1979-80 Montreal Canadiens Larry Robinson Jersey

Defenseman Larry Robinson played one season of junior hockey with the Kitchener Rangers where he was fourth in team scoring, and the highest scoring defenseman, with 12 goals and 51 points in 61 games. Following that season he was drafted in the second round, #20 overall, by the Montreal Canadiens, who had an embarrassment of draft choices that season.

Despite being selected in the second round, Robinson was actually Montreal's forth pick, as they had choices #1 overall (Guy Lafleur), #7 (Chuck Arnason) and #11 (Murray Wilson) in the first round out at total of just 14 at the time. Additionally, after picking Robinson with the 6th pick of the second round, they also had picks 24 (Michel DeGuise) and 25 (Terry French) later in Round 2 after selecting Robinson! Additionally, the Canadiens had the #3 pick in the third round, giving them 7 of the first 31 choices.

Robinson, born on this date in 1951, turned pro the following season with the American Hockey League's Nova Scotia Voyageurs. He played 74 games of the 1971-72 season, scoring 10 goals and 24 points during the regular season as well as 12 points in 15 playoff games as the Voyageurs won the Calder Trophy as AHL champions, making them the first Canadian-based team to ever do so.

For the 1972-73 season, Robinson played in 38 games for Nova Scotia in the AHL, scoring at a point-per-game clip with 39, before making his debut with the Canadiens, with whom he played 36 games, which included scoring his first NHL goal. He also got his first taste of what would end up being a record setting playoff career when he contributed a goal and 4 assists in 11 playoff games as the Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4 games to 2, eliminated the Philadelphia Flyers in 5 before capturing the first Stanley Cup of Robinson's career when they prevailed 4 games to 2 over the Chicago Black Hawks.

Robinson, nicknamed "Big Bird" for his 6' 4", 225 lbs of imposing size, was now a full-time NHL regular beginning with the 1973-74 season, playing in all 78 of Montreal's games. His durability was soon apparent, as he would play three consecutive seasons without missing a single game.

With his obvious talent, he was given more responsibility and power play time over the next two seasons as his point totals rose from 6 in his initial half season in 1973 to 26 in 1974 before reaching 61 in the 1974-75 season, which included his first of nine consecutive seasons of 10 goals or more when he found the net 14 times. In addition to his 61 points, Robinson also had a +/- rating of +61 with the high powered Canadiens. 

The 1975-76 season saw Montreal finish first overall with 127 points from a 58-11-11 record and give up the least amount of goals during the regular season with 174, 16 less than the next closest team and less than half the amount allowed by the expansion Kansas City Scouts (351) and Washington Capitals (394). Montreal then steamrolled all before them in the playoffs, defeating Chicago in 4 straight, the New York Islanders in 5 and won the second Stanley Cup of Robinson's career with another sweep, this over the Flyers, giving Montreal a final playoff record of 12-1.

Later that fall, Robinson found his first success on the international stage, helping Canada capture the 1976 Canada Cup.

The 1976-77 season saw Robinson set career highs with 19 goals, 66 assists and 85 points as well as an final +/- rating of +120, by far his finest as his second best was "just" +71! His +120 rating is the second highest in NHL history and one of only two seasons in which a player was +100 or greater. The only negative to his outstanding season was the end of his consecutive games streak as he missed 3 games that year.

The Canadiens exceeded their  previous season by finishing with a 60-8-12 record for 132 points, 20 more than Philadelphia. They again tore through the postseason, this time with a 12-2 record, sweeping the St. Louis Blues, eliminating the Islanders in 6 and dominating their arch rivals by outscoring the Boston Bruins 16-6 in another four game sweep for Robinson's third Stanley Cup. In recognition of his stellar regular season, Robinson was named the winner of the 1977 Norris Trophy as the NHL's Best Defenseman.

Robinson celebrating another Stanley Cup

  He once again played in every one of Montreal's games during the 1977-78 season, eventually scoring 65 points to go along with his +71 rating. The Canadiens once again won the President's Trophy for the most points during the regular season with 129 (59-10-11) and once more backed that up with a Stanley Cup championship after defeating the Detroit Red Wings in five, sweeping the Toronto Maple Leafs in 4 and once again beating the Bruins in the finals, this time in 6 games.

Robinson had an outstanding playoff, tying Lafleur in postseason scoring with 21 points in 15 games, with Robinson scoring 4 goals and adding 17 assists. His play was recognized when he was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, only the fourth defenseman to win it since it was introduced in 1965. In the 37 years since Robinson won the Conn Smythe, only six other defenseman have been named its recipient.

Robinson with the Stanely Cup and

the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1978

While Montreal was edged in 1978-79 by a single point by the Islanders for the best overall record, 116-115, Robinson had his usual solid season on the Canadiens blueline with a +50 rating as well as a 16 goal, 61 point season. They victimized Toronto to open their playoffs with another four game sweep, but then required the full seven games to outlast the Bruins to advance to the finals, where they rebounded from a Game 1 loss to the New York Rangers by winning the next four to win their fourth straight Stanley Cup and cement their place as one of hockey's most dominant dynasties. The championship was Robinson's fifth in seven seasons.

The 1979-80 season was one of Robinson's finest offensive seasons, having scored 14 goals and 75 points, the second highest of his career to date, which would eventually rank third in his career. After missing eight games, his 75 points in 72 games would give him an average of over a point per game that season. After defeating Buffalo in three games in the opening round of the playoffs, their streak of four championships would come to an end with a 3-2 loss at home in Game 7 of Round 2. Following the season, Robinson was named the winner of his second Norris Trophy.

Robinson with the Norris Trophy

Robinson was limited to 65 games in 1980-81, but still managed to score 50 points. Following the Canadiens early exit from the playoffs after just three games, Robinson took advantage of the rare opportunity and played for Canada in the only World Championships of his career in Sweden, scoring a goal and two points in 6 games. He was also named as the tournament's Best Defenseman and a member of the the World Championship All-Star Team. Later that fall, Robinson was a member of Team Canada for the 1981 Canada Cup.

Robinson with Vladislav Tretiak of the Soviet Union

The next four seasons were highlighted by the 1982-83 season when Robinson scored 14 goals and 63 points, his highest total between 1980-81 and 1984-85. He also was the captain of a victorious Team Canada at the 1984 Canada Cup tournament, his second success at the Canada Cup in three tries.

Robinson captained Team Canada in 1984

Robinson had the second finest offensive season of his career in 1985-86 when he equaled his career best with 19 goals on his way to 82 points. He was also named as an assistant team captain for Montreal, an honor he would hold for the remainder of his time with the Canadiens.

After waiting out the Islanders run of four Stanley Cups, the Canadiens returned to the peak by interrupting the Edmonton Oilers run of four cups in five years when they surprised the hockey world by defeating Boston in three straight, the Hartford Whalers in seven, the Rangers in five and the Calgary Flames in a five game final as the seventh seed to capture the sixth Stanley Cup of Robinson's career. He led the Canadiens defensemen in playoff scoring with 13 assists, good for fourth on the team.

Robinson celebrates his sixth Stanley Cup in 1986

Robinson would play three more seasons for Montreal, giving him a total of 17 seasons with the Canadiens. However, those final three seasons saw his point totals decline each season from 50 to 40 and then 30. Now 38 years old, his contract with Montreal expired and he signed as a free agent for the 1990-91 season with the Los Angeles Kings.

Robinson finished his career with the Kings

He would play three seasons for the Kings as an assistant captain, with a best of 1989-90 when he had 39 points. After 17 consecutive seasons qualifying for the playoffs with Montreal, he extended that streak to an NHL record 20 when Los Angeles made the postseason in each of Robinson's three seasons with the Kings. At the time of his retirement, Robinson held the NHL record for Most Career Playoff Games with 227.

He would finish his career with 208 goals and 750 assists for 958 points in 1,384 games with a career +/- rating of +730, an NHL career record. He also added 144 points in 227 playoff games.He won a Calder Cup, six Stanley Cups, two Canada Cups, two Norris Trophies and a Conn Smythe Trophy.

In 1995, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and on November 19, 2007, his #19 was retired by the Canadiens.

Robinson's #19 being retired by the Canadiens

Following his playing days, Robinson got into coaching. He was eventually named head coach of the Kings from 1995-96 to 1998-99. Then he took over as head coach of the New Jersey Devils late in the 1999-2000 season. After just coaching the Devils for 8 regular season games, he guided them to the 2000 Stanley Cup championship.

Today's featured jersey is a 1979-80 Montreal Canadiens Larry Robinson jersey from Robinson's second Norris Trophy winning season.

This style jersey dates back to 1941 and, aside from a version with a blue stripe around the chest for three years in the late 40's, has remained essentially unchanged ever since.

Bonus jersey: Today's bonus jersey is a 1992 NHL All-Star Game Larry Robinson jersey. The NHL celebrated it's 75th Anniversary season by wearing throwback jerseys to the original All-Star game in 1947 in Philadelphia.

Robinson first appeared in the NHL All-Star Game in 1974 and would subsequently play in a total of ten, with 1992 being his final one. He also was a member of the NHL All-Star squad that took on the Soviet Union as a part of the 1979 Challenge Cup, which took the place of the traditional NHL All-Star Game that season.

Extra bonus jersey: Today's extra bonus jersey is a 1990-91 Los Angeles Kings Larry Robinson jersey. 1988-89 was the first season for the Kings new jerseys, which coincided with the arrival of Wayne Gretzky to California.

The first three seasons saw the white jerseys with silver names and numbers outlined in black. In 1991-92 they changed everything to three color silver trimmed in white and outlined in black. The three color names were very difficult to read and were changed the following season to one color black names, as well as finally changing the numbers from the lower contrast silver to black, which was trimmed in white and outlined in silver for the final six years for the black and silver look.

Today's video section begins with the tribute video to Robinson on the occasion of his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

 Next is the excellent Legends of Hockey series and their profile of the Hall of Famer Robinson.

1934-35 Montreal Canadiens Howie Morenz Jersey

On this date in 1937, the Montreal Canadiens retired the first sweater in club history, the #7 of the late Howie Morenz, who had died at age 34 following a heart attack while hospitalized for a broken leg suffered in a game five weeks earlier. Morenz had played for Montreal for 12 seasons, winning three Stanley Cups, two Art Ross Trophies and three Hart Trophies.

Howie Morenz's #7 jersey hangs in his locker in the Canadiens dressing room following his death in 1937

The Canadiens would not retire another number for 23 years when the iconic #9 of Maurice Richard was raised to the rafters of the Montreal Forum following Richard's great career, which included him becoming the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games, as well as winning eight Stanley Cups and one Hart Trophy.

Richard's game worn #9 jersey

Eleven years on, the Canadiens would honor the great Jean Beliveau by ensuring no one else would wear his #4. Beliveau would play 20 seasons with Montreal, score over 500 goals, retire as the club's all-time leading scorer and the NHL's leading playoff scorer, play in 14 All-Star Games, win an Art Ross Trophy, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a pair of Hart Trophies on his way to winning ten Stanley Cups and serve as team captain longer than any other player.

Beliveau wearing his #4 captain's jersey

Henri Richard's #16 was next to be set aside on December 10, 1975 after his career which included his record 11 Stanley Cups, which still stands today, and more than 1,000 career points. He also holds the record for Most Games Played in club history and was also a team captain for the Canadiens.

Henri Richard poses with his home and away #16 sweaters

Both Guy Lafleur and defenseman Doug Harvey had their numbers retired in 1985. Lafleur's #10 received the honor on February 16, 1985 after his career, which included five Stanley Cups, 1,246 points which makes him the all-time leader in Canadiens history, over 500 goals, the club records for most goals in a season with 60 and most points in a season with 136. He was also the first player to have 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive seasons and the fastest player to reach 1,000 career points. He won three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Trophies, three Pearson Awards and a Conn Smythe trophy while a member of the Canadiens.

Lafleur pictured in front of his #10

#2 Doug Harvey was honored with his sweater retirement early the following season on October 26, 1985. The seven-time winner of the Norris Trophy played 14 seasons with Montreal, winning six Stanley Cups in the process.

Doug Harvey's #2 is retired in 1985

It would be another ten years before Jacques Plante's #1 was raised to the rafters. Plante played for Montreal for ten seasons, winning six Stanley Cups, including five in a row. Plante was a winner of the Hart Trophy once and six Vezina Trophies while a member of the Canadiens. He is also credited for wearing the first modern goalie mask.

Plante's banner hangs in the rafters with the other retired banners

Following Plante's jersey retirement, it would be an additional ten years before the Canadiens would honor another player in the same manner.

As part of their Centennial celebrations, the Canadiens announced a series of sweater retirements to take place over the course of the next five seasons. Having retired just one number in 20 years, the Canadiens began to make up for lost time by retiring the #12 for two men, Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer on November 12, 2005. Moore was a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner who once held the single season scoring record with 96 points. In 12 years with the Canadiens, Moore won six Stanley Cups.

Cournoyer skated for the Canadiens for 16 years, including being named team captain. He won a Conn Smythe Trophy and won ten Stanley Cups while with the Canadiens. At the time of his retirement in 1978, he was fourth on the all-time Montreal scoring list.

Cournoyer holds up a signed #12 Canadiens jersey

Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion's #5 came next on March 11, 2006. Geoffrion's colorful nickname is a result of his invention of the slapshot. He played 14 seasons in Montreal, won the Calder Trophy, two Art Ross Trophies, the Hart Trophy and six Stanley Cups. Sadly, he passed away on the day his number was retired.

The ceremony to retire Geoffrion's #5 just hours after his passing

The 2006-07 season saw the retirements of #18 for Serge Savard and #29 for goaltender Ken Dryden. Savard became the first defenseman to win the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1969. He also was named the winner of the Bill Masterton Trophy in 1979 and won eight Stanley Cups in 15 seasons with Montreal.

Serge Savard's #18 rests in the rafters in Montreal

Dryden's career was shorter at eight seasons, but during those years he won the Calder Trophy, the Conn Smythe Trophy (before winning the Calder!), five Vezina Trophies and six Stanley Cups.

Ken Dryden and his family watch is banner being raised in 2007

Larry Robinson and Bob Gainey were honored in 2007-08. Robinson's #19 rose to the rafters in honor of his 17 seasons with Montreal which included two Norris Trophies, a Conn Smythe and six Stanley Cups. In 1976-77 he finished the year with a +120 rating, the second highest in history, and one of only two seasons ever over +100.

Robinson's #19 is retired

Bob Gainey's #23 was retired following his 16 seasons with Montreal which saw him capture four Selke Trophies. While his list of awards is not as lengthy and his point totals not as high as his fellow honored Canadiens, his role as a defensive forward was a key component to the five Stanley Cups Montreal won during Gainey's time with the Canadiens.

Gainey's #23 is raised to the rafters

Patrick Roy was welcomed back into the Canadiens family on November 22, 2008. Roy is the youngest winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy at age 20. In 12 seasons in Montreal, Roy won three Vezina Trophies, four Jennings Trophies, two Conn Smythe Trophies and two Stanley Cups.

Patrick Roy poses with his banner

Finally on the date of the Canadiens centennial, December 4, 2009, the jerseys of both #3 Emile Bouchard and #16 Elmer Lach were surprisingly retired as part of the festivities that evening. Lach played 14 seasons for the Canadiens as part of the famed "Punch Line" with Maurice Richard and Toe Blake. He won two Art Ross Trophies and the Hart Trophy as well as three Stanley Cups. At the time of his retirement in 1954, he was the league's all-time leading scorer.

Bouchard, a defenseman, was captain of the Canadiens for eight seasons during his 15 years with Montreal, which included four Stanley Cup titles. He was the first Quebec-born player to wear the "C" for Montreal. The QMJHL's Defenseman of the Year trophy is named in his honor. At the time of Bouchard's sweater retirement, Canadiens player Ryan O'Byrne was wearing #3, but surrendered it as part of the ceremony, permanently changing to #20.

Lach and Bouchard have their numbers retired in 2009

With the recent run of sweater retirements, the Canadiens have now taken 15 numbers out of circulation in honor of 17 players. Only numbers 6 and 8 remain in the single digits, resulting in an unprecedented number of Canadiens wearing non-traditional jersey numbers higher than #30.

In keeping with the current trend of wearing a patch on the occasion of a jersey retirement, the Canadiens have worn special patches on the players jerseys during the game following their recent jersey retirements.

Alexi Kovalev wearing a patch on the occasion of the retirement of Bob Gainey's #23

Today's featured jersey is a 1934-35 Montreal Canadiens Howie Morenz jersey. This jersey is on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. His was the first of 15 numbers retired by the Montreal Canadiens.

The Canadiens first wore their "CH" logo (with the "H" standing for "hockey") back in 1916 and it appeared on the sleeves for the first time in 1924 when the club wore a globe on the front of their jerseys to symbolize their status as world champions. The following season the logo returned to the chest, but the smaller version of the logo remained on the left sleeve through 1935.

In a wonderful ceremony on the occasion of the clubs 100th Anniversary, many of the men who have had their jerseys retired by the Canadiens took part in a special pre-game warmup and then participated in the remainder of the celebrations that evening, which included the unexpected retirement of Bouchard's #3 and Lach's #16.