Hockey is finally back, but we at Last Word on Hockey are still going to look back at each date’s historical significance to the game. We’ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here’s our look at this date in hockey history for August 2nd, featuring Jeff Skinner.
Today in Hockey History
Jeff Skinner Traded to Buffalo
2018: The Buffalo Sabres gets the former Carolina Hurricanes forward for prospect Cliff Pu and three draft picks. Skinner was a three-time 30-goal scorer with Carolina before coming to Western New York. The Markham, Ontario native was the seventh overall pick of the 2010 NHL Draft.
Skinner scores 40 goals in his first season with the Sabres, including scoring 20 before December. He ends the season with a flourish as he scores a pair of goals in the season finale against the Detroit Red Wings. The left wing netted 14 goals in 59 games in the 2019-20 season.
Other Notable Events
1993: The Philadelphia Flyers signed free agents Dave Tippett and Jeff Finley. It’s Tippett’s last NHL season before heading to the Houston Aeros of the IHL as a player/coach. Finley spends one season with the Flyers before going to the Winnipeg Jets.
1994: The Edmonton Oilers name George Burnett as the team’s new head coach. He replaces Glen Sather, who stays on as general manager.
1995: The Boston Bruins obtain Kevin Stevens and Shawn McEachern from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh gets Glen Murray, Bryan Smolinski and Boston’s third-round choice in the 199 NHL Draft.
1999: The Chicago Blackhawks sign unrestricted free agent forward Wendel Clark. He plays only 13 games before returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs took Clark first overall in the 1985 NHL Draft.
Ray Ferraro signs a free agent contract with the Atlanta Thrashers. Ferraro plays parts of three seasons in Georgia before being dealt to the St. Louis Blues.
Defenceman Dave Karpa inks a free agent deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. Karpa plays pars of two more teams with the Hurricanes.
2005: The Columbus Blue Jackets sign free agent defenceman Adam Foote. He had spent the previous 13 seasons with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche organization. Foote spends most of three seasons in the Ohio capital before being traded back to the Avalanche. He plays three seasons in Denver before retiring and has his No. 52 retired in 2013.
Happy Birthday to You
1932: Leo Boivin
1938: Dave Balon
1955: Rick Lapointe
1961: Torrie Robertson
1964: John Cullen
1970: Tony Amonte
1991: Evander Kane
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