As one of the oldest professional hockey teams in the world, the Montreal Canadiens have a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1909, the Canadiens have become synonymous with excellence in the sport, winning 24 Stanley Cups championships and consistently competing at the game’s highest level. With a passionate fan base and a roster of legendary players, the Canadiens have solidified their place as one of the top hockey teams of all time.
John Ambrose O’Brien was the founder of the Montreal Canadiens, who appointed Jean-Baptiste “Jack” Laviolette as a coach and general manager. In just one month, Laviolette assembled a roster of 15 players, and the team played their first game as part of the Canadian Hockey Association on January 4, 1910. Shortly after that, the Canadiens joined the newly created National Hockey Association.
The Canadiens were one of the founding teams of the National Hockey League (NHL) at the start of the 1917-18 season. In the NHL’s first championship, the Canadiens lost to the Toronto Arenas, who won the first Stanley Cup in the league.
Fun Facts about Montreal Canadiens
Here are 15 fun facts about the Montreal Canadiens:
1. The Canadiens are the oldest continuously operating professional ice hockey team in the world, founded in 1909. With over a century of history, the Canadiens have established themselves as one of the most successful and storied franchises in hockey.
2. The Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cups, the most of any team in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Stanley Cup is the most prestigious trophy in the sport of hockey and is awarded annually to the team that wins the NHL playoffs
3. The team’s home arena, the Bell Centre, is one of the largest in the NHL, with a seating capacity of more than 21,000. The Bell Centre is located in the heart of Montreal and is one of the city’s most iconic and recognizable buildings.
4. The Canadiens have had several notable players, including Howie Morenz, Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Jean Beliveau, Guy Lafleur, and Patrick Roy.
5. The team’s iconic “CH” logo is one of the most recognizable in professional sports and is synonymous with the Canadiens brand.
6. Jean Perron made history by leading the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup win in his first season as head coach in 1986.
7. Joe Malone holds the distinction of scoring the first goal in the Canadiens’ storied history.
8. Henri Richard played the most playoff seasons for the Canadiens, appearing in the postseason for 18 consecutive years from 1955 to 1975.
9. Larry Robinson holds the record for the most playoff games played for the Canadiens, appearing in 203 post-season contests.
10. Legend Maurice Richard, a Canadiens superstar, briefly stepped into a coaching role as the first head coach of the Quebec Nordiques. However, he only coached the first two games before resigning and being replaced by Maurice Filion.
11. Maurice Richard holds the record for the most goals scored by a Canadiens player in the playoffs, with 82 total.
12. Jean Beliveau has the most playoff points of any Canadiens player, with 176 points throughout his career.
13. Maurice Richard made history by scoring three goals in a single playoff game on seven separate occasions.
14. Rocket Richard created NHL history in 1945 by being the first player to score 50 goals in a single season, accomplishing the feat on the season’s last night.
15. The Canadiens reached the championship game every year from 1951 to 1960, winning six times, including a record-setting five straight from 1956 to 1960.
Will The Montreal Canadiens Achieve Success This Season?
Of course, those who have followed the Montreal Canadiens for a significantly long time will know that recent years have been far from their best. In fact, last year’s campaign was perhaps one of the most embarrassing that the team has ever experienced.
Nonetheless, the fan base is one of the fiercest and most loyal in the NHL. Many have proven this by continuing to show up in their numbers to support the team, while others have taken advantage of the sports betting option.
With different forms of legal online gambling in Canada, betting on your local team is now a possibility wherever you are with your mobile device. Many Habs fans have been enjoying the season with these options now available, that also come with bonuses and promotions they can take advantage of.
It should come as no surprise that a lot of people will keep using these alternatives in the future, with some likely thinking about the possibilities of placing bets on the current season. However, could fans expect success on the ice, or will they be considering wagering on other outcomes?
Of course, at this stage of the NHL season, there may not be too many that are considering anything other than a poor finish to the campaign once again. As of writing, the team is currently dead last in the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The organisation has only won 20 of its 51 games thus far, with 27 defeats in regulation and a further four having been experienced in overtime.
Naturally, with the NHL trade deadline fast approaching, there are still certain things that the Habs could potentially look to do. However, for many, it will be a case of too little, too late as the season is almost over. Nonetheless, it has been argued that the team could have an easy February as they face teams not doing too well themselves. Additionally, injured players could start to make a return to the roster in order to try and turn things around on the ice.
Final Thoughts
The Montreal Canadiens are a successful team with a long history. Throughout their history, they have been graced with some of the greatest players in hockey history. From Maurice “Rocket” Richard and Jean Beliveau to Guy Lafleur and Jacques Plante, the Canadiens have consistently boasted a roster of elite talent that has elevated the team to new heights.