This day in Indianapolis hockey history: June 22

In addition to a big draft day, there are four birthdays today: Racer/Checker Jim Park (63) & USHL Ice Eric Kattelus (27), Tyger Howat (19) and Adam Johnson (20).

June 22 in Indianapolis hockey history:
2007: The NHL Entry Draft takes place in Columbus, and four future Ice players hear their names. Brett Bruneteau goes in the fourth round to Washington, Ben Blood in the fourth round to Ottawa, Paul Carey in the fifth round to Colorado and Scott Darling in the sixth round to Phoenix. All four would play for the Ice in the 2007-08 season.

This date in Indianapolis hockey history: April 20

April 20 in Indianapolis hockey history
A lot of playoff updates, with Christian Hilbrich getting the Ice off on the right foot in 2011, Eric Kattelus scoring in OT in 2007, Jim Waite blanking Detroit in 1996, Dominik Hasek standing on his head in Fort Wayne in 1991, Darren Pang clinching a series against Peoria in 1990, Bob Lakso scoring a key goal in 1985 and the Checkers beating Andy Moog seven times in 1982, as well as four birthdays. 

Today in history: June 22

Jim Park: Racers goaltender from 1975-78, and a Checkers goaltender their first two years. He teamed with Michel Dion, Andy Brown and Paul Hoganson to form a strong netminding presence for the Racers in their heyday, as they won the 1976 division title and won a playoff series in 1977. He came up from the minors in the 1975-76 season and posted a 6-4-0 record. He also played in six games in the seven-game playoff series against the New England Whalers, and was the winning goaltender for the Racers in all three of their victories, posting a 2.46 GAA in the playoffs and two shutouts. He had a 2.41 GAA during the regular season. He played 31 games in 1976-77, going 14-12-4 with a 3.96 GAA and one shutout. He played 12 games the following season. All told, he posted a 23-23-4 record with the Racers and a 3.70 career GAA. When the Checkers were formed in 1979, he and Richard Brodeur formed the first goaltending tandem that season. Park played 43 games for the Checkers -- 37 in 1979-80, six the following year -- posting a 19-17-3 mark and a 3.25 GAA. Shortly after retiring in 1982, Park opened a goaltending school in Toronto, which is now in its 27th summer of operation. A native of Toronto, Park is 59.

Eric Kattelus: Winger who had 18 goals and 21 assists for the Ice in 2006-07. He went on from the Ice to play four years at Michigan Tech, where he scored six goals. He finished out this past season professionally with the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones. A native of Houghton, Michigan, he is 24.