Today in hockey history, June 29th showcases a blend of memorable moments, from significant trades and draft selections to coaching appointments and player milestones. This date has been eventful in the NHL, marking turning points for various franchises and celebrating the careers of notable players.
One of the most notable recurring themes for June 29th is the NHL Draft. The Washington Capitals, for example, chose the 2024 NHL Draft, held on June 28th and 29th, to debut their 50th Anniversary patch on their jerseys. The NHL also commemorated the anniversary of the NHL Draft with a "60 Diamonds" series, which counted down the top 60 NHL Draft picks of all time. Furthermore, the 2025 NHL Draft saw the San Jose Sharks selecting Simon Wang with the 33rd overall pick, making him the highest-drafted Chinese player in NHL history. Ten current or committed NCAA Division 1 players were chosen during the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, marking it as the third-most in college hockey history and the most since 2016.
Trades have also been a common theme on this day. June 29, 2016, was a particularly busy day, with the New Jersey Devils acquiring Taylor Hall from the Edmonton Oilers for Adam Larsson. In another blockbuster trade, the Nashville Predators sent Shea Weber to the Montreal Canadiens for P.K. Subban. Moreover, in 1990, the Montreal Canadiens traded for Denis Savard. In 2025, there were rumors that the Montreal Canadiens made a blockbuster acquisition of defenseman Noah Dobson from the Islanders.
Coaching changes and appointments also mark June 29th in hockey history. In 2018, the Washington Capitals named Todd Reirden as their new head coach after Barry Trotz's resignation. Reirden was the first head coach to take over the defending Stanley Cup champions since 2002. In 1998, Dirk Graham was named head coach.
Player milestones and achievements have also been celebrated on this day. On June 29, 2021, the NHL handed out its five major awards, with Connor McDavid winning both the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Memorial Trophy. Adam Fox made history by becoming the first player to win the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman despite being on a non-playoff team (New York Rangers). Kirill Kaprizov won the Calder Trophy after leading all rookies with 27 goals and 51 points.
Several players celebrate their birthdays on June 29th, including Theoren Fleury, Matt Rempe, and Cherie Piper. Fleury, despite being considered small in stature, had a successful NHL career after being drafted in the eighth round.
Looking at the current news landscape for June 29, 2025, several rumors and potential trades are circulating. Mitch Marner is a key name, with discussions between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights about a potential sign-and-trade scenario. The Buffalo Sabres are reportedly receiving considerable interest in defenseman Bowen Byram from the Canucks, Kings, and Golden Knights. The Oilers are exploring options to improve their goaltending, while the Rangers face the possibility of Will Cuylle becoming an offer-sheet target.
In other news, the Winnipeg Jets signed defenseman Haydn Fleury to a two-year contract extension. The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Connor Clifton from the Buffalo Sabres. The Montreal Canadiens were reported to have aggressively pursued James Hagens.
These events, spanning various years, highlight the significance of June 29th in hockey history, marked by player achievements, strategic trades, and pivotal decisions shaping the NHL landscape.
