This Week in Montreal Canadiens History: April 25th – May 1st
By Joshua Rosa
April 27th
Happy Birthday Mike Condon!
On this day, the year of our Lord, 1990, Michael Johnston Condon was born in Holliston, Massachusetts. Condon has quite the inspirational story, going undrafted in the ECHL, signing a professional tryout with the Ontario Reign; undrafted in the AHL, signing a professional tryout with the Houston Aeros; and finally being signed by the Montreal Canadiens.
Condon got his chance as the Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price was injured through most of the season 2015-16. Condon had a terrific start to his NHL career, winning 6 of his first 7 games, however had a 9 game losing streak in December which he struggled to recover from.
He finished the season with a 21-25-3 record. Definitely not a terrible stat-line for an undrafted goalie thrust into an NHL starting role with no safety net. Condon then bounced around the league, but injuries insured that he would never reach the heights he had in the blu-blanc-et-rouge.
Happy Birthday Paul Byron!
Exactly one year later, James Paul Byron was born in Ottawa, Ontario. The five-foot-nine forward was drafted in the 6th round of the 2007 NHL draft by the Buffalo Sabres, and made his NHL debut in Buffalo in 2011.
In that offseason, Buffalo dealt Byron and Chris Butler to Calgary for Robyn Regeher, Ales Kotalik and the draft pick that would become Jake McCabe. In 2014-15, the Flames and Byron went to arbitration, and it ended with the Montreal Canadiens picking him up from waivers.
Byron responded with the 4 best seasons of his career in Montreal. His best season was 2015-16, where he finished the season with 22 goals and 43 points. Today, his output and games played have dipped due to injuries, notably knee issues.
Byron has been useful to the team for his great leadership qualities, and still stout defensive play.
Beau Beliveau
On April 27th, 1967, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2 in the Stanley Cup Final. Ralph Backstrom and Jean Beliveau both scored 2 goals, and Rogie Vachon made 35 saves. The game tied the series 2-2, but the Toronto Maple Leafs went on to win the final 2 games and the Stanley Cup.
The big Montreal Canadiens news was that with the second goal by Jean Beliveau, he passed Maurice Richard for the most playoff points in Montreal Canadiens history. In fact, at the time, Beliveau’s 128 points were behind just Gordie Howe for most playoff points in NHL history.
Exactly 4 years later, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Minnesota North Stars 6-1. Its too bad Minnesota couldn’t score another goal for the absolute symmetry, but that’s just the way it is. Jean Beliveau registered 3 assists in the win.
Beliveau’s third assist of the game passed who else but Gordie Howe for most playoff assists with 92. That season, the Montreal Canadiens beat the North Stars, Bruins and Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup. It was Beliveau’s last season, as he retired on top as Stanley Cup Champion.
Beliveau retired with 96 playoff assists and 176 points. That is good for 15th most playoff points, 27th in playoff assists and 10th in playoff goals.