Denis Savard

Hall of Fame center known for the spin-o-rama and five 100-point seasons with the Blackhawks.

Denis Joseph Savard (born February 4, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played as a center for 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Quick Facts

Position

Centre

Played for

Chicago Blackhawks
Montreal Canadiens
Tampa Bay Lightning

Shoots

Right

Born

4 February 1961

Birthplace

Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

Draft

3rd overall

Drafted by

Chicago Black Hawks

Hall of Fame

2000

Lore & Background

Savard was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1980 and quickly became a key component of the team for the decade. He recorded a 20-goal season in each of his first twelve seasons, which included five 100-point seasons. He led the Blackhawks to the Conference Finals four times, losing each time, twice to Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers. Savard is known for the spin' o rama move, a tactic in hockey used to create distance between the puck carrier and opponent. Savard won one Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. Savard also played with the Tampa Bay Lightning for two seasons before returning to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1994, where he retired at the close of the season. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2017, Savard was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history. After his playing career ended, he joined the coaching staff of the Blackhawks. In 2006, he was named head coach of the Blackhawks, where he coached three seasons until 2008. He currently serves as an ambassador for the Blackhawks' organization.

Reader's Guide

Savard was drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1980 NHL entry draft. He began his career during the 1980–81 NHL season. He had two separate stints with the Blackhawks: first from 1980–81 to 1989–90, and second from 1994–95 to 1996–97. During his absence from Chicago, he played for the Montreal Canadiens (1990–91 to 1992–93) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (1993–94 to 1994–95). On June 29, 1990, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Chris Chelios and a second-round pick. He won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1993. He signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning in summer 1993. On April 6, 1995, he was traded back to Chicago for a 1996 sixth-round pick. He officially retired on June 26, 1997. His jersey number #18 was retired by the Blackhawks on March 19, 1998. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 13, 2000. After retirement, he began a coaching career with the Blackhawks in December 1997. On November 27, 2006, he was named head coach of the Blackhawks. He was fired on October 16, 2008, after four games into the season. He remains as an ambassador for the Blackhawks.