THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Sept. 11
1943: The NHL approves a proposal for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Twelve charter members are honored in 1945, though the Hall doesn’t have a permanent home until an official building opens on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto on Aug. 26. 1961.
1969: The NHL announces that it will expand from 12 to 14 teams for the 1970-71 season.
One of the teams will be based in Vancouver, which was promised a team after a local group is not permitted to buy the Oakland Seals and move them. Candidates for the other franchise include Atlanta, Baltimore, Buffalo, Cleveland, Kansas City and Washington. Buffalo is awarded the second franchise, to be owned by Seymour Knox III and his brother Northrup Knox.
Buffalo and Vancouver are placed in the East Division, with the Chicago Blackhawks moving to the West Division.
1993: The New York Rangers defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 in the first of two preseason games played at Wembley Arena in London. The Rangers also win the second game and are awarded the French’s Mustard Cup. Nine months later, they would hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1940.
1999: The Atlanta Thrashers defeat the Nashville Predators 3-1 in the franchise’s first preseason game.
