Since 1948, the Montreal Canadiens have had a long line of talented captains that have helped lead the team through some of their greatest moments in history. Some notable Montreal Canadiens captains include Jean Beliveau, who was part of the legendary Habs teams in the 1950s and 1960s and is considered one of the greatest players ever to put on a Canadiens’ jersey; Yvan Cournoyer, who held up proudly wearing the C during much success in 1971 and 1973; Serge Savard, whose spirit was key during their Stanley Cup win in 1986; and Saku Koivu, who spent 14 years with Montreal and helped establish them as an Eastern powerhouse after they won seven consecutive division titles from 2001-2008. Though none come close to matching Beliveau’s remarkable impact on team history, each captain has lent his own unique touch to what it means to be part of Hockeytown Canada.
Emile Bouchard (1948-1956) Emile Bouchard was named captain of the Montreal Canadiens in 1948 and held the position for eight seasons. During that time, he helped lead the Canadiens to four Stanley Cup championships. Bouchard was known for his physical play and his ability to shut down opposing players. He was also an excellent puck-moving defenseman and a skilled offensive player. Bouchard retired in 1956 with 49 goals and 189 assists in 785 regular season games.
Maurice Richard (1956-1960) Maurice Richard was one of the greatest players in Canadiens history, and he was named captain in 1956. During his time as captain, he helped lead the Canadiens to two Stanley Cup championships. Richard was a prolific goal scorer, and he scored 50 goals in a season five times. He was also known for his fiery personality, and he was involved in a number of on-ice incidents throughout his career. Richard retired in 1960 with 544 goals and 421 assists in 978 regular season games.
Doug Harvey (1960-1961) Doug Harvey was one of the greatest defensemen in NHL history, and he was named captain of the Canadiens in 1960. However, he only held the position for one season before being traded to the New York Rangers. During his time as captain, he helped lead the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup championship. Harvey was known for his smooth skating and his ability to move the puck up the ice. He won seven Norris Trophies as the NHL’s best defenseman, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973.
Jean Beliveau (1961-1971) Jean Beliveau was one of the greatest players in Canadiens history, and he was named captain in 1961. He held the position for ten seasons and helped lead the Canadiens to ten Stanley Cup championships. Beliveau was a skilled center who was known for his playmaking ability and his leadership on and off the ice. He was also a class act who was respected by players and fans alike. Beliveau retired in 1971 with 507 goals and 712 assists in 1,125 regular season games.
Henri Richard (1971-1975) Henri Richard was Maurice “Rocket” Richard’s younger brother, and he was named captain of the Canadiens after Beliveau retired in 1971. Henri Richard was a skilled center who was known for his speed and his defensive play. He helped lead the Canadiens to two Stanley Cup championships as captain. Richard retired in 1975 with 358 goals and 688 assists in 1,258 regular season games.
Yvan Cournoyer (1975-1979) Yvan Cournoyer was a speedy right winger who was named captain of the Canadiens in 1975. He held the position for four seasons and helped lead the Canadiens to two Stanley Cup championships. Cournoyer was known for his speed and his scoring ability, and he scored 428 goals in his career. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982.
Serge Savard (1979-1981) Serge Savard was a talented defenseman who was named captain of the Canadiens in 1979. He held the position for two seasons and helped lead the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup championship in 1979. Savard was known for his defensive play and his ability to move the puck up the ice.
Bob Gainey (1981-1989) Bob Gainey was a left winger who was named captain of the Canadiens in 1981. He held the position for eight seasons and helped lead the team to five Stanley Cup championships. Gainey was known for his defensive play and his ability to shut down opposing players. He won four Selke Trophies as the NHL’s best defensive forward and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992. Gainey retired in 1989 with 239 goals and 262 assists in 1,160 regular season games.
Chris Chelios (1989-1990) Chris Chelios was a talented defenseman who was named captain of the Canadiens in 1989. However, he only held the position for one season before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. Chelios was known for his physical play and his offensive skills. He won three Norris Trophies as the NHL’s best defenseman and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013. Chelios retired in 2010 with 185 goals and 763 assists in 1,651 regular season games.
Guy Carbonneau (1989-1994) Guy Carbonneau was a center who was named captain of the Canadiens after Chris Chelios was traded. He held the position for five seasons and helped lead the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup championship in 1993. Carbonneau was known for his defensive play and his ability to win faceoffs. He won three Selke Trophies as the NHL’s best defensive forward and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019. Carbonneau retired in 2000 with 260 goals and 403 assists in 1,318 regular season games.
Kirk Muller (1994-1995) Kirk Muller was a center who was named captain of the Canadiens in 1994. He held the position for one season before being traded to the New York Islanders. Muller was a skilled playmaker who was known for his leadership on and off the ice. He scored 357 goals and 602 assists in his career and won a Stanley Cup championship with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.
Mike Keane (1995-1996) Mike Keane was a right winger who was named captain of the Canadiens in 1995. He held the position for one season before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche. Keane was a gritty player who was known for his physical play and his ability to score clutch goals. He won three Stanley Cup championships during his career, including one with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.
Pierre Turgeon (1996-1997) Pierre Turgeon was a center who was named captain of the Canadiens in 1996. He held the position for one season before being traded to the St. Louis Blues. Turgeon was a skilled playmaker who was known for his offensive abilities. He scored 515 goals and 812 assists in his career and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2017.
Vincent Damphousse (1997-1999) Vincent Damphousse was a center who was named captain of the Canadiens in 1997. He held the position for two seasons and helped lead the Canadiens to a playoff berth in 1998. Damphousse was a skilled offensive player who scored 432 goals and 773 assists in his career. He won a Stanley Cup championship with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.
Saku Koivu (1999-2009) Saku Koivu was a center who was named captain of the Canadiens in 1999. He held the position for ten seasons and was the longest-serving captain in team history. Koivu was a skilled playmaker and a great leader both on and off the ice. He helped lead the Canadiens to two playoff appearances and won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2002 for his perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Koivu scored 255 goals and 577 assists in his career with the Canadiens and was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.
Brian Gionta (2010-2014) Brian Gionta was a right winger who was named captain of the Canadiens in 2010. He held the position for four seasons and helped lead the team to a playoff appearance in 2010-2011. Gionta was known for his hard work, dedication, and leadership on and off the ice. He scored 291 goals and 304 assists in his career and won a Stanley Cup championship with the New Jersey Devils in 2003.
Max Pacioretty (2015-2018) Max Pacioretty was a left winger who was named captain of the Canadiens in 2015. He held the position for three seasons and was the first American-born captain in team history. Pacioretty was a skilled goal scorer and one of the top players in the league during his time with the Canadiens. He scored 226 goals and 222 assists in his career with the Canadiens and was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018.
Shea Weber (2018-2021 ) Shea Weber was named the 30th captain of the Canadiens on October 1, 2018. Weber is known for his powerful shot, physical play, and strong defensive skills. He has been a finalist for the Norris Trophy three times and has won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada. Weber scored 221 goals and 357 assists in his career. Due to injuries Weber retired from hockey in the 2021 season. He had a great career and will be remembered mostly for his years as a Nashville Predator and Montreal Canadien captain.
Phil Esposito scored 25 times in 18 games against his younger brother Tony during their NHL careers.
Nick Suzuki (2021-present) Nick Suzuki is the 31st and current captain of the Montreal Canadiens. Suzuki joined the Canadiens in the 2019-20 season after playing in the 2019 World Junior U20 tournament. As of 2023 the Canadiens are in a rebuilding phase and Suzuki and other young stars like Josh Anderson and Cole Caulfield will be an integral part of future “Habs’ success.
Click here for Montreal Canadiens captains before 1948.
Who was your favorite Montreal Canadien Captain of all time? Please leave a comment or question below, thanks.
