Jacques Lemaire

Jacques Lemaire, born on September seventh, nineteen forty-five, is a distinguished Canadian former ice hockey forward and head coach. His illustrious playing career spanned twelve years in the National Hockey League, exclusively with the Montreal Canadiens from nineteen sixty-seven to nineteen seventy-nine. During this time, he was a pivotal member of eight Stanley Cup championship teams, contributing to victories in nineteen sixty-eight, nineteen sixty-nine, nineteen seventy-one, nineteen seventy-three, nineteen seventy-six, nineteen seventy-seven, nineteen seventy-eight, and nineteen seventy-nine.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the sport, Lemaire was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in nineteen eighty-four. His legacy continued to grow when he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in two thousand seventeen, solidifying his status as a hockey icon.

Transitioning from player to coach, Lemaire enjoyed a successful coaching career that spanned seventeen seasons. He led teams such as the Canadiens from nineteen eighty-three to nineteen eighty-five, the New Jersey Devils during two separate tenures from nineteen ninety-three to nineteen ninety-eight and again from two thousand nine to two thousand eleven, and the Minnesota Wild from two thousand to two thousand nine. Notably, he guided the Devils to their first Stanley Cup in the nineteen ninety-four to nineteen ninety-five season, marking a significant achievement in his coaching journey.

After concluding his coaching career at the end of the two thousand ten to two thousand eleven NHL season, Lemaire took on the role of special assignment coach for the Devils. He later served in a similar capacity for the New York Islanders and previously for the Toronto Maple Leafs, showcasing his enduring influence in the world of ice hockey.