Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks complete a trade today in history

On July 25, 1997, the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks agreed on the terms of a trade that had very small implications for both organizations but is still worth mentioning as we remember what marked the past 100 years of hockey history in Chicago.

Chicago sent veteran forward Murray Craven to San Jose. He was known for his two-way game and leadership. Craven had been a solid presence for the Blackhawks, but his production had diminished, and the team was clearly looking to make a change.

In return, Chicago received Finnish winger Petri Varis and a sixth-round draft pick in 1998, which turned into Jari Viuhkola.

Varis arrived in North America with an impressive résumé: scoring titles in Finland, Olympic bronze in '94, and multiple league championships. But his NHL career began and ended on the same night: December 14, 1997, against the same team that had just traded Craven away.

He played less than three minutes and was never seen again at the NHL level. Instead, he lit up the IHL with the Indianapolis Ice before heading back to Europe.

As for Viuhkola, the sixth-rounder never made it to the NHL. He stayed in Finland and built a strong domestic career with Kärpät, aside from a brief stint in North America that didn't lead to an NHL job.

Craven played three more seasons before retiring. At the end of his career, he had taken part in 1,071 games in the NHL, scoring 266 goals and 493 assists.

Such small trades are often forgotten, espcecially considering how nearly all the players involved in that deal never had an NHL career.

Stay tuned for more information on the Blackhawks' history.