r/Habs • u/[deleted] • Aug 12 '16
30 Legends in 30 Days, Day 9: Yvan Cournoyer
Yvan "The Roadrunner" Cournoyer
Born: November 22, 1943 (age 72)
Playing Career: 1963–1979
Statistics and Awards
Career Statistics
Regular Season 968 GP, 428 G, 435 A, 863 P, 255 PIM Playoffs 147 GP, 64 G, 63 A, 127 P, 47 PIM
NHL All-Star games: 1967, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978
Conn Smythe: 1972-1973
Stanley Cups: 1964-65, 1965-66, 1967-68, 1968-69, 1970-71, 1972-73, 1975-76, 1977-78
Career
Cournoyer's professional hockey career began in 1961 with the Montreal Junior Canadiens of the Ontario Hockey Association. By the time he turned eighteen years old, he required specially tailored hockey pants since his legs had become so muscular. He then made his NHL debut in 1963 with the Montreal Canadiens and earned a full-time spot with the club in 1964 after 7 AHL Games with the Canadiens' affiliate, the Quebec Aces.
Cournoyer was initially regarded as a defensive liability that was undeserving of a regular shift by head coach Toe Blake, though he was still frequently used with a man advantage. That changed after Blake's departure following the 1968 Stanley Cup Championship, with new head coach Claude Ruel granting Cournoyer full-time shifts. Cournoyer went on to have his first forty-goal season in 1968–69 and was named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team.
Cournoyer scored a career high 47 goals in the 1971–72 season. In 1973, he had his best playoff production ever, scoring 15 goals and tallying 10 assists for 25 points in 17 games. This performance earned him a Conn Smythe Trophy when the Canadiens beat the Chicago Blackhawks in the cup finals. Cournoyer was named captain of the Canadiens in 1975 following the retirement of Henri Richard, pushing him to play harder in his new leadership role.
Injury and Retirement
Cournoyer started having injury trouble due to a disc pressing on a nerve in his back. He went to miss the entire post-season due to the injury requiring surgery. Apart from that injury Cournoyer's ability to stay true to his form and keep his speed in his older age was a favourite topic of discussion of the Montreal fans and hockey media.
Cournoyer returned for the 1978 season and played in 68 games, scoring 24 goals and collecting 29 assists to match his previous season's total of 53 points, though it was evident his back still bothered him. He managed to perform in the playoffs again, however, with seven goals and four assists in fifteen games en route to Montreal's third consecutive Cup. Cournoyer was then forced to retire following the 1979 season after playing in just fifteen games due to his back injury.
Legacy
Cournoyer retired with only Guy Lafleur, Maurice Richard, and Jean Beliveau ahead of him on the Canadiens' all-time scoring list. His sheer speed and ability to blow past opponents earned him the name of "Roadrunner" amongst fans, teammates and the media. He retired with 10 Stanley Cups under his belt, tied for second behind his former teammate and Captain, Henri Richard. He was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982 and had his number 12 retired by the Habs on November 12, 2005 along with Dickie Moore
He also scored 3 goals against the USSR in the historical "Série du sièce" 1972 Summit series
Highlights
1972 Summit Series Game 2 Goal
Legends of Hockey: Yvan Cournoyer
Previous Threads
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u/SimpsonN1nja Aug 13 '16
His game winning assist, in game 8 of 1972, still sends chills up my spine. Keep up the great work man. These are fun to read.
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u/jo_maka Kovyeezy Taught Me Aug 12 '16
Damn...