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

The 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

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.

Known 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

The 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