Felix Potvin

Lore & Background

Potvin played for the Toronto Maple Leafs from the 1992–93 season until he was traded on January 9, 1999. He backstopped the Maple Leafs to the Stanley Cup conference finals in 1993 and 1994, losing to the Los Angeles Kings in seven games and to the Vancouver Canucks in five games, respectively. He was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1993 and was selected to NHL All-Star Games in 1994 and 1996.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Maple Leaf Gardens hung heavy with anticipation, the ice shimmering under the glare of arena lights. Felix Potvin adjusted his mask, the familiar weight grounding him as the opposing center wound up for a slap shot. The puck screamed toward the net, a white blur against the dark boards. In a split second, 'The Cat' dropped, his pads spreading wide in a perfect butterfly, his glove hand snatching the rebound before it could cross the line. A collective gasp erupted into a roar as he scrambled back to his feet, eyes locked on the play, ready to defy physics once more.

Reader's Guide

Potvin was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the second round, 31st overall, in the 1990 NHL entry draft. He played for the St. John's Maple Leafs in the AHL during the 1991–92 season, winning the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award and the Baz Bastien Memorial Trophy. He became the Leafs' starting goaltender in 1992–93, leading the NHL in GAA (2.50) that season. He was traded to the New York Islanders on January 9, 1999, and later played for the Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, and Boston Bruins.

Did You Know?

• Potvin set an NHL record for most shots faced in a season (2,438) with the Maple Leafs, later broken by Roberto Luongo.
• In the 1993–94 playoffs, Potvin recorded three 1–0 shutouts in the first round against the Chicago Blackhawks, including the final NHL game at Chicago Stadium.
• Potvin stopped a penalty shot by Chicago's Patrick Poulin in the 1994 playoffs, becoming the first Maple Leafs goaltender to do so in a playoff game.
• He won the Guy Lafleur Trophy as QMJHL playoff MVP in the 1990–91 season.