Yvan Cournoyer Biography

Yvan Serge Cournoyer, born on November 22, 1943, played 16 seasons in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens from 1963 to 1978, winning 10 Stanley Cups. In 1972, Cournoyer scored the tying goal in the eighth game of the Canada-USSR series with seven minutes remaining. Initially seen by Canadiens coach Toe Blake as a defensive liability, Cournoyer was still used frequently on the power play. After Blake's departure following the 1968 Stanley Cup win, coach Claude Ruel gave Cournoyer a full-time shift. Cournoyer recorded his first 40-goal season in 1968–69 and was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team. He scored a career-high 47 goals during the 1972–73 season. Cournoyer became captain of the Canadiens in 1975 after Henri Richard's retirement, taking on a leadership role.