While searching online for a photo intended for a later piece, I stumbled across a great photo database from Corbis.com. Within it, was contained a literal goldmine of classic shots of the Montreal Canadiens from the mid 1940’s to today. I spent about three hours rummaging through the over 500 photo collection I found, the results you see here.
What is so awesome about the collection is that to even the most avid of Habs, these shots have rarely being seen, tucked away in time.
Especially precious are the behind the scenes shots, from photos outside the 1955 Richard Riots to semi nude pictures of Guy Lafleur being interviwed in the Canadeins dressing room.
The photos here are a small slice of their database. You can access the entirety of the collection by entering “Montreal Canadiens” in the search window.
What it appears Corbis does, is purchase entire photographer works, and post the photos for sale on their site. They include all pertinant information from each shot, such as the photographer, the date, the location, and the event.
The captions included here, below each photo, are the unedited words that appeared with the photos in print.
Canadian Hockey Wizards Arrive for Formal Opening of New Madison Square Garden. Tuesday evening December 15 will witness the formal opening of the New Madison Square Garden, New York City, with the latest sport craze of the metropolis, ice hockey, when in the presence of a distinguished gathering of prominent folk from every class of New York Life, two crack hockey teams, the Canadiens of Montreal and a New York team composed of crack Canadian professionals. The above photo shows left to right: Wilford Coutu, Captain of the Canadiens and Manager Leo Dandaurand as they appeared on their arrival at New York.
Maurice Richard (9), of the Montreal Canadiens, has just rammed the puck past goalie Chuck Rayner of the New York Rangers for a score during the first period of the National Hockey League game at Madison Square Garden in New York tonight. Chuck fell on his bottom as he tried to block the shot.
Bill Moe (21), of the Rangers, falls flat on the ice and the puck to break up a first period scoring attempt by a trio of Canadiens. Maurice Richard (9), upper right, Hector Blake (6), and Emile Bouchard, hidden by the Canadiens, try desperately to get at the puck. Goalie Ken McAuley keeps his eye on the action. Montreal team went on to defeat the Rangers 4 to 1 before 15,000 fans in Madison Square Garden.
Montreal Canadien Maurice Richard scores on the Boston Bruin goalie Red Henry during the first period of the Montreal Canadiens-Boston Bruins game. Richard scored three goals as the Canadiens won, 7-3.
Maurice Richard (r) of Montreal rides Edgar Laprade of the Rangers off the puck in the first period of the game at Madison Square Garden. Guarding the nets for the Canadiens is Gerry McNeill.
Rangers’ Frank Eddolls (2), blocks Montreal Canadiens’ Maurice Richard (9) during the second period of tonight’s opener of the first-round Stanley Cup playoffs. Ed Slowinski (20) and Chuck Raynor (1) are also on hand for the action. The Rangers won, 3-2.
The puck bounces amid four hockey players in the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Blackhawks. Left to right are: Doug Harvey of Montreal; Pete Conacher of Chicago; Tom Johnson of Montreal; and Blackhawks goalie Al Rollins. Montreal won, 3-0.
Maurice Richard (second from left) of the Montreal Canadiens, skates by the net after registering the 400th goal of his career in the game with the Chicago Black Hawks Dec. 18. Chicago players shown are Larry Wilson (center) and goalie Al Rollins (right). The Canadiens won, 4-2.
Maurice “The Rocket” Richard, of the Montreal Canadiens, shows the puck with which he scored the 400th goal of his career. Richard made history with his goal, since only one other player has ever scored as much as 300. He registered the historic tally in the game with the Chicago Black Hawks, which the Canadiens won, 4-2.
Hockey Hassle. Montreal, Canada: Bernard Geoffrion, (center) of the Montreal Canadiens disengages himself from Detroit Red Wings goalie Terry Sawchuk and Benny Woit (5) after scoring his third goal of the game in the second period. Paced by Boom Boom Geoffrion the Canadiens smashed the longest winning streak in NHL history tonight by defeating the Wings, 4-2, in the third game of their Stanley Cup series. The defeat still let the Red Wings in front, 2-1, in the best of seven. The Wings racked up 15 straight wins before being tripped by the Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante (r), knocks out a shot fired by Boston Bruins player Vic Stasiuk (c) during the first period of a hockey game held at Boston Garden. Cal Gardner (l) watches as his teammate Vic takes the shot at goal.
Slipping One Past Him. Detroit, Michigan: Marcel Pronovost (center) of the Detroit Red Wings slips the puck past Montreal goalie Jacques Plante to score the game’s first point in the opening period tonight. Doug Harvey (2) failed to prevent the successful drive. Red Wings rode to a smashing 7-1 victory in the finals of the Stanley Cup series. It was the 15th straight triumph for the Wings. Bettering the old NHL mark of 14 set by the Boston Bruins in 1930. The win gives the Wings a 2-0 lead over the Canadiens in their best of seven series.
Detroit’s Alex Delvecchio has the puck at the end of his stick as he tries to push it past Montreal goalie Jacques Plante (right) during the third period of Tuesday night’s game in Montreal. Maurice Richard of Montreal is falling behind Delvecchio. The Canadiens walloped the Red Wings, 5-1, to take a 2-0 lead in their best of seven playoffs for the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup.
Montreal Goalie Jacques Plante hits the ice in vain attempt to prevent goal scored by Ranger’s Bill Gadsby, (not shown), in the first period of the Stanley Cup play offs at the Garden. Ranger Guy Gendron, (L), appears about to fall as he skates away from the goal. Other Canadien is Tom Johnson. The visitors beat the Rangers, 5-3.
Photo shows a corner of the battlefield in Boston Garden during the bloody third period of the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins last Sunday night. Maurice Richard, Canadiens’ scoring star, flipped when he got a head cut from the stick of the Boston’s Hal Laycoe. In the subsequent melee, Laycoe was hurt and linesman Cliff Thompson got banged on the head. In this scene, linesman Sam Babcock and Canadiens’ Bert Olmstead are holding back Laycoe (rear) at left. At right, Canadiens’ Bellueau is restraining Boston’s Fleming Mackell (8). Concealed by the two wrestlers is Maurice Richard.
Hockey Riot. Montreal, Canada: National Hockey League President Clarence Campbell adjusts his hat after fans let loose a barrage of eggs, overripe tomatoes and water-filled bags during the first period of the Montreal Canadiens-Detroit Red Wings Hockey Game at Montreal March 17. Campbell was slapped by an irate supporter of Maurice Richard, Montreal Hockey idol suspended for the season by Campbell. He was forced to take refuge in a medical clinic. A tear gas bomb exploded between the first and second periods and fire chief Candadiens were behind, 4-1, and the game went to the Red Wings on a forfeit.
Smoke rising from a tear gas bomb drifts through the Forum arena March 17 as 15, 000 demonstrators angrily protest the suspension of Maurice “The Rocket” Richard by National Hockey League President Clarence Campbell. The bomb was set off by a demonstrator at the intermission between the first and second periods. It was at this point that Fire Chief Armand Pare ordered the game halted for the “protection of the people.” Montreal trailed at the time, 4-1, and that was declared the final score. The calm of the spectators in the upper seats, which were unaffected by the bomb’s fumes, prevented crushing at the exits.
Here, police are loading one of the infuriated fans into the paddy wagon as the law broke up the riot that stopped the Montreal-Detroit hockey game at Montreal’s Forum last night. The fans were protesting suspension of Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Canadiens’ star, by Clarence Campbell, President of the National Hockey League, over a fight in Boston last Sunday night. Campbell was pelted with fruit and overshoes. Explosion of a tear gas bomb added to the confusion.
Men cheer and cover their faces with handkerchiefs to block out tear gas which was dispensed by police during a Canadiens-Red Wings game to break up a riot in the stands. Fans began throwing various items at NHL president Clarence Campbell for his season-long suspension of Canadiens star Maurice “Rocket” Richard. Police broke up the riot, which had stopped the game at the end of the first period with the Detroit Red Wings leading the Canadiens 4-1. League officials declared the game forfeited to the Wings, which put Detroit at the head of the league.
An unidentified demonstrator is taken into custody by constables Charles Hynes (left) and Jacques Belanger outside the Montreal Forum during a riot. Thousands demonstrated in protest over the suspension of Canadians’ hockey player and Montreal favorite, Maurice “Rocket” Richard.
Fights and missile throwing marked the path of the mob that roamed down Montreal’s St. Catherine Street. The rioters broke windows and looted stores. The violence was the aftermath of a riot that began in the Montreal Forum when Hockey fans protested the suspension of the City’s favorite player, Maurice “Rocket” Richard of the Canadians.
Police keeping back a crowd in front of Montreal’s Forum where the roadway is still sprinkled with overshoes and other debris after the rioting. The hockey game was stopped at the end of the first period with the Red Wings leading 4-1. Officials said the game was forfeited to the Wings, and the decision placed the Detroiters at the top of the National Hockey league.
Black Hawk’s goalie Al Rollins saves shot of Jean Beliveau, (L), of the Montreal Canadiens during first period of play in the Chicago Stadium. Man in center is Frank Martin of the Hawks. Montreal won 2-0.
A Canadian Save. Montreal, Canada: Montreal goalie Jacques Plante sits on the ice after deflecting Johnny Wilson’s shot in tonight’s Stanley Cup game with the Red Wings. Wilson, (left) is blocked from pursuit of the puck by Dollard St. Laurent, (center). In background, right, is Red Wing Alex Delvecchio. Canadiens downed the Red Wings, 6-3, to tie up the best of seven final series at three games each. The deciding playoff game will be played in Detroit Thursday.
Red Wings Rout Canadiens for NHL Championship. Detroit, Michigan: The Detroit Red Wings, with extra squads of police on hand to prevent rioting, routed the Montreal Canadiens, 6-0, tonight and won their 7th straight National Hockey League championship. Here Canadiens’ goalie Jacques Plante blocks first period try by Ted Lindsay of the Red Wings. At left Doug Harvey, Montreal defenseman, also does his duty. The crowd was orderly throughout the game.
Detroit: An Old Habit. Ted Lindsay (Left), of the Detroit Red Wings watches the puck (Right Side Of The Net), go in past goalie Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens, scoring his fourth goal of the second playoff game of the National Hockey League Stanley Cup Series.
Montreal right winger Bernie “Boom-Boom” Geoffrion, is carried off ice here with damaged ribs, as first casualty of the National Hockey league season. Geoffrion was crowded into the by Dick Duff of Toronto during the season’s first game which the Montreal Canadiens won 2-0.
Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante looks over his shoulder to discover the shot by Marcel Pronovost of the Detroit Red Wings is in the net for a score during first period play of Game 2 of the 1955 Stanley Cup. Detroit took Game 2, 7-1, and a 2-0 lead in the championships. Montreal defender Butch Bouchard skates between the two opponents.
Henri “Pocket Rocket” Richard (left) and his big brother Maurice, the original Rocket, give the Montreal Canadiens what is shaping up as one of professional hockey’s all-time great brother acts. The 19-year-old Henri, who’s filling in at right wing for the injured Boom Boom Geoffrion, is proving to be as wicked a shot as his famed 34-year-old brother. While two-brother acts are not unusual in professional hockey, the Richards are threatening to make it a threesome. Their 16-year-old brother Claude, the Vest Pocket Rocket, was advanced to the junior ranks in Montreal this year.
Jean Beliveau, of the Montreal Canadiens, blasts one past Detroit goalie Glenn Hall in second period of night game which saw the Habs take the Stanley Cup. Gordie Howe (9) and Henri Richard sprawl on the ice in the foreground
Happy Canadiens hoist their coach after 3-1 victory over Red Wings. From left: Dickie Moore, “Boom Boom” Geoffrion and Henri Richard hold coach Hector “Toe” Blake.
Freshman coach “Toe” Blake sips from the Stanley Cup and finds victory sweet April 10th after the Montreal Canadian’s won a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Sharing in the celebration are Canadian’s (left to right): Don Marshall, Capt. Butch Bouchard, Bernie Geoffrion, Dickie Moore and Jack Leclair.
This hectic action in the Stanley Cup hockey championships took place in the fourth game (April 8) in the series. The Red Wings were shut out 3-0 and the Canadiens took a 3-1 lead in games. The Canadiens went on from there to capture the coveted Stanley Cup. Here, players on both sides start out in hot pursuit of the puck after Montreal goalie Jacques Plante deflected it from the cage. From left are Canadiens Doug Harvey and Claude Provost; Red Wings Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay are shown in the air. Partly hidden is Jacques Plante.
Red Wing goalie Roger Crozier (#1) looks over his shoulder at the goal scored by Montreal’s Claude Provos (#14) during the first period of the Detroit Red Wings-Montreal Canadiens hockey game here 12/25. Also shown are Detroit’s Al Langlois (#2), Gordie Howe (#9) and Montreal’s Dave Balon (#20).
As interested spectators look on, Montreal Canadiens’ ace hockey player Maurice “The Rocket” Richard sits behind the wheel of the sports car he was given as a gift here, March 12. Richard, in Prague to see the World Amateur Hockey Championships, was given the Skoda-Felicia auto by the Motokov Foreign Trade Enterprise.
Montreal Canadiens’ Marcel Bonin (18) and Chicago Black Hawks’ Bobby Hull (16) battle for possession of the puck near the boards during the second period of the game here, 12/4. Montreal won, 7-5.
Maurice “Rocket” Richard, star of the Montreal Canadiens, gets acquainted with the Stanley Cup here April 20th. The Canadiens won the cup by beating the Boston Bruins in the playoffs, 5-3.
Maurice “Rocket” Richard (center), with assist from brother Henri, scores on prostrate New York goalie Lorne Worsley here 2/23 as Canadiens beat the Rangers 5-2 in National Hockey League game. Checking Rocket is Ranger Bill Gadsby.
Bruins Tie Canadiens in Playoffs. Montreal, Canada: The Canadiens’ ace goalie Jacques Plante (right) shows the tension of Stanley Cup play as the Boston Bruins evened the final series to one game each by downing Montreal 5-2, here April 10th.
Veteran Maurice Richard (left), of the Montreal Canadiens, goes down on the ice after scoring his 600th goal past Lou Fontinato (right) and fallen goalie Lorne Worsley of the New York Rangers during Nov. 26th game at Madison Square Garden here. Richard’s milestone goal gave the Canadiens a temporary lead over the Rangers in the opening period, but the New York team came out on top with a final score of 5 to 3.
Maurice Richard, of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team, displays a big “600” scrawled on his hockey stick to tell the world that he scored his 600th goal during the Nov. 26th game with the New York rangers at Madison Square Garden here. Richard’s goal in the opening period gave the Canadiens a temporary lead over the Rangers, but the New York team emerged victorious with a final score of 5 to 3.
As Toronto’s Ron Stewart (12) tries desperately to push the puck into the cage, Montreal defensemen bar the way during the game in the Stanley Cup playoffs here, April 18th. Goalie Jacques Plante falls to successfully block the puck. The Canadiens won, 5-3, to take the Stanley Cup for the fourth straight year.
11/1/1959-New York, NY- His face and shirt bloodied, Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante puts on a special plastic mask after being treated for a facial cut received in the opening period of the Rangers-Canadiens hockey game. Plante suffered a severe gash on the left side of his face when he was struck by a shot off the stick of Andy Bathgate of the New York Rangers. After donning the mask, which he had designed himself, Plante returned to the game.
Mask Hides Injury. Jacques Plante, star goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, wears a special mask on his face as he returns to the ice after being treated for a facial cut received in the opening period of the Montreal-New York Hockey game here, Nov. 1st. Plante suffered a seven inch gash on the left side of his face when he was struck by a shot off the stick of Andy Bathgate of the New York Rangers. Plante had designed the mask himself and had previously used it in practice games. This was the first time a goalie ever played a National Hockey League game with such a protective device. Montreal won, 3 to 1.
Maurice Richard, hockey’s highest scorer and vet star of NHL Montreal Canadiens (center), with younger brothers Claude (left) and Henri, who’ll man the Hab’s forward line with him this season.
Detroit Red Wings Gordie Howe (#9) scores goal number 544 against Montreal goalie Gump Worsley during the third period of the Red Wings-Canadiens action here 10/27. The tally ties the NHL lifetime record held currently by Maurice (Rocket) Richard. Skating behind Howe is Montreal Red Wing Gilles Trembley. Note puck in net behind goalie. Montreal won the game 6 to 4.
Montreal Canadiens Ted Harris (10) engages Black Hawks’ Bobby Hull in high-sticking duel during contest here 1/18 while goalie Gump Worsley (30) sinks to the ice. Dick Duff (8) and another unidentified Canadian team up in the foreground to keep Phil Esposito (7) from finding the loose puck. The Canadiens won, 4-2, to take first place from the Hawks.
In one of the many major fights which riddled the game, Bobby Hull (9) of Chicago, on the left, slugs it out with John Ferguson (22) of the Canadiens. Hull required five stitches to stop the bleeding following the fight. The Canadiens downed the Hawks 6-3.
Bobby Hull (9), of the Chicago Black Hawks, and Jacques LaPerriere (2), of the Montreal Canadiens, battle for the puck during this Stanley Cup playoff game, May 16, 1971.
Los Angelis Kings’ goalie Gerry Desjardins makes a spectacular save off Canadiens’ Serge Savard (left). Kings’ Brent Hughes (5) takes Canadiens’ Bobby Rousseau (15) out of the play, while Kings’ Bryan Campbell (11) helps teammate Desjardins, in a game in which Montreal defeated Los Angeles 5-1 in their opening National Hockey League game here
It got a bit crowded in the Detroit nets as Canadiens’ Henri Richard (#16) bumped Red Wings’ Gordie Howe (standing left) and goalie Terry Sawchuk (partially hidden in net) into the net after he was upended while trying for a shot during the first period of Detroit-Montreal game, 1/5. Player at the right is Red Wings’ Alex Delvechio (#10). The game ended in a 3-3 tie.
Gordon Howe of the Detroit Red Wings smiles as he displays the puck that scored the his 600th goal with during a game with Montreal Canadiens (11/27). Howe, playing a record-tying 20th season in the NHL, became the first man in National Hockey league history to score 600 goals.
Montreal Canadiens Jacques Lemaire drinks from the Stanley Cup as teammate Yvan Cournoyer looks on. Canadiens beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 for the championship.
Bobby Orr (4) of the Boston Bruins, tries to split the Montreal defense and is taken to the ice by Canadiens’ Jacques LaPerriere (2) and Terry Harper (19). Action took place during second period of the first game, East semi-finals NHL playoffs, 4/7. Boston won the game, 3-1.
Montreal Canadiens team captain Jean Beliveau signs autographs for children on the sideline before a charity game between the Canadiens and the Ottawa 67’s. The ice hockey game is held at the official opening of the Ottawa Civic Center.
Chicago’s Bobby Hull (9) heads an attack across the Canadiens’ blue line as he is closely watched by Montrealer Rejean Houle (14). Other players seen in this first period action are Canadien Peter Mahlovich (20), Hawks’ Bill White (2, right background) and Jim Papin (8). The Montreal Canadiens went into this, the third game of the Stanley Cup playoffs, two games behind the Black Hawks.
Jacques LaPerriere (2) of the Canadiens, tries to stop Bobby Hull (9), who stands at close range to scoring with a loose puck in front of Canadiens’ netminder Ken Dryden. Also seen in the action is Canadiens’ Guy LaPointe (5).
Montreal Canadiens Frank Mahlovich (27) takes Chicago Black Hawks Bobby Hull (9) out of position seconds before Jacques Lemaire (not shown) scored a goal on the Black Hawks goalie Tony Esposito. The goal tied the score, 1-1, during the first period of play in the Stanley Cup finals, May 6.
Bobby Hull (9), Chicago Black Hawks, battles Serge Savard (18), Montreal Canadiens, for the puck behind the net.
Montreal’s veteran Henri Richard cracks a drive past Chicago Black Hawks’ goalie Tony Esposito in the third period of seventh Stanley Cup game here May 18th. Keith Magnuson of the Hawks looks. Richard’s goal gave the Canadiens a 3-2 lead which they kept to win the coveted Cup for the 17th time in team history.
Yvan Cournoyer, of Montreal (12), scores the first Canadiens’ goal in first period in Chicago Stadium as he gets shot past Black Hawks goalie Tony Esposito. Other players are Montreal’s Pete Mahovlich (20) and Chicago’s Bobby Hull (9) and Pat Stapleton (12).
Canadien’s Ken Dryden cools off here, after Montreal beat Chicago 6-4, to take the Stanley Cup series by four games to two.
Montreal Canadien goalkeeper Ken Dryden gives the “number one” gesture while his teammates hug and kiss the Stanley Cup following their four-game sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers during the Stanley Cup Finals at the Spectrum Sports Arena.
(NHL All-Star) Montreal: Don Luce (right) of the Buffalo Sabres and Guy Lafleur (left) of the Montreal Canadiens appear unphased at finding women reporters in the winning team’s dressing room, following the NHL All-Star game here, late January 22. The equally unperturbed reporters were identified as Robin Herman (right ) of the New York Times and Marcelle St. Cyr (left) of Montreal radio station CKLM. The rival coaches for the game agreed Monday to an “open door” policy in regard to their dressing rooms. (Both photos shared the same caption.)
Maurice “Rocket” Richard (l), Guy Lafleur and Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion (right) were presented with honorary plaques, prior to the Minnesota vs. Montreal hockey game here, 11/11. The three players were honored for being the only members of the Montreal Canadiens’ roster ever to have scored fifty or more goals during the regular season. Richard and Geoffrion have since retired while Lafluer still plays with the Canadiens.
Uniondale, Long Island, New York: Montreal Canadiens’ goalie Patrick Roy makes a great save of Islanders’ Bryan Trottier’s shot at the goal by knocking the puck back past Trottier in the 1st period at the Nassau Coliseum.
Former Montreal Canadien Maurice “Rocket” Richard died late May 26 at the age of 78. The former Montreal Canadiens star died of abdominal cancer. He is during a farewell ceremony following the final NHL game at the Montreal Forum, March 11, 1996
Wearing a Montreal Canadiens jersey with the number and name of Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Miche Lachance takes a picture of a memorial to the hockey great outside the Molson Center, May 29. The hockey legend, Richard, died of stomach cancer May 27 at the age of 78. Richard will be given a state funeral June 1.
Wearing a Montreal Canadiens’ sweater and hat, Guy Lacombe, 61, sits outside Notre Dame Basilica listening to the funeral of Maurice “Rocket” Richard on loudspeakers, May 31. Canadian hockey legend Richard, 78, died May 27 after a two year battle with stomach cancer.
Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard, accompanied by Montreal Canadiens president Pierre Boivin (L), pays his respects to hockey legend Maurice “Rocket” Richard during the public viewing at the Molson Centre, May 30. Richard died May 27 following a two-year battle with stomach cancer. Funeral services will be held May 31.
A woman wipes a tear as she visits a statue of Montreal Canadiens’ Maurice “Rocket” Richard in Montreal, May 28. The Canadien great, who was the first NHLplayer to score 50 goals in 50 games, died May 27 after a long battle with cancer
Montreal Canadiens’ new owner George Gillett Jr. laughs during a press conference in Montreal, January 31, 2001. Brewer Molson Inc. sold an 80.1 percent stake in the famed Montreal Canadiens National Hockey League team and its home arena to Gillett in a deal valued at C$275 million ($184 million).
Montreal Canadiens goalie Stephane Fiset stops a shot on his shoulder in front of New Jersey Devils winger Patrik Elias (R) in the first period April 12, 2002 at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Montreal Canadiens fans wear bags over their heads during the team’s 2-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils in the team’s final game of the season in Montreal, April 7, 2001. The Canadiens have failed to make the playoffs for three straight seasons.
Montreal Canadiens’ captain Saku Koivu receives a standing ovation prior to the team’s first home game of the season in Montreal, October 6, 2001. Koivu is undergoing treatment for cancer after being diagnosed with the illness during the team’s 2001 training camp.
Montreal Canadiens’ captain Saku Koivu waves to the crowd after being named first star of the game against against the Ottawa Senators on April 9, 2002. The Canadiens beat the Senators 4-3 and qualified for a play off spot.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore and Doug Gilmour celebrate their 5-3 victory over the Boston Bruins in their NHL Eastern Conference quarter final in Montreal, April 23, 2002. The Canadiens now lead the best-of-seven game series two games to one.
Montreal Canadiens gather around their injured teammate Richard Zednik after he was hit by Boston Bruins Kyle McLaren during the third period of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal in Montreal, April 25, 2002. Zednik was taken off the ice on a stretcher and the Bruins went on to win the game 5-2, to tie the series at two games apiece.
Montreal Canadiens General Manager, Andre Savard (R) announced the appointment of Claude Julien (L) as the new head coach of the slumping NHL team in Montreal on January 17, 2003. The Canadiens, who have won only two of their last twelve games, have fired former head coach Michel Therrien.
Bob Gainey smiles during a press conference, as the Montreal Canadiens announced his appointment as the new Executive Vice President and General Manager of the slumping NHL team, in Montreal June 2, 2003. Gainey replaces Andre Savard who will become his assistant as of July 1, 2003.
Montreal Canadiens Alex Kovalev holds his wrist as he skates off the ice, following his team’s 4-3 loss in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Boston Bruins, in Montreal, April 13, 2004. The Bruins took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Detroit Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek makes a save against Montreal Canadiens Richard Zednik (No. 20) during first period NHL action in Montreal on October 20, 2003.
Montreal Canadiens’ hockey legend Guy Lafleur smiles as he warms up on the ice during practice in Montreal, November 17, 2003. Lafleur will skate during an alumni game against Edmonton Oilers’ great Wayne Gretzky, as the NHL will host its first outdoor game in history on November 22, when the Montreal Canadiens faceoff against the Edmonton Oilers at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.
Montreal Canadiens’ hockey legend Guy Lafleur warms up on the ice during practice in Montreal, November 17, 2003. Lafleur will skate during an alumni game against Edmonton Oilers great Wayne Gretzky, as the NHL will host its first outdoor game in history on November 22, when the Montreal Canadiens will faceoff against the Edmonton Oilers at Edmontons’ Commonwealth Stadium.
Montreal Canadiens’ NHL old timer Larry Robinosn (L) and Edmonton Oilers’ old timer Wayne Gretzky joke around following their match at the National Hockey League Hockey Heritage Classic in Edmonton, Canada, November 22 ,2003. The current Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens will also meet in the first ever National Hockey League match outside.
Hockey Hall of Famers Guy Lafleur (L) and Grant Fuhr take part in and old timers match at the NHL Hockey Heritage Classic in Edmonton, Canada, November 22, 2003. The current Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens also met in the first ever National Hockey League match held on an outside rink.
Hockey great Wayne Gretzky (C) plays in an old timers match during the NHL Hockey Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada, November 22, 2003. The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens will meet in the first ever National Hockey League match held on an outside rink. On the left is Esa Tikkanen and on the right, Gaston Gingras.
Montreal Canadiens’ Yanic Perrault (R) is congratulated by teammate Mike Ribeiro after Perrault scored their third goal of the night against the Edmonton Oilers during the outdoor NHL Hockey Heritage Classic in Edmonton November 22, 2003. Montreal defeated Edmonton 4-3 in the first ever NHL game held on an outdoor rink.
Edmonton Oilers goalie Ty Conklin tries to stop the puck as it passes his skate and into the corner of the net during second period play at the NHL Heritage Classic game against the Montreal Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta November 22, 2003. Montreal defeated Edmonton 4-3 in the first ever NHL game played on an outside rink.
Montreal Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey (L) and team president Pierre Boivin talk to the media in Montreal, following the cancellation of the 2004/05 NHL season, February 16, 2005. The NHL became the first major North American sports league to cancel an entire season due to a labor dispute.
Retired numbers and Stanley Cup banners of the Montreal Canadiens hang from the rafters at Bell Centre in Montreal, February 16, 2005. The NHL became the first major North American sports league to cancel an entire season due to a labor dispute.
Former Montreal Canadiens Dickie Moore (L), Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion (C) and Yvan Cournoyer pose during a news conference in Montreal October 15, 2005. The team announced that their jerseys would be retired this season.
November 2008: Former Montreal Canadien goaltender Patrick Roy enters the arena bowl at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens, celebrating their 100th season, honored Roy by retiring his jersey number in an emotional pre-game event.
2008: Former Montreal Canadien goaltender Patrick Roy addresses the sell-out crowd, as the franchise honors his career by retiring his jersey number 33 during a pre-game ceremony at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
November 2008: The Montreal Canadiens, celebrating their 100th season, honor goaltender Patrick Roy seen here greeting young goaltenders. The Canadiens retired his jersey (Number 33) during pre-game ceremonies prior to a game against the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Roy, played on two Stanley Cup teams with Montreal (1986 and 1993), and appeared in 114 playoff games for the Habs, the most of any goalie in Canadiens history.
The Montreal Canadiens, celebrating their 100th season, honor goaltender Patrick Roy seen here with current members of the Canadiens prior to hoisting his banner to the rafters. The Canadiens retired his jersey (Number 33) during pre-game ceremonies prior to a game against the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Roy, played on two Stanley Cup teams with Montreal (1986 and 1993), and appeared in 114 playoff games for the Habs, the most of any goalie in Canadiens history.
