Jacques Plante Hall Of Fame NHL

Jacques Plante was a transformative goaltender whose innovations changed hockey forever. Rising through the Montreal Canadiens in the 1950s, Plante's performance between the pipes helped power them to five consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1956 to 1960, plus another later in his career. He revolutionized the game by becoming the first NHL goalie to regularly wear a protective mask during games—a debut that occurred after sustaining a facial injury in 1959.

Known for his agility, puck-handling alongside his net, and keen anticipation, Plante earned seven Vezina Trophies as the league’s top goaltender and captured the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 1962. Over an 18-year career, he posted a 2.38 goals-against average in 837 regular-season games, alongside 82 shutouts. He continued playing for several teams including the Rangers and Blues, winning another Vezina in his 40s.

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978, Plante’s legacy endures as both a dominant performer and the inventor of the modern goaltender mask.

Plante's Awards and Records

• 7× Vezina Trophy winner
• Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP): 1962
• 6× Stanley Cup Champion
• NHL All-Star Game (1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1962,1969,1970)
• NHL First All-Star Team (1956, 1959, 1962)
• NHL Second All-Star Team (1957, 1958, 1960, 1971)

NHL Records

• First goalie to regularly wear a mask in games
• Pioneered the use of the goalie mask, setting a new standard for safety
• Five consecutive Stanley Cup titles with Montreal (1956–1960)
• Only goaltender to win both the Hart Trophy and seven Vezinas
• Exceptional career longevity with elite performance into his 40s

NHL Teams:

Montreal Canadiens (1952-1963)
New York Rangers (1963-1965)
St. Louis Blues (1968-1970)
Toronto Maple Leafs (1970-1973)
Boston Bruins (1972-1973)
Edmonton Oilers (1974-1975)