Jacques Plante

Innovative goaltender who changed the game with his mask and puck-handling.

Joseph Jacques Omer Plante (January 17, 1929 – February 27, 1986) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He played for the Montreal Canadiens from 1953 to 1963, winning the Stanley Cup six times, including five consecutive wins. He retired in 1965 but returned to play for the St. Louis Blues in 1968. He was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1970 and to the Boston Bruins in 1973. He later joined the World Hockey Association as a coach and general manager for the Quebec Nordiques in 1973–74, and played goal for the Edmonton Oilers in 1974–75. Plante was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.

Quick Facts

Hall of Fame

1978

Born

17 January 1929

Birthplace

Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Quebec, Canada

Died

27 February 1986

Place of death

Geneva, Switzerland

Position

Goaltender

Catches

Left

Played for

Montreal Canadiens
New York Rangers
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs
Boston Bruins
Edmonton Oilers

Lore & Background

Plante was the first NHL goaltender to wear a goaltender mask in regulation play on a regular basis and tested many versions of the mask. He was also the first NHL goaltender to regularly play the puck outside his crease. He ranks seventh among NHL goalies for all-time career wins with 437.

Reader's Guide

Plante's career spanned from 1947 to 1975. He began with the Quebec Citadelles in 1947, joined the Montreal Canadiens in 1953, and was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1970. He was traded to the Boston Bruins in 1973. He ended his professional career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1974–75.