It was on this day in 1988 that the New York Rangers signed ex Montreal Canadiens superstar Guy LaFleur.  LaFleur came out of his four year retirement to join the Rangers on a one-year contract.

From the 1974-75 season to the 1979-80 season, LaFleur was the NHL’s most productive player, amassing 50 goals and 100 points in each season.  He won the Art Ross trophy for most points in the regular season in three consecutive years (1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78) as well as the Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1976-77 and 1977-78.  However, by the 1984-85 season LaFleur only managed two goals in 19 games and with being unhappy with his ice-time decided to retire.

In a 1988 exhibition game against the Edmonton Oilers, LaFleur impressed both Mark Messier as well as New York Rangers general manager Phil Esposito.  Esposito decided to sign LaFleur and at the age of 37 had himself a decent season, scoring 18 goals and 45 points in 67 games played.

Here are highlights form Lafleur’s return to Montreal

Notable Birthdays

Gary Gaetti: MLB – Born August 19th 1958 (age 53) in Centralia, Illinois

Morten Andersen: NFL – Born August 19th 1960 (age 51) in Copenhagen, Denmark

Chris Capuano: MLB – Born August 19th 1978 (age 33) in West Springfield, Massachuesetts