During the 1920’s and 1930’s, players such as Aurèle Joliat, Sylvio Mantha and Pit Lépine inspired the nickname “Flying Frenchmen.” Some 40 years later, Yvan Cournoyer perpetuated the tradition.

For 16 seasons, between 1963 and 1979, the right-winger from Drummondville, dazzled defensemen and goaltenders alike thanks to rarely seen speed, which led to the nickname “Road Runner”.

After a modest start to his NHL career, which required a great deal of patience, Cournoyer got going in 1967 by scoring 25 goals in 65 games. It turned out to be the first of 12 consecutive seasons where he would score at least 20 goals and would be elected four times to the second All-Star Team. During that stretch, Cournoyer would have four 40-plus goal seasons, including three straight from 1971 through 1974.
But if one year brought him the greatest thrills, it is undoubtedly the 1972-73 season.

Everything started with the famous Super Series against the Soviet Union in September, during which Cournoyer scored three goals in eight games, including the tying goal in the final contest, won 6-5 by Team Canada.

This memorable season ended in May with the 6th of 10 Stanley Cups and the Conn Smythe Trophy, thanks to 15 goals, a playoff record at that time, and 25 points in 17 games.

Elected the Canadiens’ captain in 1975, Cournoyer was forced to retire because of a severe back injury at the conclusion of the 1978-79 season. Three years later, he made his grand entrance to the Hockey Hall of Fame.