Connie Dion facts for kids

Joseph Conrad Étienne Dion (born August 11, 1918 – died November 7, 2014) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was a goaltender who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League (NHL) for two seasons, from 1943 to 1945.

Connie, as he was known, was one of thirteen children. He started his hockey journey with the Junior Verdun Maple Leafs in 1937. He later played in other leagues before joining the Red Wings. While with Detroit, he was part of the biggest shutout (15–0) in NHL history. After his time in the NHL, he played for almost ten more years in the American Hockey League (AHL), mostly with the Buffalo Bisons. He even won an award for being the best goalie in the AHL in 1950. After retiring in 1954, he moved to Asbestos, Quebec, where a hockey arena is now named in his honor.

Connie Dion's Early Life and Start in Hockey

Connie Dion was born on August 11, 1918, in Saint-Rémi-de-Tingwick, Quebec. He grew up in a big family with twelve brothers and sisters. He began playing ice hockey as a goaltender with the Junior Verdun Maple Leafs in 1937.

He was even chosen for the 1938 Memorial Cup All-Star team. Before becoming a full-time hockey player, he briefly served in the Canadian Army. He also worked as an asbestos miner for a short time.

Connie Dion's Hockey Career Highlights

Connie Dion's first full season as a senior player was in 1938–39 with the Lachine Rapides. He then joined the Sherbrooke Red Raiders. He played in the 1940 Allan Cup playoffs with them. He also played for the Cornwall Flyers in the Quebec Senior Hockey League (QSHL) for three seasons.

Playing for the Detroit Red Wings

In 1943, after leaving the army, Dion was chosen to join the Detroit Red Wings. He was brought in to help replace their star goalie, Johnny Mowers, who had gone to fight in World War II. Dion played 38 NHL games for the Red Wings between 1943 and 1945.

He had a strong record of 23 wins, 11 losses, and 4 ties. On January 23, 1944, he achieved a famous 15–0 shutout against the New York Rangers. This is still the most one-sided shutout in NHL history! He also played in the 1944 Stanley Cup playoffs with Detroit.

Time in the American Hockey League

After his time with the Red Wings, Dion was traded to the American Hockey League (AHL) in 1945. He played mostly for the Buffalo Bisons until 1951. In 1950, he won the Harry Hap Holmes Memorial Award. This award goes to the goalie with the lowest goals against average (GAA) in the AHL. He was also named to the AHL's Second All-Star Team three times.

During his career, Connie Dion was 5 feet, 4 inches (163 centimeters) tall and weighed 140 pounds (64 kilograms). This made him one of the shortest players in NHL history. He took a season off in 1951–52. He then played for the Sherbrooke Saints and finished his career with the Glace Bay Miners in 1953–54.

Connie Dion's Life After Hockey

After retiring from hockey, Connie Dion moved to Asbestos, Quebec. He stayed involved in hockey by helping with local youth teams and often working as a referee. He helped create a hockey arena in the city in 1954. This arena was later renamed Aréna Connie Dion in his honor.

Since 1991, the Asbestos Minor Hockey Association has held a yearly tournament at the arena, also named after him. Connie Dion also loved golf. He helped design several golf courses and supported the sport in Asbestos. A local golf tournament was also named after him, starting in 1973.

Connie Dion was married to Muriel Flanigan, who passed away in 2011. They had four sons, Paul, Skip, Bob, and Mickey, and one daughter, Carol-Ann. Connie Dion passed away on November 7, 2014, at the age of 96, after a short time in the hospital.

Images for kids

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  A dignitary presents a suitcase to Connie Dion during a hockey game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings, in March 1944.