This day in Indianapolis hockey history: May 1

In today's installment, we look at a couple of heartbreaking last-minute losses in 1999 and 2009, and honor 1988-89 Ice Scott Clements and Jamie McKinley, and posthumously honor Bill Brennan, Sid Finney and Mike Greeder, all of whom were born on May 1.

This date in Indianapolis hockey history: April 23

In today's look back at history, Brett Bennett leads the Ice to a key Game 1 win over Green Bay in 2009, John Kemp caps an Ice sweep over the Gamblers with two third-period goals in 2007, Nathan Perrott scores an OT goal to keep the Ice season alive in 1999, the Checkers play the final CHL game at the Coliseum, and the Racers suffer two playoff defeats.  Also, birthday celebrations for former Indianapolis Ice coach Ken McRae, and four players who saw a handful of games in Indy -- Dale Smedsmo, Patrick Poulin, Greg Smyth and Jim Stewart.

Today in history: December 8

Two birthdays today

Nathan Perrott: "The Rock" was the New Jersey Devils' second-round pick in 1995, and played 102 games for the Ice between 1997-99. He had 18 goals, 14 assists and 383 penalty minutes as an Iceman. He also had three goals and an assist in the 1999 playoffs, including a key overtime goal against Cincinnati to help the Ice win the first-round series. Those were the first two years of a long pro career that took him to the NHL with the Nashville Predators in 2001-02. He also played with Toronto and Dallas through 2005-06, playing 89 NHL games in all, with four goals, nine points and 251 PIMs. He retired after the 2009-10 season with the CHL Texas Brahmas. A native of Owen Sound, Ont., he is 35.

Dean Grillo: Indiana Ice coach at the end of the 2004-05 season, taking over for Red Gendron during the year. Grillo had played in the IHL, AHL and Europe prior to his Ice stint. He also was a team scout before taking over the head coaching reins. Today, he is a partner in a hockey management group and director of hockey operations for Minnesota Hockey Camps, which were founded by Grillo's father and the late Herb Brooks. A native of Bemidji, Minn., he is 39.