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Claude Provost: Most Stanley Cup Rings By A Non-Member Of The HHOF

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claude provost montreal canadiens 1968-69 o-pee-chee nhl hockey cardThe timing was right for Claude Provost. Or, you could say, the timing was right for the Montreal Canadiens. Provost and Henri Richard made the jump to the NHL Habs for the 1955-56 season, just in time to capture the first of five consecutive Stanley Cup championships. Both were developed in the Montreal Junior Canadiens program and both would play important roles in the team’s dynasty.

By the time his National Hockey League career was over, Provost would have nearly a Stanley Cup ring for each of his fingers. His nine Cup wins are the most for any player who was never inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Claude met an early demise, passing away in 1984 from a heart attack at the young age of 50.

Junior and Minor Pro
NHL Career
Hockey Card Collection
Rookie Card
Career Stats

Claude Provost – Junior and Minor Pro

Claude Provost played junior for three years from 1951-52 to 1953-54 in the QJHL (predecessor to the QMJHL). His first year was with the Montreal Nationale and his final two seasons were with the Junior Canadiens.

In 1952-53, Provost was teamed with Henri Richard, Phil Goyette and goaltender Charlie Hodge. All three would move on to the NHL Canadiens in the years to come. Claude placed seventh in the league with 24 goals and tied for third with 36 assists, equaling Richard and Goyette. His 60 points put him sixth in the QJHL and he was named the Second Team All-Star right winger.

That year, Montreal won the playoff championship in a bit of a weird final with the Quebec Citadelles. Quebec was up 2-0 in the best of seven series when the Junior Canadiens won game three to come within a game. However, Quebec coach Phil Watson protested the winning goal in that game three. The result was the Citadelles being suspended by the league and Montreal being crowned champs. However, it was Quebec that went on to the Memorial Cup playoffs.

The following year, 1953-54, Provost was again teamed up with Richard and Goyette with Andre Pronovost and Reg Fleming added in. Claude led the league with 59 assists and placed fifth with 84 points. The Junior Canadiens lost to the Quebec Frontenacs in the finals. The Citadelles from the previous year had left to play in the OHA. The two Quebec teams merged in time for the playoffs and were a powerhouse in the QJHL.

Provost’s time in the minors was relatively short for the era. He played the full 1954-55 season in the QHL with the Shawinigan Falls Cataractes. He would appear in nine games the following season with the Cataractes before moving up to the NHL for good.

Claude Provost – NHL

Between 1955-56 and 1969-70, Claude Provost played 1,005 regular season games in the National Hockey League, all with the Montreal Canadiens. Over that time, he scored 254 goals and assisted on 335 for 589 points. In 126 playoff games, he added 63 points.


Claude Provost Collection

1957-58 parkhurst nhl hockey cards

1958-59 parkhurst nhl hockey cards

1959-60 parkhurst nhl hockey cards

1960-61 parkhurst nhl hockey cards

1961-62 parkhurst nhl hockey cards

1962-63 parkhurst nhl hockey cards

1963-64 parkhurst nhl hockey cards

1964-65 topps nhl hockey cards

1965-66 topps nhl hockey cards

1966-67 topps nhl hockey cards

1967-68 topps nhl hockey cards

1968-69 o-pee-chee nhl hockey cards

1969-70 o-pee-chee nhl hockey cards


He showed up in the NHL just in time to win five consecutive Stanley Cup championships with the Habs. In all, he would win nine titles with the club. As mentioned, no other non-member of the Hockey Hall of Fame has won as many.

claude provost montreal canadiens 1965-66 topps nhl hockey cardKnown as a defensive forward and a shadow to some of the league’s greatest players of the time, Claude could also provide some offense. In 1961-62, Provost scored a career high 33 goals in 1961-62. That total tied him for second in the NHL with Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings and Frank Mahovlich of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The trio was a distant 17 goals behind leader Bobby Hull of the Blackhawks. Provost finished tenth with 62 points.

In 1964-65, Provost was named a First Team All-Star, the only time he would be selected. He had career highs with 36 assists and 64 points. His 27 goals placed him fifth in the NHL while his assist total was good for sixth and he finished sixth in the running for the Art Ross Trophy.

The Bill Masterton Trophy was first awarded in 1967-68 and Claude Provost was the first recipient. It was said that he embodied the definition of perseverance and dedication to hockey throughout his 15 year career.

Claude Provost – Rookie Card

claude provost montreal canadiens 1957-58 parkhurst nhl rookie hockey cardThe Claude Provost rookie card appears as number M12 in the 1957-58 Parkhurst NHL hockey card set. His final card is included in the 1969-70 O-Pee-Chee set as number 167. Both, of course, show him as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

Often, on the backs of his cards, it mentions that he acts as a shadow for Bobby Hull when the Canadiens play the Chicago Blackhawks. His 1968-69 and 1969-70 O-Pee-Chee cards note that he was the first ever recipient of the Bill Masterton Trophy in 1967-68.

Claude Provost Career Stats

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM
1951-52 Montreal Nationale QJHL 49 24 29 53 46
1952-53 Montreal Junior Canadiens QJHL 46 24 36 60 29
1953-54 Montreal Junior Canadiens QJHL 48 25 59 84 83
1954-55 Shawinigan Falls Cataracts QHL 61 25 23 48 44
1955-56 Montreal Canadiens NHL 60 13 16 29 30
1955-56 Shawinigan Falls Cataracts QHL 9 7 8 15 12
1956-57 Montreal Canadiens NHL 67 16 14 30 24
1957-58 Montreal Canadiens NHL 70 19 32 51 71
1958-59 Montreal Canadiens NHL 69 16 22 38 37
1959-60 Montreal Canadiens NHL 70 17 29 46 42
1960-61 Montreal Canadiens NHL 49 11 4 15 32
1961-62 Montreal Canadiens NHL 70 33 29 62 22
1962-63 Montreal Canadiens NHL 67 20 30 50 26
1963-64 Montreal Canadiens NHL 68 15 17 32 37
1964-65 Montreal Canadiens NHL 70 27 37 64 28
1965-66 Montreal Canadiens NHL 70 19 36 55 38
1966-67 Montreal Canadiens NHL 64 11 13 24 16
1967-68 Montreal Canadiens NHL 73 14 30 44 26
1968-69 Montreal Canadiens NHL 73 13 15 28 18
1969-70 Montreal Canadiens NHL 65 10 11 21 22
NHL Totals 1005 254 335 589 469

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