September 5 NHL History
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, goaltender 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.
2003: The New York Rangers re-sign free agent center Mark Messier to a one-year contract. It will be the 25th (and final) NHL season for Messier, 42, who enters 2003-04 with 1,844 points (676 goals, 1,168 assists), six points behind Gordie Howe for second on the NHL’s all-time list.
