Montréal Canadiens

About the Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens were founded in 1909, making them one of the oldest professional hockey franchises in North America. The club predates the formation of the NHL, which began play in 1917.

Montreal later became one of the teams associated with the NHL's “Original Six” era. From 1942-43 through 1966-67, the league consisted of the Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Few franchises in professional sports have a championship tradition comparable to Montreal. The Canadiens have won more Stanley Cups than any other NHL franchise and have been home to generations of legendary players.

Division History

Following the NHL's expansion in 1967, Montreal competed in the East Division alongside the other established NHL franchises.

League realignment in 1974 placed the Canadiens in the Norris Division, where they remained until another reorganization in 1981 moved Montreal to the Adams Division.

The Canadiens remained in the Adams Division until 1993, when the NHL introduced geographic names for its conferences and divisions. Montreal then became a member of the Northeast Division in the Eastern Conference.

Another league realignment in 2013 moved the Canadiens into the Atlantic Division, where they remain today.

The exception was the shortened 2020-21 season, when the NHL temporarily reorganized its divisions and all seven Canadian teams competed together in the North Division.

Championship History

No NHL franchise has won more Stanley Cups than the Montreal Canadiens.

Montreal has captured the Stanley Cup 24 times. The club's first championship came in 1916, before the NHL was formed, while the other 23 were won as an NHL franchise.

The Canadiens established several dynasties during the 20th century.

Montreal won five consecutive Stanley Cups from 1956 through 1960, an NHL record that still stands. The Canadiens later won four consecutive championships from 1976 through 1979 during another dominant period.

The franchise's most recent Stanley Cup championship came in 1993. Montreal defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games, with goaltender Patrick Roy winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

The Canadiens returned to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021. Competing from the temporary North Division, Montreal defeated Toronto, Winnipeg and Vegas before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.

Another deep postseason run followed in 2026. Montreal defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games in the opening round and then beat the Buffalo Sabres in another seven-game series to reach the Eastern Conference Final. The Canadiens won the opening game against the Carolina Hurricanes before Carolina took the next four to end Montreal's run.

Home of the Canadiens

The Canadiens play their home games at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal.

For seven decades, the Montreal Forum served as one of hockey's most famous arenas and hosted many of the franchise's Stanley Cup championship teams.

The Canadiens played their final game at the Forum in 1996 before moving into a new downtown arena originally known as the Molson Centre.

The building was renamed the Bell Centre in 2002 and remains the Canadiens' home. The arena has a hockey capacity of 21,105, making it the NHL's largest venue by seating capacity.

Notable Canadiens

Maurice “Rocket” Richard became one of the defining figures in Canadiens history and remains one of hockey's most celebrated players.

Richard spent his entire NHL career with Montreal and scored 544 regular-season goals, which remains the franchise record. He became the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season and famously accomplished the feat in just 50 games during the 1944-45 campaign.

Richard helped Montreal win eight Stanley Cups and served as team captain during the franchise's run of five consecutive championships from 1956 through 1960.

The NHL's annual award for its leading regular-season goal scorer is named the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in his honor.

Guy Lafleur remains the Canadiens' all-time leader in both assists and points.

Lafleur recorded 518 goals, 728 assists and 1,246 points during his 14 seasons with Montreal. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer in three consecutive seasons and twice received the Hart Trophy as league MVP.

Lafleur helped the Canadiens win five Stanley Cups, including four consecutive championships from 1976 through 1979. He received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP during Montreal's 1977 championship run.

Jean Beliveau spent his entire NHL career with the Canadiens and became one of the most accomplished players in franchise history.

Beliveau recorded 507 goals, 712 assists and 1,219 points in 1,125 regular-season games. He won the Hart Trophy twice and became the first player to receive the Conn Smythe Trophy when the award was introduced in 1965.

Beliveau won 10 Stanley Cups as a player, including five consecutive championships from 1956 through 1960.

Henri Richard holds one of the most remarkable championship records in professional sports.

The younger brother of Maurice Richard, Henri spent his entire 20-season NHL career with Montreal and won the Stanley Cup 11 times, more than any player in NHL history. He also holds the Canadiens franchise record with 1,258 regular-season games played.

Patrick Roy became one of the greatest goaltenders in franchise history after making his NHL debut with Montreal during the 1980s.

Roy helped the Canadiens win Stanley Cups in 1986 and 1993 and received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP on both occasions. He was just 20 years old when he won his first Conn Smythe in 1986.

The Canadiens later retired Roy's No. 33.

Other prominent players in Canadiens history include Howie Morenz, Doug Harvey, Jacques Plante, Bernie Geoffrion, Yvan Cournoyer, Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, Bob Gainey and Carey Price.