Bernie Geoffrion

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Lore & Background

Geoffrion was born in Montreal, Quebec, and began playing in the NHL in 1951. He earned the nickname "Boom Boom" for his thundering slapshot from sportswriter Charlie Boire of the Montreal Star in the late 1940s while playing junior hockey for the Laval Nationale. He was the second player in NHL history to score 50 goals in one season, the first being teammate Maurice Richard. He helped the Canadiens to six Stanley Cup championships. Geoffrion won the Art Ross Trophy in 1955 and 1961, and the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1961. He broke his nose six times and received over 400 stitches. In 1958, a training accident severely injured him and his life was saved by emergency surgery; he was on the ice six weeks later for the 1958 Stanley Cup Final. He first retired in 1964, returned to play for the New York Rangers, and finally retired as a player in 1968. He coached the Rangers in 1968 but resigned after 43 games due to ulcers. In 1972 he became the first coach of the Atlanta Flames, leading them to their first playoff appearance in 1974, but resigned 52 games into his third season due to health problems. He coached the Montreal Canadiens in 1979 but stepped down mid-season due to a recurring stomach ailment. His number 5 was retired by the Canadiens on March 11, 2006.

In Their Own Story

In December 1953 at Madison Square Garden, Geoffrion's temper flared during a 3–1 loss to the Rangers. A two-handed swing sent his stick into Ron Murphy's face, causing a broken jaw and concussion that ended Murphy's season; Geoffrion was suspended for the remainder of the series. Years later, in 1964, Geoffrion retired briefly to coach les As de Québec, only to return two seasons later with the New York Rangers. His first retirement likely stemmed from losing the captaincy to Jean Béliveau in 1961, despite being an alternate captain. Reflecting on his resilience, Geoffrion noted that he insisted on playing through a leg injury in the 1961 semifinals, asking Doug Harvey to cut off his cast so he could suit up. 'If I didn't keep suffering all those terrible injuries and yet keep coming back,' he asked, 'would I have gotten the C?' He eventually retired as a player for good in 1968 before coaching the Rangers, Atlanta Flames, and briefly returning to coach Montreal in 1979.

Reader's Guide

Geoffrion's uniform number 5 was retired by the Montreal Canadiens on March 11, 2006. The banner was raised alongside the number 7 of Howie Morenz, Geoffrion's father-in-law. Geoffrion's grandson Blake Geoffrion wore number 57 with the Canadiens to honour both grandfathers. Geoffrion is one of many Canadiens players to have his number retired; the source does not claim he is one of only two.

Did You Know?

• Geoffrion claimed to have invented the slapshot as a youngster.
• He was the second player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season, after Maurice Richard.
• He broke his nose six times and received over 400 stitches during his career.
• His wife Marlene was the daughter of Hockey Hall of Famer Howie Morenz.
• He appeared in television commercials for Miller Lite beer in the 1970s and 1980s.