Montreal Canadiens have figured prominently since the modern NHL All-Star Game began in 1947. In the early years, when the game was a contest between the league stars and the Stanley Cup Champions (wow, I wonder how they could create more interest in the modern All-Star game?), it was the Canadiens as a team 8 times from 1953 to 1967.
1968 was the last using this format, as expansion meant the league had twice as many players to choose from.
Since the 1969 game (the first after expansion), the game has been staged 36 times (this year being the 37th edition). And since that time, there have been 96 players associated with the Canadiens taking part in the game proper and 100 taking part in the weekend. PK Subban, with his replacement selection will be the 101st Montreal Canadien to take part in the modern All-Star Game -- a game taking place in the very symmetrical 101st Montreal Canadiens season.
The most times in the Habs sweater
96 times since 1969 players have represented the Montreal Canadiens.
The most players the Canadiens ever sent to a post-expansion All-Star game was 7 in 1978, when Ken Dryden was accompanied by Serge Savard and Larry Robinson, together with forwards Lafleur, Shutt, Cournoyer and Gainey. Nobody probably batted an eye at the time because the Habs were setting points records, piling up Cups and sending at least 6 to the All-Star game every year anyway.
The most times that any one player has represented the Habs since expansion is Larry Robinson. The standard he set of 9 games looks virtually untouchable, especially when one considers the next closest are no great slouches: Patrick Roy (6), Guy Lafleur (5), Yvan Cournoyer (5) and Ken Dryden (5). Carey price is on the right path, with two selections at this early stage. But 8 more to surpass Robinson is asking a Hall of Fame career from him.
The most appearances by a Canadiens alum
If we count games where a Habs alum skated, regardless of which team he was on, the numbers change. In all, Former, Present and Future Habs have played in 246 games (96 Present, 95 Former, 55 Future).
The players of note here are Patrick Roy and Chris Chelios. Both appeared in 11 All-Star contests over their careers. Robinson is next, with 10 (he had one honourary skate around with the Kings). They're followed by two players at 7 (Mark Recchi and Denis Savard) and a big group at 6.
The most consecutive appearances
There's a lot to be said for consistency. Consistent selection to the All-Star game is Hall of Fame stuff.
The most consecutive selections to a post-expansion game by a former, present or future Hab was 8. Chelios achieved this from 1990 to 1998. Unfortunately for the Canadiens, 7 of these appearances came after the famous trade to Chicago.
The most consecutive appearances by a player at the time he was with the Habs was 5 selections. This was done by Patrick Roy and Guy Lafleur.
All-Star traded away
It happens, to get you have to give. Chelios is mentioned above. But one hops that in trading an All-Star calibre player, one might at least just it at the tail end of a career.
The most All-Star seasons after leaving the Habs is a dubious record which is held by Chris Chelios at 9. You'd be wrong in thinking that Roy was next. His 5 were painful to watch, but Carol Vadnais and Tony Esposito both had 6 All-Star appearances after leaving Montreal.
At least Patrick also had some All-star years in Montreal. Neither Vadnais or Esposito did. Nor did John Leclair or Red Berenson, who each went to the All-Star game 5 times after leaving Montreal.
Bringing in an All-Star
Getting stars in the yes, it's happened to us all. We all dream up trades. Some people make a website empire out of it.
The perils of trading an All-Star can be balanced with getting an All-Star, if timed just right. Players who later became Habs dressed in 55 All-Star games since 1968.
The best acquisition here has to be Frank Mahovlich. He appeared in the first two post-expansion All-Star games as a Red Wing before being brought in to Montreal. Following that acquisition, he suited up for 4 more games, all consecutive from 1971-74. The next best is possibly Mark Recchi, who was three times an All-Star in Montreal before Rejean Houle discharged him for the sake of profit margins.
Other than Recchi, only Kirk Muller, Pierre Turgeon, Denis Savard and Alexei Kovalev ever replicated their All-Star form after being brought in to help the Habs.
Aging vets
At the last Stanley Cup parade, I had Gary Leeman sign his hockey card. As if to show his teammates that he once wore All-Star colours, he passed that card around the whole float to show his 51-goal season.
Unfortunately for Habs fans, Leeman wasn't the only star to ever be brought in after his All-Star days were behind him. 19 players in all fit this bill. There's still time for some (Hamrlik and Gomez among them).
Prospects lost
In the expansion era, losing prospects was an inevitability. Losing All-Stars too. But what's the excuse for GMs now? Ribeiro, Streit and Robidas are all recent alums that have gone onto recognition in other towns.
Years of shame
Someone was commenting the other day on Dadonov as the only Florida player at this weekend. They have no representation in the game itself. The Habs came mighty close this year too, with price the lone Canadien at the game proper.
Twice, though, 2001 and 2003, the Habs sent no one at all to the All-Star game. At least, Koivu was selected in 2003. 2001 was just a horrid year to be a fan of this team.
Showing posts with label Mahovlich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mahovlich. Show all posts
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Top 100 Habs By Decade:
1. 1969-1979
In recognition of the Canadiens Centennial tomorrow, we at Lions in Winter have been doing what we like best – making lists. As a precursor to publishing the definitive LIW top 100, we will be counting down the decades from least successful to most successful and naming our LIW top 10 players for the ten-year span.
This is the last in the series. if you want to find the other decades, you can use the archives or the link at the top of the home page.
The lates 1960s to late 1970s. Was there a headier time to be a sports fan in Montreal? Baseball moves in, the Olympics come to town (nearly twice if you consider Lake Placid is a 2-hour drive) and the Montreal Canadiens laid most of their competition to waste. The decade I define here has 6 Cups. It was nice to come into the decade on a run of 4 Cups in 5 years as well. 10 Cups in 15 years – it boggles the mind (are we sure they don't mean first-round appearances?).
The players to represent this elite time are all the toast of the Canadiens, with Hall-of-Fame in all of their email sign-offs. No other decade had so many Hall of Famers, no other decade would bump a two-time 100-point man to the bench. These are the final 10 names in this series.
[Note: Each player only appears in one decade's top 10 – cross-decade stars like Laperriere have been given their dues, as you know]
10. Frank "The Big M" Mahovlich (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
A ready-made all star with a Hall of Fame nod already in the bag, Frank was brought in late in his career to bolster the Habs who were about to lose their top 2 centres.
9. Steve Shutt (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
On any other team, he might be the all-time goalscoring hero. 60 goals in 80 games led the league. For Latendresse fans, Shutt put the 14-goal man to shame with 52 ES goals that year.
8. Guy "Pointu" Lapointe (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
The third corner of the Big Three, he had a definite knack for scoring goals, and important ones too.
7. Jacques "Coco" Lemaire (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
Played the way he asks everyone of his players to play, with determination and intelligence. With typical efficiency, he retired on scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal in 1979.
6. Yvan "Roadrunner" Cournoyer (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
The archetypal Canadiens winger – speedy and quick-shooting goalscoring machine. His 1972-73 playoffs were magisterial.
5. Bob Gainey (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
Famously described as "technically, the best player in the world" by Russian coach Tarasov, Gainey was certainly the best in the world at defending as a shadow. In a league of Bobby Orrs and Bobby Clarkes, his role was just as valuable to the team as those ahead of him on this list.
4. Serge Savard (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
If the Canadiens brass today could dream up a defender to anchor their team for the future, it would probably be Serge Savard. He could and did do everything, including adapt to the effects that 2 broken legs had on his once-great speed.
3. Ken Dryden (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
Less career losses than a Vesa Toskala season. He must also be the only starting goalie in modern history to virtually double his losses with shutouts. In his 7-and-a-bit-year turn in the NHL, he won 6 Stanley Cups, 5 Vezinas and earned a law degree.
2. Larry "Big Bird" Robinson (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
If we had the stats and ran a Corsi on it, what do you think 1976-77 would look like for +120 Larry Robinson? Robinson was key to the Canadiens adapting to the new Philadelphia Flyers domination of the league. His gaudy offensive numbers can't show on paper what a good defender he was.
1. Guy "Flower" Lafleur (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
A goal more than every other game, a game-winning goal once in ten, this guy had the knack for scoring and scoring when it was called for. No one has more silverware in their Habs trophy cases than Guy, and with good reason.
* Awards: H = Hart trophy; AR = Art Ross trophy, C = Calder trophy; FS = Frank Selke trophy; N = Norris trophy; V = Vezina trophy; LP = Lester Pearson tropby; BM= Bill Masterton trophy; AS= All-star; HOF = Hall of Fame; CS = Conn Smythe trophy; SC = Stanley Cup.
This is the last in the series. if you want to find the other decades, you can use the archives or the link at the top of the home page.
1969-1979
The lates 1960s to late 1970s. Was there a headier time to be a sports fan in Montreal? Baseball moves in, the Olympics come to town (nearly twice if you consider Lake Placid is a 2-hour drive) and the Montreal Canadiens laid most of their competition to waste. The decade I define here has 6 Cups. It was nice to come into the decade on a run of 4 Cups in 5 years as well. 10 Cups in 15 years – it boggles the mind (are we sure they don't mean first-round appearances?).
The players to represent this elite time are all the toast of the Canadiens, with Hall-of-Fame in all of their email sign-offs. No other decade had so many Hall of Famers, no other decade would bump a two-time 100-point man to the bench. These are the final 10 names in this series.
[Note: Each player only appears in one decade's top 10 – cross-decade stars like Laperriere have been given their dues, as you know]
10. Frank "The Big M" Mahovlich (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | GWG | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Season) | 1970-74 | 263 | 129 | 181 | 310 | +104 | 14 | AS, HOF |
| Decade best (Season) | 1971-72 | 76 | 43 | 53 | 96 | +42 | 4 | AS |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1971-74 | 49 | 27 | 31 | 58 | 0 | 2 SC | |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1970-71 | 20 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 0 | SC |
A ready-made all star with a Hall of Fame nod already in the bag, Frank was brought in late in his career to bolster the Habs who were about to lose their top 2 centres.
9. Steve Shutt (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | GWG | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Season) | 1972-85 | 871 | 408 | 368 | 776 | +409 | 50 | AS, HOF |
| Decade best (Season) | 1976-77 | 80 | 60 | 45 | 105 | +88 | 9 | AS |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1973-84 | 96 | 50 | 48 | 98 | (+5) | 5 | 5 SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1976-77 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 3 | SC |
On any other team, he might be the all-time goalscoring hero. 60 goals in 80 games led the league. For Latendresse fans, Shutt put the 14-goal man to shame with 52 ES goals that year.
8. Guy "Pointu" Lapointe (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | GWG | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Season) | 1968-82 | 777 | 166 | 406 | 572 | +347 | 20 | AS, HOF |
| Decade best (Season) | 1976-77 | 77 | 25 | 51 | 76 | +69 | 6 | AS |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 2002-06 | 112 | 25 | 43 | 68 | 4 | 6 SC | |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1972-73 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 1 | SC |
The third corner of the Big Three, he had a definite knack for scoring goals, and important ones too.
7. Jacques "Coco" Lemaire (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | GWG | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Season) | 1967-79 | 853 | 366 | 469 | 835 | +349 | 58 | AS, HOF |
| Decade best (Season) | 1972-73 | 77 | 44 | 51 | 95 | +59 | 5 | AS |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1968-79 | 145 | 61 | 78 | 139 | 11 | 8 SC | |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1978-79 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 2 | SC |
Played the way he asks everyone of his players to play, with determination and intelligence. With typical efficiency, he retired on scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal in 1979.
6. Yvan "Roadrunner" Cournoyer (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | GWG | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Season) | 1963-79 | 968 | 428 | 435 | 863 | (+272) | (68) | AS, HOF |
| Decade best (Season) | 1971-72 | 73 | 47 | 36 | 83 | +23 | 5 | AS |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1965-78 | 147 | 64 | 63 | 127 | (12) | 10 SC | |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1972-73 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 25 | 3 | CS, SC |
The archetypal Canadiens winger – speedy and quick-shooting goalscoring machine. His 1972-73 playoffs were magisterial.
5. Bob Gainey (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | GWG | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Season) | 1973-89 | 1160 | 239 | 262 | 501 | +196 | 34 | 4 FS, AS, HOF |
| Decade best (Season) | 1978-79 | 79 | 20 | 18 | 28 | +11 | 1 | FS |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1974-89 | 182 | 25 | 48 | 73 | (-4) | 7 | CS, 5 SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1978-79 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 1 | CS, SC |
Famously described as "technically, the best player in the world" by Russian coach Tarasov, Gainey was certainly the best in the world at defending as a shadow. In a league of Bobby Orrs and Bobby Clarkes, his role was just as valuable to the team as those ahead of him on this list.
4. Serge Savard (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | GWG | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Season) | 1966-81 | 917 | 100 | 312 | 412 | +492 | 13 | BM, AS, HOF |
| Decade best (Season) | 1974-75 | 80 | 20 | 40 | 60 | +71 | 2 | |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1968-81 | 130 | 19 | 49 | 68 | 6 | CS, 8 SC | |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1975-76 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 2 | SC |
If the Canadiens brass today could dream up a defender to anchor their team for the future, it would probably be Serge Savard. He could and did do everything, including adapt to the effects that 2 broken legs had on his once-great speed.
3. Ken Dryden (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | W | L | T | GAA | SO | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Season) | 1970-79 | 397 | 258 | 57 | 74 | 2.24 | 46 | C, 5 V, AS, HOF |
| Decade best (Season) | 1976-77 | 56 | 41 | 6 | 8 | 2.14 | 10 | V, AS |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1971-79 | 112 | 80 | 32 | 0 | 2.40 | 10 | 6 SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1970-71 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 3.00 | 0 | CS, SC |
Less career losses than a Vesa Toskala season. He must also be the only starting goalie in modern history to virtually double his losses with shutouts. In his 7-and-a-bit-year turn in the NHL, he won 6 Stanley Cups, 5 Vezinas and earned a law degree.
2. Larry "Big Bird" Robinson (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | GWG | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Season) | 1972-89 | 1202 | 197 | 686 | 883 | +700 | 29 | 2 N, AS, HOF |
| Decade best (Season) | 1976-77 | 77 | 19 | 66 | 85 | +120 | 3 | N, AS |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1973-89 | 203 | 25 | 109 | 134 | (+6) | 3 | CS, 6 SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1977-78 | 15 | 4 | 17 | 21 | 0 | CS, SC |
If we had the stats and ran a Corsi on it, what do you think 1976-77 would look like for +120 Larry Robinson? Robinson was key to the Canadiens adapting to the new Philadelphia Flyers domination of the league. His gaudy offensive numbers can't show on paper what a good defender he was.
1. Guy "Flower" Lafleur (Top 100 all-time, Profile)
| Years(s) | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | GWG | Awards* | |
| Habs career (Season) | 1971-85 | 961 | 518 | 728 | 1246 | +477 | 93 | 2 H, 3 AR, 3 LP, AS, HOF |
| Decade best (Season) | 1977-78 | 78 | 60 | 72 | 132 | +73 | 12 | H, AR, LP, AS |
| Habs career (Playoffs) | 1972-84 | 124 | 57 | 76 | 133 | (-2) | 14 | CS, 5 SC |
| Decade best (Playoffs) | 1976-77 | 14 | 9 | 17 | 26 | 2 | CS, SC |
A goal more than every other game, a game-winning goal once in ten, this guy had the knack for scoring and scoring when it was called for. No one has more silverware in their Habs trophy cases than Guy, and with good reason.
* Awards: H = Hart trophy; AR = Art Ross trophy, C = Calder trophy; FS = Frank Selke trophy; N = Norris trophy; V = Vezina trophy; LP = Lester Pearson tropby; BM= Bill Masterton trophy; AS= All-star; HOF = Hall of Fame; CS = Conn Smythe trophy; SC = Stanley Cup.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Retired Numers
Habs Honoured Elsewhere
A couple of nights ago, the Vancouver Canucks retired Trevor Linden's number 16. As a former and much-loved Hab (at the time, by me, anyway), his career and exploits have always interested me. His honour is well deserved.
His number retirement also prompted me to have a look around to see which other Canadiens alumni have had their numbers retired (or honoured) by teams around the league. The list is interesting and even a little longer than I had expected.
JC Tremblay – Quebec Nordiques (3)
His career with Montreal began like so many others in the 1960s on a defending Stanley Cup Champion. Groomed through the system on one of the junior teams stocked with C-form signees, he made the transition to the NHL right after making the successful transition fom winger to defenceman (a la Markov). He played 794 games over parts of 13 seasons with the Canadiens and hauled a massive 5 Cups. A key part of the "forgotten dynasty" of the late 60s, Tremblay was also an all-star in the NHL twice.
In 1972, he jumped to the upstart Nordiques of the WHA, where he became their first true star player. In fact, he played in every season the Nordiques competed in the WHA – leading them to the championship in 1977. Considering he entered the WHA at the ripe age of 33, his 424 points in 454 as a defenceman is truly impressive.
A great Hab and a great Nordique.
Rod Langway – Washington Capitals (5)
Langway came up with the Canadiens via the WHA at the very end of the 1970s dynasty. His ascent among the defensive corps came as Savard and Lapointe were winding down. The big three was morphing into Langway and Robinson. It never really happened as Langway was traded in a blockbuster with current coach Doug Jarvis and others for Rick Green and Ryan Walter. In parts of 4 seasons, he had amassed a respectable 127 points in 268 games. His +160 was a little more than respectable, I'd say.
It is said that trade made and saved the Washington Capitals. Langway was the first true star for that franchise. He played 11 seasons in all for the Caps. His point totals were respectable again. But he was quite the defenceman. He won two Norrises with the Caps and was even second in Hart trophy voting behind the mighty Gretzky in 1984.
Another great Hab (if short-lived) and the best Cap before Ovechkin came along. For his toil, he's been put in the Hall of Fame, too.
Marc Tardif – Quebec Nordiques (8)
In a move that would satisfy conspiracy theorists for years to come, Marc Tardif was selected with a special French Canadian pick by the Habs in the 1969 draft. By the end of the next season he was with the big club. But his stay would be short-lived. He too jumped for the glitz and galmour of the new WHA. His stay in Montreal was short: 2 cups and a 20-25 goalscoring role on a team with Beliveau, Cournoyer, Lemaire and a young Lafleur.
The WHA was where Tardif came to life: 666 point in 446 games, including a 148 and 154 point seasons when Esposito was the only player who could do such things. He was a one in a kind offensive talent in that way. As the Nordiques first captain in the NHL, he led them to a respectable beginnning in the league.
A great Nordique and a good Habs prospect.
Trevor Linden – Vancouver Canucks (16)
His Canadiens career was a shadow of what he did in total. Just over a hundred games with just over 60 points is respectable enough. His career elsewhere was remarkable.
With the Canucks, Linden played over 1100 games at full tilt. He was an 80 point man and a 30 goal man for years. He wore the Canuck jersey with honour and even lugged the team to the Stanley Cup final with 25 points in 24 games that year.
Always a gentleman, he has been a good ambassador for the league over the years. In Montreal he was highly involved in the community, as he was in Vancouver. A tribute to him is how quick he was to get in touch with his good friend Saku Koivu after his diagnosis with cancer.
A great Canuck and a brief Canadien.
Denis Savard – Chicago Blackhawks (18)
In recent Canadiens lore, is there a greater story? The local boy shoots out the lights in Verdun: 146 and more than 450 points in 3 years in junior but still not good enough for the Habs. Selected 3rd, not 2nd behind Wickenheiser (who we remember) and Babych (who we don't), he cobbled a Hall of Fame career for himself in Chicago.
Then, the hero that got away comes home. By the time he arrived in Montreal via Chris Chelios trade (bad trade, no two ways to look at that now), he was already a guaranteed Hall of Famer and 1000 point man. His 5 100-point seasons behind him, he nonetheless played an important role on the Canadiens for two seasons.
Finally, the triumph and storybook ending. In his third year, his most important role might have been raising the Cup, or coaching in the final. But whatever it was he played a role. He was a Hall of Fame player winning his first and only Cup (in Montreal). His hoisting the Cup is one of the most indelible memories of hockey in my mind. The way I felt at the time, and the way Denis clearly felt (honour, pride and complete joy written all over his face) – it was what winning the Cup is all about.
(Whenever I look at 18 Savard hanging from the rafters at the Bell Centre I see a spin-o-rama, a pass and a Gilbert Dionne goal. It's a nice coincidence indeed that Denis shares a name and number with a banner up there...)
Frank Mahovlich – Toronto Maple Leafs (27)
Another Hall of Famer, Mahovlich had a long and winding road to Montreal. His NHL start came in Toronto at a very young age and with a Calder trophy. And, it wasn't long before his stature as star in the league was cemented. In 1961, he was even on the cusp of being the greatest goalscorer in league history at the ripe age of 23, with 48 goals with 2 games to go.
Frank's time in Toronto overall was both a success and a disappointment. Though he would win 4 Cups and be a constant first or second all-star, he would still get booed by portions of a demanding Toronto crowd. Lore has it that he was even booed during a Stanley Cup winners reception (imagine) because he was the superstar who did not score a playoff goal. His fractious relationship with Punch Imlach would even drive him to depression.
Leaving Toronto was a rebirth (the first one) for Frank. He joined his brother in Detroit and played on a line with Gordie Howe. He responded with renewed vigour and 49 goals. But Detroit was languishing and his time was not remembered by any Cup parades.
The Big M had his third win when he was dealt to Montreal midway through the 1970-71 season. This masterstroke from Pollock brought Montreal a Cup and stunted the development of the mighty Bruins. Mahovlich became a Habs legend almost instantaneously with an incredible (and league-leading) 14 playoff goals to go with 13 assists in 20 games. He did not disappoint the next season either with a massive 96 points, and then 93 the next season. He was again a key member of the 1973 Cup team with 9 goals and 14 assists in 17 games.
The Big M would have probably just about cracked the Hall of Fame with his Canadiens years alone. It is for that reason number 27 is so revered in our city.
A great Hab, Leaf and Wing. A great great player.
Rogatien Vachon – Los Angeles Kings (30)
Rogatien (Rogie) Vachon was one of the best Canadiens goaltenders in the history of the team. In 206 total regular season games, he won 110 and tied 30. In the playoffs, his meager 19 starts provided 14 wins. And his playoff average of 1.94 stands as one of the more impressive marks from team history.
But Vachon, who progressed through the ranks impressively, was often the victim of a bit of bad timing with the Habs. That is to say, he was good, but he had peers who were laying down Hall of Fame careers. First, he backed up Lorne (Gump) Worsley – a great veteran and Cup stalwart with whom Rogie shared one Vezina trophy. And just as he saw an open door for the starter role in 1970 then 1971, some kid from Cornell came and stole his thunder. Following Dryden's miracle cup run and subsequent dominance, Rogie was traded for next to nothing to LA where he would play out games in the number one role again.
His best years did indeed come in LA, as is evidenced by his jersey retirement (their first in franchise history). There would be no more Stanley Cups on the upstart Kings, but individual honours would roll. He was consistently named among the very best of LA Kings, often winning MVP of the team over a certain Marcel Dionne. He was also a league all-star and even came second in Hart trophy voting behind Bobby Clarke in 1975. Statistically great for that era, his 32 shutouts on the expansion Kings in an era with scoring galore are truly impressive.
The best Kings goalie ever and a great Hab.
Patrick Roy – Colorado Avalanche (33)
Unlike the other guys, plenty has been written here about the great Patrick Roy. He is one of 6 players to have his number retired by more than one team and is widely recognised as the greatest playoff goalie ever.
His career began in the most impressive fashion possible and ended with every record a goalie could hope to achieve.
Great great Hab and great great Av.
Tony Esposito – Chicago Blackhawks (35)
Finally, little Tony Esposito.
His time on the Habs was stunted to say the least – a mere 13 games in all. If Vachon was obstructed from getting starts, Esposito was near blockaded. He was way down the pecking order behind veteran star Worsley and young up-and-comer Vachon.
He was traded to the Blackhawks in 1969. In his first full season there, he was impressive indeed winning both the Vezina trophy and the Calder trophy. The next 14 years he would establish himself as one of the best and most unique goalies in the league. The Blackhawks never missed the playoffs over those 15 seasons, and that was no coincidence. Alas, they would never win a Cup either and Tony's sole Cup ring would remain the 1969 beauty he won as a back-up to Gump Worsley.
A momentary Hab and a Hall of Fame Hawk.
Finally, in researching this piece, I came across some hilarious information. It turns out that both the Wild and the Canucks in their infinite wosdom have retired numbers in honour of the fans of the team (Can you imagine?!?!?). Minnesota took number 1 out of circulation in 2000 (and have had stellar goaltending ever since) and Vancouver honoured the number 7 in October of this year – 7th man, get it???
So, in addition to all the players who have legitimately earned their number retirements, add Jyrkki Lumme (no doubt a fan of the Canucks) and Lemaire, Riseborough and Tremblay among others I'm sure who played for the Habs but support these teams.
Imagine, our number 7 is only dedicated to Howie Morenz. How do we survive knowing this as fans? And fans with retired numbers and Sundin, who will ever stop the Canucks now?
His number retirement also prompted me to have a look around to see which other Canadiens alumni have had their numbers retired (or honoured) by teams around the league. The list is interesting and even a little longer than I had expected.
JC Tremblay – Quebec Nordiques (3)
His career with Montreal began like so many others in the 1960s on a defending Stanley Cup Champion. Groomed through the system on one of the junior teams stocked with C-form signees, he made the transition to the NHL right after making the successful transition fom winger to defenceman (a la Markov). He played 794 games over parts of 13 seasons with the Canadiens and hauled a massive 5 Cups. A key part of the "forgotten dynasty" of the late 60s, Tremblay was also an all-star in the NHL twice.
In 1972, he jumped to the upstart Nordiques of the WHA, where he became their first true star player. In fact, he played in every season the Nordiques competed in the WHA – leading them to the championship in 1977. Considering he entered the WHA at the ripe age of 33, his 424 points in 454 as a defenceman is truly impressive.
A great Hab and a great Nordique.
Rod Langway – Washington Capitals (5)
Langway came up with the Canadiens via the WHA at the very end of the 1970s dynasty. His ascent among the defensive corps came as Savard and Lapointe were winding down. The big three was morphing into Langway and Robinson. It never really happened as Langway was traded in a blockbuster with current coach Doug Jarvis and others for Rick Green and Ryan Walter. In parts of 4 seasons, he had amassed a respectable 127 points in 268 games. His +160 was a little more than respectable, I'd say.
It is said that trade made and saved the Washington Capitals. Langway was the first true star for that franchise. He played 11 seasons in all for the Caps. His point totals were respectable again. But he was quite the defenceman. He won two Norrises with the Caps and was even second in Hart trophy voting behind the mighty Gretzky in 1984.
Another great Hab (if short-lived) and the best Cap before Ovechkin came along. For his toil, he's been put in the Hall of Fame, too.
Marc Tardif – Quebec Nordiques (8)
In a move that would satisfy conspiracy theorists for years to come, Marc Tardif was selected with a special French Canadian pick by the Habs in the 1969 draft. By the end of the next season he was with the big club. But his stay would be short-lived. He too jumped for the glitz and galmour of the new WHA. His stay in Montreal was short: 2 cups and a 20-25 goalscoring role on a team with Beliveau, Cournoyer, Lemaire and a young Lafleur.
The WHA was where Tardif came to life: 666 point in 446 games, including a 148 and 154 point seasons when Esposito was the only player who could do such things. He was a one in a kind offensive talent in that way. As the Nordiques first captain in the NHL, he led them to a respectable beginnning in the league.
A great Nordique and a good Habs prospect.
Trevor Linden – Vancouver Canucks (16)
His Canadiens career was a shadow of what he did in total. Just over a hundred games with just over 60 points is respectable enough. His career elsewhere was remarkable.
With the Canucks, Linden played over 1100 games at full tilt. He was an 80 point man and a 30 goal man for years. He wore the Canuck jersey with honour and even lugged the team to the Stanley Cup final with 25 points in 24 games that year.
Always a gentleman, he has been a good ambassador for the league over the years. In Montreal he was highly involved in the community, as he was in Vancouver. A tribute to him is how quick he was to get in touch with his good friend Saku Koivu after his diagnosis with cancer.
A great Canuck and a brief Canadien.
Denis Savard – Chicago Blackhawks (18)
In recent Canadiens lore, is there a greater story? The local boy shoots out the lights in Verdun: 146 and more than 450 points in 3 years in junior but still not good enough for the Habs. Selected 3rd, not 2nd behind Wickenheiser (who we remember) and Babych (who we don't), he cobbled a Hall of Fame career for himself in Chicago.
Then, the hero that got away comes home. By the time he arrived in Montreal via Chris Chelios trade (bad trade, no two ways to look at that now), he was already a guaranteed Hall of Famer and 1000 point man. His 5 100-point seasons behind him, he nonetheless played an important role on the Canadiens for two seasons.
Finally, the triumph and storybook ending. In his third year, his most important role might have been raising the Cup, or coaching in the final. But whatever it was he played a role. He was a Hall of Fame player winning his first and only Cup (in Montreal). His hoisting the Cup is one of the most indelible memories of hockey in my mind. The way I felt at the time, and the way Denis clearly felt (honour, pride and complete joy written all over his face) – it was what winning the Cup is all about.
(Whenever I look at 18 Savard hanging from the rafters at the Bell Centre I see a spin-o-rama, a pass and a Gilbert Dionne goal. It's a nice coincidence indeed that Denis shares a name and number with a banner up there...)
Frank Mahovlich – Toronto Maple Leafs (27)
Another Hall of Famer, Mahovlich had a long and winding road to Montreal. His NHL start came in Toronto at a very young age and with a Calder trophy. And, it wasn't long before his stature as star in the league was cemented. In 1961, he was even on the cusp of being the greatest goalscorer in league history at the ripe age of 23, with 48 goals with 2 games to go.
Frank's time in Toronto overall was both a success and a disappointment. Though he would win 4 Cups and be a constant first or second all-star, he would still get booed by portions of a demanding Toronto crowd. Lore has it that he was even booed during a Stanley Cup winners reception (imagine) because he was the superstar who did not score a playoff goal. His fractious relationship with Punch Imlach would even drive him to depression.
Leaving Toronto was a rebirth (the first one) for Frank. He joined his brother in Detroit and played on a line with Gordie Howe. He responded with renewed vigour and 49 goals. But Detroit was languishing and his time was not remembered by any Cup parades.
The Big M had his third win when he was dealt to Montreal midway through the 1970-71 season. This masterstroke from Pollock brought Montreal a Cup and stunted the development of the mighty Bruins. Mahovlich became a Habs legend almost instantaneously with an incredible (and league-leading) 14 playoff goals to go with 13 assists in 20 games. He did not disappoint the next season either with a massive 96 points, and then 93 the next season. He was again a key member of the 1973 Cup team with 9 goals and 14 assists in 17 games.
The Big M would have probably just about cracked the Hall of Fame with his Canadiens years alone. It is for that reason number 27 is so revered in our city.
A great Hab, Leaf and Wing. A great great player.
Rogatien Vachon – Los Angeles Kings (30)
Rogatien (Rogie) Vachon was one of the best Canadiens goaltenders in the history of the team. In 206 total regular season games, he won 110 and tied 30. In the playoffs, his meager 19 starts provided 14 wins. And his playoff average of 1.94 stands as one of the more impressive marks from team history.
But Vachon, who progressed through the ranks impressively, was often the victim of a bit of bad timing with the Habs. That is to say, he was good, but he had peers who were laying down Hall of Fame careers. First, he backed up Lorne (Gump) Worsley – a great veteran and Cup stalwart with whom Rogie shared one Vezina trophy. And just as he saw an open door for the starter role in 1970 then 1971, some kid from Cornell came and stole his thunder. Following Dryden's miracle cup run and subsequent dominance, Rogie was traded for next to nothing to LA where he would play out games in the number one role again.
His best years did indeed come in LA, as is evidenced by his jersey retirement (their first in franchise history). There would be no more Stanley Cups on the upstart Kings, but individual honours would roll. He was consistently named among the very best of LA Kings, often winning MVP of the team over a certain Marcel Dionne. He was also a league all-star and even came second in Hart trophy voting behind Bobby Clarke in 1975. Statistically great for that era, his 32 shutouts on the expansion Kings in an era with scoring galore are truly impressive.
The best Kings goalie ever and a great Hab.
Patrick Roy – Colorado Avalanche (33)
Unlike the other guys, plenty has been written here about the great Patrick Roy. He is one of 6 players to have his number retired by more than one team and is widely recognised as the greatest playoff goalie ever.
His career began in the most impressive fashion possible and ended with every record a goalie could hope to achieve.
Great great Hab and great great Av.
Tony Esposito – Chicago Blackhawks (35)
Finally, little Tony Esposito.
His time on the Habs was stunted to say the least – a mere 13 games in all. If Vachon was obstructed from getting starts, Esposito was near blockaded. He was way down the pecking order behind veteran star Worsley and young up-and-comer Vachon.
He was traded to the Blackhawks in 1969. In his first full season there, he was impressive indeed winning both the Vezina trophy and the Calder trophy. The next 14 years he would establish himself as one of the best and most unique goalies in the league. The Blackhawks never missed the playoffs over those 15 seasons, and that was no coincidence. Alas, they would never win a Cup either and Tony's sole Cup ring would remain the 1969 beauty he won as a back-up to Gump Worsley.
A momentary Hab and a Hall of Fame Hawk.
Finally, in researching this piece, I came across some hilarious information. It turns out that both the Wild and the Canucks in their infinite wosdom have retired numbers in honour of the fans of the team (Can you imagine?!?!?). Minnesota took number 1 out of circulation in 2000 (and have had stellar goaltending ever since) and Vancouver honoured the number 7 in October of this year – 7th man, get it???
So, in addition to all the players who have legitimately earned their number retirements, add Jyrkki Lumme (no doubt a fan of the Canucks) and Lemaire, Riseborough and Tremblay among others I'm sure who played for the Habs but support these teams.
Imagine, our number 7 is only dedicated to Howie Morenz. How do we survive knowing this as fans? And fans with retired numbers and Sundin, who will ever stop the Canucks now?
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