June 11th has been a significant date in hockey history, filled with Stanley Cup victories, NHL Entry Drafts, and individual awards. Let's delve into some of the memorable events that occurred on this day.
One of the most recent significant events on this day happened on June 11, 2022, when the Tampa Bay Lightning advanced to their third-straight Stanley Cup Final after defeating the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 6. This victory extended their winning streak to 11 games, positioning them behind only the New York Islanders (19 games, 1980-84) and the Montreal Canadiens (13 games, 1976-80) for the longest winning streak in NHL history.
On June 11, 2017, the Pittsburgh Penguins secured their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship by defeating the Nashville Predators 2-0 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. This win marked them as the first team to achieve back-to-back Stanley Cups since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998. The game was a nail-biter, with former Predator Patric Hornqvist breaking the scoreless tie with just 1:35 remaining in the third period. Carl Hagelin sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the game's final seconds.
June 11, 2012, marked a historic moment for the Los Angeles Kings. After 45 years as an NHL franchise, the Kings finally captured the Stanley Cup, marking a long-awaited triumph for the organization and its fans.
The NHL Entry Draft has also seen action on June 11. In 1980, the Montreal Canadiens, hosting the draft, selected Doug Wickenheiser as the first overall pick. However, Wickenheiser's career with the Canadiens didn't quite live up to expectations, as he played only 202 games, scoring 49 goals and 115 points before being traded to the St. Louis Blues in 1983. This draft is notable because the Canadiens missed out on other talented players like Dave Babych, Denis Savard, Larry Murphy, and Paul Coffey.
June 11, 1974, was a particularly glorious day for the Boston Bruins. Bobby Orr won his seventh Norris Trophy, Phil Esposito secured both the Hart Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy, and Johnny Bucyk was awarded the Lady Byng Trophy.
In more recent news, as of June 11, 2025, the hockey world is buzzing with potential trades and awards. There are reports indicating that the New York Rangers and the Anaheim Ducks are discussing a trade that would send Chris Kreider to Anaheim. Also, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson has been awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's Rookie of the Year. Hutson is the seventh player in franchise history to win the Calder and the first since Ken Dryden in 1971-72.
The Calgary Flames have also made news by signing winger Adam Klapka to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $1.25 million. Meanwhile, KHL free-agent forward Maxim Shabanov is set to make his decision on which NHL team he will sign with after the NHL Draft and when the free-agent market opens on July 1.
These events highlight the rich history and continuous evolution of hockey, making June 11 a date etched in the memories of players and fans alike.
