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Denis Charles Potvin

NHL, the National Hockey League is a premier professional North American Sports League played in indoor stadiums. It is divided into two conferences, each comprising of three divisions of ice hockey teams. Denis Potvin was born on October 29, 1953 in Ottawa, Ontario. The New York Islanders drafted him first overall in 1973 to serve as the foundation of their developing expansion team.

He surpassed all expectations and became the first NHL defenseman to score 1,000 career points, all while functioning as the cornerstone of the franchise's four consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1980 to 1983. He enjoyed an outstanding junior career, registering 329 points in five seasons. He was often paired with the offensively gifted Ian Turnbull to form one of the most lethal blue line partnerships ever seen in junior hockey circles. During his last year in Ottawa, he established an OHA, Ontario Hockey Association single-season record for defensemen with 123 points.

As the highly touted first pick in the 1973 Amateur Draft, he quickly made his presence felt in the NHL. He had amassed 54 points in the 1973-74 season while displaying the confidence of a ten-year veteran. He was the obvious choice in the Calder Trophy voting at the conclusion of the season. That year he also lived out a dream by playing with his brother Jean, who remained with the club for nearly five years. He emerged as one of the leaders of a rapidly improving Islanders squad that reached the Stanley Cup semifinals in only its third season. His overtime goal in the 1980 finals against Philadelphia gave his team the momentum and confidence it needed to win its first title. His top post-season output occurred in 1980-81, when he recorded 25 points in 18 games.

Denis Potvin had a wealth of natural talent that allowed him to jump into the offensive rush while serving as a tough physical presence in his own end of the rink. He was one of the most complete blueliners to ever step onto the ice. A less discussed facet of his game was his mean streak. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the year 1991.

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