Hockey history on August 12th has seen a mix of player milestones, team achievements, and poignant moments of remembrance.
In 1983, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed center Warren Young. Young had been drafted by the California Golden Seals in 1976.
Serge Savard, a Hall of Fame defenseman, announced his initial retirement on August 12, 1981. Savard played 917 games for the Montreal Canadiens over 15 seasons, amassing 100 goals and 412 points with a plus-497 rating. He won seven Stanley Cups and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1969. Savard's retirement was short-lived.
Bryan Murray, a long-time NHL head coach and executive, passed away on August 12, 2017, after a battle with colon cancer. He began his coaching career in 1976 with the Rockland Nationals and later coached the Regina Pats, winning the 1980 Memorial Cup. In the NHL, he coached the Washington Capitals.
Several players who share a birthday of August 12 only played a single NHL game in their careers. They include Walt Farrant (Chicago Blackhawks, 1944), Pat Rupp (Red Wings, 1964), Jake Rathwell (Bruins, 1975), and David Ayres (Hurricanes, 2020).
Forward Vladimir Ruzicka signed with the Ottawa Senators as a free agent on August 12, 1993. He previously led the Boston Bruins in the 1991-92 season with 39 goals and 75 points.
Mason McTavish achieved a notable feat on August 12, 2022, scoring four goals and six points against Team Slovakia at the 2022 World Juniors. Only eight players in WJC history have accomplished this, including Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.
In 2025, the U.S. Under-18 Men's Select Team initiated the Hlinka Gretzky Cup with a 6-3 victory over Slovakia. Team USA faced Sweden on August 12. Kalder Varga scored the first goal. Other goals were contributed by Levi Harper, Peter Reynolds, and Blake Zielinski. Rogowski and Nick Bogas scored empty-net goals.
