Georges Vezina
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Georges Vézina (pronounced: vA-zEE-nuh), a.k.a. "The Chicoutimi Cucumber" (January 21, 1887 – March 27, 1926) was a Canadian professional hockey player in the National Hockey League. He stood 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) tall and weighed 185 lb (84 kg). He played for the Montreal Canadiens. Prior to the 1926–1927 season, Canadiens owners Leo Dandurand, Leo Letourneau and Joseph Cattaranich dedicated a trophy in Vezina's name to be presented annually to the top goaltender in the NHL.
Vézina was the son of Georges Vézina, a baker, and Clara Belley, and was born in Chicoutimi, Quebec. He married Marie-Adélaďde-Stella Morin on June 3, 1908 in Chicoutimi. Together they had two sons. He was discovered in Chicoutimi during an exhibition game between the Montreal Nationals of the Canadian Amateur Hockey League and the local Chicoutimi team during the 1904–1905. He lead his team to a 11-5 win. The opposing goalie, Joseph Cattarinich, was impressed with his play. When Cattarinch retired from the Montreal Canadiens in 1910, he suggested getting Vézina as his replacement.
In his rookie season in 1910–1911, he lead all National Hockey Association goaltenders in goals against average.
On February 18, 1918, he became the first goaltender to record a shutout, in NHL history, by blanking the Toronto Maple Leafs, 9-0. On December 28, 1918, he became the first goaltender to be credited with an assist, from a goal by Edouard "Newsy" Lalonde, who had just picked up the puck after a save by Vézina.
He led the Canadiens to their first two Stanley Cups in 1916 and in 1924.
Early in the 1925–1926 season, Vezina's health had become worse and he was forced to retire from the NHL. He was eventually diagnosed with advanced tuberculosis. His condition worsened and he died on March 27, 1926. He was only 39. His successor on the team, George Hainsworth, had won the first Vezina Trophy.
His combined National Hockey Association and NHL regular season totals added up to 328 games played, 15 career shutouts and a goals against average of 3.49.
Among 12 other men, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945.
It was his calm and cool demeanor which earned him the nickname The Chicoutimi Cucumber.
See also
References
- Bruneau, P. & Normand, L. (2003). La glorieuse histoire des Canadiens, pp. 47-48. Les Éditions de l'Homme. ISBN 2-7619-1860-6.
External links
- Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online (http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=42112)