A Small Celebration

Today's a pretty special day. While it doesn't relate to me directly, indirectly there's a good reason to celebrate as my brother is turning another year older. I don't talk much about him here on HBIC, but he is a hockey fan as he appreciates the work done by Drew Doughty in Los Angeles. He plays a mean game of softball, he works hard, he enjoys his time off, and he's a good dude. For as much as the kid may have lived in my shadow growing up, he's a guy I admire and respect as his talents as many and most of them have helped me immensely!

There have been some notable NHL names who were born on September 22 and celebrate this day along with my brother. Do you know who is the highest-scoring player born on this day? Your answer is at the bottom of this article!

The player who was born on September 22 closest in proximity to my brother would be Foxwarren, Manitoba's Pat Falloon! Drafted second overall in 1991 by the San Jose Sharks, Falloon played 575 NHL games with the Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, and Pittsburgh Penguins where he scored 143 goals and 179 assists for 322 NHL points! He was the first player ever drafted by the Sharks in franchise history, and was the Memorial Cup Tournament MVP in 1991 with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL. Falloon's career never blossomed as much as it did in his 59-point rookie campaign, but he did the 40-point plateau four times in his career. Is he the highest scorer whose birthday is today?

He's actually the third-highest scorer who was born today!

We know that goalies don't score often, but it would hard not to include former New York Rangers netminder Mike Richter on this list of exceptional players after he played in 666 games for the New York Rangers, amassing a 301-258-73 record on the strength of a 2.89 GAA and a .904 save percentage. Richter, in a weird twist, is actually 11th-highest in terms of scorers on the list of 20 players who were born on this day as his 11 assists rank just behind former Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore's 12 points! As we know, Richter backstopped the 1994 New York Rangers to a Stanley Cup championship, helped Team USA capture the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, and earned a silver medal in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games with Team USA. Richter had his number retired by the Rangers and he's a member of the US Hockey Hall of Fame. So it's not Richter despite his accolades.

Derick Brassard gets a mention because he's the guy born today who played with the most teams in his NHL career thus far! To date, Bassard has suited up for seven NHL teams that include the Columbus Blue Jackets, the New York Rangers, the Ottawa Senators, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Colorado Avalanche, the Florida Panthers, and the New York Islanders. Brassard won a World Championship gold medal with Canada in 2016 and a World Junior Championship silver medal in 2005, but his scoring in the NHL hasn't been too shabby as he has 186 goals and 297 assists for 483 points. Is he the highest scorer?

He's actually second in all-time scoring for people born on this day!

The highest-scoring player born today is American Mark Johnson! Mark, seen to the left as part of the 1980 Team USA team that won the Olympic gold medal, played with five NHL teams over his ten-year NHL career that included the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota North Stars, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, and New Jersey Devils. Johnson scored 203 goals and 305 assists - the only play born today to reach the 200-goal and 300-assist plateaus! Mark played his father, "Badger" Bob Johnson at the University of Wisconsin where he was the first Badger to win the WCHA Rookie of the Year honours. In 2002, he was named as the head coach of the University of Wisconsin–Madison women's ice hockey team, winning the NCAA championship in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2019. Johnson also coached the 2010 Team USA women's Olympic squad in Vancouver where he helped them earn a silver medal. He was awarded the 2011 Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States, and was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004. And his 508 NHL points make him the highest-scoring player born on September 22!

There's a little fun for today as my brother celebrates his cake day. I want to wish the men above and the other players who I didn't mention a Happy Birthday today as they all celebrate today! To my brother, have the Happiest Birthday yet, and here's to another great year next year!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!