Denis Savard returns to the fold

From a more local standpoint, the match will highlight the leader of the Blackhawks - Denis Savard – who if you remember was the former carrier and record man for the Montreal Juniors, a group that started and developed in Verdun within the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

In three seasons of matches held in Verdun, Savard scored 146 goals, accumulated 309 passes and 455 points in only 212 encounters. During his last and best 1979-80 campaign, the Juniors scored 63 times with 118 assists to their credit. That’s an impressive total of 181 points – no doubt making Sidney Crosby blush.

In the National Hockey League, Denis Savard’s offensive skills did not drop. The explosive centre player from Pointe Gatineau who stands 5 feet 10 inches and weighs 170 lbs had a career that was simply extraordinary among the hockey majors.

In the NHL’s18 seasons, Savard played in 1196 hockey meets, scored 473 goals, and accumulated 865 passes – totaling 1,338 points.

In the history of the Blackhawks, only legendaries Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita are ahead of Savard in terms of points. During his career, Savard earned six seasons more of 100 points and had seven consecutive seasons with more than 30 goals. His best years were marked by the 131 points he made in 1987-88 and the 47 goals he scored in 1985-86.

Denis Savard “retired” from hockey in summer 1997 after several matches with Chicago, and a few in Montreal and in Tampa Bay. In 2000, he was ushered into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

He started his career as hockey trainer in 1997-98 with the Hawks. He was appointed to be in charge for the development of players as well as appointed assistant trainer under Craig Hartsburg.

On the 27th of November 2006, Savard was named the 36th Chief Trainer replacing Trent Yawney. That year, he finished the season with a record of 24-30-7 in 61 matches. His first three matches were a success, a team record he shares with Sid Abel.

This year, he started his 11th campaign with the Blackhawks training team and his first complete season as Chief Trainer. The Blackhawks matches so far are going well but they could do better. Last Tuesday, playing against the Kings of Los Angeles, Chicago suffered a 9-2 defeat; their overall record stands at 19-16-3.

With 41 points, the Blackhawks are in the # 2 position in the central division, just 20 points behind the powerful Red Wings. At conference level, the Hawks are in the running, two places from the # 8 position.

Those who lead the Chicago team are young players and certainly not veterans. Recruits Patrick Kane (37 points) and Jonathan Toews (32 points) manage to shake the team consistently. Nikolai Khabibulin, on the other hand, is not having a good season; the same with the very disappointed Sergei Samsonov, who has not scored a goal and has only four assists to his credit.

Speaking of Savard again, the 45-year old injects plenty of enthusiasm into his team. His # 18 is one of five who has made it to the top ranks of the United Center, hugging the limelight with the four others - Glenn Hall, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito. He was the choice in the Blackhawks’ first round, third in total in the amateur division of the 1980 National Hockey League.

In the next issue of the Messager there will be a report on the Canadians-Blackhawks match. But watch out also for the comments of Denis Savard regarding the match, as well as his comments on his season and on his career.