Hockey History As Told By Cardboard - Shea Weber

January 24, 2015 at the NHL All Star Skills Competition held the day before the All Star Game in Columbus, Shea Weber won his first hardest shot competition with a blast clocking in at 108.5mph.  The record was set in the previous game held in 2012 by Boston's Zdeno Chara at 108.8mph so this didn't beat a record (there were no All Star Games in 2013 or 2014).  

However, it marked Shea's arrival at legendary status when it comes to having a canon blast. He went on to win the contest again in 2016, 2017, and again in 2020. To put his shot into perspective, only three players have rifled shots over 105mph in an All Star Skills Competition: Shea, Zdeno Chara, and Al Iafrate in 1993.  

Hockey History As Told By Cardboard - Arturs Irbe

On January 23, 2002, Arturs Irbe appeared in his 500th game in the NHL. That same year, he went on to win his 200th game. This was a feat considering Irbe's journey to the NHL and his career up to that point.  

Coming from Latvia, which was still in the heart of the communist controlled Soviet Union, it was virtually impossible for Irbe to play in the NHL. Despite being drafted in 1989 by Minnesota, it wasn't until being re-drafted in 1991 by the San Jose Sharks that he was able to come to North America, where he helped the Sharks to the playoffs.  

His quick rise was cut short though as an attack from his dog caused extensive damage to the nerves and tendons in his hands.  A 5" 8" goalie with severe hand injuries is not valued high on most teams need list on their rosters, causing him to bounce around a bit before finding a home in Carolina. He fought back from his injuries, returned to his earlier career form and took the team to the playoffs 3 out of the next 4 years.  He finished his career with 568 games played and 218 wins.