Denis Potvin

Lore & Background

Potvin excelled for the Ottawa 67's in his youth, where he was touted as the potential next Bobby Orr. He was drafted first overall by the struggling expansion New York Islanders in 1973. In his first season, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy, the first Islander to win a major award. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1977–78 and two further times. He served as captain from 1979 to 1987 and led the team to four consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1980 to 1983. Potvin passed Orr for most goals as a defenceman and became the first defenceman to score 300 goals in NHL history, doing so in his final season in 1988. He retired with 310 goals and 742 assists for 1,052 points, each category being the most for a defenceman in NHL history at that time.

Reader's Guide

Potvin's significance lies in his transformative role for the New York Islanders, turning a struggling expansion team into a dynasty. He was a reliable presence in physicality and his slap shot, and his leadership as captain guided the team to four consecutive Stanley Cup championships. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year and the James Norris Memorial Trophy three times, ending Bobby Orr's eight-year reign. Potvin became the first defenceman to score 300 goals in NHL history and retired as the league's all-time leader in goals, assists, and points for defencemen. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991 alongside teammate Mike Bossy, and his jersey was the first retired by the Islanders in 1992. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. After playing, he worked as a commentator for SportsChannel America, the Florida Panthers, and the Ottawa Senators until retiring from broadcasting in 2019.

Did You Know?

• Potvin was the first Islander to win a major award, the Calder Memorial Trophy, in his rookie season.
• He passed Bobby Orr for most goals as a defenceman and was the first defenceman to score 300 goals in NHL history.
• He was the first Islander to have his jersey retired by the team, in February 1992.