Denis DeJordy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Denis DeJordy |
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| Born | November 15, 1938 Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | ||
| Weight | 175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | Chicago Black Hawks Los Angeles Kings Montreal Canadiens Detroit Red Wings |
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| Playing career | 1959–1974 | ||
Joseph Denis Emile DeJordy, born on November 15, 1938, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a talented goaltender (the player who guards the net) for many years. Denis played for four different teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), which is the top professional hockey league in North America. He is best known for his time with the Chicago Black Hawks. In the 1966–67 season, Denis and his teammate Glenn Hall won the Vezina Trophy. This award goes to the best goaltenders who let in the fewest goals in the NHL.
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Playing Hockey: Denis DeJordy's Career
Denis DeJordy started his hockey journey playing junior hockey. He played for the Junior B Dixie Beehives in 1956–57. After that, he joined the Major Junior A St. Catharines Teepees in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). During his two seasons with the Teepees, he helped his team become one of the best in the Ontario League. A famous player named Stan Mikita was the top scorer on that team. Later, Mikita and DeJordy became teammates again with the Chicago Black Hawks.
Starting Professional Hockey
Denis began his professional career with the Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds in the EPHL. He also played for the Buffalo Bisons in the AHL. The EPHL and AHL were professional minor leagues. He was first called up by the Chicago Black Hawks during the 1960-61 playoffs. Even though he didn't play a game, his name was added to the Stanley Cup. He was also in the team's Stanley Cup winning photo!
NHL Debut and Big Achievements
Denis played his first NHL game on November 7, 1962. He stepped in for Glenn Hall, who had to leave the game because of a back injury. This injury ended Hall's amazing streak of 502 straight games played. That was a league record! Denis played five games for Chicago that season. In the 1966–67 season, Denis and Glenn Hall shared the Vezina Trophy. This award is given to the goaltender(s) with the best goals-against average in the NHL. This means they let in the fewest goals on average.
Moving to Other Teams
After the Black Hawks got another great goalie, Tony Esposito, Denis became a backup player in 1969–70. He then moved to the Los Angeles Kings and played there for three seasons. In 1971, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. There, he became the backup goalie to Ken Dryden, who had just helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup. Denis played seven games for Montreal that season. Later, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. He played parts of two seasons with them, also spending some time in the minor leagues. After his playing career, Denis became a goaltending coach for the Red Wings. He was actually the first goaltending coach in the NHL!
Life Outside the Rink
During his hockey career, Denis DeJordy owned a sporting goods store. It was in his hometown of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. Denis's brother, Roger DeJordy, was also a hockey player. He played for many years in the minor leagues. Roger was even honored in the Hershey Bears Hockey Club Hall of Fame in 2015.
Awards and Honors
Denis DeJordy won several awards during his hockey career:
- Selected to the OHA-Jr. First All-Star Team in 1959.
- Won the EPHL Best Rookie Award in 1960.
- Won the Stanley Cup Championship in 1961.
- Won the Les Cunningham Award in 1963. This award goes to the most valuable player in the AHL.
- Won the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award in 1963. This award is for the AHL's best goals-against average.
- Selected to the AHL First All-Star Team in 1963.
- Selected to the CPHL First All-Star Team in 1966.
- Won the Vezina Trophy in 1967 (shared with Glenn Hall).
- Selected to the AHL Second All-Star Team in 1974.
