Being a rookie in the National Hockey League certainly has to be a memorable experience, especially when setting a mark in your initial contest, that has yet to be surpassed.
It has been just over 77 years since Lakehead product Gus Bodnar set an NHL record for the fastest goal by a rookie while skating in his first league game.
Back on October 30, 1943, Bodnar scored for the Toronto Maple Leafs, just 15 seconds into his debut, in an eventual 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at Maple Leaf Gardens.
Closing in on eight decades later, this achievement has still not been matched or bettered.
Of note, Bodnar also had three points in that outing, which ties him for ninth all-time for the most by a player in his first NHL game.
Looking back at the list of those local NHLers who scored early and quickly in their careers, the names feature many standouts, who did the Lakehead proud with their on-ice accomplishments.
Those local skaters, who all scored in the first minute of games early into their NHL careers include:
Mike Busniuk tallied 41 seconds into his 15th NHL contest for the Philadelphia Flyers on November 27, 1979, a 6-2 triumph over the Hartford Whalers.
That tally came midway through the Flyers record-setting run of 35 games without a defeat that saw them win 25 times and tie 10 others.
You also had Balmertown’s Cameron Mann connect on March 2, 1999 for Boston, at the 24-seconds mark, to commence his 24th NHL outing, an eventual 3-2 decision vs. Phoenix.
Bodnar meanwhile also scored 52 seconds into his 33rd NHL outing back on January 23, 1944 at Chicago.
In his 34th league matchup, Edgar Laprade struck just prior to the one-minute mark with the New York Rangers in a February 6, 1946 affair at the Blackhawks.
Appearing in his 59th NHL game, Bud Poile converted 13 ticks into a Toronto win over Montreal on March 18, 1944.
Then there was Pentti Lund scoring 20 seconds into his 63rd game as the Rangers and Maple Leafs tied on Oct. 22, 1949.
Lund also had one in his 87th contest, 29 seconds into a Rangers win against the Red Wings on Jan. 4, 1950.
Another Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame honouree, Calum ‘Baldy’ Mackay, put one in a just over a half-minute in for the Canadiens against the Red Wings on Oct. 22, 1950, his 64th league outing.
NHL game No. 71 saw Walt Poddubny score 51 seconds in for Toronto in a road meeting with the New York Islanders held March 3, 1983.
Hockey Hall of Famer Jack Adams notched one fast December 3, 1924 for the Toronto St. Patricks vs. Boston in his 72nd contest.
Meanwhile, his 92nd outing with the St. Pats saw Adams strike a minute into over the then Hamilton Tigers.
He then did the same thing vs. the Montreal Maroons on March 3, 1925 in his 97th league contest.
You also had Nelson Pyatt clicking for Washington early, at Toronto, during his 83rd game, February 4, 1976.
Vic Venasky then scored for the Los Angeles Kings 59 seconds into his 94th game, Nov. 28, 1973 at Montreal.
Also. of note, current local product Lonny Bohonos scored 48 seconds into his 80th NHL game as Toronto topped Tampa Bay March 9, 1999.
ROOKIE NUMBERS: Over the 100-plus years of the NHL, Mike Allison of Fort Frances recorded the most points of anyone from northwestern Ontario in his rookie year when he produced 64, including 26 goals, for the Rangers in 1980-81.
Bodnar had the most by anyone from the city with 62 for the Leafs in 1943-44.
Then there was Poddubny piling up 59 for Toronto in 1982-83.
Other locals with 35 or more points in their rookie NHL campaigns include:
Nelson Pyatt (49) Capitals/1975-76; Tony Hrkac (48) Blues/1987-88; Gaye Stewart (47) Maple Leafs/1942-43; Mike McEwen (43) Rangers/1976-77; Jordan Staal (42) Penguins/2006-07; Steve Wojciechowski (39) Red Wings/1944-45; Trevor Letowski (37) Coyotes/1999-2000; Alex Delvecchio (37) Red Wings/1951-52 and Bud Poile (35) Toronto/1942-43.