Denis DeJordy

Lore & Background

DeJordy played junior hockey with the Junior B Dixie Beehives in 1956–57 and the Major Junior A St. Catharines Teepees of the Ontario Hockey Association, where he helped the Teepees to the top of the Ontario League. Stan Mikita was the team's offensive leader; he and DeJordy later became teammates with the Chicago Black Hawks. DeJordy began his professional career with the Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds of the EPHL and the Buffalo Bisons of the AHL. He was first called up by the Black Hawks during the 1960-61 playoffs but did not play; his name was engraved on the Stanley Cup and he appeared in the Hawks' team picture despite having yet to play an NHL game. He played his first NHL game on November 7, 1962, replacing Glenn Hall, who had left with a back injury that ended Hall's streak of 502 consecutive complete games. In 1966–67, DeJordy and Hall won the Vezina Trophy. After the Black Hawks acquired Tony Esposito, DeJordy became a backup for the 1969–70 season, then played for the Los Angeles Kings for three seasons. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens on November 4, 1971, becoming backup to Ken Dryden, and later played parts of two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. He became a goaltending coach for the Wings, the first in the NHL.

Reader's Guide

Denis DeJordy's career is marked by his role as a reliable goaltender who shared the Vezina Trophy with Glenn Hall in 1966–67, an award given for the best goals-against average in the NHL. His name was engraved on the Stanley Cup in 1961 with the Chicago Black Hawks, even though he had not yet played an NHL game, reflecting his presence on the team during the playoffs. DeJordy's playing career spanned four NHL teams, and he notably became the first goaltending coach in NHL history with the Detroit Red Wings. His career also included several minor league honors, such as the Les Cunningham Award and the Harry 'Hap' Holmes Memorial Award in 1963, and selections to All-Star teams in the OHA, AHL, and CPHL. Off the ice, he owned a sporting goods store in his hometown of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec.

Did You Know?

• He replaced Glenn Hall on November 7, 1962, ending Hall's record streak of 502 consecutive complete games.
• His brother Roger DeJordy was a veteran minor league player enshrined in the Hershey Bears Hockey Club Hall of Fame in 2015.