Today in history: June 29

June 29

1981: Fred Creighton is named head coach and GM of the Indianapolis Checkers. Creighton had previously coached the Atlanta Flames and Boston Bruins in the NHL between 1975-80. He was replacing Bert Marshall as coach and future Hall of Famer Jim Devellano as GM, both of whom moved up to the NHL that year. Creighton would lead the team to two CHL Adams Cup championships and three Adams Cup Finals series in his three years as the team’s head coach. In 1984-85, the Checkers moved to the IHL after the CHL disbanded. Creighton remained as general manager for that season before leaving Indianapolis for a stint in the American Hockey League as a coach. 

Birthday

Alec Richards: Goaltender who played four games for the Ice at the end of his high school career in 2004-05. He also played in one postseason game. He had a 1-2-1 mark and a 3.47 GAA in those four games. Richards then went on to Yale University, where he played four years and helped lead the Bulldogs to unprecedented heights. In 2009, he had a 19-5-1 mark and a miniscule 2.06 GAA. His six shutouts are a school record. He is second in school history in wins and GAA and third in number of career saves. He made the ECAC All-Tournament Team as a senior. At Yale, he played for current Ice coach Kyle Wallack, who was an assistant with the team. Richards began playing professionally in the ECHL in 2009, and spent the last year with the AHL Rockford IceHogs, the Chicago Blackhawks' top affiliate. He had a 2.89 GAA this past season and set Rockford rookie records for games (44), wins (17), GAA, save percentage and shutouts. He had two shutouts this year.  A native of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, he is 24.