Montreal Canadiens: Top Five General Managers – #5 Leo Dandurand

The Montreal Canadiens have entered the quietest time on the calendar. While there is little to look forward to in the month of August, we decided to take a look back at some of the greatest managers in franchise history. We begin up our site countdown of the five best general managers in Canadiens history with number five, Leo Dandurand.

The Montreal Canadiens are known for their long history of success in the National Hockey League. No team has won more, or even come close to winning as many as their 24 Stanley Cup titles.

While a lot of that winning occurred during incredible dynasty runs in the 1950s and 1970s, the foundation for a successful organization was built many years prior. The Canadiens won their first Stanley Cup in 1916 and would continue to build on that winning tradition for decades to come.

One of the original reasons for their early success was the work of Leo Dandurand. He was part owner of the team starting in 1919 and became the team’s general manager in 1921, serving in that role until 1935. He was also the team’s head coach from 1921-26.

Though it was a century ago, Dandurand made a big impact on the Canadiens as the team’s general manager for 14 seasons.

The Canadiens would win the Stanley Cup in 1924, 1930 and 1931 while Dandurand was the GM. While not exactly a dynastic run that would compare to what would come decades later, those three titles helped the Canadiens become a successful franchise that would be around for the long haul.

While the Canadiens had some success before Dandurand’s arrival thanks to players like Newsy Lalonde, Didier Pitre and goaltender Georges Vezina, Dandurand added some elite talent shortly after arriving in Montreal.

The Canadiens added franchise superstars Howie Morenz and Aurel Joliat who led them to Stanley Cups under Dandurand’s direction. They were also able to find and recruit goaltender George Hainsworth who allowed them to avoid a backward step when Georges Vezina tragically passed away in 1926.

Being able to acquire Hall of Fame talents like Morenz, Joliat and Hainsworth while helping establish the Canadiens as a model franchise in the NHL is why Leo Dandurand is among the five best general managers in Canadiens history.

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