Aurel Joliat
Encyclopedia
Aurèle Émile "Mighty Atom, Little Giant" Joliat (August 29, 1901 in Ottawa
, Ontario
– June 2, 1986 in Ottawa
, Ontario
) was a Canadian professional ice hockey
left winger
who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League
for the Montreal Canadiens
.
and Iroquois Falls, Ontario
. In 1922, however, Joliat was awarded to the Montreal Canadiens
in compensation for the Saskatoon Sheiks
of the Western Canada Hockey League
signing aging superstar Newsy Lalonde
. At first, the deal of an unknown for the greatest player in the game was wildly unpopular with Habs fans, but the "Little Giant" proved an immediate success on the ice. The following season, Joliat helped the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup
in 1924 over the WCHL's Calgary Tigers
. He helped the Canadiens win two more cups in 1930 and 1931.
Joliat proved noteworthy as a two-way forward, particularly for the ability to counterattack after a breakup. Despite his lack of size—at 5′7″ and 136 lbs, Joliat was one of the smallest players in the game—he was also notable for a refusal to back off from on-ice confrontations.
His breakout season was 1925, when teamed with Howie Morenz
and Billy Boucher
, Joliat scored 29 goals to lead the NHL, and his 41 points would be a career high. He would remain an impact scorer for the Habs through the 1938
season, and retired the following year, reportedly devastated by Morenz's recent death.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in 1947. In 1985, Joliat skated around the Montreal Forum to a huge ovation as a "special treat" for the fans. Despite falling twice, he quickly stood up and finished his skate, the trademark black cap he wore back in his playing days held in his hand.
Joliat continued to skate along Ottawa's Rideau Canal
well into his 80s and died at the age of 84 in 1986; after seeing his beloved Canadiens win their 23rd Stanley Cup earlier that year and was buried in Notre Dame Cemetery
in Ottawa, Ontario.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
– June 2, 1986 in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
) was a Canadian professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
left winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
for the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
.
Playing career
Joliat began his organized hockey career in 1916, playing for several Canadian amateur teams in OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and Iroquois Falls, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. In 1922, however, Joliat was awarded to the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in compensation for the Saskatoon Sheiks
Saskatoon Sheiks
The Saskatoon Sheiks were a professional ice hockey team in the Western Canada Hockey League and Prairie Hockey League from 1922 to 1928. The team was based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, except for the end of the 1922 season, when they played in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.The team entered the WCHL in...
of the Western Canada Hockey League
Western Canada Hockey League
The Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921, was a major professional ice hockey league originally based in the prairies of Canada. It was renamed the Western Hockey League in 1925 and disbanded in 1926.-History:...
signing aging superstar Newsy Lalonde
Newsy Lalonde
Édouard Cyrille "Newsy" Lalonde was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward in the National Hockey League and a professional lacrosse player, regarded as one of hockey's and lacrosse's greatest players of the first half of the 20th century and one of sport's most colourful characters...
. At first, the deal of an unknown for the greatest player in the game was wildly unpopular with Habs fans, but the "Little Giant" proved an immediate success on the ice. The following season, Joliat helped the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
in 1924 over the WCHL's Calgary Tigers
Calgary Tigers
The Calgary Tigers, often nicknamed the Bengals, were an ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 1920 until 1927 as members of the Big Four League, Western Canada Hockey League and Prairie Hockey League. The Tigers were revived in 1932, playing for a short-lived four years in the...
. He helped the Canadiens win two more cups in 1930 and 1931.
Joliat proved noteworthy as a two-way forward, particularly for the ability to counterattack after a breakup. Despite his lack of size—at 5′7″ and 136 lbs, Joliat was one of the smallest players in the game—he was also notable for a refusal to back off from on-ice confrontations.
Howie Morenz
Howard William Morenz was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre for three National Hockey League teams: the Montreal Canadiens , the Chicago Black Hawks, and the New York Rangers...
and Billy Boucher
Billy Boucher
William Martin Boucher was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger.Born in Ottawa, Ontario, he played in the National Hockey League for the Hamilton Tigers, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and New York Americans. He also played for the New Haven Eagles and Bronx Tigers of the...
, Joliat scored 29 goals to lead the NHL, and his 41 points would be a career high. He would remain an impact scorer for the Habs through the 1938
1937–38 NHL season
-European tour:After the Stanley Cup final finished, the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens played a nine-game exhibition series in Europe, becoming the first NHL teams to play outside North America. Six games were played in England, three in France...
season, and retired the following year, reportedly devastated by Morenz's recent death.
Retirement
Joliat finished his career with 270 goals and 460 points in 655 games.He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
in 1947. In 1985, Joliat skated around the Montreal Forum to a huge ovation as a "special treat" for the fans. Despite falling twice, he quickly stood up and finished his skate, the trademark black cap he wore back in his playing days held in his hand.
Joliat continued to skate along Ottawa's Rideau Canal
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal , also known as the Rideau Waterway, connects the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on the Ottawa River to the city of Kingston, Ontario on Lake Ontario. The canal was opened in 1832 as a precaution in case of war with the United States and is still in use today, with most of its...
well into his 80s and died at the age of 84 in 1986; after seeing his beloved Canadiens win their 23rd Stanley Cup earlier that year and was buried in Notre Dame Cemetery
Notre-Dame Cemetery (Ottawa)
Notre Dame Cemetery, located at 455 Montreal Rd., in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, opened in 1872. It is the most prominent Catholic cemetery in Ottawa. The cemetery is located between residential area of Rockcliffe, Ontario and just south of Beechwood Cemetery on St. Laurent Boulevard in the east end...
in Ottawa, Ontario.
Achievements and facts
- At the time of his retirement, Joliat was third, behind Howie MorenzHowie MorenzHoward William Morenz was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre for three National Hockey League teams: the Montreal Canadiens , the Chicago Black Hawks, and the New York Rangers...
and Nels StewartNels StewartRobert Nelson "Old Poison" Stewart was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Maroons, New York Americans and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League...
, for goals scored in NHL history to that date. - Ranked 65th on The Hockey News list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
- Named to the inaugural NHL First All-Star Team at left wing in 1931.
- Named a Second Team All-Star in 1932, 1934 and 1935.
- Won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player in 1934.
- Despite playing in an era where seasons totaled no more than 48 games, Joliat remains in 9th place all-time on the Canadiens' career goal scoring list and second among left wingers to Steve ShuttSteve ShuttStephen John Shutt is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He was an integral part of the Montreal Canadiens team that won five Stanley Cups in 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979.-Early years:...
. - Named to the 75th Anniversary All-Time Team by the Canadiens.
- His number 4 jersey was "co-retired" in 1984, having been previously retired in Jean BéliveauJean BéliveauJean Arthur "Le Gros Bill" Béliveau, is a former professional ice hockey player who played parts of 20 seasons with the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens. As a player, he won the Stanley Cup 10 times, and as an executive he was part of another seven championship teams, the most Stanley...
's honour. - His brother Robert also played professional hockey.
- Was the referee for Maurice Richard's NHL debut, in 19421942–43 NHL season-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played, G = Goals, A = Assists, PTS = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes-Leading goaltenders:...
.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1922–23 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
24 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 31 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 1923–24 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 24 | 15 | 5 | 20 | 19 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | ||
| 1924–25 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 24 | 29 | 11 | 40 | 85 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 21 | ||
| 1925–26 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 35 | 17 | 9 | 26 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1926–27 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 43 | 14 | 4 | 18 | 79 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | ||
| 1927–28 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 44 | 28 | 11 | 39 | 105 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 1928–29 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 44 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 59 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | ||
| 1929–30 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 42 | 19 | 12 | 31 | 40 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1930–31 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 43 | 13 | 22 | 35 | 73 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | ||
| 1931–32 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 48 | 15 | 24 | 39 | 46 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1932–33 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 48 | 18 | 21 | 39 | 53 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1933–34 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 48 | 22 | 15 | 37 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1934–35 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 48 | 17 | 12 | 29 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1935–36 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 48 | 15 | 8 | 23 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1936–37 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 47 | 17 | 15 | 32 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1937–38 1937–38 NHL season -European tour:After the Stanley Cup final finished, the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens played a nine-game exhibition series in Europe, becoming the first NHL teams to play outside North America. Six games were played in England, three in France... |
Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 44 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 655 | 270 | 190 | 460 | 757 | 54 | 14 | 19 | 33 | 89 | ||||