Rogie Vachon

Montreal Canadiens (1967–71)

Vachon entered the National Hockey League in 1967 as a backup goaltender to Gump Worsley on the Montreal Canadiens. He played 11 games during the season, but it was in the playoffs that Vachon started to shine. Vachon played the majority of the games and led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Finals. They ended up losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Vachon now had a permanent spot on the Canadiens roster. In a famous quote Punch Imlach, coach of the Leafs, called Rogie a Jr. B goaltender in an attempt to rattle Vachon during the Stanley Cup final.

Vachon started the next season with 39 games played. He won 23 games, and won the Vezina Trophy with Worsley. They had a combined 2.26 GAA, the lowest since 1959. Montreal would win the Stanley Cup that season and the season after that. During the 1969–70 season, Worsley was traded to the Minnesota North Stars. Vachon got the top job, but the Canadiens ended up missing the playoffs. On November 4, 1971 during the 1971–72 NHL season, after losing his number one status to rookie Ken Dryden, Vachon demanded a trade and he was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Denis DeJordy, Dale Hoganson, Noel Price and Doug Robinson.

Los Angeles Kings (1971–78)

It was with the Kings that Vachon had his finest moments of his NHL career. He was runner-up for the 1975 Vezina Trophy. He was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 1975 and in 1977. Vachon was named the team MVP four times between 1973 and 1977. In the 1976–77 season, he briefly became the first goaltender to be credited with a goal when the opposing New York Islanders scored on themselves during a delayed penalty; however, after video review, the goal was given to Vic Venasky after it was determined that Vachon was the second-to-last Kings player to touch the puck before it went in the net. Vachon also set many goaltending records in Kings history that still stand to this day. His number 30 was the first number retired by the Kings in a ceremony on February 14, 1985. He has since served in a variety of executive positions with the Los Angeles Kings organization.

Canada Cup

In 1976, Vachon was named to represent Canada. Vachon, along with Gerry Cheevers, and Glenn Resch, were the goaltenders for the Canadian team. Vachon earned the top spot, and played in every game during the tournament. He achieved a record of 6 wins and 1 loss, with 2 shutouts and a 1.39 goals against average. His play helped Canada win the tournament, and he was named to the All-Star Team and was named Team MVP.

Later career

Vachon became a free agent following the 1977–78 season and signed with the Detroit Red Wings. In 1980, he was traded to the Boston Bruins, where he ended his career in 1982.

Legacy

Known for his great reflexes and quick glove hand, Vachon was considered one of the premier one-on-one goaltenders of his era. He never allowed a goal on a penalty shot in his entire career. After retiring, Vachon served as general manager of the Kings from 1984 to 1992. He also served as interim head coach of the Kings on three separate occasions. On June 27, 2016, Vachon was named as an Honored Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, along with fellow players Eric Lindros, Sergei Makarov, and coach Pat Quinn. He was inducted on November 14, 2016.

Personal life

Vachon was born on September 8, 1945 in the small town of Palmarolle, Quebec. He had seven siblings, and grew up on a dairy farm. Vachon was persuaded to play senior level hockey at the age of 14 by a coach who was in need of a goaltender. He married his wife, Nicole Blanchard on November 30, 1971. Together the couple had three children; Nicholas Vachon, Jade and Marie-Joie, as well as three grandchildren. Nicole died from brain cancer in February 2016, after 44 years of marriage to Rogie.

Achievements

Los Angeles Kings records

International

"Rogie Vachon's stats". The Goaltender Home Page. Retrieved 2017-08-06.