NHL: Mario Lemieux, Maurice Richard, and the All-Time Québec Born NHL Team
Some of the greatest players in NHL history have come from Quebec. Names like Richard, Lafluer, and Beliveau are synonymous with the sport and are some of the biggest names in the history of the Montreal Canadians. In particular, the success of the franchise can be attributed from players that have come from the team's home providence.
A team made up entirely of Québécois would easily be a threat to win the IIHF World Championships or the Olympic Gold Medal.
When composing an all-time team of Quebec-born players, Mario Lemieux and Ray Bourque are easy choices for the team.
It's more difficult to choose amongst a group of goaltenders that includes of Patrick Roy, Jacques Plante, Martin Brodeur, Bernie Parent, and Gump Worsley.
First Line
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Left Wing: Luc Robitalle
Center: Mario Lemieux
Right Wing: Maurice Richard
Mario Lemieux is the best player in NHL history to hail from Quebec and the best ever not named Gretzky. He is second all-time in points per game and eventually surpassed the Great One as the best in the world by the 1990s.
The highest scoring left wing in NHL history is an easy choice to be on the first line for this team. He began his career with eight consecutive seasons of at least 30 goals and helped the Red Wings win a Stanley Cup in 2002.
Maurice Richard maybe the best right wing in NHL history but is certainly the greatest to ever suit up for the Habs. He was the first to score 50 goals in 50 games and get 500 career goals. In addition to his statistical achievements, Richard was also a member of eight Stanley Cup championships.
Second Line
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Left Wing: Michael Goulet
Center: Jean Beliveau
Right Wing: Guy Lafleur
Jean Beliveau was consistently one of the top players in the NHL during his 20-year career with the Montreal Canadians. He is the greatest winner in NHL history with a combined 17 Stanley Cup rings as a player and executive.
Goulet is one of the more underrated players of all time. He was one of the most feared goalscorers of the 1980s and formed the core of the Quebec Nordiques along with the Šťastný brothers.
Guy Lafleur was the NHL's best player during the late 1970s and a big reason why the Habs won four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1976-1979. Lafleur is the Habs all-time leading scorer and was the league leader for three consecutive seasons.
Third Line
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Left Wing: Dickie Moore
Center: Marcel Dionne
Right Wing: Mike Bossy
Dionne was the best player that never won the Stanley Cup. He is fifth all-time in points and once led the famous "Triple Crown Line" during his heyday with the Los Angeles Kings.
Dickie Moore was a key member of those Habs teams that won five championships in a row from 1956-1960. He won the Art Ross trophy twice and once held the record for most points in a season.
The presence of "Rocket" Richard and Guy Lafleur will bump one of the most prolific scorers in league history to the third line. Bossy set an NHL record with nine consecutive seasons of 50 or more goals. He ended his career with 573 goals, but that total could have been closer to 800 goals if back problems hadn't shortened his career. Bossy is still third all-time in points per game.
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Fourth Line
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Left Wing: Rick Martin
Center: Gilbert Perrault
Right Wing: Yvan Cournoyer
An all-time team of Quebec-born players wouldn't be complete with including some players from the "French Connection" line. Martin and Perrault helped make the Buffalo Sabres cup contenders during their time together and reached the finals in 1975. The third member of the line, Rene Robert, would be included, but this team can't leave off Yvan Cournoyer.
First Defensive Pair
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Ray Bourque and Doug Harvey
Ray Bourque is the first all-time in points amongst defenceman and first all-time in shots on goal. He never won the cup during his tenure with the Boston Bruins, but he is still one of the most popular athletes the city has ever had.
Harvey won seven Norris trophies during his career and helped the Habs win six Stanley Cups and was the best ever at his position in the pre-Bobby Orr NHL.
Second Defensive Pair
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Guy Lapointe and Serge Savard
Lapointe and Savard were two-thirds of the "Big Three" for the Canadians in the 1970s. Both were equally productive on the offensive side, as they were in the defensive aspects of the game.
Third Defensive Pair
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Pierre Pilote and Denis Potvin
Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita receive a lot of attention for their success with the Black Hawks, unlike the Hall of Famer Pierre Pilote. Pilote was an important part of the 1961 title team and won three consecutive Norris trophies from 1963-1965.
Denis Potvin was a three time Norris winner and still ranks 3rd all-time amongst defenceman in points. He was one of the best at his position during the 1970's and 1980's, and helped the Islanders win four consecutive Stanley Cups.
Goalies
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Starter: Patrick Roy
Backup: Jacques Plante
Many considered Patrick Roy the greatest goalie in NHL history when he retired, and his legacy has not faded nearly a decade later. Roy is the only three-time Conn Smythe winner in NHL history. He helped the Habs win their last two Stanley Cups and then helped the Colorado Avalanche become a superteam during the second half of his career, by helping them win the Stanley Cup twice.
Plante was the star goaltender for those great Habs teams in the 1950s and was a six-time Vezina winner. He is equally remembered for his innovation, when he became the first goalie to wear a mask.
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