Hockey Factoids: Leap Day Edition

We'd been wondering earlier if anything of significance in the annals of hockey history might have happened on Leap Day. "Well, probably" we thought, "but honestly, who would go to the trouble of making a list?" But then it occurred to us that this is the Internet, so of course someone did!

1988 - Former U.S. Olympic team captain Brian Leetch made his NHL debut and picked up an assist for his first NHL point as the Rangers won 5-2 over the Blues, at MSG.

1992 - Ray Bourque scored a goal and two assists to give him 1,000 career points in the Bruins' 5-5 tie against Capitals.

1996 - Wayne Gretzky played his first game as a member of the St. Louis Blues, and scored his first goal with the team in a 2-2 tie at Vancouver.

2004 - Carolina's Ron Francis became just the second player in NHL history to score 10 (or more) goals for 23 straight seasons, when he connected for the Hurricanes in a 3-3 tie at Minnesota. Francis tied the record set by Gordie Howe.

2004 - Detrot's Nicklas Lidstrom became just the 4th player - and first defenseman - to play 1,000 games with the Red Wings

Thanks, internet!

(Be sure to follow the link to see the rest of the notable events. And birthdays!)

 Greatest Hockey Legends: This Day In Hockey History: Feb 29th