Today in history: May 15 & 16

Combining a couple of dates for TiH.

Birthdays
May 15
Jim Hay: Defenseman who totaled 7-15-22 and 129 PIMs for the Caps in their final season of 1951-52. He would get called up to the Red Wings the next season and play 74 NHL games with the Wings from 1952-55. He was a part of the Wings' 1955 Stanley Cup championship team, appearing in five playoff games. He was considered to be a bruising hitter. After 1955, he played 17 more seasons -- nearly all in the old WHL -- and retired in 1972 at age 40. He also coached the EHL's Jersey Devils -- the last team he played for -- in 1972-73. A native of Saskatoon, he is now 80.

Taj Schaffnit: A key defenseman who was one of several Ohio State grads to play for the early CHL Ice teams. Schaffnit totaled four goals and four assists in 38 games, and also played in 15 playoff games as the Ice won the Miron Cup in 1999-2000. That would be his second and last pro season. A native of Gloucester, Ontario, he is 37. 

May 16

Matt Smith: One of several Hoosiers to play for the USHL Ice, this Carmel native suited up in 83 games for the Ice between 2005-08. He had one goal, 16 assists and 123 PIMs in that time frame before heading to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he just completed his junior year. A big defenseman -- 6-2, 202 -- Matt turns 23 today.