In appreciation of centre Phil Goyette, winner of the Stanley Cup his first four NHL seasons 1957-60 with the Canadiens. Clean, efficient and a vital cog in the talent-rich dynasty's gears, Phil left us last Saturday at age 92 www.nhl.com/news/phil-go...

My essay on Glenn Hall, reflecting on Mr. Goalie during a visit to the Montreal Forum. It was the former hockey cathedral where Glenn made his NHL debut in 1952; it was where I went to remember a dear friend whose life was celebrated today in Stony Plain, Alberta www.nhl.com/news/goalie-...

My personal appreciation of the late Glenn Hall. To me, Mr. Goalie was a dear friend who also happened to be a superstar netminder. Glenn's brilliance in goal and his love of his family and his land, combined with his delightful sense of humour, made him a true delight www.nhl.com/news/glenn-h...

R.I.P. Bobby Rousseau

My appreciation of Bobby Rousseau, who left us this morning at age 85: www.nhl.com/news/bobby-r...

R.I.P. Bobby Rousseau, 85, four-time Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup champion and 1962 Calder Trophy winner as the NHL's top rookie. Bobby died peacefully in Trois-Riviéres hospital this morning with his family by his side. Bobby also played for the Minnesota North Stars and New York Rangers.

Jacob Fowler keeps a Montreal Canadiens record intact, joining Ken Dryden (1971), Patrick Roy (1985) and Carey Price (2007) in making his first NHL start a victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins: www.nhl.com/news/jacob-f...

In conversation with Andrei Markov, the Montreal Canadiens' superb defenceman who five years after his retirement from hockey will be celebrated by his team before Wednesday's Bell Centre game against the Winnipeg Jets: www.nhl.com/news/andrei-...

Canadiens icon Yvan Cournoyer scored his ninth and final regular-season NHL hat trick 50 years ago today on this November 13, 1975. The third goal was also his milestone 350th. But that wasn't the best part of the Roadrunner's story on this night www.nhl.com/news/yvan-co...

Canada 🇨🇦 as viewed by my camera.

Canadiens icon Jacques Plante changed the face of goaltending forever 66 years ago on this November 1 in 1959, for the first time wearing his mask into a game at MSG against the Rangers. In tribute, my 1959 Plante replica this morning atop a net in my hometown Pointe-Claire Bob Birnie Arena.

A changing of the guard with the Canadiens, Patrice Brisebois taking the reins of the team's Alumni Association after the 36-year, two-term presidency of Réjean Houle. Reggie has stepped down this month but will remain an important presence. My visit with both: www.nhl.com/news/rejean-...

My look at the rivalry between the Canadiens and Rangers, Saturday’s Bell Centre visitor. It’s pegged to the blockbusting June 1963 trade that saw future Hall of Fame goalies Jacques Plante and Gump Worsley change heavy wool sweaters www.nhl.com/news/montrea...

Late, incomparable Jean Béliveau was elected Canadiens captain on this October 13 in 1961. Le Gros Bill would win the Stanley Cup 10 times as a player (five as captain), adding seven more in retirement as the team's senior VP. There has been no greater hockey ambassador in the history of the NHL.

Chicago Blackhawks and soloist Jim Cornelison did it up right tonight.

1/2 I have a soft spot for every “Original Six” team. “Bar none!” as the legendary Detroit Red Wings firebrand Ted Lindsay would say. From 2016, my photos of then-captain Henrik Zetterberg’s jersey hanging in the visitors’ dressing room at Montreal’s Bell Centre…

The Detroit Red Wings began their NHL life a century ago as the Detroit Cougars, then the Falcons. Here, my re-creation of the first game in franchise history, played in Windsor, Ontario on Nov. 18, 1926, Olympia Stadium still under construction www.nhl.com/news/red-win...

Detroit Red Wings begin their Centennial season tonight at Little Caesars Arena against the Montreal Canadiens. In remembrance of the legendary Alex Delvecchio, here’s the appreciation I wrote upon his passing at age 93 this past July: www.nhl.com/news/alex-de...

Here's Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr in the Montreal Gazette on this October 9 in 1971, offering a few training tips for youngsters. Numbah 4 was still smarting from his defending Cup-champion Bruins having been upset by the Canadiens in the 1971 QF. Boston would win the championship again in 1972.

I want these guys as my Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending tandem, forever: Johnny Bower and the masked Terry Sawchuk. These legends shared the net in 1966-67, Toronto’s most recent Stanley Cup championship

I've just had a wonderful chat with Glenn Hall, Mr. Goalie celebrating his 94th birthday on this October 3 in Stony Plain, Alberta. Glenn is overwhelmed that so many good wishes are coming his way from all directions on my social media. He thanks all for their comments, memories and congratulations.

Bernie Parent's urn at today's funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Buckingham, Pa. Frenchy loved everything about the Stanley Cup, having won it in 1974 & 1975 with the Philadelphia Flyers, then having spent an unforgettable day with it in February 2019. Sleep well, dear friend.

This October 3 is a bittersweet day. Glenn Hall turns 94 today in Stony Plain, Alberta; in Philadelphia, the funeral will be held at noon for Bernie Parent. Here, Mr. Goalie (on the left) and Frenchy as I photographed two goaltending legends and dear friends in Saskatoon on February 6, 2020.

Legendary Glenn Hall turns 94 on Friday, Oct. 3. Of the many stories I've written about Mr. Goalie, this is my favourite: a visit to the Hall of Famer's sprawling farm in September 2018, one of the greatest goalies of all time reflecting on his life and remarkable career www.nhl.com/news/chicago...

I filed a feature today, publishing soon, to wrap up an NHL series I’ve written on how the outdoors has impacted players’ lives. Boyhood idol Rogie Vachon was a Hall of Fame goaltender in Montreal, Los Angeles, Detroit and Boston; today, Rogie’s a happy goat-tender in Montana. Photo by Renee Vachon

Late October 2019. Bernie Parent in Philadelphia hospital a few hours after his 2nd back surgery, this one removing a disc, inserting a separator, extending two titanium rods and inserting two more screws, adding to a junk drawer full of them already placed, zippered shut with 20 or so sutures. …

An unsorted gallery of photos of Bernie Parent on my Facebook page. Rest in peace, Frenchy... you were truly one of a kind. www.facebook.com/share/p/19dY...

A long, heartbroken writing day is done. There was no other shirt to be worn today. Sleep well, Frenchy. I cherished our friendship; I’ll never forget you.

A typist, Panger and five Hall of Fame goalies, Saskatoon, February 2020: Martin Brodeur, Ed Belfour, Bernie Parent slaps a headlock on Glenn Hall, myself, Darren Pang and Grant Fuhr.

My appreciation of the late Bernie Parent, who has left us at age 80. Family, friends and fans of the legendary Frenchy are heartbroken today. No matter how dark the day, Bernie was forever a ray of sunshine that sliced through the thickest clouds. www.nhl.com/news/bernie-...

Please join me in extending happy, healthy 92nd birthday wishes on this September 18 to William Scott Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history. From 2023, as Scotty turned 90: www.nhl.com/news/scotty-...

My portrait of Glenn Hall taken on this September 17 in 2018, harvesting stories in Mr. Goalie’s memorabilia-rich den. None better than this modest legend.

I was deeply honoured to participate in this wonderful project. The world premiere of Mr. Goalie is next month, the date to be announced; stay tuned for its viewing availability beyond the first screening doc.storydoc.com/bea8oI

Sleep well, Eddie. You thrilled us and you entertained us. You always had a great story to share, and like many of your contemporaries, the truth of your life was better than any fiction I could write. I celebrate your memory tonight.

My appreciation of late Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Eddie Giacomin, the New York Rangers legend who became an icon through his personality and flamboyance www.nhl.com/news/eddie-g...

A salute to the legendary Emile "The Cat" Francis, the goaltending pioneer and New York Rangers and Hartford Whalers coach and GM who was born 99 years ago on this Sept. 13 in 1926. My appreciation of the pride of North Battleford, Sask., upon his 2022 passing at age 95: www.nhl.com/news/emile-f...

Four years ago this week, I took Scotty Bowman and Dick Irvin Jr. to lunch and sat like a sponge to record, scribble and relate their tales, one incredible yarn after another. Their storytelling is timeless: www.nhl.com/news/scotty-...

A Hockey Hall of Fame window-displayed statuette of Ken Dryden in his iconic pose. I’m unsure whether it’s still there, but it was an impressive sight when I paused to take this photo some years ago.

Class of 2016 Hall of Fame goalie Rogie Vachon this evening with carrot cake - his favourite - and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon to celebrate his 80th birthday at home in Montana. That is very authentic happiness. Thanks to Renee and Nicholas Vachon for the wonderful photo. All the best, Rogie!

Happy milestone 80th birthday this September 8 to Rogatien Rosaire Vachon, the first hockey hero of my youth who today is a wonderful friend. Here from 2021, on the 50th anniversary of Rogie’s Nov. 4, 1971 trade by the Canadiens to the Los Angeles Kings: www.nhl.com/news/hall-of...

It strikes me how Team Canada’s 1972 Summit Series goalies Ken Dryden and Tony Esposito both left this world in a very similar way: quietly, gracefully and privately, with only their families aware of their cancer battles. We lost Tony on Aug. 10, 2021 and said farewell to Ken on Sept. 5, 2025.

Sleep well, Ken. You were one of a kind.

I spent much of the afternoon harvesting Ken Dryden stories from many legends: Scotty Bowman, Larry Robinson, Yvan Cournoyer, Phil Esposito, Gerry Cheevers, Rogie Vachon and Bernie Parent. Here are their thoughts and memories www.nhl.com/news/hockey-...

My personal appreciation of late Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden. Hockey was but a part of life to this NHL legend, to whom the world was a giant place, every corner of it worth exploring. www.nhl.com/news/ken-dry...

Gone four years today but never forgotten: legendary New York Rangers forward Rod Gilbert left us on this August 19 in 2021, losing his battle with cancer at the age of 80. My appreciation of Mr. Ranger that was published a few days after his passing: www.nhl.com/news/rod-gil...

My celebration of legendary NHL and NHLPA pioneer Ted Lindsay, on the 100th anniversary of his July 29, 1925 birth: www.nhl.com/news/ted-lin...