Contrary to general understanding, the Canadiens' original name was in fact "
Club Athlétique Canadien" - french for "Canadian Athletic Club", and even today is not (officially) "The Canadiens" it is "Club de Hockey Canadien". It is this name that their famous "CH" logo stems from.
Before anyone says anything it is spelled "centre" not "center", and "Canadiens", not "Canadians"
History
Dec. 4, 1909
During a meeting of the National Hockey Association J. Ambrose O'Brien with financial backing of T.C. Hare founded the
Club Athlétique Canadien. Hare provided $1,000 for the formation of the team plus $5,000 for player salaries.
Jan. 5, 1910
The newly formed Canadiens play their first game at the Jubilee rink before 3,000 people. They win in overtime 7-6 against the
Cobalt Silver Kings.
Nov. 12 1910
The franchise is transferred to George Kennedy-Hall, and takes the name "
Club Athlétique Canadien".
Nov. 26, 1927
The NHL is founded, the team officially adopts the name "
Club de Hockey Canadien" and begins to display the (now) classic "CH" logo.
Jan. 2, 1918
The Westmount Arena, home fo the Canadiens since the 1909-1910 season is completely destroyed by fire. They are forced to play at the Jubilee arena, seating 3,000 rather than the 6,500 the Westmount Arena housed.
Jan. 10, 1920
Inaugural night at the
Mont-Royal arena. Built in less than six months and seating 10,000.
Nov. 3, 1921
After the death of George Kennedy-Hall, his wife sells the team to Léo Dandurand, Jos. Cattarinich and Louis A. Létourneau for the sum of $11,500.
Nov. 29, 1924
Opening night at the
Montreal Forum. The Canadiens were not intended to inaugurate the Forum. Instead that job was intended for the
Montreal Maroons, as it was
their new home. However, a problem with the ice at
Mont-Royal arena requires the Canadiens to play their game against the
Toronto St. Pats in the Maroons' new home. The historic game is a 7-1 victory for the Canadiens.
Nov. 18, 1926
The Canadiens officially adopt the Forum as their home. They suffer a 2-1 loss against
Ottawa in their (official) first game in their new home.
August 4, 1978
Molson Breweries of Canada Ltd. acquire
Club de Hockey Canadien and sign a long-term lease on the Forum covering the operation of the team as well as the entertainment division.**
June 22, 1993
Ground breaking ceremonies for the new "
Molson Centre". The building to replace the revered Forum.
March 11-12, 1996
The final game at the Forum is held. On this night filled with
nostalgia, the Canadiens defeat the
Dallas Stars 4-1. On March 12th, more than 140 items from the Forum are auctioned.
March 15-16, 1996
March 15th is marked by a grand « moving day » parade with a crowd of more than 50,000 onlookers followed by a pre-opening evening at the Molson Centre. March 16th, the official inauguration of the
Molson Centre, the Canadiens win 4-2 against the
New York Rangers.
The origination of the nickname "Les/The Habs"
The nickname "Habs" came from the owner of the Rangers (Lester. B. Patrick) in the twenties. He saw the logo, and thought that the "H" stood for Habitants, the name for the farmers that lived on the shores of the St.Lawerence in Canada's early years, so he called them the Habs, but in reality, the "H" stood for "Hockey".
The Captains
Saku Koivu 1999 - Present
Vincent Damphousse 1996-1999
Pierre Turgeon 1995-Oct.1996
Mike Keane 1995 (Apr.-Dec.)
Kirk Muller 1994-1995
Guy Carbonneau 1990-1994
Guy Carbonneau 1989-1990 (Co-Cap.)
Chris Chelios 1989-1990 (Co-Cap.)
Bob Gainey 1981-1989
Serge Savard 1979-1981
Yvan Cournoyer 1975-1979
Henri Richard 1971-1975
Jean Béliveau 1961-1971
Doug Harvey 1960-1961
Maurice "Rocket" Richard 1956-1960
Émile "Butch" Bouchard 1948-1956
Bill Durnan 1948 (Jan.-Apr.)
Hector "Toe" Blake 1940-1948
Walter Buswell 1939-1940
Albert Siebert 1936-1939
Sylvio Mantha 1933-1936
George Hainsworth 1932-1933
Sylvio Mantha 1926-1932
Bill Coutu 1925-1926
Sprague Cleghorn 1922-1925
Édouard "Newsy" Lalonde* 1916-1922
Howard Mc Namara 1915-1916
James Henry "Jimmy" Gardner* 1913-1915
Édouard "Newsy" Lalonde 1912-1913
Jean-Baptiste "Jack" Laviolette 1911-1912
Édouard "Newsy" Lalonde 1910-1911
Jean-Baptiste "Jack" Laviolette* 1909-1910
*Player/Coach
Hall of Fame
Martin A. (Marty) Barry
Jean Arthur Beliveau
Hector (Toe) Blake
Emile (Butch) Bouchard
Harold Hugh (Harry) Cameron
Sprague Cleghorn
Yvan Serge (Roadrunner) Cournoyer
Gordon Arthur Drillon
Kenneth Wayne Dryden
William Ronald (Bill) Durnan
Anthony James (Tony) Esposito
Robert Michael (Bob) Gainey
Herbert Martin (Herb) Gardiner
James Henry (Jimmy) Gardner
Bernard Joseph Andre (Boom Boom) Geoffrion
George Hainsworth
Joseph Henry (Joe) Hall
Douglas Norman Harvey
Thomas Christian (Tom) Johnson
Aurel Emile Joliat
Elmer James Lach
Guy Damien Lafleur
Edouard (Newsy) Lalonde
Rod Corry Langway
Joseph Jacques Hughes Laperriere
Guy Gerard Lapointe
Jean Baptiste (Jack) Laviolette
Jacques Gerard Lemaire
Francis William (Frank) Mahovlich
Maurice Joseph (Joe) Malone
Sylvio Mantha
Richard Winston (Dickie) Moore
Howarth William (Howie) Morenz
Edward Reginald (Reg) Noble
Herbert William (Buddy) O'Connor
Murray Bert Olmstead
Didier Pitre
Joseph Jacques (Jake the Snake) Plante
Kenneth Joseph (Kenny) Reardon
Joseph Henri (Pocket Rocket) Richard
Joseph Henri Maurice (The Rocket) Richard
Larry Robinson
Denis Savard
Serge Aubrey Savard
Stephen John Shutt
Albert Charles (Babe) Siebert
Thomas J. Smith
Georges Vezina
Lorne John (Gump) Worsley
Roy (Shrimp) Worters
**There were a few other changes of owenership, however they aren't too interesting since it is only money changing hands and some paper shuffling. I included the other changes due to their significance in the history of the team. If you would like me to add the others, /msg me and I'll add them in.