TORONTO -- Players such as Eddie Shack, accorded much attention but few trophies during his pro hockey career, will now be honored as a result of the creation of the NHL Milestone Award announced Tuesday by league president John Ziegler.
The awards, which be will presented to players and coaches who have attained personal milestones in their careers, will be given out for eight categories -- 400 goals, 600 assists, 1,000 points and 1,000 games for skaters, 25 shutouts and 500 games for goaltenders and 500 wins and 750 games for coaches.
'The NHL is proud of the players and coaches who have provided the spectators with many of sport's most exciting moments,' Ziegler said. 'As they reach personal career milestones, we feel they should be honored for their achievements.'
Shack, who suited up for 1,047 games during a 17-year career which saw him play at New York, Toronto, Boston, Los Angeles, Buffalo and Pittsburgh, is one of several players to receive the honor for playing in more than 1,000 games.
All multiple retroactive award winners -- such as Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau and Phil Esposito, who each recorded more than 1,000 points, 400 goals, 600 assists and 1,000 games in their careers -- will receive only one award with different categories listed on the inscription plate.
Current award winners include Montreal's Guy Lafleur, Gil Perreault of Buffalo, Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia, Marcel Dionne of Los Angeles, goaltender Tony Esposito of Chicago, and New York Islander coach Al Arbour, who has guided his club to three successive Stanley Cups.
Howe, who played 26 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers, will be the first recipient of the new Milestone Award at a ceremony in Toronto on Sept. 8.
