December 24 in Hockey

# December 24 in Hockey History

December 24 has marked numerous significant milestones throughout NHL history, serving as a date when players have achieved career-defining accomplishments spanning from the league's early decades through the modern expansion era. These moments reflect the consistency and longevity required to sustain careers in professional hockey across different competitive landscapes.

Early Era Scoring Performances

The earliest notable performance on December 24 occurred in 1921, when Ottawa Senators forward Cy Denneny recorded 3 goals and 1 assist for 4 points against the Montréal Canadiens. This seven-goal offensive output from a single player underscored the higher-scoring environment of early NHL hockey, where individual performances often generated substantial point totals in condensed matchups.

Decades later, December 24 would again become a date for explosive offensive performances. On this date in 1950, New York Rangers forward Nick Mickoski produced one of the era's notable single-game performances, scoring 4 goals and adding 1 assist for 5 points in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. This five-point output represented the type of dominant individual performance that defined certain players' legacies during the Original Six era.

The Expansion Era's Four-Goal Nights

The 1972 season brought two remarkable performances on December 24, both featuring four-goal performances. California Golden Seals forward Serge Bernier netted 4 goals without an assist in a contest against the Los Angeles Kings, demonstrating efficient finishing despite limited playmaking contributions.

The same date also marked a career milestone for Rick Smith, who reached 300 career games on December 24, 1972, reflecting the durability expected of established players during the expansion era.

Career Milestones and Consistency

Harry Lumley's achievement of 700 career games on December 24, 1955, represented a remarkable testament to longevity in an era when extended careers required exceptional durability and performance maintenance. That same date saw Red Sullivan reach 200 career games, while Ed Sandford recorded his 100th career goal, marking his transition from a developing player to an established scorer.

The 1960s produced additional milestones on this date. Jacques Laperriere reached 100 career points on December 24, 1966, establishing himself as a consistent contributor. Three years later, on December 24, 1969, Murray Oliver achieved his 500th career point, representing one of the more substantial scoring milestones tracked on this date. Brit Selby also reached 100 career points on the same date in 1969.

December 24, 1932, witnessed dual career achievements when both Albert Leduc and Harold Darragh reached 300 career games, reflecting the historical rarity of such extended tenures during the early professional era.

By the Numbers