Today in Penguins History (6/16/1990)

On this date in 1990, exactly 30 years ago, the Penguins selected future HOFer and hockey ironman, Jaromir Jagr in the first round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.  Jagr was the fifth pick in the draft and became the first Czech player to be drafted without first defecting to North America.  As the Soviet structure was collapsing in Europe, the stranglehold on travel and relocation began to loosen.  Upon the encouragement of his native government, Jagr was actually able to be in attendance at the Draft in Vancouver and relocate to Pittsburgh without difficulty.

This was great for the Penguins as his presence on a line with Mario Lemieux and Ron Francis helped the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 90-91 and 91-92.  Jaromir went on to play 11 seasons with the Penguins and is considered one of the best Pittsburgh forwards of all time.  Just look at his team records...

• Most single-season points by a right wing – 149
• Most single-season assists by a right wing – 87
• Most single-season assists by a European-born player – 87
• Most single-season power-play goals by a European-born player – 20
• Most single-season game-winning goals – 12
• Most single-season shots on goal – 403
• Most career points by a right wing – 1079
• Most career points by a European-born player – 1079
• Most career goals by a right wing – 439
• Most career goals by a European-born player – 439
• Most career assists by a right wing – 640
• Most career assists by a European-born player – 640
• Most career playoff game-winning goals – 78
• Most career power-play goals by a right wing – 110
• Most career power-play goals by a European-born player – 110

• Most career shorthanded goals by a European-born player – 9
• Most career overtime goals – 9
• Most career game-tying goals – 10
• Most career shots on goal by a right wing – 2911
• Most career shots on goal by a European-born player – 2911
• Most career playoff goals by a right wing – 65
• Most career playoff goals by a European-born player – 65

• Most career playoff points by a right wing – 147
• Most career playoff points by a European-born player – 147
• Most career playoff shorthanded goals by a right wing – 2 (tied with Ed Olczyk)
• Most career playoff shorthanded goals by a European-born player – 2
• Most career playoff game-winning goals – 14
• Most career playoff overtime goals – 4
• Most career playoff shots on goal – 461
• Most career playoff power-play goals by a right wing – 19
• Most career playoff power-play goals by a European-born player – 19

***from the Jaromir Jagr wikipedia page

Today in Penguins History (12/2/25)

While this wasn't necessarily a Penguins historical event, it was historical nonetheless.  On this day in 1925, the first NHL game ever to take place in the city of Pittsburgh happened.  The Pittsburgh Pirates lost in overtime to the New York Americans, 2-1.  Back then, the team played at the old Duquesne Gardens in Oakland (a city neighborhood for those not familiar with the Burgh).  When you don't have the means, you make due.  The Gardens was not an entertainment venue at all, but rather a trolley barn that had been converted to hold about 5,000 people.  

Today in Penguins History (10/11/67)

1988-89 Panini Sticker #322

On this day in Penguins history, the first ever game by the newly christened expansion Pittsburgh Penguins was played at the Civic Arena.  While not part of the Original 6 franchises, the Penguins were one of the Next 6 brought into the league to start the 1967-68 season.

Today In Penguins History (9/10/2009)

2009 Pittsburgh Penguins trip to the White House

Today in 2009, the Pittsburgh Penguins made the trip to Washington D.C. and visited President Barack Obama after winning their third Stanley Cup in franchise history.  Accompanied by the team owner, Mario Lemieux, as well as team management, coaches, and staff, the players flanked the President during his brief, 10-minute speech.

President Obama congratulated the team on their victory and commented on how hard it is to win the Stanley Cup.  He also credited the Penguins for the charity work, including their hockey clinic they put on earlier as part of the President's "United We Serve" campaign.  Probably the most interesting comment the President made was regarding the playoff beard phenomenon.  "All of you look pretty good without your playoff beards," he claimed. "They're pretty good looking guys without all that."  He also made a comment about how Sidney Crosby is small so he must make up for that in speed.

That photo above would later serve as the inspiration for the sketch used by Upper Deck to adorn the 2012 Goodwin Champions card of Sidney Crosby.  I'm only speculating here but I would be shocked if it wasn't.  You decide.

2012 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions

Today In Penguins History (9/1/99)

Today in Penguins history marks the 20th anniversary of one of the most pivotal moments in franchise history.  On September 1, 1999, the NHL approved Mario Lemieux as the new owner of the team, making him the first ex-player in the modern era to own his former team, in any sport.

As a huge step to keeping the team in Pittsburgh, the NHL Board of Governors voted unanimously to allow Mario and his ownership group the opportunity to own and operate the team.  Because the Penguins organization had filed for bankruptcy protection in 1998, the NHL approval marked a key moment in convincing the courts to allow a subsequent sale to go through.  Many hurdles had to be overcome in order to get this deal done including renegotiating lease agreements on the Civic Arena, fighting off creditors, working out sponsorships, and even finalizing a new TV agreement.

Mario worked night and day leading up to the meeting with the Board so that no questions would be left unanswered as to the viability of the franchise going forward.  In all, his ownership group paid $52M.  Lemieux agreed to convert his previously defaulted contract of $26M into a future interest in ownership of $20M, erased the remaining $6M in back pay, invested another $5M of his own money, and agreed to a salary of $750,000 to serve as chairman, president, and CEO.  Mario wanted this team to stay in Pittsburgh and the city owes him a debt of gratitude.  While there were quite a few rough seasons in his first 10 years of ownership, three Stanley Cups later, the Penguins continue to remain one of the most successful franchises in the NHL.