This day in Indianapolis hockey history: June 20

In addition to a big draft day, there are five birthdays today: Checker Chris Pusey, USHL Ice Chris Darnell, Daniil Tarasov and Cody Gylling, and late former Capital Alex Motter.

June 20 in Indianapolis hockey history
2008: Ice defenseman John Carlson is picked in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. Carlson had led the Ice to a division title. He goes 27th overall in the draft, and becomes a mainstay on the Caps' blueline.

Happy birthday to ... 
Alex Motter: Defenseman for the Capitals in their first two seasons from 1939-41. He had five goals and four assists in 17 games. He spent the majority of each year with the parent Red Wings. Motter broke into the NHL with the Boston Bruins in 1935-36, and then traded to the Red Wings in December 1937 after playing a season and a half in the AHL. He stuck with Detroit through 1943, when he won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings. After two years in the military, he played three more AHL seasons before retiring in 1948. He had 103 points in 255 NHL games. He was born in Melville, Sask. in 1913, and passed away in 1996 at age 83.
Chris Pusey: Goaltender who played six games for the Checkers in 1986-87. The Red Wings' sixth-round pick in 1983, he played one NHL game with Detroit in 1985-86, and had scattered minor league action through 1992. He would later play senior hockey as a defenseman and get his team to the final four of the Allan Cup -- Canada's senior hockey championship. A native of Brantford, Ont., he is 49.
Chris Darnell: Forward who played 10 games for the Ice in 2007-08, scoring one goal and one assist. He played two more seasons in the NAHL after his stint with the Ice. A native of Barboursville, Virginia, he is 25. 
Daniil Tarasov: High-scoring right wing who played two seasons for the Ice from 2010-12. In 117 regular-season games, he had 84 goals and 89 assists. He also had seven goals and nine assists in 11 playoff games those two seasons. He led the Ice in goals (37) his first year, and in scoring his second year with 47 goals and 41 assists. His 10 playoff points led the Ice as well in 2011-12. He signed with the San Jose Sharks after playing in the USHL and recently tallied 17 goals and 31 points in 47 games for the Sharks' AHL affiliate in Worcester. A native of Moscow, Russia, he is 23. 
Cody Gylling: Ice forward for 16 games in the 2011-12 season. He had a goal and an assist. He has since played two seasons in the NAHL where he has scored 31 goals in 119 games. A native of Chandler, Ariz., he is 20.