Bill Durnan NHL Hall of Fame

Bill Durnan Hall of Fame NHL

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Bill Durnan

Inducted:
1964

Bill Durnan NHL Hall of Fame

Player Stats

6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)

Born: 
January 22, 1916
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Died:
October 31, 1972
North York, Ontario, Canada

Position:
Goaltender

College:
NA

William Ronald "Bill" Durnan was arguably the most dominant goaltender in NHL history relative to the length of his career. Despite not entering the league until the age of 27, Durnan spent seven seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and established a legacy of excellence that has never been matched. He was a cornerstone of the 1940s Canadiens, backstopping the team to two Stanley Cup championships and providing the defensive foundation for the legendary "Punch Line."

Durnan was uniquely gifted as an ambidextrous goalie; he wore custom-made gloves that allowed him to catch the puck with either hand, frequently switching his stick from left to right mid-game to always face shooters with a glove. Despite his incredible success—winning the Vezina Trophy in six of his seven seasons—the immense mental pressure of the position took a heavy toll. Durnan abruptly retired at the age of 34 while still the best goalie in the world. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964.

Durnan's Awards and Record: 

  • 2x Stanley Cup Champion (1944, 1946)
  • 6x Vezina Trophy Winner (1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950)
  • 6x NHL First All-Star Team (1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950)
  • Named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" (2017)
  • Ranked #34 on The Hockey News' 100 Greatest Hockey Players (1998)
  • Allan Cup champion in 1940

Notable Achievements:

    • Only goaltender to win the Vezina Trophy in each of his first four NHL seasons
    • 309 minutes and 21 seconds without allowing a goal; a modern-era record that stood for 55 years until broken in 2004

    NHL Teams:

    Montreal Canadiens (1943-1950)

    Number Worn:
    1

    NHL Stats:

    Seasons:
    7 (1943-1950)
    Games Played:
    383
    Wins:
    208
    Losses:
    112
    Goals Against Average (GAA):
    2.36
    Shutouts:
    34
    Playoff Record:
    27-18 in 45 games
    Playoff GAA:
    2.07
    Stanley Cups:
    2 (1944, 1946)
    Vezina Trophy:
    6 (1944-1947,1949,1950)