On April 28, we celebrate the birthdays of 31 past and present NHL players. Today's list includes one of the greatest defensemen to ever play the game, as well as three Nashville Predators players whose birthdays are on the same day as several Stanley Cup winners. . Let's take a look at some names that will blow out the candle today.
Niklas Lidstrom (1970)
Nicklas Lidstrom is the only player born on April 28 to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He is arguably one of the best defensemen in professional hockey history and the greatest European-born and trained skater. During his 20-year career with the Detroit Red Wings, he won four Stanley Cups and was their captain during the 2008 season. In 2002, Lidstrom became the first European player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP when the Red Wings won their third championship in five seasons.
The seven-time Norris Trophy winner is tied with Doug Harvey for the most wins by a defenseman in NHL history, second only to Bobby Orr. He was named to the league's All-Rookie team in 1991-92, was selected as a postseason All-Star 12 times, and appeared in the All-Star Game 11 times.
Related: Swedish players in the Hockey Hall of Fame
Lidstrom played in 1,564 games and had 268 goals and 878 assists for 1,142 points. As for his place in Red Wings history, he trails only franchise icons Steve Yzerman and Howe in assists, behind Howe, Yzerman, and Alex DelVecchio in games played. Lidstrom ranks in the top 10 among defensemen in NHL history in games played, goals, assists, points and plus/minus. He is a member of his 2015 graduating class of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
David Krejci (1986)
David Krejci is one of the few skaters born on April 28th to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. He played 16 seasons with the Boston Bruins and was a part of the 2011 championship team that defeated the Vancouver Canucks in seven games. Drafted in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2004 draft, he is one of eight players in his series to play in 1,000 games in the Original Six.
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Krejci was one of the most underrated centermen of his time, often playing second fiddle to five-time Selke Trophy winner Patrice Bergeron. But he quietly finished as the best in Bruins history, ranking in the top 10 in both assists and points.
The Sternberg, Czech Republic native missed the 2021-22 season to play in his home country, but returned for the 2022-23 season and helped lead Boston to its best regular season in history. Krejci has never won the award, but he led the NHL in plus/minus in 2008-09 and 2013-14 and led all skaters in playoff scoring in 2011 and 2013.
Jonas Korpisalo (1994)
Jonas Korpisalo will celebrate his 30th birthday in 2024. He completed his first season as a member of the Ottawa Senators, posting a record of 21-26-4 in 55 games. He signed as a free agent last summer after splitting time between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings, helping the latter reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Related: Today in Hockey History: April 28th
After nine seasons in the NHL, the Finnish Poli native joined the Blue Jackets as a third-round draft pick (62nd overall) in 2012, playing in 276 games and compiling a record of 115-107-29. left. Korpisalo spent his first seven and a half seasons with the franchise, ranking in the top five in games played, wins and losses, and points scored.
Current players celebrating their birthdays (age)
- Luke Glendenning – Tampa Bay Lightning (35)
- Connor Clifton – Buffalo Sabers (29)
- Kevin Lankinen – Nashville Predators (29)
- Jeremy Lauzon – Nashville Predators (27)
- Thomas Novak – Nashville Predators (27)
- Max Guenette – Ottawa Senators (23)
Inactive players celebrating birthday (age)
Editor's note: bold name of stanley cup winner
- Henry Harris (1906 – 1975)
- Hank Blade (1920 – 2003)
- Wally Stanowski (1919 – 2015)
- Claude Evans (1933 – 1982)
- Jim Wiley (1950 – 2021)
- Howie Menard (82)
- Grant Erickson (77)
- Frank Beaton (71)
- Mel Bridgman (69)
- Anders Steen (69)
- Bud Stefanski (69)
- Brad Shaw (60)
- Mike Miller (59)
- Ken Sabourin (58)
- Ted Donato (55)
- Peter Ing (55)
- Jarkko Valvio (52)
- Brad Tapper (46)
- Christian Bachmann (44)
- Roman Polak (38)
- Daniel Taylor (38)
- Will O'Neill (36)
