20 Facts About Denis Potvin

1.

Denis Potvin is a four-time Stanley Cup winner as a member of the early 1980s New York Islanders.

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2.

Denis Potvin is a three-time James Norris Memorial Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenceman.

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3.

Denis Potvin was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991 and served as a commentator for Ottawa Senators' television broadcasts on Sportsnet.

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4.

Denis Potvin is the former color commentator for the Florida Panthers.

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5.

Denis Potvin entered the NHL with high expectations; he was regarded by some as the savior of the Islanders' franchise, and by others as potentially the next Bobby Orr.

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6.

At age 22, Denis Potvin scored 31 goals and 98 points, the highest totals by a defenceman other than Orr.

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7.

Denis Potvin had an impressive +71 plus-minus rating that season and finished fourth in the balloting for the Hart Trophy.

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8.

Clark Gillies stepped down as captain during the off-season and Denis Potvin became the team's third captain, a position he held until relinquishing it in 1987.

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9.

Denis Potvin was a key part of the Islanders during the team's early 1980s glory years: in addition to the four consecutive Stanley Cup championships and five straight finals appearances, in the eight seasons he served as captain, the Islanders never failed to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs.

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10.

Denis Potvin was known for being intelligent, articulate, and outspoken off the ice.

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11.

Denis Potvin offended many hockey fans by stating publicly he had played better in the 1976 Canada Cup than Bobby Orr, and that Orr's selection as tournament MVP was for sentimental reasons.

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12.

However, as Denis Potvin matured, he became seen as a great leader as he learned to use these same qualities to positively affect his teammates.

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13.

Denis Potvin was a more traditional defender than Orr and an extremely physical player.

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14.

Denis Potvin retired as the NHL's leader in goals and points by a defenceman.

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15.

Denis Potvin claimed to have received an offer from Mike Keenan to come out of retirement and play for the arch-rival New York Rangers in 1993.

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16.

Denis Potvin admitted that although he believed it was a joke, he did contemplate a comeback.

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17.

Denis Potvin was a color commentator for Florida Panthers television broadcasts from 1993, paired with play-by-play announcers Jeff Rimer, Dave Strader, and Steve Goldstein for over 16 seasons before being replaced by former Panthers player Bill Lindsay in 2009.

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18.

In September 2010, Denis Potvin was hired as the Ottawa Senators' television colour commentator, working with Dean Brown on Rogers Sportsnet.

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19.

Denis Potvin was born in Vanier, Ontario, but grew up in nearby Hull, Quebec.

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20.

Denis Potvin's brother, Jean Denis Potvin, was an NHL defenseman and the brothers were teammates for a number of years with the Islanders.

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