The Montreal Canadiens history represents the heart of hockey tradition and success. As one of the original teams in the Montreal Canadiens NHL story, they have built an unmatched legacy of championships, legendary players, and passionate fans. This proud franchise continues to define excellence on the ice while inspiring future generations across Canada and beyond.
Established
1909
City
Montreal
League History
1917 – Present / National Hockey League
1909 – 1917 / National Hockey Association
Team History
1909 – Present / Montreal Canadiens
Nickname
Canadiens – The Montreal Canadiens are one of the most iconic teams in the National Hockey League, and their nickname has a long history. The team was founded as a professional ice hockey club in 1909 and was known as Club de Hockey Canadien. Over time, they adopted their current name - les Habitants du Montréal Canadiens or “the inhabitants of Montreal Canadians” – which is still used today by fans around the world.
Montreal Canadiens Origin
The origins of this unique moniker can be traced back to French-Canadian settlers who arrived in Canada during the 17th century. These settlers were called "les habitants" (inhabitants) because they lived off what nature provided them with rather than relying on money for sustenance. It's believed that when these early immigrants moved into Quebec, they brought along their distinct language, culture, and traditions, including referring to themselves as 'Canadians.' As such, it makes sense that naming an ice hockey team from Quebec at that period would use this term!
In addition to its historical roots, a connection exists between les Habitants du Montréal Canadien's nickname and another popular Canadian sports franchise - The Toronto Maple Leafs (or Les Feuilles d'Érable). Both names reflect similar themes: strong ties between Canada's past occupants (les habitant vs. maple leaves), national pride through shared identity/language/culture, etc., while also being fun & catchy phrases! This further adds weight to why both nicknames have endured over 100 years since first being established!
Overall, it's clear why Montreal Canadiens have kept hold of such an iconic nickname throughout all these years; not only does it pay homage to those original French-Canadian settlers, but it has also become synonymous with national pride & spirit within Canadian culture itself!
Championship
Stanley Cup 24
1993, 1986, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1973, 1971, 1969, 1968, 1966, 1965, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1953, 1946, 1944, 1931, 1930, 1924, 1916
Arena
2003 – Present / Bell Centre
1996 – 2002 / Molson Centre
1926 – 1996 / Montreal Forum
1920 – 1926 / Mount Royal Arena
Owner
2009 – Present / Geoff Molson, Andrew Molson, and Justin Molson
2001 – 2009 / George N. Gillett, Jr.
1978 – 2001 / Molson Brewing Company
1971 – 1978 / Edward Bronfman and Peter Bronfman
1964 – 1971 / David Molson, Peter Molson, and William Molson
1957 – 1964 / Hartland Molson and Tom Molson
1940 – 1957 / Donat Raymond and William Northey
1935 – 1940 / Ernest Savard, Maurice Forget, and Louis Gelinas
1930 – 1935 / Joseph Cattarinich and Leo Dandurand
1921 – 1930 / Joseph Cattarinich, Leo Dandurand, and Louis Letourneau
1910 – 1921 / George Kennedy
1909 – 1910 / J. Ambrose O’Brien
- 1909
- 1916-1924-1930-1931
- 1944 - 1946
- 50's
- 60's
- 70's
- 1986 - 1993
- 2009
-
Montreal Canadiens Team Formation
The Canadiens were founded by J. Ambrose O’Brien on December 4, 1909, as a charter member of the National Hockey Association, the forerunner to the National Hockey League. It was to be the team of the francophone community in Montreal, composed of francophone players, and under francophone ownership as soon as possible. -
Stanley Cup Winner 1916 – 1924 -1930 – 1931
Stanley Cup – 1931 The 1931 Stanley Cup Finals were played between the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Black Hawks, making their first Stanley Cup final appearance. The Canadiens, defending champions won the series to become the second NHL team to repeat as champion. Stanley Cup – 1930 The 1930 Stanley Cup Final championship series was played between the Boston ... -
Stanley Cup Winner 1944 – 1946
Stanley Cup – 1946 The 1946 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven series between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens would win the series four games to one. Stanley Cup – 1944 The 1944 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven series between the Chicago Black Hawks and the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens would win the series 4–0 ... -
Stanley Cup Winners 50’s
Stanley Cup – 1959 The 1959 Stanley Cup Final was contested by the defending champion Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Montreal was making its ninth consecutive appearance in the Final series. It was Toronto’s first appearance since 1951. The Canadiens would win the series four games to one to win their fourth-straight Cup victory. Stanley Cup – 1958 ... -
Stanley Cup Winner 60’s
Stanley Cup – 1969 The 1969 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven series played from April 27 to May 4, 1969, between the defending champions Montreal Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues, the same finalists as in 1968. The Canadiens would win the series in four-straight games. Stanley Cup – 1968 The 1968 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven series ... -
Stanley Cup Winner 70’s
Stanley Cup – 1979 The 1979 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the New York Rangers and the defending champion Montreal Canadiens, making their fourth straight appearance. It was New York’s first appearance since 1972. The Canadiens would win the best-of-seven series four games to one, to win their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup. This was the last ... -
Stanley Cup Winner 1986 – 1993
Stanley Cup – 1993 The 1993 Stanley Cup Final series was contested by the Los Angeles Kings and the Montreal Canadiens to decide the NHL championship for the 1992 – 1993 season. It was the first appearance in the Final for the Kings, and the 34th for Montreal, they’re first since the 1989 Final. The Canadiens won the series four ... -
Molson Family Acquires Team
Ownership of the Canadiens once again passed to the Molson family in 2009 after Gillett sold the team, Bell Centre, and Gillett Entertainment Group to a partnership headed by Geoff Molson and including his brothers Andrew and Justin. The sale price was estimated at over $600 million. Unlike the pre-Gillett era, the team is now privately owned by the Molson ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Montreal Canadiens History
The Montreal Canadiens history is one of the richest legacies in sports. Founded in 1909, the Canadiens are the oldest continuously operating professional ice hockey team in the world and a cornerstone of the Montreal Canadiens NHL tradition. They have won a record 24 Stanley Cups and are home to some of hockey’s greatest legends, including Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Guy Lafleur, and Patrick Roy. The team also maintains a fierce rivalry with the Ottawa Senators, which adds excitement to every matchup.
Throughout the decades, the Montreal Canadiens NHL franchise has been a dominant force in both regular-season and playoff competition. They have reached at least the conference finals in almost every decade since the 1920s, a remarkable standard of excellence. The Montreal Canadiens history includes unmatched records such as most 100-point seasons (30), longest consecutive win streaks in their era, and the most Stanley Cups won by a single franchise. This continued success is driven by their passionate fan base and a commitment to excellence on and off the ice.
In recent years, the Montreal Canadiens NHL team has faced challenges, with their last Stanley Cup victory coming in 1993 when Patrick Roy led them past Wayne Gretzky’s Los Angeles Kings. Despite not capturing another title since then, the Montreal Canadiens history continues to grow, as loyal fans fill the Bell Centre wearing red, white, and blue, hoping to witness another championship parade on Ste-Catherine Street.
Canadiens Achievements
Among the most notable achievements in the Montreal Canadiens NHL legacy are their dominance in the Original Six era and their ability to develop Hall of Fame talent generation after generation. Players like Jean Béliveau, Ken Dryden, and Larry Robinson elevated the team to iconic status and set the benchmark for success in professional hockey.
Today, the Montreal Canadiens history remains a source of pride for fans around the world. With a new generation of stars and a strong development system, the team is working to return to championship form. Their recent playoff runs and rebuilding efforts have given hope that the Canadiens will soon add to their record 24 Stanley Cups and continue their unparalleled legacy in the NHL.
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Retired Number
1 / Jacques Plante
2 / Doug Harvey
3 / Emile Bouchard
4 / Jean Beliveau
5 / Bernie Geoffrion
5 / Guy Lapointe
7 / Howie Morenz
9 / Maurice Richard
10 / Guy Lafleur
12 / Dickie Moore
12 / Yvan Cournoyer
16 / Henri Richard
16 / Elmer Lach
18 / Serge Savard
19 / Larry Robinson
23 / Bob Gainey
29 / Ken Dryden
33 / Patrick Roy
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history