Félix Potvin
By Serge Émond
If the Chicoutimi Saguenéens have seen an impressive number of good hockey players go by in the last 40 years, few players have marked the teams and the fans as much as Félix Potvin. Many simply view him as the best player in the history of this team.
Thanks to his talent, Félix Potvin has left his mark on the Saguenéens and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League as a whole. The opposite is also true; the QMJHL has also marked the former goaltender.
“As I often say i, the best three years of my career have been in junior hockey, recalls Félix Potvin. I wouldn’t change what I experienced in the National Hockey League, but I spent three extraordinary years in junior hockey, particularly when I think of my career with the Saguenéens. During my first season, we missed the playoffs by a few points. During my second year, we were eliminated in the first round. During my third season, we won it all and went to the Memorial Cup. I couldn’t hope for more to end my junior career, except win the Memorial Cup.” Félix Potvin has had his best moments with the Saguenéens during the 1990-91 season. He led his team to win the first Jean-Rougeau Trophy (Regular Season Champions) in its history and its first President Cup (Playoffs Champions).
The 1990-91 season allowed the Saguenéens to obtain unmatched collective results, but it was also very profitable for its number one goaltender. Named defensive player of the year, Félix Potvin also won the Guy Lafleur Trophy, awarded to the Playoffs most valuable player. To these honours, he also added the Jacques-Plante Trophy (Best goals-against average), the Robert-Lebel Trophy (Best team’s goals-against average) and a place on the first All-star Team. This last honour was a common thing for the goaltender since he had been selected to be part of the Top Rookies team in 1988-89 and the second All-star team in 1989-90.
“I have a lot of memories of the years I played in the QMJHL”, noted Félix Potvin. “I was leaving my house for the first time. Back then, Chicoutimi was considered the end of the world in junior hockey. But there isn’t a better hockey city. The fans are behind their team and make you want to offer them the best performances.”
“I remember the parade which was organized on Racine Street after our championship. There were people everywhere. For 17 to 20 year-old players, it was very impressive. I have so many memories of the years I spent in Chicoutimi. I remember the sixth game of the series semi-finals against Laval in 1991. We were losing 3-2 in the series and we won the sixth game at the Laval Coliseum, which was not an easy thing to do back then.
Second round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Félix Potvin spent one season in the American Hockey League after playing for the Saguenéens. There he was chosen as best rookie player and best goaltender of the AHL with the St. John Maple Leafs.
He then started a twelve-season-career in the National Hockey League. Finalist of the Calder Trophy, at the end of the 1992-93 season, he took part in the NHL All-star game in 1993-94 and 1995-96. After spending the first half of his professional career with the Maple Leafs, he then wore the New York Islanders, the Vancouver Canucks, the Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins colors.
Today, he feels privileged to be inducted to the QMJHL Hall of Fame.
“It’s a great honour, said the former goaltender. The QMJHL is a great League. Many excellent players have marked its history and are now part of its Hall of Fame. It’s a great honour to be among them”.
