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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Sports Desk • Hockey

Yvan Cournoyer

Yvan Cournoyer is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger best known for his 16-season career with the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Yvan Cournoyer is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens. Nicknamed 'The Roadrunner' for his speed, he won 10 Stanley Cups (Coupe Stanley) and is a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee.

Who is Yvan Cournoyer?

Born in Drummondville, Quebec, Cournoyer developed a reputation for speed early in his hockey career. He played right wing for the Montreal Canadiens from 1963 to 1978, becoming one of the team's most successful players.

Why he matters

Cournoyer won 10 Stanley Cups with the Canadiens, tying Jean Béliveau for the second-most by a player. He also served as team captain late in his career. His exceptional speed and low stature earned him the nickname 'The Roadrunner'.

Key details

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982 and named one of the NHL's 100 Greatest Players in 2017. His number 12 was retired by the Canadiens. Back injuries forced his retirement after the 1978 season. His speed was reminiscent of modern stars like Connor McDavid.

In short

  • Played entire NHL career with Montreal Canadiens.
  • Won 10 Stanley Cups, tied for second-most all-time.
  • Known for speed, nicknamed 'The Roadrunner'.
  • Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982.
Canadian angle

Cournoyer is strongly connected to Canadian hockey history as a Quebec-born player and a central figure in the Montreal Canadiens’ dynasty, one of the most successful eras in NHL history.

Quick questions

Who is Yvan Cournoyer?
Yvan Cournoyer is a Canadian former NHL right winger who spent his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens and won 10 Stanley Cups.
Why was he called 'The Roadrunner'?
He was nicknamed 'The Roadrunner' because of his exceptional speed on the ice.
How many Stanley Cups did Yvan Cournoyer win?
He won 10 Stanley Cups as a player with the Montreal Canadiens.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvan_Cournoyer
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, nickname, NHL team, career span, Stanley Cup count, Hall of Fame induction, 100 Greatest Players mention.
  2. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/news/yvan-cournoyer-100-greatest-nhl-hockey-players-285563864
    Supports: Career statistics, Stanley Cup total, and recognition as one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players.
  3. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/news/canadiens-yvan-cournoyer-savour-every-moment-332444084
    Supports: Captaincy, jersey retirement, and career context.
  4. Panthéon des sports du Québec — https://www.pantheondessports.ca/temple_details.php?id=12
    Supports: Birthplace, speed-based nickname, and Quebec sports recognition.