Guy Carbonneau

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Drafted in the third round by the Canadiens in 1979, Carbonneau became a regular member of the team and quickly became a reliable defensive forward, recording five 20-goal seasons while being awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy three times. He became captain of the Canadiens in 1989 and led the team to the 1993 championship. In 1994, he was traded to the Blues, then traded to the Stars on October 2, 1996. He played his final five seasons with Dallas and won the Stanley Cup once more in 1999. He recorded over 200 goals and 600 points in 1,300 games, winning the Stanley Cup three times as a player.

In Their Own Story

In August 1994, Carbonneau was traded to the St. Louis Blues for Jim Montgomery after the infamous photographer incident. He spent one season there before moving to the Dallas Stars on October 2, 1996. With the Stars, he achieved his third Stanley Cup victory in 1998–1999. The following season, Carbonneau and Dallas returned to the Finals but fell to the New Jersey Devils. His connection to Montreal remained strong; he took the ceremonial opening faceoff when the Stars played the Canadiens at the final game ever held at the historic Montreal Forum. After retiring on July 1, 2000, his journey continued in coaching, eventually leading him back to Quebec as head coach and co-owner of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens before he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2019.

Reader's Guide

Carbonneau started his career in the QMJHL with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. After an impressive 182-point season, he was drafted 44th overall in 1979 by Montreal. His defensive play helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup in 1985–86, and he won the Selke Trophy in 1987–88, 1988–89, and 1991–92. He was named captain in 1989–90 and led Montreal to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, where they defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games. After retiring, he served as an assistant coach for Montreal and Dallas, then as head coach of the Canadiens from 2006 to 2009. He later worked as a television analyst and coach/owner of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens until resigning in 2011. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.

Did You Know?

• Carbonneau was traded to the Dallas Stars on October 2, 1996, not in 1995.
• He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy three times: 1987–88, 1988–89, and 1991–92.
• He took the ceremonial opening faceoff for the Stars when they played the Canadiens at the last game at the Montreal Forum.
• The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League created the Guy Carbonneau Trophy in 2005, awarded to the best defensive forward.