Sept. 5: Hockey Hall of Fame holds first induction ceremony
Plus: Rangers bring back Messier for last season; Penguins announce Malkin signing
by John Kreiser @jkreiser7713 / NHL.com Managing Editor
THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Sept. 5
1959: The Hockey Hall of Fame holds its first formal induction ceremony at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.
The Hall is established in 1943 and inducts its first members in 1945, but this is the first time there is a ceremony to honor the newly elected members. Previous inductees are also honored; 31 of the 34 living members are present and are presented with the official Hall of Fame crest.
The new members include forward Cy Denneny, goalie Tiny Thompson and Jack Adams, who is inducted as a player. However, Adams is best known for spending 36 seasons as a coach and/or general manager with the Detroit Red Wings and is the only man to win the Stanley Cup as a player, coach and GM.
MORE MOMENTS
2003: The New York Rangers re-sign 42-year-old center Mark Messier to a one-year contract. It will be the 25th (and final) NHL season for Messier, who enters 2003-04 with 1,844 points (676 goals, 1,168 assists), six behind Gordie Howe for second on the NHL's all-time list.
Video: Mark Messier was one of NHL's greatest leaders
2006: The Pittsburgh Penguins announce the signing of forward Evgeni Malkin, the No. 2 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft. Malkin finishes his first NHL season with 85 points (33 goals, 52 assists) and wins the Calder Trophy as the League's top rookie. He wins the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's top scorer in 2008-09, then is voted winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1992.