Dave “The Hammer” Schultz is best remembered for his time in the penalty box and for good reason. But during one unforgettable stretch in January 1974, the Philadelphia Flyers enforcer proved he could light the lamp as well as throw punches.
In just eight days, Schultz scored six goals in two Thursday night games, briefly finding himself among the NHL’s hottest scorers.
Hat Trick #1: January 3, 1974
The new year began with fireworks at the Spectrum. Facing the New York Rangers, Schultz scored three of Philadelphia’s four goals in a 4-2 victory.
He opened the scoring just 1:43 into the first period, assisted by Rick MacLeish and Don Saleski. His second came midway through the second, proving to be the game winner. He capped it off with an insurance goal in the third, all without a single penalty minute.
Hat Trick #2: January 10, 1974
One week later, the Flyers hosted the Minnesota North Stars and skated to a 7-4 win. Once again, Schultz stayed out of the box and recorded another hat trick.
Two came in the first period, while his third, on the power play, was assisted by Bobby Clarke and goaltender Bernie Parent, sealing the victory.
In Between
Between those two offensive explosions, Schultz returned briefly to his usual role. On January 5, in a tie against the North Stars, he dropped the gloves with Tom Reid. Two nights later, at the Montreal Forum, the Flyers fell 2–1 to the Canadiens, with Schultz registering just one shot on goal.
The Hammer’s Season
By season’s end, Schultz had 20 goals and 348 penalty minutes over 73 games, a rare combination of scoring touch and toughness. In the playoffs, as Philadelphia stormed to their first Stanley Cup, he added 139 penalty minutes in 17 games.
The next season, Schultz would set an NHL record that still stands today: 472 penalty minutes in a single campaign. But for those eight days in January 1974, The Hammer wasn’t just the league’s most feared fighter, he was one of its top goal scorers.
About Dave Schultz
A 5th round pick by the Philadelphia Flyers at the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft, Dave Schultz played 535 regular season and 73 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1971-72 and 1979-80 with the Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres.
The two-time Stanley Cup champion was a penalty minute leader in the EHL with the Salem Rebels in 1969-70. The following year, he led the AHL with 382 PIM while playing for the Quebec Aces, nearly double the total of the runner-up. He would again lead the AHL the next year, this time playing for the Richmond Robins. Of course, his exploits in the NHL are well known.
