Montreal Canadiens Trivia 4

The Canadiens made the transition throughout the NHL by retaining the playing rights to four players following a National Hockey Association disbanded. The Habs began the 1917 - 18 season with Didier Pitre, Georges Vezina, Joe Malone and Newsy Lalonde inside the lineup. Three "Jersey Crests" have appeared within the Montreal Canadiens uniform. Very first uniform displayed the "Simple C" crest. The second was "CA" - stood for Club Athletique. In 1917 - 18, probably the most familiar "CH" crest was created. CH represented "le club de Hockey Canadien". The Canadiens first uniform colors were white, blue and red. Joseph Cattarinich, Leo Dandurand and Louis Letourneau purchased the Montreal Canadiens for $11,000. Following death of George Kennedy, his widow sold the Habs to "The Three Musketeers" November 3, 1921. Turning a hefty profit, the trio sold the Canadians in 1935 for $165,000.CANADIENS FOUNDATION - HOWIE MORENZ: September 30, 1923 - $1,000 was the signing bonus awarded to Morenz to take part the Canadiens towards the 1923 - 24 season. Howie was the primary NHL player gain 50 points throughout the regular schedule. Morenz won the leagues' scoring championship for that 1927 - 28 season with 33 goals - 18 assists - 51 points. Howie had also been labeled "The Stratford Streak". As a result of his outstanding skating ability and being born in Stratford, Ontario...it's an organic and natural nickname with the Hall-of-Fame legend. Throughout his career, he had also been dubbed "The Mitchell Meteor" and "The Canadien Comet".ROCKET RICHARD: Maurice Richard played left wing when he began his hockey career. Paul Haynes, coaching the senior QSHL Canadiens, decided to put Richard on the right side. Richard was the first NHL player gain the magical number "50 in 50". Previously, the Rocket had 49 in 48. Inside season finale within the 1944 - 45 season, Maurice scored #50 against Harvey Bennett. The Habs defeated Boston 4 - 2. And also to his credit, the Rocket was the primary NHL player to gain 500 goals. Richard's brilliant hockey career officially found a conclusion September 15, 1960. After captaining the Habs to 5 consecutive Stanley Cup championships, the "Rocket" announced his retirement within the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal.BILL DURNAN: Bill began his NHL career in a impressive manner. Durnan started the 1943 - 44 season having 14 game unbeaten streak. December 4, 1943, the Canadiens whipped the Red Wings 8 - 2...extending their record to 12 - 0 - 2. Bill would suffer 5 defeats during the 50 game schedule. Bill Durnan was the NHL goaltender marketed in a team directory-media guide as being "ambidextrous". Durnan's obvious athletic skills were also enhanced by his chance to catch the puck and shoot right of left handed. Although try and confuse the goal scorers by switching catching hands from the very last minute. A great all natural "rightie", Bill used to hold his stick dependent on which argument the attacking players shot the puck. He not used at all the blocker glove...preferring try using a catching mitt for your hands.FACT OR FICTION? The Canadiens would be the only NHL team to possess 2 goaltenders work as team captain. George Hainsworth was team captain for ones Habs during the 1932 - 33 season. No cost time was during 1947 - 48 attributable to Toe Blake's season ending injury. By mid-season, Bill Durnan had the "C" on his uniform. The Montreal Canadiens were the initial NHL team to possess 5 players named to your First All-Star Team within the season. The Habs receiving the honor in 1944 - 45 were Vezina Trophy winner Bill Durnan and defenseman Butch Bouchard. The Point of left winger Toe Blake, centre Elmer Lach and right winger Rocket Richard were also named. All 5 Habs went to the Hockey Hall-of-Fame. Just one non-Hab was Detroit's defenseman Flash Hollett.