Today in history: December 16

December 16 in Indianapolis hockey history

1940: One of the most important figures in Indianapolis hockey history, defenseman Hal Jackson is traded to the Capitals by the Providence Reds in exchange for Cecil Dillon and Eddie Bush. Jackson would play with the Caps through 1943 -- and another game the following year -- and spend much of the postwar years in Detroit. Upon his retirement, he settled in Indianapolis, served as a hockey official, and helped begin the Indianapolis Youth Hockey Association -- the first youth hockey program in Indianapolis. Today, it is one of several serving the youth of Indy. 

1945: Rosy Rossignol scores four goals and adds two assists in 7-1 Caps win against St. Louis.

 

Birthdays

Tom Clark: Right wing for the Chiefs from 1959-61. In 94 games, he tallied 22 goals and 29 assists. He'd then have a strong career with the IHL Chatham Maroons, including a 30-goal season in 1963-64. A native of Sarnia, Ont., he was born in 1938. 

Mike LaBianca: Center for the Checkers for two games in 1981-82. He had a goal in that stint. That year, he also had a 32-goal year for the IHL Toledo Goaldiggers. The previous season, playing for Toledo, he won the Ken McKenzie Trophy as the IHL's top American-born rookie. He retired after a 76-point season with Toledo in 1982-83. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., he is 42.