Today in history: August 9

Four birthdays today

Bruce Burdette: Left wing who played 34games -- and scored five goals -- for the Capitals from 1946-48. He had 4-10-14 in 24 games for the Caps in 1946-47, and then one goal in 10 games the following year, which he split between Indy and the Red Wings' "AA"-level affiliate in Omaha. A native of Stratford, Ontario, he was born in 1923. 

Lorne Stamler: Left wing who played four seasons for the Checkers, from 1980-84. He played 148 games for the orange and blue, with 19 goals and 19 assists. He also played in both Adams Cup runs, coming up big both years. He had a 4-2-6 line helping lead the Chex to the 1982 title, and two goals in the 1983 championship run. A speedy winger, he played 116 NHL games prior to joining the Checkers, scoring 14 goals for the Kings, Maple Leafs and Jets from 1976-80. His best season was a 33-goal, 33-assist year for CHL Fort Worth in 1975-76. A native of Winnipeg, he is 60. 

Mark Hamway: Forward who played his rookie professional year with the Checkers in 1983-84, shortly after graduating from Michigan State University. Hamway had a big year leading the Chex youth movement that season, totaling 22 goals and 32 assists. He also had a goal in leading the Checkers to a surprise berth in the Adams Cup Finals that year. The next year, the Islanders moved their top affiliate to Springfield, and Hamway had 29 goals -- and earned the NHL call to Long Island. All told, he played 53 NHL games, all but four of which were in 1985-86. He had five goals and 12 assists that year and one more assist in 1986-87, his final professional season, in which he scored 25 goals for Springfield. Today, he is a commercial real estate agent in suburban Detroit. A native of Detroit, he is 50. 

Phil DeGaetano: Defenseman who played the 1985-86 season for the Checkers, totaling nine goals, 39 assists and 107 PIMs as a pro rookie. A graduate of Northern Michigan University, he moved to the AHL for the next couple of years and also played for IHL Peoria in 1988-89, after which he played in Europe. A native of Roslyn, N.Y., he is 48.