This Week in Centennial History

As part of the League's Centennial Celebration, NHL.com is taking a look back at memorable events each week. Here are Centennial highlights for the week of Aug. 27-Sept. 2:

Sept. 2, 1972: The Soviet Union
wins the opening game of the Summit Series
by defeating Canada 7-3 in Montreal. The Soviets allow two early goals, then stun the crowd at the Forum with their speed and skill.
Sept 1, 1999:
Mario Lemieux
's application for ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins
is approved by the NHL Board of Governors
.
Aug. 31, 1931:
Jean Beliveau
, a member of 17 Stanley Cup championship teams (10 as a player, seven as an executive) with the Montreal Canadiens,
is born in Trois Rivieres, Quebec
.

Aug. 30, 1982: The Washington Capitals, who have yet to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since entering the NHL in 1974,
hire 32-year-old David Poile
as their general manager.
Aug. 29, 1994: Lemieux, the Penguins center,
announces he will sit out the 1994-95 NHL season
because of back problems and fatigue, an aftereffect from his radiation treatment for cancer.
Aug. 28, 2015: Al Arbour, the coach of the New York Islanders' dynasty in the early 1980s,
dies at age 82
.
Aug. 27, 1962: Center
Adam Oates
, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and arguably the best undrafted player in NHL history,
is born in Weston, Ontario
.