1969: Montreal Canadiens acquired Peter Mahovlich (pictured) and Bart Crashley from the Detroit Red Wings, in exchange for Garry Monahan and Doug Piper.

Monahan, a first-round pick by the Canadiens in 1963, did look like a promising prospect in the minors, but after compiling 7 points in 51 games for Detroit he was sent to the Los Angeles Kings. His best season came with the Vancouver Canucks, where he had 18 goals and 26 assists in 1976-77.

Mahovlich at the time was frustrated with being sent up and down in the Wings system, that he actually considered retiring. 

Canadiens GM Sam Pollock had passed over Mahovlich, in favor of Monohan, and still liked "The Little M's" size and play. He made a deal, throwing in Piper, who had been an offensively gifted defenseman in Junior hockey.  Perhaps Detroit GM Sid Abel was convinced he'd have the next Bobby Orr. Piper never played in the NHL.

After splitting his first season with the Canadiens and the Voyageurs, Mahovlich went on to score 569 points in 582 games, set a team single-season record for assists (82) and is won of only four Canadiens players to record 100 points in a season, doing it twice. He also picked up four Stanley Cup rings.

Also on this day..

1956: After what was credited to a dominating season by the Canadiens power-play, the previous season, the NHL Board of Governors passed a rule allowing a player serving a minor penalty to return to the ice after a goal scored by the opposition. Previously teams kept their power play for the entire two minutes.

1960: Montreal sends Billy Carter to the Boston Bruins for cash.

1967: Andre Boudrias, Bob Charlebois and Bernard Cote are  traded to Minnesota North Stars for a 1st round pick (Chuck Arnason) in 1971. The Canadiens also send Bill Plager and the rights to Leo Thiffault and Barrie Meissner  to Minnesota for Bryan Watson.

1968: Jake Rathwell is traded to Minnesota in a cash deal.

1972: The Habs send Glenn “Chico” Resch, Denis DeJordy, Alex Campbell and future considerations (Germain Gagnon, June 26, 1972)  to the New York Islanders for a 2nd round pick (Glenn Goldup) in 1973 and cash.

Habs Born on This Day: Art Giroux (1908), Jean Hamel (1952), Marko Kiprusoff (1972), Niklas Sundstrom (1975)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

Photo credit: CHC

Patrick Roy winked his way to a Game Four win vs. the Kings in the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. John LeCalir would be the overtime hero in Montreal’s 3-2 win.  (Photo: Getty Images)

1993: It was almost like deja-vu in Game Four of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Canadiens and the Los Angeles Kings. Except this game had no controversial moments, as had the previous two.

The visiting Habs took control early, as they had in the previous match-up at the LA Forum, with Kirk Muller opening the scoring off the draw, at 10:53 of the first period.     Vincent Damphouse would add a power-play goal at 5:24 of the second period.

Then it was the Kings’ turn. Tony Granato would strip Paul DiPietro in the Canadiens zone, and the puck found Mike Donnely, who put it past Patrick Roy, on his second chance, at 6:33. Marty McSorely, the goat of Game Two, would tie it up on the power-play, shooting through a crowd of Montreal defenders, with five seconds remaining in the period.

Roy was outstanding yet again in a scoreless third period, making 15 saves and flashing that unforgettable wink at Tomas Sandstrom. He would make another 10 in over time, where the Kings started out with a 9-1 shot advantage.

Kings goaltender Kelly Hrudey also had a great game, making 36 saves, but the 37th would elude him as John LeClair would be the OT hero yet again at 14:37. On a two-on-one, LeClair’s first shot pulled Hrudey out of position, and the Canadiens winger retrieved the puck off the boards and squeezed between Hrudey and defenceman Darryl Sydor.

LeClair became the first NHL player, since Maurice Richard in 1951, to score overtime goals in back-to-back playoff games. “I don’t think anybody would see me scoring back-to-back overtime goals,” said LeClair, post-game. “It’s incredible.”

“There is no better goaltender in hockey right now,” said Canadiens coach Jacques Demers. “Kelly Hrudey was awful good too. But Patrick Roy, to win two on the road,…he’s the best in the league.”

It would be the 10th consecutive overtime win for the Canadiens in the 1993 Stanley Cup playoffs, something still to be matched and may never be seen again. “We believe at this time right now, without being cocky and being modest, that we can win (any overtime game.” Demers said.

Francis Bouchard again provides us again with some YouTube links with footage from the game.

The second clip features commentary from Muller, Demers, Roy, Mathieu Schneider and Mike Keane, who discuss Roy’s promise to his teammates during the second intermission that he wasn’t letting in any more goals that night.

Also on this day…

1940: Frank Eddolls rights are traded to Toronto Maple Leafs for the rights to Joe Benoit.

1960: Montreal sends Ab McDonald, Reggie Fleming, Bob Courcy and Cec Hoekstra traded to the Chicago Black Hawks for Glen Skov, Terry Gray, Bob Bailey, Lorne Ferguson and the rights to Danny Lewicki.

Montreal also deals Guy Rousseau to the Toronto Maple Leafs for cash, and obtain Al McNeil for Toronto for Stan Smrke.

1965: Jacques Plante announced his retirement after starring in the NHL for 12 seasons with Montreal and the New York Rangers. But he would "un-retire" three years later and return to play five more seasons.

1972: Jean Beliveau and Bernie Geoffrion are announced as two of the newest members in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Habs send Ted Tucker and a 5th round pick (Jean-Paul Martin) in 1972 to the Atlanta Flames for a 5th round pick (Bill Nyrop) in 1972 and cash.

1977: Joseph Cattarinch is added to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builder’s category.

1983: Ken Dryden is added to the HHOF.

Habs Born on This Day: Louis “Lulu” Denis (1928), Stephane Richer (1966)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.com

Milwaukee Journal, June 7, 1993, “Montreal leaves Kings with no arguments”

1954: The Canadiens deal Dick Gamble and the rights to Eddie Dorohoy traded to New York Rangers for Hy Buller. Montreal held the right of recall if Dorohoy failed to make the New York Rangers roster. The deal was nullified in September, when Buller retired.

1955: Hector "Toe" Blake was named coach of the Montreal Canadiens. He replaced Dick Irvin, who had coached the team for 15 seasons.

1965: The Canadiens obtained Noel Price, Earl Ingarfield, Gord Labossiere and Dave McComb from the New York Rangers, in exchange for Cesare Maniago and Garry Peters.

Montreal also trade Bryan Watson to the Chicago Black Hawks for Don Johns. They also acquire Larry Zeidel from the Seattle Totems (WHL) in a cash deal. Zeidel is sent tothe Cleveland Barons for cash the following day.

1971: Claude Provost is traded to the Los Angeles Kings, in a cash deal.

1972: Montreal sends Ron Busniuk to the Buffalo Sabres for cash.

Habs Born on This Day: Johnny Gagnon (1905), Mike Cammalleri (1982)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

1993: For the 24th time in the 100 year history of the Stanley Cup, Montreal Canadiens would have their names engraved on it yet again.

After a playoff run that saw an unmatched 10 consecutive wins in overtime, including a three in the Finals, the Canadiens coasted to a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth, and deciding game. And what better a place to see a Cup raised then at the Montreal Forum, with Habs legends such as Henri and Maurice Richard in attendance as well.

Paul Dipetro scored the opening goal at 15:10 of the first period, after John LeClair flattened Kings’ defenceman Tim Watters, enabling Gary Leeman to find the loose puck. “We did not want to to go back to LA.,” said LeClair. “and when you have a chance to walk away with the Stanley Cup, you better do it.”

It could have jumped to a two-goal lead straight away, if not for Kelly Hrudey’s stop of a Vincent Damphousse breakaway.

Marty McSorely provided Los Angeles’ only offence, at 2:40 of the second period, when his shot went off both posts and past Patrick Roy.

But a minute and eleven seconds later, Kirk Muller provided the game-winner. With Muller sitting in front of the goal, Vincent Damphousse passed the puck to his winger, after seeing a wrap around attempt was not going to work. “For a young team, we played our best hockey at the right time,” Muller said. “It’s a great feeling."

“That goal killed us,” said Kings’ coach Barry Melrose. “Fatigue really caught up to us tonight. They are a great time with a lead. With Patrick Roy, and a one or two-goal lead, they are very hard to catch.”

On the power-play, Stephan Lebeau’s insurance marker at 11:31 of the second period, on a nifty drop pass by Mike Keane, put the game and the Kings Cup hopes officially out of reach. Kings goalie Hrudey did all he could to keep his team alive with a 25-save performance, but a second goal from DiPietro, at 12:03 of the third period, made it official.

Montreal’s defense gave their goaltender an easier night, with Roy only needing to make 18 saves on just 19 shots, spread evenly over the game. Kings’ forwards Wayne Gretzky, Tomas Sandstrom and Jari Kurri,  who had been instrumental in the Los Angeles playoff run, failed to register a single shot.

Too no surprise, “St .Patrick” was presented with the Conn Smythe Trophy, his second with the Canadiens. “He’s the best goalie in the league,” said Paul DiPietro, after the game.”He deserves whatever he gets. He put a ring on my finger.”

Eight years to the day, Patrick Roy would win his fourth Stanley Cup, and third Conn Smythe Trophy, this time with the Colorado Avalanche.

At the Cup presentation, Guy Carbonneau accepted the Cup from Commissioner Gary Bettman and practically passed it into the hands of the injured Denis Savard to raise first. The Forum crowd cheered as the team took turns carrying the Cup.

After the game, Kirk Muller, who had been drafted into the NHL nine years to the day prior by the New Jersey Devils, may have summed things up best. “It’s a team game, and I think Montreal proved that.” he said. “If you get 25 guys doing it together and paying the price, it’s hard to beat you.

“No one thinks we have any superstars on this club. But that’s OK. We won a championship.”

As always, Francis Bouchard put together some YouTube compilations. The features the highlights from HNIC and some post-game commentary. The second from NHL’s Classic Series shows some pre-game activity and comments from Matheiu Schneider,

Also on this day..

1959: Montreal sends Murray Balfour to the Chicago Black Hawks for cash.

1965: Bernie Geoffrion is claimed off waivers from the Canadiens by the NEw York Rangers.

1970: Montreal trades Norm Beaudin to the Minnesota North Stars for cash.

1971: Jean Beliveau announces his retirement from hockey, officially taking the title of Vice-President of corporate affairs.

1984: At the 1984 NHL Draft, The Canadiens trade goaltender Rick Wamsley, two second round and a third round pick to St. Louis, in exchange for the Blues' first 2 picks in the 1984.

The Blues selected Brian Benning, Tony Hrkac and Robert Dirk. The Canadiens chose Shayne Corson (8th) and Stephane Richer (29th). Montreal used their fifth overall pick at the Draft to select Petr Svoboda.

Habs Born on This Day: Andre Racicot (1969)

Sources:

www.canadiens.com

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 10, 1993, “It’s Hab-itual, Canadiens top Kings, 4-1, win 24th Cup”

AP, June 7, 1993 “Canadiens Claim Stanley Cup”

Photos: Getty Images

1971: The Canadiens dominance of the seventies begins to take shape as Scotty Bowman is announced as the 13th head coach in the history of the Montreal Canadiens.

The story is that Canadiens GM Sam Pollock had approached Bowman during Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final. Bowman, in a dispute with ownership, had parted ways with the St. Louis Blues. Having worked with Bowman the Canadiens organisation before, Pollock offered him an undetermined position. After mulling over offers from four other NHL clubs, including the Oakland Seals, Bowman made a call to Pollock.

“You’re hired,” Pollock told him ten days before the June 10, draft. “But I don’t know yet just what job I can give you.”

The only thing was for Pollock to decide what to do with current coach Al MacNeil who despite winning the Cup that season, had fallen out of favour with the media and many players, notably captain Henri Richard.

Pollock gave MacNeil the offer to step down as head coach and take over operations of the Nova Scotia Voyageurs (AHL). MacNeil accepted. “I’m not so naive to think leaving as coach of the Canadiens is not a big decision,” MacNeil said. “It was one of the most demanding positions in hockey. It has been a hectic – and exciting year – and I got a breat deal odf personal satisfaction from it.”

There was no formal interview, and Bowman didn’t even meet team owner David Molson until after the press conference. The choice also met approval from the Canadiens captain as well. “He proved himself in St. Louis,” said Richard “They say Scotty is something like Toe Blake in his approach. Yeah, a hard line. But we’ll just wait and see.”

For the organisation, it couldn’t have been a better combination. With Pollock’s shrewd dealing and drafting, MacNeil’s grooming of talent in the AHL, that led to three Calder Cups in the seventies, and Bowman behind the bench, the managerial formula to the next Habs dynasty was in place.

One the same day they added the most important piece of the puzzle on the ice, selecting Guy Lafleur first overall in the NHL Amateur Draft. “When I watch him, I keep thinking back to when (Bobby) Orr played junior,” said Sam Pollock at the draft.

“I was very happy to be chosen by the Canadiens,” Lafleur said at the draft. “I was a bit nervous before the draft because of all the publicity.”

The Canadiens the chose Chuck Arnason (7th), Murray Wilson (11th) and Larry Robinson (20th) in the draft. Arnason never fell into the Canadiens plans, dealt midway into the 1972-73 season. Wilson would be a realiabel secondary scorer for the Canadiens, until back injuries slowed him down, and Robinson would go on to have a Hall of Fame Career.

Also on this day..

1964: Dickie Moore is selected from the Canadiens, by the Toronto Maple Leafs, in the Intra-League Draft.

1968: The Canadiens trade Danny Grant and Claude Larose from to the Minnesota North Stars, in exchange for a 1st choice in the 1972 Entry Draft (Dave Gardner) and future considerations (Marshall Johnston).

1970: Former Canadiens defenseman Tom Johnson is announce as one of the newest members into the Hocky Hall of Fame.

The Canadiens acquire Bill Collins from the Minnesota North Stars to complete trade that sent Jude Drouin to Minnesota (May 22, 1970). Montreal also sends Bobby Rousseau and a 2nd round pick to Minnesota for Claude Larose and a 1st round pick (Chuck Lefley) in 1970.

Habs Born on This Day: Billy Bell (1891), Leo Gravelle (1925)

Sources:

www.canadiens.com

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

AP, June 11, 1971, “Scotty Bowman Replaces MacNeil”

AP, June 11, 1971, “Montreal Canadiens draft high-scoring Guy Lafleur”

CP. June 11, 1971, “Coach, future star to Habs on same day”

Montreal Gazette, June 11, 1971, “Svoboda didn’t get the job but – surprise – Scotty did”

Photo: CHC

1953: The Montreal Canadiens trade George McAvoy and cash to the Providence Reds (AHL) for goaltender Bob Perreault.

1963: The Canadiens trade Ralph Keller and loan Chuck Hamilton to the Hershey Bears (AHL) for Marc Reaume.

1964: In the second NHL Amateur draft held in Montreal, 24 players were chosen. In the third round (#14 overall) the Boston Bruins selected 16-year-old Ken Dryden, a Junior B goaltender playing in Toronto.  The Bruins later traded the prospect to the Canadiens.

1968: The Canadiens send Gerry Desjardins to the Los Angeles Kings for a 1st round pick in 1969 which was later traded to Minnesota (Dick Redmond), and a 1st round pick (Steve Shutt) in 1972.

1969: In the annual NHL Interleague Draft, the Chicago Black Hawks claimed rookie goalie Tony Esposito from the Montreal Canadiens, for $25,000. On the same day, The Habs also acquired Chuck Hamilton from the Detroit Red Wings, and sent Ted Ouimet to the St. Louis Blues, in cash deals.

1980: In the NHL Entry draft held in Montreal, the Canadiens used the #1 pick overall to select Doug Wickenheiser.

1992: The Canadiens named Jacques Demers as their new head coach, replacing Pat Burns, who had resigned on May 29. Demers became the 22nd head coach in the franchise’s history.

Habs Born on This Day: Bryan Fogarty (1969)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

2013: Though leaked to the media two days prior, the NHL officially announces that P.K. Subban is the winner of the James Norris Trophy, as League’s outstanding defenceman.

Subban is the sixth defenceman in the history of the Canadiens to win the trophy, and the first since Chris Chelios in 1989. Doug Harvey, Tom Johnson, Jacques Laperriere and Larry Robinson are the other four previous winners with Montreal.

At the age of  24 years and 30 days, he is the youngest Canadiens player to with the award, edging out 1966 winner Laperriere by several few months. Subban is also the first Habs player to have won the Norris before winning a Stanley Cup in his career.

Also on this day…

1968: The Montreal Canadiens trade Wally Boyer to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenceman and future coach Al MacNeil.

1969: In the NHL Amateur draft held in Montreal, the Montreal Canadiens used the first overall pick to select Rejean Houle.

The Canadiens then send cash to the Los Angeles Kings for a 6th Round pick (Guy Delparte) and a 7th Round pick (Ian Wilkie) in the 1969 Draft. The also send cash the Pittsburgh Penguins for an 8th round pick (Frank Hamill).

Montreal also sends Jean-Guy Gendron to the Philadelphia Flyers for a 7th round pick (Dale Power) in the draft.

1976: The Canadiens deal Glenn Goldup and a 3rd round pick in 1978 which was later traded to Detroit (derek Derkson), to the Los Angeles Kings for a 3rd round pick (Moe Robinson) in 1977 and a 1st round pick (Danny Geoffrion) in 1978.

1979: The Hockey Hall of Fame announces that Henri Richard will become one of it’s newest members.

Habs Born on This Day: Paul Ronty (1928), Marc Tardif (1949), Mark Holden (1957), Mathieu Schneider (1969)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

Certainly a Hall of Fame day for many Canadiens alumni, as several were announced as members of the hallowed hall on this day, over the years.

In 1961, George Hainsworth, Joe Hall and Maurice Richard were among the nine members inducted into the class. The NHL’s selection committee deviated from what was then a five-year waiting period, and selected “The Rocket,” who retired in the fall of 1960.

Five years to the day, the rest of the “Punch Line” joined Richard as Toe Blake and Elmer Lach were announced as new inductees, along with defensemen Ken Reardon and Butch Bouchard.

On June 13, 1974, Dickie Moore, arguably the greatest left winger in franchise history joined the elite.

In 1988, Guy Lafleur was announced as a new member, shortly before he would come out of retirement. He was joined by Tony Esposito and Buddy O’Connor.

Also on this day…

1961: The Canadiens traded Doug Harvey to New York Rangers for Lou Fontinato. They also send Albert "Junior" Langlois to New York for John Hanna.

1966: Montreal trades Red Berenson to the New York Rangers, in exchange for Garry Peters and minor leaguer Ted Taylor.

1979: The Habs send Dave Lumley and Dan Newman to the Edmonton Oilers for a 2nd round pick (Ric Nattress) in 1980.

1984: Montreal traded Perry Turnbull to the Winnipeg Jets for Perry Turnbull.

1987: Montreal trades David Maley to New Jersey in exchange for New Jersey's 3rd round pick in 1987. The Canadiens later used the pick to select Mathieu Schneider 44th overall.

In the same draft on that day Montreal took notables Andrew Cassels (17th overall), John LeClair (33rd), Eric Desjardins (38th) and Ed Ronan (227th)

Habs Born on This Day: Valeri Bure (1974)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

1967: The Canadiens trade Danny O'Shea to the Minnesota North Stars for a 1st round pick in 1970 and a 1st round pick in 1972. Both picks were returned to Minnesota prior to the 1970. It's believed to have been part of an arrangement with Minnesota so Montreal could claim two "cultural picks" (Rejean Houle and Marc Tardif) in the 1969 draft.

The Canadiens later reacquired the 1970 pick from Minnesota.

1971: Montreal sends Bill McCreary to the St. Louis Blues for Claude Cardin and Phil Obendorf. The Canadiens also send Ron Atwell (obtained for cash that day from the Cleveland Barons) to the Blues for Pat Quinn.

GM Sam Pollock also sends Carl Wetzel and the rights to Bill Masterton to the Minnesota North Stars for cash.

1977: The Canadiens select Mark Napier 10th overall in the NHL amateur draft. The New York Islanders took Montreal native Mike Bossy 15th. The Canadiens did find a future hall of fame player though, taking Rod Langway 33rd overall.

Habs Born on This Day: Eric Desjardins (1969), Steve Begin (1978)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

1966: New York Rangers obtained Al MacNeil from Montreal, in the annual NHL Intra-League Draft, shortly after the Canadiens had grabbed MacNeil from the Chicago Black Hawks in the same Draft.

1978: The Canadiens select Danny Geoffrion 8th overall at the NHL Entry Draft. The third generation player did not lead up to expectations. Dave Hunter was selected 17th. Hunter had already signed a deal with the WHA’s Edmonton Oilers and would be returned to the Oilers in the 1979 Reclaim Draft as an agreement that the Oilers did not take certain Montreal players, including Rod Langway in the Expansion Draft.

Keith Acton was selected 103rd. Acton would be traded to the Minnesota North Stars in a package deal in 1983 for Bobby Smith, who happened to be the first overall pick in 1978. The second pick in 1978 was Ryan Walter (Washington), who also later found himself in Montreal.

Later in the draft Soviet star and later NHLer Viacheslav Fetisov was selected 201st and Chris Nilan would be selected 231st overall.

1985: Mark Hunter, Michael Dark, a 2nd round pick (Herb Raglan), a 3rd round  pick (Nelson Emerson) , a 5th round pick (Dan Brooks) and a 6th round pick (Rich Burchill) in 1985 are traded to the St. Louis Blues for a 1st round pick (Jose Charbonneau) , a 2nd round pick (Todd Richards), a 4th round pick (Martin Desjardins), a 5th round pick (Tom Sagissor) and a 6th round pick (Donald Dufresne) in 1985.

Montreal also took Tom Chorske (16th) and Brent Gilchrist (79th). The last pick the Canadiens had was for John Ferguson, Jr., son of the Habs legendary enforcer.

1987: Jacques Laperriere is among the newest members added to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

1990: Montreal trades Rick Green to the Detroit Red Wings for a 5th round pick (Brad Layzell) in 1991.

2000: Denis Savard is added to the roster of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

2001: The Canadiens acquired the rights to Joe Juneau from the Phoenix Coyotes, in exchange for future considerations, and signed the veteran left wing to a three-year contract.

Habs Born on This Day: Jesse Belanger (1969)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

1972: Montreal sends Rey Comeau and Lynn Powis to the Atlanta Flames for a 2nd round pick (Eric Vail) and cash.

2007: The Canadiens trade Sergei Samsonov to the Chicago Blackhawks for Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen.

Habs Born on This Day: Dainius Zubrus (1978)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

1975: The Canadiens trade Wayne Thomas to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 1st round pick (Peter Lee) in 1976.

1989: The Canadiens select defenseman Patrice Brisebois 30th overall at the NHL Entry Draft. Andre Racicot was chosen 83rd.

2010: Montreal sends goaltender Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues for Lars Eller and Ian Schultz.

Habs Born on This Day: Fred Doherty (1919), Stephane Fiset (1970)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

The sudden "retirement" of Ilya Kovalchuk to the KHL caught many off guard this past week, despite the fact it appears the Devils’ winger had made his plans awware to the organization months ahead.

Of course this is not the first time a player has left the NHL for another league, for one reason or another. It has happened many times in the seventies, when money lured players to the WHA, and more recently as Russian players return home to play in the KHL. Kovalchuk just adds to the list.

The Montreal Canadiens had a surprising retirement of their own, in the off-season of 1979, as the seventies dynasty began to dismantle.

Fresh off their 22nd Stanley Cup title, the Habs would see lot of moves in their organization. General Manager Sam Pollock had stepped down a season prior, with Irving Grundman named his successor. That was a trigger that would see coach Scotty Bowman, who felt jilted out of the GM job, leave for the Buffalo Sabres in the summer of ‘79. Al MacNeil, who stepped aside for Bowman and built up the farm team in Halifax, also left to take the head coach position with the Atlanta Flames.

On the ice, two players appeared certain for retirement. Back injuries had taken their toll on veteran Yvan Cournoyer, who missed most of the 1978-79 season. He came back for training camp but after a pair of exhibition games, the Road Runner decided it was time to hang up the skates.

Goaltender Ken Dryden was also certain to be retiring, as there had been well much speculation that he wished to pursue a law career. As described in his book "The Game," Dryden told the Canadiens it would be his last season as he pursued a legal career. Despite an offer by the team to remain as as a part-time goalie, Dryden and the team made it official on July 9, 1979.

But the surprising retirement announcement came from centre Jacques Lemaire. At age 33, and a dozen NHL seasons under his belt. Lemaire announced on June 15, 1979 that he was leaving for Switzerland to become a player coach with a Swiss B-Division team in Sierre. Lemaire had 55 points in 50 games in 1978-79 and had a career high in points (97) the season prior, so the decision came as quite a surprise to many.

At the time he was making $150,000 as season with the Canadiens, and was entering his option year with the club. The Swiss club's deal (three years) was for $75,000 per season, with a car, rent-free house and domestic aid provided.

Lemaire had been in talks with the Swiss club for some time and had just visited two weeks before his announcement. The Canadiens had reportedly been prepared to offer a new three-year deal, worth $225,000 a season, but for Lemaire it was more than just playing that he was thinking of.

"I want to continue in hockey after my playing days are over," Lemaire said at his announcement. "I think that this will give me some experience in coaching and managing." He also felt the experience of being able to live and travel in Europe would benefit his family, allowing them to experience life outside of North America.

The only concern that stood in the way was Lemaire's existing contract with the Canadiens.  At the time International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) members in Europe had to honor NHL contracts, meaning a player under an existing NHL contract could not play for a European club. According to Lemaire's agent at the time, Switzerland was exempt from the agreement. Lemaire also stated that he had the support of the NHLPA when he made his decision.

Irving Grundman spoke to Lemaire on the situation the day before and did advise him that he would review his NHL contract with the league. The Canadiens GM also told Lemaire that there would always be a place for him in Montreal, if he wished to come back. There would be no issue with the NHL and Lemaire played in two seasons with Sierre.

Lemaire's decision would be summed up in Dick Irvin's book, "The Habs."

"I still wanted to play.  But I never took chances in my life,"  Lemaire said later. "I was always very conservative and never did anything crazy. 

"I had an offer from Europe. It came at the right time. I told myself that I was getting older, so why not take advantage of something that would help me enjoy life, take the kids overseas and go skiing with them. My wife had always been very close to her family, not the kind of life she had to lead when I was a hockey player. Now we could be together a lot more, so I went overseas to Sierrre.

“When I made the decision I felt I had done the right thing. I had no regrets.”

The Canadiens, even though Grundman had been let go, were true to their word. With former teammate Serge Savard as the club’s GM, Lemaire returned to the organization to start the 1983-84 season as an assistant coach and would be head coach by the time the season ended. He would coach one full season in Montreal before moving on to New Jersey and Minnesota.

Sources:

Montreal Gazette, June 17, 1979, "Lemaire joining Canadiens exodus"

Dick Irvin , "The Habs: An Oral History of the Montreal Canadiens"

Jack Dempsey, Ty Cobb, Harold "Red" Grange, Jesse Owens, Maurice Richard, Don Budge and Bobby Jones (seated) are honoured by New York’s B’nai Brith in 1960. (Photo: United Press)

Maurice “Rocket” Richard has a multitude of accolades bestowed upon him from the NHL and his home province of Quebec and home country of Canada. The legendary Richard was also noted in the United States, on several occasions by an assortment of outlets.

My good friend Francis Bouchard, an avid collector of video footage, and seeker of all things Habs history related, came across a few of these tributes to share.  When Richard received these awards, he was certainly in good company, with other notables of the major league sports.

And now for a really good shew…

Before it became “The Ed Sullivan Show,” the man for which the show would later be named hosted “Toast of the Town.”

On August 14, 1955, and just months after the infamous riot and his suspension, Richard joined a multitude of sports celebrities on the program to acknowledge the first anniversary of Sports Illustrated. Track stars Bob Richards  and Arnold Sowell, basketball  legend Bob Cousy, jockey Willie Shoemaker, golfer Ben Hogan, boxing great Joe Louis and baseball legend Ted Williams were among those who appeared on stage.

If you haven’t read it before, I strongly suggest reading SI’s piece on the Rocket from December of 1954.

A brief clip of Richard’s appearance is seen below as well as the letter that the Canadiens sent to him, asking that he would appear on the program.

Maurice Richard appears on Ed Sullivan’s “Toast of the Town” in 1955.

In his last season of pro hockey, Richard was presented with a plaque as “Hockey’s Man of the Age,” by New York’s B’nai B’rith Sports Lodge. Other honourees included Jack Dempsey (boxing), Ty Cobb (MLB), Bobby Jones (golf), Jesse Owens (track), Red Grange (football), Don Budge (tennis) and Bob Cousy (NBA).

The plaque was auctioned off by Richard’s estate through Leland’s in May of 2003, fetching a realized price of over $1200.

It’s interesting that the plaque is dated January 24, as the Canadiens were in Chicago that night, playing in New York three nights later. We’ll have to dig further to see if the ceremony was delayed or if Richard was injured and given the OK to travel ahead. The Canadiens star does not appear on the score sheets over a span of four games around this time.

Following his retirement, Richard made frequent banquet stops and numerous other appearances, acting as a goodwill ambassador for the Canadiens. In a Montreal Gazette interview from January of 1961, he described his frequent appearances across North America as “the toughest league he ever played in.” 

He had just returned the previous evening from a B’Nai B’rith event in Boston, where the Rocket reportedly stood up  and said, “I’m happy to be back in Boston. I came here regularly in my 18 years as a player. We beat the Bruins eight or nine times in the playoffs.  We always won. Guess that’s why I like it here so much.”

Richard was recognized in 1961 as Athlete of the Decade in hockey by the S. Rae Hickok Co. in New York. Warren Spahn (MLB), Willie Mays (MLB) and Bob Cousy were also in attendance to receive awards.

Dennis Kane, another collector of Habs memorabilia and tidbits also dug up a photo of Richard getting a golf pointer from Arnold Palmer, who was also on hand.

The belt making company (hence why the award looks like a belt) also gave an annual award for the Professional Athlete of the Year from 1950 to 1976 (The “Hickok Belt” was resurrected in 2012, awarded on a monthly/annual basis.)

A pro hockey player was never acknowledged for the annual or modern monthly award, often overshadowed by the other big sports in the USA. To see Richard acknowledged in this company at that time where the NHL had only six teams is certainly high praise to close out his career.

Ken Dryden, seen here in pre-season action in 1970, turns 66 today (Photo: AP)

Birthday greetings to Canadiens Hall of Fame goaltender  Ken Dryden, born on this day in 1947.

Below are some links to some articles on the Habs No. 29, including some writings of his own. And if you haven’t read his books The Game or Home Game,you really should.

Dryden’s first regular season NHL game (Dryden did see some pre-season action in Sept/Oct 1970).

Dryden Family Greeting Cards

Francis Bouchard’s Birthday Tribute (2010)

Dryden on…

Playing in Boston

Sibling Rivalries

Returning to Russia for the Summit Series Reunion

Hockey Violence

Red Fisher

(photo: CHC)

August 19, 1994 would see the second instalment of the dealings of Habs leadership that spanned for a decade.  In total, ten players would wear the “C” in Montreal from 1989 to 1999.

With the retirement of Bob Gainey in 1989, the Canadiens players split the vote and elected Chris Chelios and Guy Carbonneau as co-captains for the 1989-90 season. The intent (apparently decided by the pair) would be that they would alternate wearing the revered honor during home and away games.

By the start of the 1990-91 season, Carbonneau was the lone captain in Montreal. The organization, tired of the off-ice antics of Chelios, dealt the Norris winning defenceman to the Chicago Blackhawks on June 29, 1990. GM Serge Savard attempted to mask the deal, fuelled by team President Ronald Corey, stating that he felt Chelios' knees were still questionable in the long run. Chelios retired 20 years after Savard’s comment.

Carbonneau would lead the Canadiens to their 24th Stanley Cup in 1993, but he too was no saint himself at times both by self admission and through the eyes of Ronald Corey. A year following the franchise’s last Stanley Cup, he too was on his way out.

Unlike Chelios, Carbonneau had perhaps a better understanding of the leadership role in Montreal. On a pair of occasions he found himself threatened to be benched by coach Pat Burns, a coach he always praised for bringing discipline to the team.

The first came in Burns’ first season behind the bench. Carbonneau, known for his defensive prowess, was being encouraged to be more involved in the offensive end. It was either be more offensive, or ride the pine in Burns’ view, truly a gamble to say in the language divided city of Montreal. It was a gamble that paid off. Carbonneau missed only one game all season ad had a career high in goals (26) with 10 of them being game winners.

The following season, Carbonneau did serve a one-game “suspension” after he and Craig Ludvig snuck off to a bar, following a 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins. “Even If I’m captain, the rules are there for everybody,” Carbonneau said.

The Habs’ captain was one never afraid to voice his own opinions on matters, something that Ronald Corey frowned upon, always visioning the captaincy to pattern after the incomparable Jean Beliveau. Corey tolerated his captain’s comments, but in the summer of 1994 it came to a grinding halt on a golf course.

Three days following the Canadiens elimination from the playoffs, at the hands of the Boston Bruins, Carbonneau, Patrick Roy and Vincent Damphousse spent the day at a local golf course. Normand Pichette, a camera carrying member of Le Journal de Montreal, got a tip that the trio would be there and tagged along from a distance, hoping for a few quotes along the fairways.

The story has a bit of a “he said, he said,” scenario but comes across that the three Canadiens players really wanted a bit of off-season privacy. Carbonneau claims that Pichette accepted the players’ requests not to comment on the season, and even enjoyed some non-hockey conversation and a few jokes.

Perhaps the joking got out of hand as the following day, Pichette’s photo pf Carbonnea flipping the bird made Le Journal’s cover, sparking controversy and a potential PR disaster for Corey. The article claimed that Pichette had been threatened by the players, quite the opposite to Carbonneau’s statements. The Canadiens captain did apologize and assured that his act was not directed at fans. Carbonneau joked that he was merely testing the wind.

To Corey it was no joke and Canadiens Savard announced that the matter would be “handled internally.”

A couple months later, while Carbonneau, who was in his option year on his contract and  representing the Canadiens’ players in negotiations with the NHL, Corey pulled his strings and Savard dealt his captain to the St. Louis Blues for a 25-year-old center named Jim Montgomery.

Savard again covered Corey’s wishes, citing that Carbonneau’s “We’re No. 1” gesture was unrelated and that it came down to contract negotiations and that the 34-year-old had undergone surgery to both knees in his career. Savard just wanted to get value for the three-time Selke Trophy winner while he could and saw hidden potential in Montgomery.

“It’s like buying stock at $4,” Savard said. “You think it will go up to eight in a year’s time. Montgomery’s got a chance to become a good third or second-line player.”

Unfortunately for Savard, nobody bought into it. Succeeding Canadiens captain Mike Keane said, “It was a big mistake.” Journalist Jack Todd called the deal, “a full-scale header off the diving board into an empty pool,” and La Presse’s Rejean Tremblay wrote, “Bullshit! Carbo wasn’t a superstar, but he was the real thing. Tough stubborn, proud and capable of speaking his mind.”

Carbonneau, shocked by the deal, had hoped to remain with the club at least until they moved fro the Montreal Forum in 1996.

Montgomery, who said was flattered by the trade, saw his stock drop faster than Nortel or Briex. He would play five games for Montreal in the abbreviated 48-game season, before being claimed on waivers by the Philadelphia Flyers. Having played 67 games for St. Louis in 1993-94 (20 points), Montgomery played just 55 more NHL games over eight years, picking up 14 points.

Guy Carbonneau, and his two surgically repaired knees, played effectively in his defensive role for one season in St. Louis and another five with the Dallas Stars, winning this third Stanley Cup in 1999.

The St. Louis/Montreal deal comes full circle: The dealing of Guy Carbonneau to St. Louis completed some trade circles that date back to 1971. In December of that year, forward Phil Roberto was dealt to St. Louis for winger Jim Roberts, who had been with the Habs prior.

Roberts was then dealt back to St. Louis, following the 1976-77 season for a third round pick in the 1979 NHL Amateur Draft. Canadiens GM Irving Grundman smartly used the 44th pick to select Guy Carbonneau.

Also on This Day…

1986: The Montreal Canadiens obtained goaltender Brian Hayward from the Winnipeg Jets, in exchange for goalie Steve Penney.

Sources:

DiManno, Rosie. Coach: The Pat Burns Story

Janish, D’arcy. The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years of Glory

Lefebvre, Robert.: Tales from the Montreal Canadiens Locker Room

www.canadiens.com

www.habseyesontheprize.com

www.sihrhockey.org

Maurice Richard shares a laugh with fellow inductee referee Mickey Ion, at the 1961 Hockey Hall of Fame Dinner (Photo: Montreal Gazette, August 29, 1961).

The Hall Opens it’s Doors

The Hockey Hall of Fame opened it’s official home at Toronto’s CNE grounds on this day in 1961.

The permanent home to honour hockey’s legends and showcase memorabilia was funded by all six NHL clubs, averaging a donation of approximately $100,000 each. The construction of a new hall of fame had been planned fro some time, with debate as to Toronto or Kingston should be the location.

Kingston was already the home of the International Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum, and seemed a likely choice to continue the tradition with an upgraded buiding. But in 1958, Clarence Campbell withdrew the NHL’s involvement with the Kingston facility and decided on a new hall in Toronto.

Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and Livingston T. Merchant, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, were both on hand for the opening. “There is nothing greater than hockey to bring about national unity and a closer relationship between the United States and Canada,” Diefenbaker said during the festivities.

Diefenbaker, who also once said “sport plays an important role in the struggle for the hearts and minds of men,“ also used the Hall opening as an opportunity to announce that the Canadian government would propose grants totalling $5 million towards the development of amateur sports in Canada (Bill C-131). “We are certainly behind a program that would help amateur hockey,” NHL president Clarence Campbell said on the announcement.

The majority of the 43 living members of the HHOF, including the Canadiens Aurele Joliat made the trip to Toronto for the opening, as visitors roamed through the chapel-like hall interior.

George Armstong of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Canadiens Jean Beliveau were also on hand as representatives of their respective clubs.

The HHOF also had it’s first induction dinner, honouring it’s newest members, Syl Apps, Charlie Conacher, Hap Day, Milt Schmidt, Percy LeSueur,and Oliver Seibert joined former Canadiens George Hainsworth, Joe Hall and Maurice Richard were the newest members to hockey’s hallowed hall.

Also on This Day:

1938: Joffre Desilets is  traded to the Chicago Black Hawks for Lou Trudel

1985: The Canadiens trade Ron Flockhart traded to the St. Louis Blues for Perry Ganchar

Sources:

Donald Macintosh, Tom Bedecki, C.E.S. Franks,  Sport and Politics in Canada: Federal Government Involvement Since 1961

Montreal Gazette, August 28, 1961, “Diefenbaker Annoounces $5,000,000 Amateur Sport Grant”

Ottawa Citizen, August 28, 1961, “Ottawa Hockey ‘Greats’ Invited to Hall Opening”

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

Toe Blake (right) accepts his HHOF plaque from Conn Smythe, August 27, 1966. (Photo: Canadian Press)

The 1966 Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony was certainly a big night for the Montreal Canadiens.  Defensemen Ken Reardon and Emile “Butch” Bouchard, along with forwards Elmer Lach and Hector “Toe Blake” were among the nine players formally inducted that night. League president Clarence Campbell was inducted in the builders category.

Ted Lindsay, who played for Detroit and Chicago, boycotted the ceremony, as players were not allowed to bring their wives and family. “If my family can’t share in this, I won’t go,” Lindsay said. “They sacrificed a lot through my career and went through a lot of inconvenience. They deserve it as much as I do.”

Four years to the day later, Canadiens defenseman Tom Johnson joined hockey’s elite.

Also on This Day:

1968: The Habs send Jim Mikol and Bill Staub to the Cleveland Barons (AHL) for Howie Glover.

1992: The Canadiens trade Shayne Corson, Brent Gilchrist and Vladimir Vujtek to the Edmonton Oilers for Vincent Damphousse and a 4th round pick #85 (Adam Wiesel) in 1993.

Habs Born on This Day:

Jack Laviolette (1879), Amby Moran (1896), Aaron Downey (1974)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

The Montreal Gazette, August 29, 1966, “Ten Enter Hockey Hall of Fame”

2003: Former Canadiens captain Kirk Muller announced his retirement as a player. Muller played 1349 regular season games in the NHL. 267 came with the Canadiens,  where he scored 104 goals and 143 assists, winning a Stanley Cup with the Habs in 1993.

Habs Born on This Day: Red Goupille (1915), Stan Smrke – the first Yugoslavian-born NHLer(1928), Glen Sather (1943), Mario Tremblay (1956), Jay Leach (1979)

Sources:

www.canadiens.com

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org

Habs Born on This Day: Wildor Larochelle (1905), Jacques Deslauriers (1928), Gerry Brisson (1937), Cristobal Huet (1975)

Sources:

www.hhof.com

www.sihrhockey.org