Heartbreaking Loss for the Hockey World: Montreal Canadiens Icon and Ten-Time Stanley Cup Champion Yvan Cournoyer Passes Away at 81
The hockey community is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures, Yvan Cournoyer, who passed away at the age of 81. Known as “The Roadrunner” for his blistering speed on the ice, Cournoyer’s legacy is etched deeply in the history of the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL.
Born on November 22, 1943, in Drummondville, Quebec, Cournoyer defied expectations from the outset. Standing at just 5’7″, he was often underestimated, but his exceptional agility and powerful slapshot quickly silenced critics. He made his NHL debut with the Canadiens in 1963 and became a mainstay in the lineup by 1964. Over his 16-season career with Montreal, Cournoyer amassed 428 goals and 435 assists in 968 games, ranking among the franchise’s all-time leaders .
Cournoyer’s impact was most evident during the Canadiens’ dominant run in the 1970s. He won 10 Stanley Cups with the team, a record shared with Jean Béliveau and second only to Henri Richard’s 11. In the 1973 playoffs, he set a modern Canadiens record with 15 goals, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP . As team captain from 1975 to 1979, he led the Canadiens to four consecutive championships, solidifying his status as a leader both on and off the ice .
Beyond his club achievements, Cournoyer represented Canada on the international stage during the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. He scored the pivotal game-tying goal in the final match, a moment immortalized in the iconic photograph of Paul Henderson’s series-winning goal .
After retiring in 1979 due to persistent back issues, Cournoyer remained involved with the Canadiens as an ambassador and briefly served as an assistant coach in the 1990s . In 1982, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and in 2005, the Canadiens honored him by retiring his No. 12 jersey .
Yvan Cournoyer’s passing marks the end of an era for the Canadiens and the sport of hockey. His contributions to the game, characterized by speed, skill, and leadership, will not be forgotten. As the hockey world reflects on his remarkable career, Cournoyer’s legacy as a ten-time Stanley Cup champion and a beloved ambassador for the sport endures.