History

Habs 100th anniversary videos

For any of you who weren’t able to view the festivities for the Habs 100th anniversary last night or for those of you who would just like to watch it again (and again…??).

Here are the videos from last night courtesy of Habs TV!

Read more…

Happy 100th to the Montreal Canadiens!

Today marks the 100 year anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens. There are many, many, many, many things that could be written about the 100 years that have gone by. Great hockey legends and hockey moments…. dynasties the likes will never been seen again.

The Montreal Canadiens certainly have an incredibly rich tradition and huge fan base…

The Habs have seen many Stanley cups, many awards, many players come and go… the Habs have seen great celebratory parades and have also seen some riots… who could forget the passion and anger shown at the suspension of the Rocket on March 18th 1955….

The list of great players who’ve suited up and played in Montreal is about a mile long. The Rocket, Belliveau, Morenz, Robinson, Harvey…. there is a treasure of information over at the http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/home website.

I remember being a young kid in the early 80s and watching the Habs play their local rival Québec Nordiques…. the passion, the brawls… memories that will be with me forever. I remember going to my grand fathers place and watching several games there on his small tv.

Back in 1993 I remember the Canadiens having to face those same Nordiques who had a host of great young players… the series started badly, but the Habs got hot and rode it for the entire playoffs… winning their 24th cup. The stars just seemed to align…

There are many fond memories of watching the 80s teams…. Mats Naslund was one of my favorites as well as Gainey… cup in ‘86 and the finals in ‘89.

I want to keep this short… so… Happy Birthday my beloved Montreal Canadiens!!

Montreal Canadiens Legend – Howie Morenz

Howie Morenz is one of the legends in the Montreal Canadiens history. A legend for the NHL.

Howie Morenz started his career with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1923-1924 season. As a rookie he scored 13 goals and 3 assists. Pretty good numbers considering the season was only 24 games in length.

Morenz scored the Stanley Cup clinching goal for the Montreal Canadiens that year helping the franchise win it’s second Stanley Cup.

Playing for a total of 12 seasons with the Canadiens Morenz notched 257 goals and 160 assists in 460 games.

He was the scoring champ twice and won the Hart trophy 3 times, in 1928, 1930 and 1931. No one in Habs history has matched that since.

Howie Morenz was the first player to break the 50 point mark in league history. It happend on March 24th, 1928 against the Ottawa Senators. That season, 1927-1928, Morenz scored 33 goals and 18 assists for 51 points. That 51 points came in 43 games.

1929-1930 saw Morenz score 40 goals in 44 games.

On March 17th 1932 Howie Morenz became the league’s all-time points leader.

Howie Morenz was eventually traded to the Chicago Blackhawks where he played for 2 years before returning to the Montreal Canadiens to be reunited with longtime linemate Aurèle Joliat.

But sadly Morenz was badly injured in a game vs Chicago. His leg was broken in 4 places.

A month later Morenz died because of complications resulting from the injury.

Thousands paid their respect to Morenz in the old Forum.

Morenz was among the first 12 men inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945.

The number 7 that he wore was the first to be retired by the Canadiens in 1937.

Habs history – Frustrating look at John LeClair

John LeClair was one of those guys who you would want on your team, big power forward with good hands.

John LeClair played an important role in Montreal’s stanley cup win of 1992-1993.

Soon after in 1994-1995 LeClair was traded to Philadelphia along with Eric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne for Mark Recchi and a third rouner.

Frustrating for Canadiens fans was the fact that as soon as LeClair hit Philly his numbers soared.

The next 3 full season in Philadelphia LeClair score 51,50,51 goals respectively and the 2 season after that he notched 43 and 40 goals respectively. He averaged 89.6 points a season for the 5 full seasons after being traded to Philadelphia. (From 1995-96 to 1999-00)

John LeClair’s numbers in Montreal
224 games played, 49 goals, 69 assists and 118 points.
Points per game: 0.53
Goals per game: 0.21
Assists per game: 0.30

John LeClair’s numbers after Montreal
743 games played, 357 goals, 344 assists and 701 points.
Points per game: 0.94
goals per game: 0.48
Assists per game: 0.46

His offensive production pretty much doubled after leaving Montreal as he was teamed up with Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg. Their line was affectionately (by Phily fans) “The Legion of Doom”.

I believe the 3rd round pick the Montreal Canadiens had acquired was either Miloslav Guren or Martin Hohenberger. Either ring a bell??? Not for me.

Recchi had a few decent years in Montreal notching over 30 goals twice.

Looking back who won that trade?
What’s your opinion?

I think the Flyers certainly did getting both LeClair AND Desjardins.

Question – Should Koivu’s number be retired?

I recently joined the Montreal Canadiens forums and have enjoyed reading through some of the threads and discussions going on over there.

On thread kind of struc me.

“Should #11 be retired?” is the name of the thread and there is a poll attached to it.

I was kind of surprised at first that it would be discussed so early, but then after reading for a minute I was no longer surprised… I mean, we’re Habs fans right? (at least some of us are.. if you’re not and reading this site… welcome!)

So the discussion rages. Some say no, some say yes….

One of the points I saw on there was that Koivu doesn’t warrant it because his production over his career in Montreal isn’t “super”.

Well, I guess I disagree a bit for what it’s worth.

There’s a difference between the Habs of the mid/late 90s, the Habs of the 2000s and the Habs of the 70s, the 60s…etc.

Traditionally, the Habs have had some very strong teams for many years. Some of the other legendary Habs were surrounded by other “legends”.

Koivu really doesn’t have to many players who played along side him that stand out to me as being future legends.

Early in his career just after the 93 cup he had some talent around him with Damphousse..etc.. At the end of his tenure with the Habs he had Kovalev and Tanguay.. played well with Higgins and Ryder when used together.

But there many years that he was just on a struggling team. No doubt about it.

Here’s how he finishes his career all-time in the canadiens uniform:
2nd longest serving captain
5th power play goals
6th in assists
7th game winning goals
8th short handed goals
9th minutes played
10th in points
19th games played
27th goals scored

And he managed to put up with more crap then anyone I know with class.

It’s my opinion that he deserves a fair look at having that number 11 retired. Some say his production wasn’t “super”. But I’m not sure just how good he was expected to be on a mediocre team for so many years.

Saku, I think you deserve it mon capitaine.

Some Habs stats from the history books

Ever wonder who scored the most goals as a Montreal Canadiens player? Who played the most games? Who played just a few games?

Here’s a few numbers for you.

Most games played in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Henri Richard 1256
2 – Larry Robinson 1202
3 – Bob Gainey 1160
4 – Jean Béliveau 1125
10 – Guy Carbonneau 912
11 – Patrice Brisebois 896
19 – Saku Koivu 792

Most goals scored in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Maurice Richard
2 – Guy Lafleur 518
3 – Jean Béliveau 507
4- Yvan Cournoyer 428
15 – Mats Naslund 243
16 – Bob Gainey 239
27 Saku Koivu 191

Most assists in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 728
2 – Jean Béliveau 712
3 – Henri Richard 688
4 – Larry Robinson 686
5 – Jacques Lemaire 469
6 – Saku Koivu 450
13 – Mats Naslund 369
27 – Patrice Brisebois 284
32 – Andrei Markov 255 (tied with Shayne Corson)

Most points in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 1246 (in 961 games!)
2 – Jean Béliveau 1219 (in 1125 games!)
3 – Henri Richard 1046
4 – Maurice Richard 965 (in 978 games!)
5 – Larry Robinson 883
10 – Saku Koivu 641
12 – Mats Naslund 612
23 – Vincent Damphousse 498 (in 519 games!)
35 – Patrice Bisebois 371

+/- in a Montreal Canadiens uniform
1 – Larry Robinson +700 (imagine!)
2 – Serge Savard +492
3 – Guy Lafleur +477
4 – Steve Shutt +409
5 – Jacques Lemaire +349
11 – Bob Gainey +196
24 – Mats Naslund +120

Some less favorable +/- stats with recent players:
Brian Savage 461 games, -51
Sheldon Sourray 324 games, -44
Michael Ryder 314 games, -24
Francis Bouillon 481 games, -23

The +/- stat is one that isn’t just reflective of an individual players ability, but is also a bit reflective of the linemates they were playing with at the time.

Top Penalty minutes in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Chris Nilan 2248
2 – Lyle Odelein 1367
3 – Shayne Corson 1341
4 – Maurice Richard 1285
5 – John Ferguson 1214
8 – Jean Béliveau 1029
16 – Craig Rivet 795
17 – Chris Chelios 783

Most power play goals scored in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 138
2 – Yvan Cournoyer 112
3 – Steve Shutt 90
4 – Jacques Lemaire 89
5 – Saku Koivu 66
6 – Mats Naslund 66
7 – Larry Robinson 65
19 – Alex Kovalev 45
21 – Patrice Brisebois 41

Most short handed goals scored in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Carbonneau 27
2 – Bob Gainey 20
3 – Peter Mohavlich 17
4 – Vincent Damphousse 12
5 – Benoit Brunet 10
8 – Saku Koivu 9
13 – Christopher Higgins 8

Most game winning goals in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 93
2 – Yvan Cournoyer 61
3 – Jacques Lemaire 58
4 – Steve Shutt 49
7 – Saku Koivu 35
10 – Bob Gainey 34
22 – Alex Kovalev 20
26 – Patrice Brisebois 18

Most shots on goal in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 3209
2 – Jacques Lemaire 3051
3 – Guy Lapointe 2306
4 – Steve Shutt 2278
5 – Larry Robinson 2142
6 – Bob Gainey 2099
9 – Saku Koivu 1553
13 – Patrice Brisebois 1395

Most wins by a goaltender in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Jacques Plant 314
2 – Patrick Roy 289
3 – Ken Dryden 258
8 – José Théodore
20 – Carey Price 47

Most shots against a Montreal Canadiens goaltender:
1 – Patrick Roy 12958
2 – José Théodore 9833

The shots against stats were not counted until recent years.

I’ve only posted some of the top stats. The “Our History” website has a ton of information.

A couple of thoughts after looking through the numbers.

1 – Saku Koivu has his place in the history of the franchise in several categories whether you love him or hate him. I wonder what his numbers would have been like if he had played without the numerous injuries and if he had been surrounded with a better cast of players like some of the others at the top of the list had.

2 – Patrice Brisebois played many years in Montreal and even after all the “Breezer” hating that went on his place in the history of the Montreal Canadiens must be acknowledged. Even his career started in Montreal at the end of a bright spot (1993 stanley cup) and through countless years of the dark ages that followed. How would Brisebois’s numbers have looked on a stronger team?

All the stats, the goals, assists, +/-… they’re all somewhat reflective of not only the player’s individual talent but also the team he has to play with through the years.

Here’s a couple of questions for you….
1. What do you think about Saku Koivu’s place in the history of the Canadiens?
2. Has anything jumped out at you in these stats?

Check out the “Our History” website, it’s all there!

The first victory Jan 5th 1910

The Montreal Canadiens won their first ever game on January 5th 1910.

The team skated with 7 players.
Jack Laviolette who captained, managed and coached the team.
Didier Pitre, Jos Cattarinich, Newsy Lalonde, Ed Décarie, Arthur Bernier and George Poulin.

The game was won against the Cobalt Silver Kings by a score of 7-6 in front of 3000 fans in the Jubilee Arena.

Although that was the first Montreal Canadiens victory it was not the team’s first official victory as the league had to restart their season.

Remembering Le petit Viking – Mats Naslund

Mats Naslund.

That name brings back childhood memories of watching Canadiens games.

Mats Naslund was a very gifted offensive player. Standing at only 5 foot 7 inches he certainly was not the big power forward like say a Bobby Smith. But what Mats Naslund brought to the table was spectacular.

We were blessed to have him in Montreal for several years. Back in 1985-1986 Mats exploded for 43 goals and 67 assists for a total of 110 points. That was also the year that the Montreal Canadiens won their 23rd Stanley Cup.

Naslund was picked 37th overall in the second round of the 1979 NHL draft by the Montreal Canadiens.

In 1988 Naslund bet out Wayne Gretzky for the Lady Bing trophy and during the all-star game of that same year recorded 5 assists.

Naslund finished his career in Montreal with 612 points in 617 games. A point per game player over 8 years.

Watch him come out of nowhere to score a goal back in the 1980 winter olympics playing for Sweden vs West Germany. He had not yet played in Montreal.

Or who can resist seeing a video of Don Cherry… blasting Mats Naslund and 8 year old kids at the same time.

Without making a direct comparison to Mats Naslund but in the theme of small offensively gifted players we have Brian Gionta. He’s also 5′7. Let’s hope Jacques Martin makes sure he’s got room to play.

Mats Naslund was an awesome player.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mats_Naslund

Anyone have any memories or comments about Mats Naslund? Please feel free to leave your thoughts. I love reading them.

Montreal Canadiens Hall of Fame submissions

Over at canadiens.com they have a new website, devoted to help retracing the 100 year history of the great Montreal Canadiens organization.

If you visit the website, you’ll be greeted by video of Guy Lafleur welcoming you.

They’re looking for people to submit their memorabilia for display.

I have to visit!

http://hall.canadiens.com/

Canadiens History : 1986 finals brawl

Some people want to take fighting out of hockey still today. But I gotta say that we don’t see this kind of thing very often anymore.

Lot’s of fights VS the Calgary Flames in 1986 on the way to their 23rd Stanley Cup.

If you watch the whole thing a former Habs player almost gets it going again… anyone remember John Kordic??