Today in history: December 9

December 9 in Indianapolis hockey history

1948: Gerry Reid had a big day, with three goals and three assists in an 11-3 Capitals victory over Cleveland. 

1955: Upset about being fined for insubordination by Chiefs head coach Johnny Sorrell, defenseman George Harrison quits the team instead.

Birthdays

Bep Guidolin: Winger for the Chiefs in 1960-61, his final professional season. He was traded to the Chiefs on New Year's Day 1961 in exchange for Pierre Brillant, the team's all-time leading scorer. He had 14 goals and 33 assists that season, split between Omaha and Indianapolis. In 1942, he became the youngest player to play in an NHL game when he suited up for the Boston Bruins during WWII. He played for the Bruins, Blackhawks and Red Wings from 1942-52, then spent several more years in the minors. His ardent support of the formation of a players' union likely had some hand in his NHL career ending in 1952. Guidolin had 107 goals and 278 points in 519 NHL games. He retired to a career of coaching, leading the Boston Bruins from 1972-74 -- coaching the team to the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals -- the Edmonton Oilers in 1976-77 and the Colorado Rockies in 1978-79. A native of Thorold, Ont., he was born in 1925, and passed away in 2008. 

Kevin Devine: Nobody has played more games in an Indianapolis hockey uniform than Devine, the Checkers' captain and leader throughout much of their tenure. Devine played 76 games for the Racers in 1977-78, and then returned to the city as a Checker. He played for the team from 1979-85. He played 542 games combined for the Racers and Checkers, tallying five 20+-goal seasons in his seven years in Indy. He had 158 goals, 194 assists and 1,249 penalty minutes in those stints. He was a key part of the 1982 and 1983 Adams Cup championship teams, playing 55 postseason games as a Checker, with 23 goals and 16 assists. He had eight goals in the 1982 championship run, and 11 points in the 1983 title year. Devine won the CHL's Iron Man Award in 1981. Prior to coming to the Racers, Devine played four years with the WHA San Diego Mariners. He played 290 NHL/WHA games -- he had a two-game stint with the Islanders in 1982-83 -- with 74 goals and 82 assists. Devine is currently the director of amateur scouting for the Buffalo Sabres, serving with general manager Darcy Regier -- a former teammate with the Checkers. A native of Toronto, he is 57.

Colin Vock: Ice forward for 24 games in 2004-05, their inaugural USHL season. Vock had four goals and five assists with the Ice, and he would be dealt to the Des Moines Buccaneers, where he'd play through 2006. Vock recently finished a four-year career at the University of Vermont, and is currently a member of the ECHL Gwinnett Gladiators. A native of Detroit, he is 26.