are born on the same day in Quebec.

Mario Lemieux, one of the most prolific goal-scorers in NHL history, is born in Montreal, while Patrick Roy, one of the winningest goaltenders of all time, is born in Quebec City.

Lemieux records 690 goals and 1,723 points in 915 career games over a career disrupted by serious health issues including cancer. He is inducted into the Hall of Fame immediately following his retirement in 1997, but returns in 2000 to play parts of five more seasons. He captures back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992.

Roy is a four-time Stanley Cup champion. He records 551 wins and 66 shutouts in 1,029 career regular-season appearances, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a championship as a rookie in 1986 and again in 1993 before doing the same with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and 2001. He retires after the 2002-03 season and is inducted into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 2006.

1989 - Mike Modano records goal, assist in his first NHL game

The Minnesota North Stars get the debut they were hoping for from their 1988 first-overall pick when Mike Modano contributes a goal and an assist in his NHL debut to defeat the New York Islanders.

Modano adds two more goals in his second contest, including his first power-play tally. Modano finishes with 29 goals and 75 points in his rookie season, establishing the pace he follows for most of his Hall of Fame career. Modano plays 1,499 career games and retires with 1,374 points – more than any other American-born NHL player.

Birthdays

1916 - Roy Conacher
1932 - Dean Prentice
1966 - Fredrik Olausson
1987 - Michael Grabner
1992 - Sven Baertschi