This day in Indianapolis hockey history: May 30

It's the traditional Memorial Day here in the United States, and in Indianapolis, that means it's the "traditional" date of the Indianapolis 500 (which isn't often run on such day anymore). Four birthdays to honor today: Capital Archie Wilder, Capitol Bob Cox, Checker Vern Smith and IHL Ice Dave Hymovitz.

Happy birthday to ...
Archie Wilder: Left wing who played 65 games for the Capitals in their first two seasons, from 1939-41. He had 13 goals and 15 assists for the Caps, the bulk of it coming in 1939-40, as the team won the AHL's West Division title in its first year of operation. After WWII, he played several years of senior hockey in Calgary. He played 18 NHL games with the Red Wings in 1940-41. A native of Melville, Sask., he was born in 1917. He passed away in 2002.
Bob Cox: Center who played for the short-lived Capitols team in 1963. He scored one goal and two assists in the eight-game run as the Capitols. After they moved to Cincinnati due to the Coliseum explosion, he finished the year with 16 goals. He played three more years in the semi-pro USHL, and continued to play senior hockey after that. A native of Kimberley, B.C., he is 73.
Vern Smith: Defenseman who joined the Checkers for the 1984 Adams Cup playoffs, and played seven postseason games. The Isles' second-round pick in 1982, Smith signed with the Islanders after playing his junior season that year with WHL New Westminster. He played one NHL game with the Islanders in 1984-85, spending the bulk of his first full pro season in AHL Springfield. He would continue to play minor pro hockey, primarily in the AHL with a few stints in the IHL, through 1992. A native of Lethbridge, Alb., he is 50.
David Hymovitz: Left wing who played three seasons for the Ice, from 1996-99. In 147 games, he had 57 goals and 46 assists. He also had three goals and four assists in 11 playoff games over those three seasons. Hymovitz had his biggest year in 1998-99, leading the Ice with 46 goals. It would be his best goal-scoring season, although he would register a 100-point season with UHL Richmond in 2004-05. He played in the AHL through 2004, and finished in the UHL through 2007. He was the Blackhawks' ninth-round pick in 1992. A native of Randolph, Mass., he is 40.