CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF HABS HOCKEY: STRENGTH UP THE MIDDLE

One of the many things that have always impressed me about the Montreal Canadiens over the years; is their ability to effectively use strength up the middle in order to let the wings’ fire power do its damage. The center position has always been a key factor in the success of the Habs offensive prowess. Although overall it hasn’t primarily been the centers that garner the most attention, the wings, defense and goaltenders usually get the spotlight when it comes to the most celebrated Canadiens players, there have been some that have won the hearts of fans and media alike. I think over the years the media has been more critical of centers than any other position players, but that just may be a weird coincidence or perception on my part, nonetheless, even though they may have faced more scrutiny they have indeed won the praise of all.

Some of the best centers the Canadiens have ever had did the dirty work, the grinding and back checking that created the turnovers that led to offensive attacks. The ability to move the puck and draw the defense in, then to dish it perfectly to an open winger with the cannon loaded has been a staple for the Habs for decades. They used their strength, speed and skill to make the offense effective and allow the wings to fly. If you couldn’t tell by now, this week’s celebration focuses on my favorite Montreal Canadiens centers over the years.


The following courtesey of Gregsky's Collection. http://aroundtherinkwithgregsky.blogspot.com/2008/07/once-in-lifetime-offer-from-gregsky.html

ELMER LACH

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
664 215 408 623 478 1940-1954 14



JEAN BELIVEAU

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
1125 507 712 1219 1029 1950-1971 20


HENRI RICHARD

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
1259 358 688 1046 928 1955-1975 20



PHIL GOYETTE

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
375 62 120 182 44 1956-1963 7



RALPH BACKSTROM

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
844 215 287 502 348 1956-1971 15



JACQUES LEMAIRE

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
853 366 469 835 217 1967-1979 12



DOUG RISEBROUGH

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
493 117 185 302 959 1974-1982 8


PIERRE MONDOU

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
548 194 262 456 179 1976-1985 9



PIERRE LAROUCHE

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
236 110 126 236 59 1977-1982 5



DOUG JARVIS

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
560 91 154 245 151 1975-1982 7



KEITH ACTON

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
228 78 110 188 229 1979-1984 5



GUY CARBONNEAU

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
912 221 326 547 623 1980-1994 13



RYAN WALTER

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
604 141 208 349 419 1982-1991 9



BOBBY SMITH

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
505 172 310 482 430 1983-1990 7



BRIAN SKRUDLAND

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
475 78 139 217 592 1985-1993 8



KIRK MULLER

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
267 104 143 247 292 1991-199 5



DENIS SAVARD

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
210 72 107 179 215 1990-1993 3



PIERRE TURGEON

GP G A PTS PIM SEASONS YRS
104 50 77 127 50 1994-1997 3

50 KIDS TO WATCH THIS YEAR NOT NAMED CROSBY, OVECHKIN AND MALKIN

The NHL is in full swing and right away the league’s youth movement is making its presence felt in a big way. The game is getting younger and faster and the kids are recharging a product that desperately needed a shot of adrenaline to the heart. I do hope that the league takes notice of the fact that there are some amazing kids playing today and contributing early and often. This is the perfect time to start promoting these kids to help carry the flag and put the NHL back on the tongues of sports fans and the media. There is a ton to get excited about in these kids and the league’s future looks bright with them on board, so I can’t help but feel like the league should tap into its youth movement and package it as a must see product. Look beyond Crosby, Ovechkin and Malkin and see what today’s youth has to offer. So far it looks damn good.

Only problem is this is the NHL I’m talking about and the league has a history of “missing the boat” when it comes to opportunity to promote itself. So, with that said, I’m going to give you a list of 50 kids (in order of age) to watch this year NOT named Crosby, Ovechkin and Malkin, because I'm not sure the league will.

50. Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning – 18
49. Colton Gillies – Minnesota Wild – 19
48. Jakub Voracek – Columbus Blue Jackets – 19
47. Brandon Sutter – Carolina Hurricanes – 19
46. Kyle Turris – Phoenix Coyotes – 19
45. Patrick Kane – Chicago Blackhawks – 19
44. Mikkel Boedker – Phoenix Coyotes – 19
43. Kyle Okposo – New York Islanders – 20
42. Bryan Little – Atlanta Thrashers – 20
41. Milan Lucic – Boston Bruins – 20
40. Wayne Simmonds – Los Angeles Kings – 20
39. David Perron – St. Louis Blues – 20
38. Peter Mueller – Phoenix Coyotes – 20
37. Patrik Berglund – St. Louis Blues – 20
36. Nicklas Backstrom – Washington Capitals – 20
35. Jordan Staal – Pittsburgh Penguins – 20
34. Jonathon Towes – Chicago Blackhawks – 20
33. Viktor Tikhonov – Phoenix Coyotes – 20
32. Phil Kessel – Boston Bruins – 21
31. Devin Setoguchi – San Jose Sharks – 21
30. Sergei Kostitsyn – Montreal Canadiens – 21
29. Anze Kopitar – Los Angeles Kings – 21
28. Guillaume Latendresse – Montreal Canadiens - 21
27. Marc-Edouard Vlasic – San Jose Sharks – 21
26. Vladimir Sobotka – Boston Bruins – 21
25. Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens – 21
24. Derick Brassard – Columbus Blue Jackets – 21
23. Tyler Kennedy – Pittsburgh Penguins – 22
22. Wojtek Wolski – Colorado Avalanche – 22
21. Brandon Dubinsky – New York Rangers – 22
20. Kris Versteeg – Chicago Blackhawks – 22
19. Paul Stastny – Colorado Avalanche – 22
18. David Krejci – Boston Bruins – 22
17. Patrick Kaleta – Buffalo Sabres – 22
16. Blake Wheeler – Boston Bruins – 22
15. Lucas Kaspar – San Jose Sharks – 23
14. Kyle Quincey – Los Angeles Kings – 23
13. Steve Bernier – Vancouver Canucks – 23
12. Ryan Suter – Nashville Predators – 23
11. Mike Richards – Philadelphia Flyers – 23
10. Milan Michalek – San Jose Sharks – 23
9. Fabian Brunnstrom – Dallas Stars – 23
8. Jeff Carter – Philadelphia Flyers – 23
7. Mike Green – Washington Capitals – 23
6. Robert Nilsson – Edmonton Oilers – 23
5. Patrick O’Sullivan – Los Angeles Kings – 23
4. Shea Weber – Nashville Predators – 23
3. David Booth – Florida Panthers – 23
2. Andrei Kostitsyn – Montreal Canadiens – 23
1. Dion Phaneuf – Calgary Flames - 23

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF HABS HOCKEY: HEROES HANG FROM THE RAFTERS

They are revered in our hearts. Their spirit fills the air. There is honor in their in their legacy. There is glory in their achievements. They are heroes who hang from the rafters.

Just one look upward in the house of Habs tells the story. The championship banners, conference and divisional banners and the retired numbers looming overhead is an awesome sight to behold regardless if you are taking the ice or taking a seat. It holds a presence unmatched by any other arena in the world; all you have to do is look up.

In honor of the Montreal Canadiens and the heroes that hang from the rafters, A.T.R. presents the following pictorial tribute to the retired (and soon to be) numbers of the greatest team in all of sport. All photos courtesey of Gregsky's Collection. http://aroundtherinkwithgregsky.blogspot.com/2008/07/once-in-lifetime-offer-from-gregsky.html

JACQUES PLANTE


















DOUG HARVEY

















JEAN BELIVEAU













BERNIE GEOFFRION
















HOWIE MORENZ
















MAURICE RICHARD

















GUY LAFLEUR
















DICKIE MOORE
















YVAN COURNOYER













HENRI RICHARD

















SERGE SAVARD
















LARRY ROBINSON















BOB GAINEY
















KEN DRYDEN















PATRICK ROY

JUST IN CASE YOU WERE BUSY WATCHING FOOTBALL

Hey gang, I know you watched the opening of the NHL regular season on Sunday, right? You did watch hockey on Sunday, didn’t you? Please tell me you were at least aware that the NHL opened its season this weekend in Europe and Verses was showing two games on Sunday. You were aware, right? Right? (Whew!) For a minute there I thought you were going to tell me that you were too busy watching football all weekend to notice that hockey had started or something equally as ridiculous as that. Okay people, you have to stop scaring me like that or I’m going to start thinking that you’re not paying attention.

Just in case you missed it, here are a few things that I noticed. (Because I was watching)

The games this weekend left me wishing that they showed a bit more of Prague and Stockholm.

Three out of the four teams that played escaped from Europe with points.

Tampa Bay gave up twice as many goals than they scored, no surprise to me, but Melrose might want to focus attention there.

Marty St. Louis’ backhand goal was a thing of beauty!

Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley look sharp, not sold yet about the rest of the team.

This could be a year where Malkin absolutely dominates, IF, he drives to the net like he did on his first goal.

Markus Naslund looks too comfortable with the Rangers, he could easily net 30+ this year if he can stay healthy.

Jaromir who?

Alex Auld continues to be one of the better backup goaltenders in the league.

Brandon Dubinsky is New York’s best-kept secret. Not bad for a big Alaskan boy, there should be more press on this kid.

And finally… BRIAN ENGBLOM NO LONGER LOOKS LIKE HE IS WEARING A MUSKRAT PELT ON HIS MELLON!!! Looking sharp Brian, it’s about time you made the adjustment. Now maybe we can start taking you seriously!