December 19 in NYR history: A league is born

The most important NHL event on this date didn’t involve the New York Rangers

What happened on December 19 in the history of the New York Rangers

Something happened on December 19, 1917 that changed all of our lives.  The National Hockey League played the first game in its history as the Montreal Canadiens played the Ottawa Senators at the Ottawa Arena.  Montreal won, 7-4 with the first goal in league history scored by Montreal’s Dave Ritchie.

Later that night the second game was played with the Toronto Arenas losing to the Montreal Wanderers by a 10-9 score in a game played in the Montreal Arena in front of 700 fans.

It would be nine years before the New York Rangers would be formed and make their NHL debut, but it wouldn’t have been possible without these hockey trailblazers.

Youngest goalie ever

On this date in 1943, Harry Lumley played goal fro the Detroit Red Wings in a 6-2 loss to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.  Lumley was 17 years, 36 days old, making him the younget goalie to ever play in the NHL.  He was the second youngest player in NHL history, following Bep Guidolin of the Boston Bruins who played his first game in November, 1942 at 16 years, 350 days old.

The youngest Ranger to ever play was Don Raleigh who was 17 years, 147 days old when he made his debut on November 21, 1943.

Two MSG firsts

In 1926 the Detroit Cougars played the first game in their history at Madison Square Garden a 1-1 tie.  The team was known as the Cougars for the first four years in the NHL. Their name was changed to the Falcons in 1930 and in 1932, became the Detroit Red Wings.

On this date in 1976, the Cleveland Barons played their first game at the Garden, a 3-2 loss to the Rangers.  The Barons had moved to Cleveland from Oakland and would remain in Ohio for two seasons before folding and merging with the Minnesota North Stars

Seven goals and a loss?

On this date in 1945 the Rangers scored seven goals against the Boston Bruins and still lost 8-7.   This came less than a year after the Blueshirts had scored nine goals against the Bruins and lost that game as well.

The Rangers battled back from a 5-2 deficit to tie the game 7-7 early in the third period, only to see Herb Cain score with only 41 seconds left in the game to win it for Boston. Hank Goldup had a hat trick in the losing effort for the Rangers.

Today’s birthday

Hall of Fame defenseman Doug Harvey was born on this date in 1924 in Montreal, Quebec, the only Hall of Famer born on December 19.  Harvey was one of the greatest defensemen in the history of the NHL and played 151 games with the Blueshirts at the tail end of his career.

Harvey was the first New York Ranger to win the Norris Trophy, winning for the seventh time in 1962.  He won the first six times with the Canadiens.

The numbers

December 19 should be known as “tie day” as the Blueshirts finished 11 games tied, the most of any day in December.

Games: 38
Regulation wins: 13
Regulation losses: 13
Ties: 11
Overtime wins: 1
Points percentage: .513

Looking back

Every day we look back at games played one, five and ten years ago.  On December 19, the team was idle.

Last year – 2019: No game

5 years ago – 2015: No game

10 years ago- 2010: No game