From Gemini – Top Montreal Canadiens Hockey Players
That is a challenging list to narrow down! The Montreal Canadiens have a history of over 100 years and have won a record 24 Stanley Cups, giving them an incredible number of legends.
This list focuses on players whose impact, statistics, and individual awards define the franchise’s greatest eras.
🏒 Top 10 All-Time Montreal Canadiens Players
| Rank | Player | Position | Key Achievements & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maurice Richard | Right Wing | The Rocket. Franchise leader in regular season goals (544) and playoff goals (82). The first player to score 50 goals in 50 games. Won 8 Stanley Cups. |
| 2 | Jean Béliveau | Centre | Le Gros Bill. Captain and revered leader of the dynasty teams. Second all-time in franchise points. Won 10 Stanley Cups as a player. |
| 3 | Guy Lafleur | Right Wing | The Flower. Franchise all-time leader in points (1,246) and assists. Dazzling offensive star who drove the late 70s dynasty. Won 5 Stanley Cups. |
| 4 | Henri Richard | Centre | The Pocket Rocket. The ultimate winner and NHL record-holder with 11 Stanley Cup rings as a player. Franchise leader in games played. |
| 5 | Larry Robinson | Defence | The Big Bird. One of the greatest defensemen of all time. Key member of the “Big Three” defense in the 70s. Won 6 Stanley Cups and 2 Norris Trophies. |
| 6 | Patrick Roy | Goaltender | Saint Patrick. Franchise-defining clutch performer. Led the team to Stanley Cups in 1986 and 1993, winning the Conn Smythe (playoff MVP) both times. |
| 7 | Jacques Plante | Goaltender | Revolutionary goalie who popularized the goalie mask. Won 6 Vezina Trophies (best goalie) and 6 Stanley Cups with Montreal. |
| 8 | Ken Dryden | Goaltender | Imposing figure who arrived and immediately won a Stanley Cup (1971). Won 6 Cups and 5 Vezina Trophies in a short, dominant career. |
| 9 | Doug Harvey | Defence | A masterful, cerebral defenseman who helped define the position. Won 6 Stanley Cups and 6 Norris Trophies with the Canadiens. |
| 10 | Yvan Cournoyer | Right Wing | The Roadrunner. Known for his explosive speed. Won 10 Stanley Cups, captaining the team to four straight in the late 70s. |
This list leaves out other absolute legends like Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, Saku Koivu (a modern fan favourite and leader), Howie Morenz (hockey’s first superstar), and Bob Gainey (elite defensive forward and captain), which shows the depth of the franchise!
