Remembering Mr. Hockey & Top 3 Canadiens Goalies
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
In today’s edition, we have a few “Today in Hockey History” posts, remembering Gordie Howe, the sad reality of the Presidents’ Trophy curse, the top three goalies in Montreal Canadiens history, and more.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Today in Hockey History: Dec. 4
The most successful team in National Hockey League history was founded on this date. Decades later, one of the league’s greatest players achieved something nobody ever had, and very few others have since. In addition, this was a good day to be a goaltender or skating in Los Angeles. Finally, the “Great 8” hit yet another goalscoring milestone. The THW time machine is fueled up and ready to take us on a journey through the years, so let’s hop aboard.
‘Mr. Hockey’ Gordie Howe
On June 10, 2016, the hockey world lost a legend when Gordie Howe passed away. Let’s celebrate the life, career and contributions to our sport with this tremendous tribute to Mr. Hockey written shortly after his passing.
We also want to celebrate the life and career of a most extraordinary man, one who defined the game of hockey for generations of fans and players. While his passing pains us today, his legacy comforts us. When he retired from hockey, he was the game’s all-time leader in so many statistical categories; his incredible career was so dynamic that it would inspire a young boy from Brantford to do the unthinkable and top some of those records, but Wayne Gretzky never failed to recognize the greatness that came before him, the greatness that was Gordie Howe.
Please enjoy a trip down what is truly ‘Hockey History Lane’.
The Sad Reality of the Presidents’ Trophy “Curse”
by Dayton Reimer
The Boston Bruins made history in 2022-23, finishing with 65 wins and 135 points, the highest totals any team has accumulated in the 100-plus years of the NHL, surpassing the 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning’s 62 wins and the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens’ 132 points. Their performance put them in conversation as one of the greatest teams of all time and their success in the playoffs seemed almost guaranteed.
The key, however, is almost. Over the last decade, only one team has won the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s best regular season team and the Stanley Cup, and that is the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks. Not even the record-setting Lightning could do it, giving rise to the idea of the “Presidents’ Trophy Curse.” Since the trophy’s inception in 1985-86, only eight teams have gone on to win the Cup, and since the Blackhawks did it last, most recipients have bowed out in the first or second round.
It struck the Bruins in 2023 too when they lost their first-round matchup against the Florida Panthers in seven games.
Today in Hockey History: Dec. 3
This date in National Hockey League history has seen a little bit of everything. There were a handful of firsts throughout the league, from first goals to first overtime wins. Some all-time greats racked up hat tricks, while some others reached personal milestones and set new records. So, let’s begin our daily trip back through time to relive all the great memories made on Dec. 3.
Top 3 All-Time Canadiens Goalies
by Ryan Szporer
While the adage goes that defense wins championships, 17 goalies have won the Conn Smythe Trophy in NHL history compared to just 12 defensemen. Considering the Montreal Canadiens have won a league-high 24 Stanley Cups, that’s a lot of good goalies from which to choose when selecting the best in team history.
Granted, championships alone don’t necessarily dictate the skill level of whoever’s manning the crease. Just tell Carey Price. And, since we’re being honest, 17 centers have won the Conn Smythe. Nevertheless, when the league recently announced the 100 greatest NHL players ever, 24 had once suited up for the Canadiens. Of those, six were goalies.
That thankfully narrows the possibilities to populate this list of the top three Habs goalies down a bit. Taking into account their accomplishments in a Habs uniform, here they are.
Today in Hockey History: Dec. 2
This date in National Hockey League history has been a somber one for fans in Montreal as they lost one of the biggest legends, and a great goaltender played his final game for them. Also, plenty of netminders had memorable performances, a handful of franchise records were set or tied, and milestones were reached on Long Island.
Devils’ Scott Stevens – Dirty or Tough?
Scott Stevens can be considered one of the last of a breed of NHLer that wreaked havoc on other players. During a time when checks were seemingly more vicious than in today’s game, Stevens threw his share of hits that rattled opposing players; some were injured, some were just angry, but there was never a doubt that Stevens played a hard, physical game. But, was that hard, physical game considered “dirty” when it came to his hit on Eric Lindros?
For 22 seasons Stevens played that type of game and helped the New Jersey Devils win three Stanley Cups. Some said he was dirty but others respected Stevens and knew instinctively not to cross the center line with their heads down. That was an invitation to get checked hard, as Lindros found out. It was a hit that changed his career, ended his time with the Philadelphia Flyers and ironically did some good for the sport.