Skating Through History: Celebrating the Montreal Canadiens' Championship Legacy

 

Image Curtesy: Hockey Hall of Fame

 

In professional hockey, only a few teams have managed to gain the level of popularity  & success of the Montreal Canadiens. Affectionately nicknamed "Les Habitants" (The Habitants), or simply “Habs”, the legacy of this team dates back to 1909, which makes it one of the oldest and continuously operating professional hockey franchises in the world. The team has many accolades to its credit, such as being the only hockey team to predate the NHL. This franchise was a part of the “Original Six” teams that formed NHL in 1942, and also the one with the greatest number of Hall of Fame inductees. In addition to this, there are several more records that largely remain unchallenged to this date. When we discuss the team, we also need to remember some great players who donned red, white, and blue jerseys and have been part of this legacy. From humble beginnings to unparalleled success, let's embark on a journey through the storied past of this iconic franchise, and also remember some of its legendary players.

 

 

Legacy of Victory

 

Montreal Canadiens, along with Toronto Argonauts, is one of the oldest North American sports franchises and the team with most victories to its credit. The following are some unbreakable records set by the team over the years.

• Montreal Canadiens are referred to as “Kings of the Stanley Cup” because they have lifted this trophy 24 times. As of 2024, the team last won the title in the 1992-93 season.
• The Canadiens are credited with most consecutive Stanley Cup Championships between 1956 and 1960.
• Canadiens’ legend Henri Richard is credited for lifting the Stanley Cup 11 times between 1956 and 1973 followed by Jean Beliveau who lifted it 10 times as a player.
• Canadiens are credited for the fastest goal in the history of the NHL. They were successful in scoring two goals against the Washington Capitals in 2018. These goals were only two seconds apart, which is an NHL record that remains unbroken to date.
• The Habs hold the record of most goals scored by one team in a single game when it scored 16 goals past the Quebec Bulldogs on March 03, 1920.
• In 2022-2023, the Boston Bruins registered only 12 regulation losses in the season, which was much appreciated. However, the Habs made history much before that by registering only eight regulation losses in the 1976-77 season. This makes it the team with the fewest regulation losses in a season.
• With 60 goals each, Steve Shutt (1976-77) and Guy Lafleur (1977-78) were the two Canadiens who scored the most goals in the season.
• With 136 points, the Canadiens player Guy Lafleur (1976-77) registered the record for the most points in the season.

Beyond the Victories: Remembering Montreal Canadiens Players Who Added to the Legacy

In the history that spans nearly 110 years, the Montreal Canadiens have seen maximum players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Below are some Montreal Canadiens players who have contributed to the team’s legacy in their own ways.

• Guy Lafleur: Known as "The Flower," or "Le Démon Blond", Lafleur epitomized skill and finesse on the ice. With 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive seasons, Guy Lafluer was one of the most electrifying forwards in NHL history.

 

 

He was the fastest player to score 1000 points in 720 games. His contributions have helped Canadiens win multiple championships during the 1970s. In 1998, he was ranked 11 on the Hockey News list and one of the 100 Greatest NHL players in 2017.

  

• Maurice Richard: Nicknamed "The Rocket," he was a trailblazer who scored 50 goals in a season and was the first player to reach 500 career goals.

 

 

His unmatched scoring ability and fierce competitiveness made him a legend on the rink and beyond. Canadiens retired his jersey number 9 in 1960 and donated the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy to the NHL in 1999 in honor of his record-setting achievements.

• Henri Richard: Affectionately known as "The Pocket Rocket," Richard had a dynamic presence on the ice. His exceptional skill and hockey IQ is still revered by Canadian hockey fans.

 

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His leadership style was instrumental in guiding the team to win in numerous nail-biting championships. He won the Stanley cup 11 times as a player, and this record remains unbroken to date. He was also named as one of the “100 Greatest NHL Players” in 2017.

• Jean Beliveau: He was an epitome of class, smartness, and grace on the ice. Often referred to as “Le Gross Bill” Believeau, he captained Canadiens and is still remembered for his display of leadership, skills, and humility on and off the field. He was one of those iconic players who was instrumental in leading Canadiens to victories over a span of 20 years from 1950 to 1971.

 

 

He is the second player in the history of the sport to score 1000 points and 500 goals. Beliveau is perhaps the only player in the history of this sport who has 17 Stanley Cup Championships to his credit. Needless to say, he is one of the greatest NHL players of those times. His influence on the team and the sport of hockey continues to be felt to this day.

• Yvan Cournoyer: Nicknamed "The Roadrunner," Yvan was a relentless force on the ice. This right winger played for Montreal Canadiens’ for 16 seasons from 1963-64 to 1978-79. He has contributed to the team for its 10 Stanley Cup victories.

 

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Yvan Cournoyer also captained his team twice to win the Stanley cup. His blazing speed on the rink made him a nightmare for opposing defensemen. Adding to this, his clutch performances in nail biting moments earned him the admiration of fans and critics alike. His legacy includes many Canadien records such as 6^th in the list of players with the highest total scored points (863), 7^th in assists (435), 4^th in goals scored (428) and so on.

 

• Patrick Roy: Nicknamed “Saint Patrick”, Patrick Roy is regarded as one of the greatest goaltenders of all time. He played a key role in sculpting success for Canadiens throughout the 1980s and the early 1990s. Patrick is credited for popularizing the style of goaltending which was known as “butterfly”.

 

 Image Curtsey : thehockeynews

 

His reflexes were unparalleled and this combined with his unwavering composure has led the team to multiple Stanley Cup victories. Patrick’s performance on the field has helped him win the Conn Smythe Trophy thrice, which is a rare feat that remains unchallenged to this day. His jersey number 33 is now retired by the Canadiens.

As, the players from Montreal Canadiens continue to display their excellence on the ice, we cannot ignore their rich and storied history that serves as a source of inspiration for players, legions of fans, critics, and many more. Their players, including several Hall of Fame inductees, remind us of the sport’s spirit, enduring power of teamwork, perseverance, and dedication that made them a great team. Needless to say, Montreal Canadiens have made a deep impact on the history of sports and this will remain unchallenged for generations.

This is why many hockey fans and sports enthusiasts consider owning worthy and authentic memorabilia of their favorite players from Montreal Canadiens as a personal privilege. These memorabilia items would remind them of the golden legacy. Aside from this, there are several ways they would benefit from this investment. The next section focuses on the same and more.

 

5 Reasons for Owning a Memorabilia of Your Favorite Montreal Canadien Player

Owning memorabilia of Montreal Canadiens’ player or players holds a significant value for sports fans as well as sports memorabilia collectors. Here are five benefits of the same.

1. Historical Significance: As said before, Montreal Canadiens is the oldest operating and one of the most successful NHL franchises to this date. It has many records to its name. So, by owning a memorabilia item such as a player autographed jersey, puck, or souvenirs will not only connect them to the legacy of the player who has worn the iconic blue, white, and red (bleu, blanc, et rouge) jersey, but also the team that continues to inspire legions of fans to this date.
2. Showcasing Fan Pride: Owning authentic and signed memorabilia is the best way to show your fan pride for the player and the team. It allows you to showcase your identity as a fan and connect with other fans who love this team.
3. Emotional Connection: Memorabilia items such as Guy Lafleur signed jersey or Maurice Richard signed lithograph will allow the fan to strike an emotional connect with these great players. Sometimes, seeing these memorabilia items on their walls, tables, or desks can be comforting, and may transport them to the moments where these players and their team strived hard to set a new record or rebuff the opponent on the field. In short, it can evoke feelings of pride, nostalgia, and passion for the sport and the team.
4. Conversation Starter: A well-managed memorabilia item can be a conversation starter for fans and sports enthusiasts. A look at the memorabilia item may pave way for lighter conversations regarding the team and players, whether in your home or workplace.
5. Identity and Belonging: Owning a memorabilia item would be the best way to show your support to the team. It will create a sense of belonging to a large community sharing a common passion for the team and the sport.

 

You can realize many more benefits of owning Montreal Canadiens memorabilia bought from trusted sources. This post ends by leading you to Autograph Authentic that owns one of the largest and most interesting collections of autographed Montreal Canadiens memorabilia items online.  All autographed items are 100% guaranteed and include a serial-numbered hologram with a matching COA. Detailed COAs and legal commissioned documents are available upon request.