The Most Famous Montreal Canadiens Player, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the player you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 1, 2024 07:10

Hockey enthusiasts know that the history of the Montreal Canadiens is dotted with legends whose skills and achievements have left an indelible mark on the sport. Deciding who stands out in such a storied franchise is not only a fun challenge but also a way to reconnect with the glorious past of one of the NHL's Original Six teams. By participating in ranking these iconic figures, fans engage in an active dialogue about the qualities that make a player truly great. This engagement helps new fans understand the rich heritage of the team while providing long-time supporters a space to celebrate their favorite athletes. The outcome shapes a collective memory and honors the legacy of the Canadiens.

Who Is the Most Famous Montreal Canadiens Player?

1

80
votes
National Archives of Canada, Thomas Patrick Gorman fonds · Public domain

Maurice Richard

Known as "The Rocket," Richard is considered one of the greatest players in NHL history and is a cultural icon in Quebec. He won eight Stanley Cups with the Canadiens and was the first player to score 50 goals in a season.
Maurice Richard in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous person in Quebec
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous NHL player
2

42
votes

US Embassy Canada · CC BY 2.0

Jean Beliveau

Beliveau played for the Canadiens for 20 seasons and won 10 Stanley Cups. He was the team captain for 10 years and is considered one of the greatest leaders in NHL history.
3

33
votes

TheAHL · CC BY 2.0

Guy Lafleur

Lafleur, nicknamed "The Flower," is one of the most skilled and exciting players to ever play for the Canadiens. He won five Stanley Cups and two Hart Trophies as the league's most valuable player.
4

21
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Jacques Plante

Plante revolutionized goaltending with his use of a mask and was the first goaltender to regularly use the butterfly style. He won six Stanley Cups with the Canadiens and was one of the most dominant goaltenders of his era.
Jacques Plante in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous goalie
5

9
votes
Michael Ignatieff · CC BY 2.0

Ken Dryden

Dryden played only eight seasons in the NHL, but he won six Stanley Cups with the Canadiens and was one of the most dominant goaltenders of the 1970s. He also won five Vezina Trophies as the league's best goaltender.
Ken Dryden in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous goalie
6

8
votes

Krusty from Saint Paul, MN · CC BY-SA 2.0

Doug Harvey

Harvey was one of the best defensemen of his era and won six Norris Trophies as the league's best defenseman. He won six Stanley Cups with the Canadiens and was known for his smooth skating and excellent passing.
7

8
votes

Horge · CC BY 3.0

Larry Robinson

Robinson played for the Canadiens for 17 seasons and won six Stanley Cups. He was a dominant defenseman and won two Norris Trophies as the league's best defenseman.
8

11
votes
Letartean · CC BY-SA 3.0

Patrick Roy

Roy is one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history and won two Stanley Cups with the Canadiens. He won three Vezina Trophies and was known for his clutch performances in the playoffs.
Patrick Roy in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous goalie
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous NHL player
9

1
votes

Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0

Bob Gainey

Gainey was one of the best defensive forwards of his era and won four Selke Trophies as the league's best defensive forward. He won five Stanley Cups with the Canadiens and was known for his leadership and work ethic.
10

9
votes

Lou/Nat Turofsky · Public domain

Toe Blake

Blake played for the Canadiens in the 1940s and 1950s and won eight Stanley Cups. He later coached the team to eight more Stanley Cups, making him one of the most successful coaches in NHL history.

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Montreal Canadiens player. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or player is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2979 views
184 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each player once every 24 hours. The rank of each player is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous montreal canadiens player

The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1909, the Canadiens are the oldest continuously operating professional ice hockey team and are one of the original six teams of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team has won 24 Stanley Cup championships, more than any other NHL team, and has a storied history of legendary players. When it comes to the most famous Montreal Canadiens player, there are many contenders. Some argue that it is Jean Beliveau, who played for the team from 1950 to 1971 and won 10 Stanley Cup championships. Others point to Maurice Richard, who played for the Canadiens from 1942 to 1960 and was the first player to score 50 goals in a season. Still, others argue that it is Guy Lafleur, who played for the team from 1971 to 1985 and won five Stanley Cup championships. Regardless of who you believe is the most famous Canadiens player, there is no denying the team's rich history and the impact its players have had on the sport of ice hockey.