When it comes to the Montreal Canadiens, hockey’s oldest and most storied franchise, there is a ton of history to unravel.
The club’s origins go back to 1909 which means there is seemingly always something new to learn, even if you bleed bleu, blanc, rouge. And after 112 years, 24 Stanley Cups, and 17 retired players’ numbers in the rafters, it’s only normal to miss a few things.
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So, even if you’ve done your Habs homework, this list of facts about the franchise is sure to give you a refresher.
Jean Beliveau was the first NHL player to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Le Gros Bill graced the magazine cover back in 1956.
Larry Robinson owns the team record for best +/-
The imposing Canadiens defenceman was +120 in 1976-77. Unsurprisingly, that year’s Habs roster, considered to be one of the greatest hockey teams ever assembled, finished the season with 132 points, later winning the Stanley Cup.
Patrick Roy is the youngest player to win the Conn Smythe trophy
In 1986, St. Patrick was just 20-years-old when he was named playoff MVP. he would win the Conn Smythe once again with Montreal in 1993.
“The Boston Bruins select Ken Dryden…”
Ken Dryden was originally selected by the Boston Bruins in the 1964 Amateur Draft. The Habs traded three players to the Bruins in order to acquire him. None of them ever played in the NHL.
Dryden ended up winning six championships in eight seasons with Montreal.
Chris Nilan has the most penalty minutes in team history
Thanks Jeff @olpal47 my hands never looked so good pic.twitter.com/kmIzkAJs9m
— Chris Nilan (@KnucklesNilan30) March 12, 2021
With 2248 penalty minutes, it’s no surprise as to how Nilan got his “knuckles” nickname.
The “H” in the “CH” logo stands for Hockey, not Habs
meunierd / Shutterstock
The team’s official name is le Club de hockey Canadien.Â
The “Habs” nickname came in 1924, when Madison Square Garden owner Tex Rickard told a reporter that the “H” on the Canadiens’ sweaters was for “Habitants.”
“Et le but!” (x2)
In a 2018 game against the Washington Capitals, Max Domi scored a late third period goal, giving Montreal the lead. The Capitals pulled their goalie for the centre-ice faceoff, allowing Joel Armia to net another one for the Canadiens. The goals were only two seconds apart; a new NHL record.
Saku Koivu was the franchise’s first non-Canadian captain
Koivu, a Finland native, captained the Habs from 1999 to 2009. Interestingly enough, he was succeeded by two more foreign captains in Brian Gionta and Max Pacioretty.
Montreal played in the NHL’s first-ever outdoor game
On November 22, 2003, the Canadiens faced off against the Edmonton Oilers in the Heritage Classic. In 4-3 road victory for the Canadiens, goaltender Jose Theodore famously wore a team toque over the top of his goalie mask.
Jack Plant
Canadiens.com
Despite winning the Stanley Cup five years in a row from 1956 to 1960, goalie Jacques Plante’s name was spelled differently each time it was engraved on the trophy.
It was only spelled correctly once.
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