Montreal Canadiens coaching legend Irvin Sr. called Saskatchewan home
Hockey fans across Canada owe a debt of gratitude to Dick Irvin Sr.
The Hockey Hall of Famer and legendary coach helped groom some of the game’s greatest.
When a young Maurice (Rocket) Richard first walked into an NHL locker room, years before he would become one of the game’s most dominant forces, Irvin was his coach.
Same goes for Jean Beliveau, Bernie (Boom Boom) Geoffrion, Charlie Conacher and Red Horner.
Irvin won more NHL games as a coach than all but four people and has his name on four Stanley Cups.
Although born in Ontario, he made a name for himself as a player on the western hockey circuit. He played senior hockey in Regina and later, after serving in the First World War, spent four seasons with the Regina Capitals.
He maintained a home on Athol Street for most of his life and his son, the renowned broadcaster Dick Irvin Jr., spent much of his youth here, attending Davin School and Scott Collegiate.
Although known best for his time behind the bench, Irvin was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame for his play on the ice. A skull injury cut his NHL totals to just 52 points in 94 games, but putting up 114 points in 102 games with the Regina Capitals helped his case for being one of the best players of the 1920s.
Stories of his silky hands still linger in elder hockey circles and his use of the slap shot puts him among the early pioneers of the “clapper.”
As we celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, the Leader-Post and StarPhoenix are telling the stories of 150 Saskatchewan people who helped shape the nation. Send your suggestions or feedback to sask150@postmedia.com.