Claude Provost

Joseph Antoine Claude Provost (born September 17, 1933 in Montreal, Quebec – 17 April 1984) was a Canadian professional right winger.

Provost started out in junior hockey with the Montreal Nationale and then the Montreal Junior Canadiens of the Quebec Junior Hockey League.

In 1954-55 he turned pro with the Shawinigan Falls Cataractes of the Quebec Hockey League. They won the league title and then the Edinburgh Trophy that year.

The next season Provost was promoted to the Montreal Canadiens. In 15 seasons with the team, Provost won nine Stanley Cups.

He was primarily a defensive specialist, best known as Bobby Hull's shadow. But in 1964-65 he would lead the Canadiens in goals with 33 and be named to the first all star team.

Provost won the first ever Bill Masterton Trophy awarded for perseverance in 1969.

In the fall of 1970 the Canadiens offered Provost a job as an assistant playing-coach with their farm team the Montreal Voyageurs. Provost accepted and actually led a Voyaguers' practice and was scheduled to play in a game. But at the last minute he changed his mind and retired. A groin injury suffered in training camp was one of the reasons for his change of mind.

He retired in 1970.

He suffered a fatal heart attack while playing tennis at his home in Florida in 1984.

Achievements

 * Stanley Cup Champion 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 (with Montreal)
 * First Team All Star 1964-65
 * Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy 1967-68