Serge Savard

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Lore & Background

Savard's playing career was defined by resilience and a unique style. His early years were marred by two broken legs, in 1970 and 1971, the latter preventing him from playing in the 1970-71 playoffs despite the Canadiens winning the Cup that year. However, he returned to form for the historic 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. He started games 2 and 3, suffered a hairline fracture forcing him out of games 4 and 5, but returned for the final three games. Remarkably, he was the only Canadian player to play in all four wins and one tie without appearing in a loss. On the ice, he popularized the "Savardian Spin-o-rama," a quick pivoting turn with the puck to evade opponents. While Savard credited Doug Harvey with creating the move that inspired him, the term was coined by sportscaster Danny Gallivan. This agility helped him secure seven Stanley Cups as a player (1967-68, 1968-69, 1972-73, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78, and 1978-79), the most by any defenceman. In 1978–79, his perseverance was recognized with the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

In Their Own Story

In September 2004, Savard faced a personal challenge when he was arrested in Montreal under suspicion of drunk driving. He pleaded not guilty in November 2004 but changed his plea to guilty in May 2006. Despite this off-ice incident, his legacy on the ice remained untarnished. On November 18, 2006, the Montreal Canadiens honored his contributions by retiring his jersey number 18 in a ceremony at the Bell Centre. His connection to the franchise extended well beyond his playing days; he served as general manager when the team won the Stanley Cup in 1985-86 and 1992-93. He was dismissed after a poor start to the 1995-96 season, following the Canadiens missing the playoffs in 1994-95. In April 2012, after Pierre Gauthier's dismissal, owner Geoff Molson called upon Savard to assist and advise in the search for a new general manager, proving his value to the organization endured decades later.

Reader's Guide

Savard transitioned seamlessly from star player to executive leadership. After retiring as a player in 1983, he was named general manager of the Canadiens and also managed the Sherbrooke Canadiens of the American Hockey League, winning the Calder Cup with them in 1985. His tenure as GM saw Montreal capture two more Stanley Cups (1986, 1993). Off the ice, Savard built a diverse portfolio; he has been a partner in Thibault, Messier, Savard & Associates, a real-estate development firm based in Montreal, since 1993. He was also part-owner of El Senador, a resort in Cayo Coco, Cuba (named after his nickname), until it was sold in 2005. A lifelong fan of harness racing, he co-owned successful horses like Shadow Play and Lawless Shadow. Recognized nationally, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1994 and a Knight of the National Order of Quebec in 2004. In 2017, his standing in the sport was reaffirmed when he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players.

Did You Know?

• Savard was the only Canadian player in the 1972 Summit Series to play in all four wins and one tie without appearing in a loss.
• He is the second-last active player of the Original Six era, surpassed only by Wayne Cashman.
• The "Savardian Spin-o-rama" was inspired by Doug Harvey, though the term was coined by sportscaster Danny Gallivan.
• His son Marc ran unsuccessfully in the 2004 Canadian federal election for the Liberal Party.
• He won the Calder Cup as general manager of the Sherbrooke Canadiens in 1985.