Doug Harvey

Doug Harvey
Name	Doug Harvey
Birth date	19 December 1924
Birth place	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Death date	26 December 1989
Death place	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height in	11
Weight lb	180
Position	Defenceman
Shoots	Left
Played for	Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues (1967), Detroit Red Wings
Ntl team	Canada
Halloffame	1973

Doug Harvey. A legendary figure in the history of ice hockey, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest defencemen to ever play the game. Renowned for his revolutionary puck-moving ability and defensive genius, he anchored the Montreal Canadiens dynasty of the 1950s. His career fundamentally changed the role of the defenceman, emphasizing skill and transition over mere physical play.

Early life and amateur career

Born in the Montreal neighborhood of Verdun, he developed his skills on local outdoor rinks. He played his junior hockey for the Montreal Royals in the Quebec Junior Hockey League. His exceptional talent was evident early, leading to a stint with the senior Montreal Royals of the Quebec Senior Hockey League. Before turning professional, he also served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II.

Professional career

He joined the Montreal Canadiens for the 1947-48 season, quickly establishing himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. Under the guidance of coach Dick Irvin and later Toe Blake, he became the quarterback of a legendary team that included Maurice Richard, Jean Béliveau, and Bernie Geoffrion. He was instrumental in the Canadiens' five consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1956 to 1960. In 1961, he was traded to the New York Rangers, where he also served as a player-coach. He later had brief stints with the Detroit Red Wings and the expansion St. Louis Blues before retiring.

International play

While NHL players did not regularly participate in World Championships during his prime, he represented Canada later in his career. He was a member of the Canadian national team that competed in the 1969 World Championships in Stockholm. His presence on that team added immense experience and prestige to the Canadian effort in international competition.

Playing style and legacy

He revolutionized the position of defenceman with his unparalleled skating, poise, and visionary passing. He controlled the tempo of games, often initiating offensive rushes with precise outlet passes, a style that predated the modern offensive defenceman. His defensive play was equally superb, utilizing exceptional positioning and stickwork rather than relying solely on physical force. This complete two-way game earned him widespread admiration and influenced generations of future Norris Trophy winners like Bobby Orr and Nicklas Lidström. Many historians consider him the premier defenceman of the pre-Bobby Orr era.

Personal life and death

His life away from the rink was marked by challenges. He struggled with alcoholism throughout much of his adult life, which impacted his post-playing career and finances. After hockey, he worked in various jobs, including as a stevedore on the Montreal docks. He was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and later Parkinson's disease. He passed away in Montreal in 1989 from complications of pneumonia.

Awards and honors

His trophy case is a testament to his dominance. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's best defenceman seven times, a record later tied by Bobby Orr. He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team on ten occasions and the NHL Second All-Star Team once. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973. In 1998, he was ranked number 6 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. The Montreal Canadiens retired his #2 jersey in 1985.

Category:Canadian ice hockey defencemen Category:Montreal Canadiens players Category:Hockey Hall of Fame inductees