Denis Potvin
Encyclopedia
Denis Charles Potvin is a former defenseman and team captain
for the New York Islanders
in the National Hockey League
and cornerstone for the Islanders' four Stanley Cup
championship teams in the early 1980s. His brother, Jean Potvin
, was also an NHL defenseman and the brothers were teammates for a number of years. He is a cousin of former NHL player Marc Potvin
.
career with the Ottawa 67s, Potvin was drafted first overall in the 1973 National Hockey League Amateur Draft
by the struggling expansion Islanders, which had recorded the worst record in modern National Hockey League (NHL) history the previous season. Right after Bill Torrey
drafted Potvin, Montreal Canadiens
General Manager Sam Pollock
approached Torrey, hoping to trade for Potvin. Pollock's strategy was to offer a "quick-fix" package of mature players to exchange for the top draft pick. Torrey ultimately turned down the offer since he felt that Potvin would be a long-term asset to the team.
Potvin came into the league with extraordinarily high expectations of being the savior of the franchise as well as the next Bobby Orr
. While he did not dominate the game as did the great Boston
defenseman, Potvin became an immediate star, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy
as rookie of the year in 1973–74 and the James Norris Memorial Trophy
as league's top defenseman in 1975–76, 1977–78, and 1978–79. Upon Orr's decline and retirement he was widely acknowledged, along with Larry Robinson
, to be the premier backliner in the game.
Potvin was known for being intelligent, articulate, and outspoken off the ice. Throughout the 1970s, his Islander teammates often were turned off as these traits made Potvin come across as arrogant. He offended many hockey fans by stating publicly that he had played better in the 1976 Canada Cup
than Bobby Orr, and that the latter's selection as tournament MVP was for sentimental reasons . However, as Potvin matured, he became a great leader as he learned to use these same qualities to positively affect his teammates .
His best season offensively was 1979, during which he became the second defenseman (Orr being the first) to score 30 goals and 100 points in a single season, marks which even today few defensemen have reached. Potvin was awarded his third Norris trophy for the regular season, which the Islanders finished first in the NHL. However, despite being heavily favored to win their semifinals series against the New York Rangers
, the Islanders lost in six games. Clark Gillies
stepped down as captain during the off-season, and Potvin became the team's third captain, a position he held until relinquishing it in 1987. In 1979–80, Potvin's first year as captain, the Islanders won their first of four Stanley Cups. Potvin led the team during its glory years: in addition to the four consecutive championships and five straight finals appearances, in the eight seasons he served as captain, the Islanders never failed to reach the playoffs.
Potvin retired as the National Hockey League
's leader in goals and points by a defenseman. Potvin's mark was later surpassed by Paul Coffey
and Raymond Bourque, although each did so playing significantly more games (1,409 and 1,612, respectively, to Potvin's 1,060).
He was a more traditional defender than Orr and an extremely physical player. Potvin averaged just under a point per game in his career (0.992), while Orr averaged 1.39 points per game. After his peak years, Potvin suffered a series of injuries that impeded optimal performance, especially during the regular season, retiring after the 1988 season. Potvin declined an offer to come out of retirement and play for then-Rangers coach Mike Keenan
in 1993.
for Florida Panthers
television broadcasts
on FS Florida from the team's inception in 1993 through the 2008–09 NHL season
. At various times, he was paired with Jeff Rimer
, Dave Strader
and Steve Goldstein. On May 6, 2009, the Florida Sun-Sentinel
reported that the Panthers would not renew his contract in order to save money. He is being replaced by former Florida Panthers' player Bill Lindsay
.
In September 2010, Potvin was hired as the Ottawa Senators
’ colour analyst, replacing Garry Galley
. He is expected to call all 52 Senators' broadcasts on Rogers Sportsnet
during the 2010-11 season.
* = Stanley Cup champion
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
for the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
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...
and cornerstone for the Islanders' four 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...
championship teams in the early 1980s. His brother, Jean Potvin
Jean Potvin
Jean Rene Potvin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, Cleveland Barons and Minnesota North Stars....
, was also an NHL defenseman and the brothers were teammates for a number of years. He is a cousin of former NHL player Marc Potvin
Marc Potvin
Marc Potvin was a Canadian professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League. He was the cousin of Denis Potvin and Jean Potvin.- Playing career :...
.
Playing career
After a stellar junior hockeyJunior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
career with the Ottawa 67s, Potvin was drafted first overall in the 1973 National Hockey League Amateur Draft
1973 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1973 NHL Amateur Draft, the 11th National Hockey League draft was the first to be held on a separate day from other league activities on May 15, 1973, at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec so it would not overshadow the rest of the league meetings. Previously, the league had held the...
by the struggling expansion Islanders, which had recorded the worst record in modern National Hockey League (NHL) history the previous season. Right after Bill Torrey
Bill Torrey
William A. Torrey was a General Manager and executive in the National Hockey League, most famous for building up the expansion New York Islanders into a dynasty that won four consecutive Stanley Cups...
drafted Potvin, 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 ...
General Manager Sam Pollock
Sam Pollock
Samuel Patterson Smyth "Sam" Pollock, OC, CQ was a general manager in the National Hockey League.Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sam was a keen evaluator of talent. In 1950, with the Montreal Junior Canadiens and in 1958, with the Ottawa Junior Canadiens, he won the Memorial Cup...
approached Torrey, hoping to trade for Potvin. Pollock's strategy was to offer a "quick-fix" package of mature players to exchange for the top draft pick. Torrey ultimately turned down the offer since he felt that Potvin would be a long-term asset to the team.
Potvin came into the league with extraordinarily high expectations of being the savior of the franchise as well as the next Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr
Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
. While he did not dominate the game as did the great Boston
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
defenseman, Potvin became an immediate star, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
as rookie of the year in 1973–74 and the James Norris Memorial Trophy
James Norris Memorial Trophy
The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded 55 times to 23 different players since its beginnings in...
as league's top defenseman in 1975–76, 1977–78, and 1978–79. Upon Orr's decline and retirement he was widely acknowledged, along with Larry Robinson
Larry Robinson
Larry Clark Robinson is a former ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League. Robinson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and is currently the defensive coach for the New Jersey Devils...
, to be the premier backliner in the game.
Potvin was known for being intelligent, articulate, and outspoken off the ice. Throughout the 1970s, his Islander teammates often were turned off as these traits made Potvin come across as arrogant. He offended many hockey fans by stating publicly that he had played better in the 1976 Canada Cup
1976 Canada Cup
The 1976 Canada Cup was an international ice hockey tournament held September 2–15, 1976, in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Quebec, Canada as well as in Philadelphia, United States. It was the first of five Canada Cup tournaments held between 1976 and 1991...
than Bobby Orr, and that the latter's selection as tournament MVP was for sentimental reasons . However, as Potvin matured, he became a great leader as he learned to use these same qualities to positively affect his teammates .
His best season offensively was 1979, during which he became the second defenseman (Orr being the first) to score 30 goals and 100 points in a single season, marks which even today few defensemen have reached. Potvin was awarded his third Norris trophy for the regular season, which the Islanders finished first in the NHL. However, despite being heavily favored to win their semifinals series against the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, the Islanders lost in six games. Clark Gillies
Clark Gillies
Clark "Jethro" Gillies is a retired professional ice hockey player. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He provided both physical presence and offensive punch for the NHL's New York Islanders during their four-year run as Stanley Cup champions. In a career that spanned 958 games, Gillies...
stepped down as captain during the off-season, and Potvin became the team's third captain, a position he held until relinquishing it in 1987. In 1979–80, Potvin's first year as captain, the Islanders won their first of four Stanley Cups. Potvin led the team during its glory years: in addition to the four consecutive championships and five straight finals appearances, in the eight seasons he served as captain, the Islanders never failed to reach the playoffs.
Potvin retired as 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...
's leader in goals and points by a defenseman. Potvin's mark was later surpassed by Paul Coffey
Paul Coffey
Paul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in career goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.-Playing career:Coffey was drafted 6th...
and Raymond Bourque, although each did so playing significantly more games (1,409 and 1,612, respectively, to Potvin's 1,060).
He was a more traditional defender than Orr and an extremely physical player. Potvin averaged just under a point per game in his career (0.992), while Orr averaged 1.39 points per game. After his peak years, Potvin suffered a series of injuries that impeded optimal performance, especially during the regular season, retiring after the 1988 season. Potvin declined an offer to come out of retirement and play for then-Rangers coach Mike Keenan
Mike Keenan
Michael Edward Keenan is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Calgary Flames, and former General Manager of the Florida Panthers. He is currently working as an analyst for the New York Rangers on MSG Network.Keenan was a player for the St...
in 1993.
Broadcasting
Potvin was a color commentatorColor commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
for Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
television broadcasts
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
on FS Florida from the team's inception in 1993 through the 2008–09 NHL season
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
. At various times, he was paired with Jeff Rimer
Jeff Rimer
Jeff Rimer is the television Play-by-Play Announcer for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League....
, Dave Strader
Dave Strader
Dave Strader is an American sportscaster and currently is the #2 play-by-play announcer for NHL on NBC and NHL on Versus...
and Steve Goldstein. On May 6, 2009, the Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sun-Sentinel
The Sun Sentinel, owned by the Tribune Company, is the main daily newspaper of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S., and all of Broward County, but circulates throughout all of South Florida.-Overview:...
reported that the Panthers would not renew his contract in order to save money. He is being replaced by former Florida Panthers' player Bill Lindsay
Bill Lindsay
William Hamilton Lindsay is an American retired ice hockey player. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and the Atlanta Thrashers. He was drafted 103rd overall by the Nordiques in the 1991 NHL...
.
In September 2010, Potvin was hired as the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
’ colour analyst, replacing Garry Galley
Garry Galley
Garry Michael Galley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League from 1984 to 2001...
. He is expected to call all 52 Senators' broadcasts on Rogers Sportsnet
Rogers Sportsnet
Sportsnet was launched on October 9, 1998 as CTV Sportsnet. The name was chosen to match the regional "Fox Sports Net" operations across the United States...
during the 2010-11 season.
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 | ||
| 1968–69 | Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:... |
OHA Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
46 | 12 | 25 | 37 | 83 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1969–70 | Ottawa 67's | OHA | 42 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 97 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | ||
| 1970–71 | Ottawa 67's | OHA | 57 | 20 | 58 | 78 | 200 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 26 | ||
| 1971–72 | Ottawa 67's | OHA | 48 | 15 | 45 | 60 | 188 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1972–73 | Ottawa 67's | OHA | 61 | 35 | 88 | 123 | 232 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 22 | ||
| 1973–74 | New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
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... |
77 | 17 | 37 | 54 | 175 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1974–75 | New York Islanders | NHL | 79 | 21 | 55 | 76 | 105 | 17 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 30 | ||
| 1975–76 | New York Islanders | NHL | 78 | 31 | 67 | 98 | 100 | 13 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 32 | ||
| 1976–77 | New York Islanders | NHL | 80 | 25 | 55 | 80 | 103 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 20 | ||
| 1977–78 | New York Islanders | NHL | 80 | 30 | 64 | 94 | 81 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 1978–79 | New York Islanders | NHL | 73 | 31 | 70 | 101 | 58 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 8 | ||
| 1979–80 | New York Islanders* | NHL | 31 | 8 | 33 | 41 | 44 | 21 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 24 | ||
| 1980–81 | New York Islanders* | NHL | 74 | 20 | 56 | 76 | 104 | 18 | 8 | 17 | 25 | 16 | ||
| 1981–82 | New York Islanders* | NHL | 60 | 24 | 37 | 61 | 83 | 19 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 30 | ||
| 1982–83 | New York Islanders* | NHL | 69 | 12 | 54 | 66 | 60 | 20 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 22 | ||
| 1983–84 | New York Islanders | NHL | 78 | 22 | 63 | 85 | 87 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 28 | ||
| 1984–85 | New York Islanders | NHL | 77 | 17 | 51 | 68 | 96 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 | ||
| 1985–86 | New York Islanders | NHL | 74 | 21 | 38 | 59 | 78 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1986–87 | New York Islanders | NHL | 58 | 12 | 30 | 42 | 70 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 21 | ||
| 1987–88 | New York Islanders | NHL | 72 | 19 | 32 | 51 | 112 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||
| OHA totals | 254 | 95 | 234 | 329 | 800 | 25 | 12 | 17 | 29 | 57 | ||||
| NHL totals | 1060 | 310 | 742 | 1052 | 1356 | 185 | 56 | 108 | 164 | 253 | ||||
Career achievements and facts
- Retired having scored 310 goals and 742 assists for 1,052 points (at the time, the NHL career leader in all those categories for defensemen) in 1,060 games, adding 1,356 penalty minutesPenalty (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,...
. - Retired as the NHL career leader in playoff goals, assists, and points for defensemen.
- 41st all-time in assists, and 10th among defensemen, as of the end of the 2010–11 season.
- Currently 62nd all-time in points, as of the end of the 2010-11 season.
- Won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman in 1976, 1978, and 1979.
- His jersey #5 was retired by the Islanders on February 1, 1992, the first such honor bestowed by the franchise.
- In 1991, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of FameHockey Hall of FameThe 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...
and Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame. - In 1998, he was ranked number 19 on The Hockey NewsThe Hockey NewsThe Hockey News, commonly abbreviated to THN, is a North American ice hockey magazine published by Transcontinental. The Hockey News was founded in 1947 by Ken McKenzie and Bill Côté, and has since been the most recognized hockey publication in North America...
list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. - In 2002, he was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of FameNassau County Sports Hall of FameThe Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame honors elite athletes who have roots in Nassau County, New York. The Hall of Fame presentation takes places at the Nassau County Sports Commission "Salute to Champions" Awards Dinner annually every April.-Inductees:...
. - One of only two players (Bryan TrottierBryan TrottierBryan John Trottier is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the...
) to play 1,000 games in an Islanders uniform. - There is a tradition at Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
to chant "Potvin Sucks!" as a response to Let's Go Band during New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
home games, particularly when the Islanders are visiting. The tradition began after Potvin checked the Rangers' Ulf Nilsson on February 25, 1979, and broke his ankle. Needless to say, the Garden organist will not play "Let's go Band" during Rangers games. The response is now given after a spectator whistles the tune.
See also
- Notable families in the NHL
- Captain (ice hockey)Captain (ice hockey)In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
- List of NHL players with 1000 points
- List of NHL players with 1000 games played