Denis Savard

Lore & Background

Savard was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1980 and quickly became a key component of the team for the decade. He recorded a 20-goal season in each of his first twelve seasons, which included five 100-point seasons. He led the Blackhawks to the Conference Finals four times, losing each time, twice to Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers. Savard is known for the spin-o-rama move, a tactic in hockey used to create distance between the puck carrier and opponent. Savard won one Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. Savard also played with the Tampa Bay Lightning for two seasons before returning to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1994, where he retired at the close of the season. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2017, Savard was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.

Reader's Guide

After his playing career ended, he joined the coaching staff of the Blackhawks. In 2006, he was named head coach of the Blackhawks, where he coached three seasons until 2008. He currently serves as an ambassador for the Blackhawks' organization.

Did You Know?

• Savard was drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1980, the highest drafted player in Blackhawks' history until Patrick Kane in 2007.
• He set the Blackhawks' rookie record for most points with 75, a record since broken.
• Savard's trademark move, the 'Savardian Spin-o-rama', was a term coined by Danny Gallivan referencing a move performed by Serge Savard.
• In 1,196 NHL games, Savard scored 473 goals and 865 assists, totaling 1,338 points.
• Savard's jersey number 18 was retired by the Blackhawks on March 19, 1998.