He was truly a trendsetter. Nobody in the league could catch him if he had an inch of open ice. He used a straight stick, and could wrist from either side. Deadly in the slot, always cruising through like a shark, looking for rebounds. Maybe 5'7", but 175 pounds of terror along the boards. One of my top 10 to watch play.
Not uncommon for players from that era to spend their entire career with one team but Cournoyer bled bleu, blanc et rouge. He was always and remains fiercely loyal to his beloved Canadiens. I was re-reading Dave Bidini's excellent book The Best Game You Can Name recently and came across a quote from Cournoyer discussing the impact of Orr on the game. He said "Bobby Orr was one of the greatest hockey players to ever live. But, it has to be said, he couldn't beat the Montreal Canadiens". And he was right. 10 Stanley Cups in a 13 year career- just unreal. He was also great during the '72 Summit Series. I remember Foster Hewitt seemingly never being able to correctly pronounce his name.
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Completely insane to win that many Cups in a career, never mind a short one of only 13 seasons. One might say “oh well, it was during the Original Six era”. But it wasn’t. He won 8 of his Cups with at least 12 teams in the league, and in some years with up to 18 teams. Only 3 TEAMS in over 100 years have won more Cups than him in his career. Truly remarkable.
I cut my hockey teeth at a very young age on the 1973 Stanley Cup finals, I remember once in the finals when Cournoyer came flying in at about 90 miles an hour on right wing to score. The announcer went "beep, beep, the Roadrunner", which was totally cool. His speed was blinding and coupled with incredible skill was quite the player.
Memorable role in the Summit Series / Super Series '72. Heartbreaking in recent years to see him in tears at the funerals of his former Captains & teammates. Still a very active & a respected ambassador for hockey, Canadiens & Canadians!
Thank you for this profile, Shannon! The Roadrunner was part of that amazing Habs team I admired throughout the 1970s. Being another shorter person, and playing hockey as a kid during that decade, I 'looked up' to Cournoyer for his speed and talent. He was another of the exciting players on that team. And I did follow the 1972 Canada-Soviet series very closely. I still have a commemorative puck with the scores of games from that series.
Amazing player. Exemplary ambassador for the Habs and the game. 1972 Series would've been completely different if not for The Roadrunner. Small but mighty.
Serge Savard just hold his fundation golf tournament yesterday and the theme was "has won 4 stanley cups with the canadiens". most players from the 70s dynasty still living were there (12) and Scotty Bowman was there also! of course Yvan Cournoyer was also there.
He’s from Lachine, Quebec {my hometown} And my late Grandfather was his high school teacher. According to my grandfather, Cornoyer was a horrible student because he was always playing hockey.
I met him at a signing when I was younger, signed my now much too small jersey that my dad got me with his name on the back, I think he gave me a discount or maybe even did it for free. My favorite jersey even if I got some higher quality ones since then
Another great player for the Canadiens, hard working and could skate like the wind. So many great players in that era had back problems, but he was a true gentleman in the sport of hockey.
If the NHL gave an award for skating Cornoyer would have won it almost every year. He was a joy to watch, but living in Toronto I could never admit my admiration for him in public.
Michael Jordan won six championships in his career. Cournoyer had ten. He was always my favorite Habs player growing up. Marchessault has been effective playing the same offensive strategy. Cruising the high slot on power plays and never on the ice for a penalty kill.
When Cournoyer first played he was limited in ice time and was considered a "power play" specialist. Shannon was too polite to mention that hearing Foster Hewitt pronounce Cournoyer was worth listing to radio or a Leafs' TV broadcast.
Seeing all the recent season reviews of "The Canadians win the Stanley Cup" from the 1970s, I was wondering just yesterday if you had already done a video on Cournoyer.
Wouldn't know where to look it up, but in my early memories of watching games, this guy always killed the Rangers. I was growing up in NY and in the days before the Islanders the only games we saw were Ranger games, so maybe he was doing the same vs. other teams. I'd like to see his totals vs. other teams to see if my memories are accurate.
I heard Dennis Hull tell a joke at a Team Canada 72 reunion when they were handing out rings to the Team Canada players. Hull said "Yvan had 10 Stanley Cup rings, one for each finger, there is only one spot left for this eleventh ring". Something along those lines.... Anyway you cut it... it's a lot of rings.
Montreal never made it to the finals in 74 or 75 to play the Flyers, but beat them for the Cup in 76. They lost in the first round to the Rangers in 74 when Ken Dryden took the sabbatical to pursue his law degree. In 75 they were beaten by the Sabres in the Semi-Finals.
Very, very fast skater until his back issues got worse. Perreault, Bobby Orr, fast enough to catch him who were good enough to foil him. Some big time scorers couldn’t cover him. He didn’t have a slap shot, too painful. 😖 Sought chiropractor who helped, but he had been told to exercise carefully. He couldn’t do that. Was told not to skate for months while getting his back issues under control. Not inclined to do that, he just played through not giving in to the pain.
it's the NHL and Hockey. Let's face it.. You won the stanley cup 10 times.. the rest is bonus and nobody really cares. Still, a long time great player and another that left the Habs after the '79 season that ended that run they had.
He was truly a trendsetter. Nobody in the league could catch him if he had an inch of open ice. He used a straight stick, and could wrist from either side. Deadly in the slot, always cruising through like a shark, looking for rebounds. Maybe 5'7", but 175 pounds of terror along the boards. One of my top 10 to watch play.
My all time favourite player.
Growing up outside of Montreal Yvan was my favourite player. He is why I always asked for the number 12 jersey when I played hockey as a kid.
Yvan
Conn Smythe is a major trophy.
Not uncommon for players from that era to spend their entire career with one team but Cournoyer bled bleu, blanc et rouge. He was always and remains fiercely loyal to his beloved Canadiens. I was re-reading Dave Bidini's excellent book The Best Game You Can Name recently and came across a quote from Cournoyer discussing the impact of Orr on the game. He said "Bobby Orr was one of the greatest hockey players to ever live. But, it has to be said, he couldn't beat the Montreal Canadiens". And he was right. 10 Stanley Cups in a 13 year career- just unreal. He was also great during the '72 Summit Series. I remember Foster Hewitt seemingly never being able to correctly pronounce his name.
Completely insane to win that many Cups in a career, never mind a short one of only 13 seasons. One might say “oh well, it was during the Original Six era”. But it wasn’t. He won 8 of his Cups with at least 12 teams in the league, and in some years with up to 18 teams. Only 3 TEAMS in over 100 years have won more Cups than him in his career. Truly remarkable.
I am an old guy but watched Cournoyer show his skills with the best in 1972 Summit Series.
I cut my hockey teeth at a very young age on the 1973 Stanley Cup finals, I remember once in the finals when Cournoyer came flying in at about 90 miles an hour on right wing to score. The announcer went "beep, beep, the Roadrunner", which was totally cool. His speed was blinding and coupled with incredible skill was quite the player.
Memorable role in the Summit Series / Super Series '72. Heartbreaking in recent years to see him in tears at the funerals of his former Captains & teammates. Still a very active & a respected ambassador for hockey, Canadiens & Canadians!
Amazing player. Fantastic wrist shot.
Thank you for this profile, Shannon! The Roadrunner was part of that amazing Habs team I admired throughout the 1970s. Being another shorter person, and playing hockey as a kid during that decade, I 'looked up' to Cournoyer for his speed and talent. He was another of the exciting players on that team.
And I did follow the 1972 Canada-Soviet series very closely. I still have a commemorative puck with the scores of games from that series.
Great rundown. The Roadrunner was one of the greats. So consistant . Those were the days.
Your dedication is something else
Long time Sabres fan here. Could you do a video on Rene Robert
Amazing player. Exemplary ambassador for the Habs and the game. 1972 Series would've been completely different if not for The Roadrunner. Small but mighty.
Serge Savard just hold his fundation golf tournament yesterday and the theme was "has won 4 stanley cups with the canadiens".
most players from the 70s dynasty still living were there (12) and Scotty Bowman was there also! of course Yvan Cournoyer was also there.
10 Stanley Cups is ridiculous!!!!
I would love to see a photo of Yvan Cournoyer wearing his 10 Stanley Cup rings. In my mind, the King of Bling.
In the summit Series, the Russians called him "The Train"
My favorite player in my youth
“The Road Runner” zoom zoom. One of my favorite players. Go Habs Go!!!!
Thank you for this he was my idol growing up ! Loved his tenacity!
Glad to see this!! He's one of my favorite players all time!!
He’s from Lachine, Quebec {my hometown}
And my late Grandfather was his high school teacher. According to my grandfather, Cornoyer was a horrible student because he was always playing hockey.
Well ... look what happened!
I met him at a signing when I was younger, signed my now much too small jersey that my dad got me with his name on the back, I think he gave me a discount or maybe even did it for free. My favorite jersey even if I got some higher quality ones since then
Merci Ivan . Mon hero ! De Windsor Ontario .
Another great player for the Canadiens, hard working and could skate like the wind. So many great players in that era had back problems, but he was a true gentleman in the sport of hockey.
This guy was just great; he torched my Penguins enough, that's a fact.
If the NHL gave an award for skating Cornoyer would have won it almost every year. He was a joy to watch, but living in Toronto I could never admit my admiration for him in public.
Michael Jordan won six championships in his career. Cournoyer had ten. He was always my favorite Habs player growing up. Marchessault has been effective playing the same offensive strategy. Cruising the high slot on power plays and never on the ice for a penalty kill.
Hawks fan here. Cournoyer killed us!!!! I hated him! Boy was he good. Fast and clutch.
THG is the Cournoyer of street hockey
A fun player to watch. Habs were not my favourites but the hockey was amazing
When Cournoyer first played he was limited in ice time and was considered a "power play" specialist.
Shannon was too polite to mention that hearing Foster Hewitt pronounce Cournoyer was worth listing to radio or a Leafs' TV broadcast.
Seeing all the recent season reviews of "The Canadians win the Stanley Cup" from the 1970s, I was wondering just yesterday if you had already done a video on Cournoyer.
Shannon always looks snazzy in a Habs jersey.
excellent player....the roadrunner was something to see
Wouldn't know where to look it up, but in my early memories of watching games, this guy always killed the Rangers. I was growing up in NY and in the days before the Islanders the only games we saw were Ranger games, so maybe he was doing the same vs. other teams. I'd like to see his totals vs. other teams to see if my memories are accurate.
As a young boy Cournoyer practiced his shots with steel pucks to improve the strength in his arms and wrists.
History of Youppi pls
You haven't done a video on Geoffrion and Jean Beliveau if you wonder for major hockey players in 50-60s
I heard Dennis Hull tell a joke at a Team Canada 72 reunion when they were handing out rings to the Team Canada players. Hull said "Yvan had 10 Stanley Cup rings, one for each finger, there is only one spot left for this eleventh ring". Something along those lines.... Anyway you cut it... it's a lot of rings.
One of the 3 greatest " small " men of that era. Henri Richard and David Keon the other 2.
Needed this. As a young guy, idk shit about this dude. I am familiar with his name and career to an extent I guess. But thanks nonetheless
Will you do a preview for every team before the season starts this year like usual?
My fav player not called Jean!
Great in team Canada 75 season with Phil Eaposito and Paul Henderson .
Montreal never made it to the finals in 74 or 75 to play the Flyers, but beat them for the Cup in 76. They lost in the first round to the Rangers in 74 when Ken Dryden took the sabbatical to pursue his law degree. In 75 they were beaten by the Sabres in the Semi-Finals.
Roadrunner "Beep-Beep'
Im sorry i meant 72 team Canada Russia series .
Very, very fast skater until his back issues got worse. Perreault, Bobby Orr, fast enough to catch him who were good enough to foil him. Some big time scorers couldn’t cover him. He didn’t have a slap shot, too painful. 😖
Sought chiropractor who helped, but he had been told to exercise carefully. He couldn’t do that. Was told not to skate for months while getting his back issues under control. Not inclined to do that, he just played through not giving in to the pain.
Ron Ellis and Paul Henderson in the 60s could catch him also.
it's the NHL and Hockey. Let's face it.. You won the stanley cup 10 times.. the rest is bonus and nobody really cares. Still, a long time great player and another that left the Habs after the '79 season that ended that run they had.
U WILL BE CONVERTED TO MTL THG.. WE WILL CONVERT YOU WITH ALL OUR LOVE AND PASSION. U WILL BECOME HABS