According to Hockey Reference, only 13 NHL players were born at Christmas. Surprisingly, three former Pittsburgh Penguins players share the same birthday. Although they were born on December 25, these three skaters never had the chance to play together.
Dmitry Mironov (1965)
Dmitri Mironov was born on Christmas Day in Moscow in 1965 and was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the eighth round (160th overall) in the 1991 draft. After four seasons north of the border, the right-handed defenseman arrived in Pittsburgh in July 1995 as part of a trade for Larry Murphy.
Most power play points by a defenseman in playoff history
23 – Brian Leetch
17 — Ray Bourque
15 — Denis Potvin
14 — Dmitri Mironov
14 – Brian Leetch
14 —Dave Ellett
13 — Evan Bouchard (This season)This is his 10th playoff game. pic.twitter.com/9BSLLnJrgd
– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) May 11, 2023
Mironov played parts of two seasons with the Penguins, scoring four goals and 40 points in 87 games before being dealt to the Anaheim Ducks in November 1996.
He won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 1998 and finished his career with the Washington Capitals, leaving the NHL after the 2000-01 season.
Stu Barnes (1970)
Stu Barnesborn December 25, 1970 in Spruce Grove, Alberta, was the fourth overall pick (Winnipeg Jets) in the 1989 draft. After three seasons in Manitoba, he joined the Florida Panthers, playing in the final of the Stanley Cup in 1996.
During the following season, Barnes was traded (along with Jason Woolley) to the Penguins in November 1996 for Chris Wells.
In 1997-98, his first full season with Pittsburgh, he had his best season in the NHL, scoring 30 goals and 65 points, the only time he topped 50 points in a single season.
In March 1999, the Penguins dealt him to the Buffalo Sabers for Matthew Barnby, where he later played in 1999 Stanley Cup Final. Barnes retired after the 2007-08 season and spent his final five years with the Dallas Stars.
Mark Friedman (1995)
Marc Friedmanborn in 1995 in Toronto, is the only active NHL player to celebrate his Christmas birthday. The Philadelphia Flyers drafted him in the third round (86th overall) in 2014.
He would skate three seasons with the club from 2018 to 2021 before the Penguins selected him on waivers in February 2021. In 54 games with Pittsburgh, he scored four goals and 11 points.
“I play a hard-nosed game and use my skating skills to help get pucks out and back to them as quickly as possible. And play a quick transition game.”
🗣 Listen to the latest #Canucks defender Mark Friedman on his style of play and what the last 24 hours have been like. pic.twitter.com/6mbKTz2aL5
– Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 18, 2023
In October 2023, Friedman was traded (with Ty Glover) to the Vancouver Canucks for Karel Plasek and Jack Rathbone. Since the deal, he has played in just 26 games, including three this season, with one assist.
