Marcel Dionne, Guy Lafleur, Darryl Sittler, Gilbert Perreault and Bobby Clarke. Five names synonymous with NHL hockey in the 1970’s. These legends all went on to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and all had their jersey numbers retired.
It’s hard to believe, looking back all those years, that these five legends once were NHL rookies appearing in their first games. At one time, these guys were awestruck by the large crowds and by their childhood heroes skating around on the same ice surface as them.
We’re going to take a look at the first regular season National Hockey League games for these five standout hockey stars, and a little beyond…
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Marcel Dionne
The Little Beaver played his first game on October 9, 1971 at the old Detroit Olympia. Dionne went pointless in a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota North Stars and was a -1 with four shots on net. However, Marcel was not left off the game sheet. He was given a minor penalty for charging at 8:16 of the first period.
After going scoreless in the next game, a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, Dionne scored his first NHL goal in his third NHL game. The Red Wings were on the road on October 16, 1971, playing the Blues as the St. Louis Arena.
St. Louis had little difficulty with Detroit, winning the game 9-2. Dionne scored his first NHL goal at 4:59 of the third period. It was an unassisted even strength goal on St. Louis goalie Ernie Wakely. Overall, Marcel was -2 on the game with two shots on net.
Guy Lafleur
On the same night that Marcel Dionne played his first game, October 9, 1971, Guy Lafleur was appearing in his. The Canadiens were hosting the New York Rangers at the Montreal Forum and the game ended in a 4-4 tie.
Lafleur had a point in his first game. He assisted on Montreal’s second goal of the game at 18:13 of the second period. The goal scorer was Yvan Cournoyer. For the Roadrunner, it was his first of two goals in the match.
Two games later, Guy had two assists and six shots on net in a 9-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. However, it wasn’t until his seventh game, a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings at the Great Western Forum, that Lafleur got his first NHL goal.
As it turned out, the goal was the game winner. It was Montreal’s second of the game at 18:52 of the second period and was assisted by J.C. Tremblay. In net for the Kings was Gary Edwards. Lafleur would make it a two point night, assisting on a goal by Rejean Houle in the third.
Darryl Sittler
It is a well-known fact that Darryl Sittler’s rise to stardom in Toronto took the slow train. His first game was played on October 11, 1970 at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Maple Leafs fell to the Canucks 5-3. Sittler had no points in the match and did not register a shot on net.
Sittler’s first point did not come until his 13th NHL game (Toronto’s 14th of the 1970-71 season). In a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins at Maple Leaf Gardens, Darryl assisted on a goal by Jim Harrison in the first period. The goal helped the Leafs improve to 4-10 on the season.
His first goal finally came in his 20th game. In a 9-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings on November 28, 1970 at Maple Leaf Gardens, Sittler scored the team’s seventh goal. At 1:41 of the third period, Darryl beat Don McLeod for his first NHL goal with assists going to Mike Walton and Jim McKenny. He also assisted on a third period goal by Ron Ellis.
Gilbert Perreault
As a rookie in 1970-71, Gilbert Perreault was thrust into a starring role with the expansion Buffalo Sabres. He did not disappoint when he appeared in his first NHL game on October 10, 1970 versus the Penguins at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena.
The Sabres won their first game as an NHL franchise that night, 2-1 over the Penguins. Perreault scored the winning goal at 11:26 of the third period on the powerplay. The goal was assisted by Kevin O’Shea and Gerry Meehan and was the only shot on net recorded by Gil in the game. Les Binkley was in net for Pittsburgh.
The magic did not immediately continue for Perreault, or for Buffalo. In the following two games against the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens, the Sabres were left off the scoresheet.
Bobby Clarke
Bobby Clarke’s first game was on October 11, 1969 against the Minnesota North Stars at the Metropolitan Sports Center. The Flyers were shutout 4-0. Bobby went -2 with a single shot on net.
Clarke’s first point game in his fourth game, a 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs in Toronto. He recorded an assist on a third period goal by Lew Morrison.
His first goal came in his seventh game. In a 3-3 tie with the Rangers at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Bobby had the game tying goal at 16:36 of the third. Assists on the goal went to Bill Sutherland and Larry Hillman. In net for the Rangers was Ed Giacomin.