Advent Day 23 - Bob Gainey

One of the most dominant defensive forwards to ever play the game Bob Gainey played his entire 15 year career in the NHL with the Canadiens. He won 5 Stanley Cups in Montreal and was awarded the Selke Trophy four years in a row between 1979 and 1982. He also won the Conn Smythe in 1979.

Never a high scoring forward his true talent resided in his defensive play. His total of just over 500 points says little about who he was as a player. The Soviet national team coach at the time referred to him as the greatest all-around player in the world. (He played against the Soviets on a number of occasions including 2 Canada Cups and the 1979 Challenge Cup which replace the All-Star game that season.)

He captained the Canadiens for 8 seasons starting in 1981 and his number 23 was officially retired in February earlier this year. Gainey is currently the General Manager in Montreal.

More on Bob Gainey can be found at the HHOF's Legends of Hockey page here.

His jerseys in the database can be found here.