Today in Hockey History: Hartford Whalers Doug Jarvis Sets Longevity Streak

We’re normally getting ready for another hockey season, but we’re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is 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 October 10, featuring Doug Jarvis.

Today in Hockey History

Doug Jarvis Plays in 964th Straight Game

1987: The Hartford Whalers forward suits up for his record-setting 964th straight game. Hartford losses to the New York Rangers, 6-2. It’s the last game the league’s longevity streak of most games played that started in 1975.

Jarvis sits out the next game due to an injury and never plays another NHL game. He’s sent down to Binghamton of the AHL to become a player/coach. The Brantford, Ontario native retires after 24 games with the Whalers’ AHL team.

Other Notable Events

1970: The Buffalo Sabres win their debut, 2-1, over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jim Watson scores the first goal in team history and Gilbert Perreault gets the game-winner at 11:26 of the third.

Al Arbour makes his coaching debut with the St. Louis Blues a 3-1 victory over the Rangers. Arbour loses his job three years later, but coaches 1,500 games with the New York Islanders.

1974: Rookie Danny Gare scores 18 seconds into his NHL debut with the Sabres. It’s the second-fastest goal by a rookie in league history.

1979: Wayne Gretzky plays in his first NHL game in the Edmonton Oilers 4-2 loss at the Chicago Black Hawks .Gretzky gets an assist on the Oilers first NHL goal scored by Kevin Lowe.

1989: Soviet players square off against each other for the first time in the NHL. Viacheslav Fetisov and Sergei Starikov of the New Jersey Devils take on Sergei Priakin and Sergei Makarov of the Calgary Flames. Priakin scores the game-winner in Calgary’s 4-2 victory.

1998: Brian Sutter wins his 300th game as a coach in the Flames 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks.

The Nashville Predators lose their inaugural game, 1-0, to the Florida Panthers. Kirk McLean makes 26 saves and Ray Whitney gets a power-play goal.

2002: Stanislav Chistov is the youngest to get four points in his first game. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim beat St. Louis, 4-3.

2015: Florida sets the record for the fastest four goals to start a season in its 7-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

2017: The Vegas Golden Knights are the first expansion team to win their first three games. Vegas earns a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes in its first home game.