Denis Herron
Encyclopedia
Denis Bernard Herron is a former Canadian
professional
ice hockey
goaltender
who played for the Montreal Canadiens
, Kansas City Scouts
, and Pittsburgh Penguins
in the National Hockey League
.
and the Trois-Rivieres Ducs of the Quebec Junior Hockey League. He had a good junior career and in 1972, he was named to the Second All-Star Team with the Trois-Rivieres Ducs. In 1972
, Herron was drafted 40th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins
. In his first season, he split his time between the Penguins, and the Hershey Bears
of the AHL
. In 1974
, Herron played for three different teams. He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Hershey Bears and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles
. Next season
, Herron would play the first half of the season with the Pens and the Bears before being traded to the Kansas City Scouts
. He played 22 games with them that season and spent another year in Kansas City before becoming a free agent.
He was signed by Pittsburgh again and played with them for the next three years. In 1978
, Herron made an appearance with Team Canada in the World Championships
where he won a bronze medal.
In 1979
, the Penguins traded him to the Montreal Canadiens
. He would remain with the Canadiens for the next three years where he would share goaltending duties. In 1981
, Herron was awarded the Vezina Trophy
with teammates Michel Larocque
and Richard Sevigny
. In 1982
, Herron shared the William M. Jennings Trophy
with fellow netminder Rick Wamsley
.
In 1983
, Herron would return to Pittsburgh for the third time in his career. He remained there until 1986
, where he would retire.
His brother Ronald was also a professional goalie, having played in France and his niece Catherine Herron tended nets for the women's Marlet team at McGill University.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
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...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
who played 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 ...
, Kansas City Scouts
Kansas City Scouts
The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies...
, and Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
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...
.
Playing career
Herron played junior hockey with the Trois-Rivieres DraveursTrois-Rivières Draveurs
The Trois-Rivières Draveurs were a junior ice hockey team playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They played at the Colisée de Trois-Rivières, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The team was originally known as the Trois-Rivières Ducs and were a founding member of the QMJHL in 1969...
and the Trois-Rivieres Ducs of the Quebec Junior Hockey League. He had a good junior career and in 1972, he was named to the Second All-Star Team with the Trois-Rivieres Ducs. In 1972
1971-72 NHL season
-Final:New York Rangers vs. Boston BruinsBoston Bruins win the best-of-seven series 4 games to 2 for the Stanley Cup-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:-Leading goaltenders:...
, Herron was drafted 40th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. In his first season, he split his time between the Penguins, and the Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. In 1974
1973-74 NHL season
-NHL awards:A new award, the Jack Adams for the best coach, was introduced for this season. The first winner was Fred Shero of the Philadelphia Flyers.-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:...
, Herron played for three different teams. He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Hershey Bears and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
The Salt Lake Golden Eagles were a minor professional hockey team based in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1969 to 1994.They played in the Western Hockey League from 1969 to 1974, the Central Hockey League from 1974 to 1984 and the International Hockey League from 1984 to 1994...
. Next season
1974-75 NHL season
-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL.-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = PointsSource: NHL.-Leading goaltenders:...
, Herron would play the first half of the season with the Pens and the Bears before being traded to the Kansas City Scouts
Kansas City Scouts
The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies...
. He played 22 games with them that season and spent another year in Kansas City before becoming a free agent.
He was signed by Pittsburgh again and played with them for the next three years. In 1978
1978 World Ice Hockey Championships
The 1978 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia from 26 April to 14 May. Eight teams took part, with each team playing each other once in the first round, and then the four best teams meeting in a new round. This was the 45th World Championships, and also the 56th ice...
, Herron made an appearance with Team Canada in the World Championships
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
where he won a bronze medal.
In 1979
1978-79 NHL season
The 1978–79 NHL season was the 62nd season of the National Hockey League. The Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup finals four games to one for their fourth Cup in a row...
, the Penguins traded him 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 ...
. He would remain with the Canadiens for the next three years where he would share goaltending duties. In 1981
1980-81 NHL season
The 1980–81 NHL season was the 64th season of the National Hockey League. This was the first season that the Calgary Flames played in Calgary, Alberta. Previously, they were the Atlanta Flames and played in Atlanta, Georgia. The New York Islanders won their second consecutive Stanley Cup, defeating...
, Herron was awarded the Vezina Trophy
Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
with teammates Michel Larocque
Michel Larocque
Michel Raymond "Bunny" Larocque was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League....
and Richard Sevigny
Richard Sevigny
Richard Sevigny was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec Nordiques in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
. In 1982
1981-82 NHL season
The 1981–82 NHL season was the 65th season of the National Hockey League. The William M. Jennings Trophy made its debut this year as the trophy for the goaltenders from the team with the fewest goals against...
, Herron shared the William M. Jennings Trophy
William M. Jennings Trophy
The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League award given to "the goalkeeper having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it. Winners are selected based on regular-season play." From 1946 until 1981, the Vezina Trophy had been awarded...
with fellow netminder Rick Wamsley
Rick Wamsley
Richard James Wamsley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs...
.
In 1983
1982-83 NHL season
-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL.-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = PointsSource: NHL.-Leading goaltenders:...
, Herron would return to Pittsburgh for the third time in his career. He remained there until 1986
1985-86 NHL season
-Final:Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary FlamesMontreal wins best-of-seven series 4–1-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:- Leading goaltenders :-Debuts:...
, where he would retire.
Personal life
He is married to Debbie Pike, of St. Lambert Quebec and has two daughters, Elissa and Mandi. After retirement he worked in sales for a car dealership in Granby but then moved on to work as the director of sales and marketing the Airport Hilton in West Palm Beach Florida. Like all NHL players, his NHL pension kicked in at age 55, which was in 2007.His brother Ronald was also a professional goalie, having played in France and his niece Catherine Herron tended nets for the women's Marlet team at McGill University.
Awards and achievements
- Selected to the QMJHLQuebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
Second All-Star Team in 1972. - Vezina TrophyVezina TrophyThe Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
winner in 19811980-81 NHL seasonThe 1980–81 NHL season was the 64th season of the National Hockey League. This was the first season that the Calgary Flames played in Calgary, Alberta. Previously, they were the Atlanta Flames and played in Atlanta, Georgia. The New York Islanders won their second consecutive Stanley Cup, defeating...
(shared with Michel LarocqueMichel LarocqueMichel Raymond "Bunny" Larocque was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League....
and Richard SevignyRichard SevignyRichard Sevigny was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec Nordiques in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
). - William M. Jennings TrophyWilliam M. Jennings TrophyThe William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League award given to "the goalkeeper having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it. Winners are selected based on regular-season play." From 1946 until 1981, the Vezina Trophy had been awarded...
winner in 19821981-82 NHL seasonThe 1981–82 NHL season was the 65th season of the National Hockey League. The William M. Jennings Trophy made its debut this year as the trophy for the goaltenders from the team with the fewest goals against...
(shared with Rick WamsleyRick WamsleyRichard James Wamsley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs...
).
Regular season
| 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 | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969-70 | Trois-Rivieres Draveurs Trois-Rivières Draveurs The Trois-Rivières Draveurs were a junior ice hockey team playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They played at the Colisée de Trois-Rivières, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The team was originally known as the Trois-Rivières Ducs and were a founding member of the QMJHL in 1969... |
QJHL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 96 | 10 | 0 | 6.25 |
| 1970-71 | Trois-Rivieres Draveurs | QJHL | 33 | — | — | — | 1980 | 136 | 0 | 4.12 |
| 1971-72 | Trois-Rivieres Ducs | QMJHL Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League... |
40 | — | — | — | 2400 | 160 | 2 | 4.00 |
| 1972-73 1972-73 NHL season -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:-Leading goaltenders:Note: GP = Games played; Min - Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts-Debuts:... |
Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
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... |
18 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 967 | 55 | 2 | 3.41 |
| 1972-73 | Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
21 | — | — | — | 1185 | 63 | 0 | 3.19 |
| 1973-74 | Salt Lake Golden Eagles Salt Lake Golden Eagles The Salt Lake Golden Eagles were a minor professional hockey team based in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1969 to 1994.They played in the Western Hockey League from 1969 to 1974, the Central Hockey League from 1974 to 1984 and the International Hockey League from 1984 to 1994... |
WHL Western Hockey League (minor pro) The Western Hockey League was a minor pro ice hockey league that operated from 1952 to 1974. Managed for most of its history by Hockey Hall of Fame member Al Leader, it was created out of the merger of the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Canada Senior Hockey League... |
9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 530 | 32 | 0 | 3.62 |
| 1973-74 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 17 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 967 | 52 | 0 | 3.22 |
| 1973-74 1973-74 NHL season -NHL awards:A new award, the Jack Adams for the best coach, was introduced for this season. The first winner was Fred Shero of the Philadelphia Flyers.-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 260 | 18 | 0 | 4.15 |
| 1974-75 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 12 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 615 | 45 | 0 | 4.39 |
| 1974-75 1974-75 NHL season -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL.-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = PointsSource: NHL.-Leading goaltenders:... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 108 | 11 | 0 | 6.11 |
| 1974-75 | Kansas City Scouts Kansas City Scouts The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies... |
NHL | 22 | 4 | 13 | 4 | 1280 | 80 | 0 | 3.75 |
| 1975-76 1975-76 NHL season -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points-Leading goaltenders:Note: GP = Games played; Min - Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts-Debuts:The following is a list... |
Kansas City Scouts | NHL | 64 | 11 | 39 | 11 | 3620 | 243 | 0 | 4.03 |
| 1976-77 1976-77 NHL season -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties In Minutes-Leading goaltenders:... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 34 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 1920 | 94 | 1 | 2.94 |
| 1977-78 1977-78 NHL season Game 5 was Fred Shero's last game as head coach of the Flyers and Gerry Cheevers left the ice without shaking hands with any of the Flyers. -Finals:Boston Bruins vs... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 60 | 20 | 25 | 15 | 3534 | 210 | 0 | 3.57 |
| 1978-79 1978-79 NHL season The 1978–79 NHL season was the 62nd season of the National Hockey League. The Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup finals four games to one for their fourth Cup in a row... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 56 | 22 | 19 | 12 | 3208 | 180 | 0 | 3.37 |
| 1979-80 1979-80 NHL season The 1979–80 NHL season was the 63rd season of the National Hockey League. This season saw the addition of four teams from the disbanded World Hockey Association as expansion franchises. The Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New England Whalers , and Quebec Nordiques joined the NHL, bringing the total... |
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 | 34 | 25 | 3 | 3 | 1909 | 80 | 0 | 2.51 |
| 1980-81 1980-81 NHL season The 1980–81 NHL season was the 64th season of the National Hockey League. This was the first season that the Calgary Flames played in Calgary, Alberta. Previously, they were the Atlanta Flames and played in Atlanta, Georgia. The New York Islanders won their second consecutive Stanley Cup, defeating... |
Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 25 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 1147 | 67 | 1 | 3.50 |
| 1981-82 1981-82 NHL season The 1981–82 NHL season was the 65th season of the National Hockey League. The William M. Jennings Trophy made its debut this year as the trophy for the goaltenders from the team with the fewest goals against... |
Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 27 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 1547 | 68 | 3 | 2.64 |
| 1982-83 1982-83 NHL season -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL.-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = PointsSource: NHL.-Leading goaltenders:... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 31 | 5 | 18 | 5 | 1707 | 151 | 1 | 5.31 |
| 1983-84 1983-84 NHL season The 1983–84 NHL season was the 67th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers de-throned the four-time defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders four games to one in the Cup finals.-League business:... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 38 | 8 | 24 | 2 | 2028 | 138 | 1 | 4.08 |
| 1984-85 1984-85 NHL season The 1984–85 NHL season was the 68th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers won their second straight Stanley Cup by beating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to one in the final series.-League business:... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 42 | 10 | 22 | 3 | 2193 | 170 | 1 | 4.67 |
| 1985-86 1985-86 NHL season -Final:Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary FlamesMontreal wins best-of-seven series 4–1-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:- Leading goaltenders :-Debuts:... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 180 | 14 | 0 | 4.67 |
| 1985-86 | Baltimore Skipjacks Baltimore Skipjacks The Baltimore Skipjacks were a minor professional ice hockey team in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League. They played in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Baltimore Arena.-History:... |
AHL | 27 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 1510 | 86 | 0 | 3.42 |
| NHL totals | 462 | 146 | 203 | 76 | 25,608 | 1579 | 10 | 3.70 | ||
Playoffs
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970-71 | Trois-Rivieres Draveurs | QJHL | 7 | — | — | 420 | 23 | 1 | 3.29 |
| 1971-72 | Trois-Rivieres Ducs | QMJHL | 4 | — | — | 200 | 19 | 0 | 5.70 |
| 1972-73 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 4 | — | — | 240 | 16 | 0 | 4.00 |
| 1973-74 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 4 | 4 | 0 | 242 | 7 | 0 | 1.73 |
| 1976-77 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 3 | 1 | 2 | 180 | 11 | 0 | 3.67 |
| 1978-79 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 7 | 2 | 5 | 421 | 24 | 0 | 3.42 |
| 1979-80 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 5 | 2 | 3 | 300 | 15 | 0 | 3.00 |
| NHL totals | 15 | 5 | 10 | 901 | 50 | 0 | 3.33 | ||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 1978 World Ice Hockey Championships The 1978 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia from 26 April to 14 May. Eight teams took part, with each team playing each other once in the first round, and then the four best teams meeting in a new round. This was the 45th World Championships, and also the 56th ice... |
Canada | WC Ice Hockey World Championships The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European... |
5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 255 | 12 | 0 | 2.82 | |
| Senior int'l totals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 255 | 12 | 0 | 2.82 | |||