Today in history: January 3

January 3 in Indianapolis hockey history

1961: In a highly-controversial move, Pierre Brilant is traded to Omaha for Bep Guidolin. The most prolific scorer in Chiefs (and Indianapolis hockey) history, Brillant tallied 204 goals and 181 assists in four and a half years with the team (1961). In his first game after being traded, he scored the game-winner for the Knights in a 2-1 victory over the Chiefs on Jan. 7. 

1980: Richard Brodeur makes 45 saves against the United States national team at the Coliseum in a 2-2 tie. A month later, the national team would complete the "Miracle on Ice" in the Lake Placid Olympic Games and win the nation's first hockey gold medal in 20 years. 

Birthdays

Marc LaForge: A defenseman who began and completed his career with the Indianapolis Ice in two different leagues. He played 14 games as a rookie for the Ice in 1988-89, tallying two assists and 138 PIMs in 14 games, then rejoined the CHL incarnation of the team in 2000-01 -- his final pro season -- with one goal, five assists and 175 PIMs. In-between, the Hartford Whalers' 1986 second-round pick played primarily in the AHL and IHL, which two short stints with the NHL Hartford Whalers Edmonton Oilers tucked into that in 1990 and again in 1993-94. He was a rugged defenseman who often complied triple-digit PIMs in protecting his teammates. A native of Sudbury, Ont., he is 44. 

Aigars Mironovics: Ice defenseman in 2000-01. He had three goals and three assists in 34 games. He played four pro seasons in the United States, then headed to Europe to play in 2001. A native of Riga, Latvia, he is 36.