Every single season in the NHL, it seems like a handful of players, coaches and teams are close to hitting a major milestone, be it points, goals, wins, or games played.
This season, there was no shortage of major milestones reached in the NHL. Let’s take a look at seven of the greatest milestones reached in 2011-12.
Oct. 6, 2011: Philadelphia Flyers forward Jaromir Jagr becomes ninth NHLer to record 1,600 points
When hockey pundits learned that Jagr would be returning to the NHL this season with the Flyers, many were excited to see what he would bring to the league upon his return.
Jagr answered both his fans and critics when he became only the ninth player in league history to record 1,600 points, in his first game back in the league since 2008 — a 2-1 season-opening win over the Boston Bruins. The game marked Jagr’s return to the game’s premier league after a three-year stint in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Oct. 22, 2011: Detroit Red Wings defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom becomes first European to play 1,500 NHL games
There is no doubt that the best defenceman in the NHL for the last decade or so has been Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom.
Lidstrom has won seven Norris trophies as the league’s top defenceman, four Stanley Cups, one Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs, has been voted into 11 NHL All-Star Games, and is also the active leader in games played.
Early this season, Lidstrom became the first European-born player to play 1,500 NHL games. That mark also puts him 14th overall in league history.
Dec. 30, 2011: Ottawa Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson Scores 400th career goal
It is not often these days that an NHL player scores over 400 career goals with the same team. So when it does happen, it is something special.
This was the case on Dec. 30 for Ottawa forward and team captain Daniel Alfredsson. Alfredsson, who has spent his entire 16-year career with the Senators, scored his 400th career goal against the Calgary Flames.
The goal fittingly came in overtime:
Jan. 7, 2012: Calgary Flames franchise player Jarome Iginla Scores 500th career goal
For the last 15 seasons, Calgary Flames captain and superstar Jarome Iginla has been the team’s heart and soul.
No matter what position the Flames are in during the season, Iginla works hard, scores goal, creates scoring opportunities and plays tough. The Flames have gotten this kind of effort from Iginla in each of his 15 seasons.
On Jan.7, Iginla was rewarded for a career of hard work when he scored his 500th NHL goal against the Minnesota Wild. Iginla became the 42nd player in league history to accomplish this feat.
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Feb. 14, 2012: Detroit Red Wings win 21 straight on home ice
It is said that in any sport, home-field, home-court, and home-ice advantage can play a significant role in a team’s success.
The perfect example of this is the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. The Wings have always been dominant at the Joe Louis Arena, but what the team accomplished this season will be hard to duplicate.
On Feb. 14, 2012, the Red Wings recorded their 21st consecutive victory on home ice when they beat the Dallas Stars by a score of 3-1. The team would go on to extend that streak to 23 games before finally losing to the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in a shootout.
Feb. 27, 2012: New York Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist records seventh consecutive 30-win season
Since joining the Rangers for the 2005-06 season, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has been the model of consistency.
Lundqvist has consistently put up top-10 statistics in multiple goaltending categories, has time and time again bailed out the Blueshirts in big games, and has done everything he possibly can to push this team into the NHL’s elite.
This season, Lundqvist became the first goaltender in history to win 30 games in his first seven seasons in the NHL. He fittingly did so against the division rival New Jersey Devils, a team Lundqvist has beaten many times in his NHL career.
March 31, 2012: The Little Engine That Could, Ray Whitney of the Phoenix Coyotes, records 1,000th point
There is no question that the Coyotes’ forward has been making the NHL rounds for a while.
In his 20-year career, Whitney has played with the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, and Phoenix Coyotes. With all of these teams, Whitney has been a consistent point-producer and one who can be relied on to score big goals.
On the last day of March, Whitney became the 79th player in league history to record 1,000 points in a big 4-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
