October 26th has been a significant date in hockey history, filled with milestones, memorable performances, and notable achievements. Let's delve into some of the key events that have occurred on this day.
Historical Achievements
A number of players who have skated in at least one NHL game were born on this day. Some of the best include Miikka Kiprusoff, Joseph Cramarossa, Adam Clendening, Pavel Dorofeyev, and the late Hall of Famer Harry Oliver. Harry Oliver, born on October 26, 1898, was a self-taught hockey player who began playing organized hockey with the Selkirk Fisherman. Oliver was the first Boston Bruin to score four goals in a single game.
Wayne Gretzky, arguably the greatest hockey player of all time, also had some memorable moments on this date. On October 26, 1984, while playing for the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky picked up four assists in the second period of a game against the Los Angeles Kings. Then playing for the Kings, on Oct. 26, 1990, Gretzky became the first and only player to reach 2,000 points in league history.
Team Successes and Milestones
October 26th has also been a day of team milestones. In 2001, the New York Islanders became only the fourth team in NHL history to win their first six road games of the season. In 2002, the St. Louis Blues became the first NHL team to win four straight games with four different goalies.
Individual Performances
Patrick Roy, the legendary goaltender, recorded his 21st career shutout on October 26, 1993, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 2-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Mario Lemieux scored a hat trick on October 26, 1995, becoming the 20th player in NHL history to score 500 career goals.
Retirements and Awards
On October 26, 1985, the Montreal Canadiens retired Doug Harvey's number 2 jersey, honoring one of the greatest defensemen in the team's history.
News from Today, October 26, 2025
Today, October 26, 2025, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals played in his 1,500th career game. Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning reached 1,000 regular-season points. Trevor Zegras of the Philadelphia Flyers scored his first two goals of the season. The Montreal Canadiens overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Vancouver Canucks, with Ivan Demidov contributing a three-point performance.
