Marcel Pronovost

Marcel Pronovost (born June 15, 1930 in Lac-à-la-Tortue, Quebec, died April 26, 2015) was a Canadian professional defenceman who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League.

Pronovost was raised in Shawinigan Falls where he caught the attention of the Detroit Red Wings. The team signed him and sent him to their junior farm team Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey Association in 1947-48 and 1948-49.

He started with the Omaha Knights of the United States Hockey League in 1949-50 but injuries gave him a chance with the Wings in the playoffs. Pronovost won his first Stanley Cup in 1950.

Marcel stayed with Detroit and became one of the best defensive defenceman of his era. He was an important member of the 1950s Red Wings winning three more Stanley Cups in 1952, 1954, and 1955.

In 1966 Pronovost was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs and won a 5th cup in 1967. He retired in 1971.

He coached the Buffalo Sabres in 1977-78 but was fired the following season. He also served as a Detroit Red Wings coach for a short time in the 1980-81 season. Pronovost also coached the junior Hull Olympiques and the Windsor Spitfires.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978. Later he served as a scout with the New Jersey Devils. In 2003 he set a record for years between first Stanely Cup 1950 and last Stanley Cup 2003 of 53 years.

Awards & Achievements

 * First All-Star Team Defence (1960, 1961)
 * Second All-Star Team Defence (1958, 1959)
 * Stanley Cup Champions as a player (1950-52-54-55 with Detroit)
 * Stanley Cup Champions as a player (1967 with Toronto)
 * Stanley Cup Champion as a Scout (1995-2000-03)