Happy Birthday Ryan Walter
Ryan Walter turns 63 this year. The former Washington Capitals’ 2nd overall pick in 1978 would play 9 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens and would also be one of the key pieces to their 1986 Stanley Cup victory and trip to the 1989 Finals.
Walter was acquired via a blockbuster trade that would send himself and Rick Green from Washington to Montreal. In return the Canadiens gave up Brian Engblom, fan favorite and future Selke Trophy winner Doug Jarvis, Craig Laughlin and future Norris Trophy winner and Hall of Famer Rod Langway.
This ended up being a massive haul for the Canadiens, but Green and Walter were the only ones to ever lift a Stanley Cup out of that group.
Happy Birthday Patrick Poulin
Also celebrating his birthday for the 49th time is former Hartford Whalers 1st round pick, 9th overall in 1991, Patrick Poulin.
After a successful rookie season in 1992-93, (he only played 1 game the season prior) in which he registered 20 goals and 31 assists for 51 points, Poulin would establish himself as a reliable third or fourth line winger. He would play 14 seasons in the NHL, 5 with the Canadiens and 3 with the Hartford Whalers, Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning.
He would finish his career in Montreal after being traded to the Canadiens in January 1998 while being a member of the Lightning. He would head home along with Igor Ulanov and Mick Vukota in return for Stephane Richer, Darcy Tucker and David Wilkie.