Montreal Canadiens: Looking Back at the Greatest Defencemen #9

The speedy defender was a pivotal member of the Montreal Canadiens for over a decade.

As one of the most storied franchises in sports, the Montreal Canadiens have seen their fair share of players come and go. The Habs have had some great blueliners over the last century, so let’s take a look at who the 10 best defenders in team history are.

On Saturday, we took a look at Patrice Brisebois, today, we profile Jean-Claude Tremblay, who is the ninth best defenceman in Canadiens history.

The defenceman first caught the eye of the NHL during the 1956-57 season when he scored 71 goals in junior A. as a member of the Port Alfred Nationale.

Tremblay played four seasons with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens of the EOHL, where he won a Memorial Cup

After playing portions of the previous two seasons with the Canadiens, Tremblay made the big club in 1961-62. He played 70 games for the Habs that year, potting 20 points.

Tremblay played a different style to the majority of defencemen in that era. He played with much more finesse and skill than others, and he wasn’t one for physical play.

This didn’t mean that Tremblay was a liability in his own end. He was an ace on the penalty kill as well as the powerplay, where he displayed his stellar hockey sense and playmaking ability. He was also extremely skilled at taking the puck away from opposing players.

The defender spent the next 10 years with the Canadiens, with possibly the best moment coming in his last year with them. Tremblay scored the game-winning goal in game seven of the Stanley Cup Quarter Finals against the Boston Bruins.

Tremblay won five Stanley Cups in 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, and 1971 as a member of the Canadiens.

After the 1971-72 season, Tremblay left for the WHA to join the Quebec Nordiques, where he played the next seven seasons for the team before retiring.

Over his NHL career, Tremblay played in 794 games and scored 363 points. He earned the nickname “J.C. Superstar” after he scored 63 points during the 1970-71 season, along with another 17 points in the playoffs.

In the WHA, Tremblay played 454 career games and scored 424 points.

On December 7, 1994, Tremblay passed away after battling Kidney Cancer.

While on the ice, Tremblay inspired the imagination of an entire province with his play. His dedication to the Canadiens should be applauded, and his name will be forever be etched along with the dynasties that the Habs iced throughout the 60’s.

Next: Montreal Canadiens: Jakub Jerabek Should Make the Team

What is your favourite memory of Tremblay? Were you a fan of him? Let us know your thoughts below!