This day in Indianapolis hockey history: June 29

June 29 in Indianapolis hockey history: 1981: Fred Creighton is named head coach and GM of the Indianapolis Checkers. He would lead the team to two Adams Cup championships and three Adams Cup Finals series in his three years as the team’s head coach. He would also become the Checkers' GM in 1984-85, before putting himself behind the bench during the playoffs, and later staying in the Islanders organization to coach the AHL Springfield Indians.

Happy birthday to ... 
Alec Richards: Goaltender who played four games for the Indiana Ice in 2004-05. He went 1-2-1 with a 3.47 GAA. He later played four years in the NCAA with the Yale Bulldogs. He signed with the Chicago Blackhawks upon the end of his college career and played four seasons in the Blackhawks' organizatuion for ECHL Toledo and AHL Rockford. A native of Robbinsdale, Minn., he is 27.

Tim Shoup: Indiana Ice defenseman in the 2013-14 season. He had five goals and 11 assists in 52 games for the Ice, and was named to the USHL's All-Rookie Team for his defensive play. He is committed to play collegiately at Dartmouth. A native of Pittsburgh, he is 19.

Today in history: June 29

June 29

1981: Fred Creighton is named head coach and GM of the Indianapolis Checkers. Creighton had previously coached the Atlanta Flames and Boston Bruins in the NHL between 1975-80. He was replacing Bert Marshall as coach and future Hall of Famer Jim Devellano as GM, both of whom moved up to the NHL that year. Creighton would lead the team to two CHL Adams Cup championships and three Adams Cup Finals series in his three years as the team’s head coach. In 1984-85, the Checkers moved to the IHL after the CHL disbanded. Creighton remained as general manager for that season before leaving Indianapolis for a stint in the American Hockey League as a coach. 

Birthday

Alec Richards: Goaltender who played four games for the Ice at the end of his high school career in 2004-05. He also played in one postseason game. He had a 1-2-1 mark and a 3.47 GAA in those four games. Richards then went on to Yale University, where he played four years and helped lead the Bulldogs to unprecedented heights. In 2009, he had a 19-5-1 mark and a miniscule 2.06 GAA. His six shutouts are a school record. He is second in school history in wins and GAA and third in number of career saves. He made the ECAC All-Tournament Team as a senior. At Yale, he played for current Ice coach Kyle Wallack, who was an assistant with the team. Richards began playing professionally in the ECHL in 2009, and spent the last year with the AHL Rockford IceHogs, the Chicago Blackhawks' top affiliate. He had a 2.89 GAA this past season and set Rockford rookie records for games (44), wins (17), GAA, save percentage and shutouts. He had two shutouts this year.  A native of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, he is 24.