Denis Potvin

Denis Charles Potvin (b. October 29th 1953 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is a former defenceman who spent his whole 15 seasons career in the National Hockey League with the New York Islanders.

After a stellar junior career with the Ottawa 67's, Potvin was drafted to the NHL first overall of the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft by the New York Islanders, who had just established league a league record for the worst season record ever. Potvin became an instant hit in the league, earning the Calder Memorial Trophy.

He would go on to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy thrice, in 1976, 1978 and 1979. The following season, Potvin was named captain of the Isles. This first year of captaincy led the team to the first of its four Stanley Cup wins. Potvin remained captain until his retirement in 1988. He left the game as the league's all-time leader for goals and points among defencemen (a mark since passed by Paul Coffey).

His brother Jean Potvin also played in the National Hockey League; they played together in New York for roughly 5 seasons. Their cousin Marc Potvin also played in the NHL.

Records and former records held by Denis Potvin

 * Most Goals by a Defenceman- 310, surpassed by Paul Coffey and currently held by Ray Bourque (410)
 * Most Assists by a Defenceman- 742, surpassed by Paul Coffey and currently held by Ray Bourque (1169)
 * Most Goals by a Defenceman- 1052, surpassed by Paul Coffey and currently held by Ray Bourque (1579)
 * Most Playoff Goals by a Defenceman- 56, surpassed and currently held by Paul Coffey (59)
 * Most Playoff Assists by a Defenceman- 56, surpassed by Larry Robinson and currently held by Ray Bourque (139)
 * Most Playoff Points by a Defenceman- 164, surpassed and currently held by Paul Coffey (196)
 * Most Goals by a Defenceman (including Playoffs)- 366 (310 Regular Season & 56 Playoffs), surpassed and currently held by Paul Coffey- 455 (396 Regular Season & 59 Playoffs)
 * Most Assists by a Defenceman (including Playoffs)- 850 (742 Regular Season & 108 playoffs), surpassed by Larry Robinson and currently held by Ray Bourque- 1308 (1169 Regular Season and 139 Playoffs)
 * Most Points by a Defenceman (including Playoffs)- 1216 (1052 Regular Season & 164 Playoffs), surpassed by Paul Coffey and currently held by Ray Bourque- 1759 (1579 Regular Season & 180 Playoffs)
 * Most Playoff Points in a Season by a Defenceman- 25 in 1981, surpassed and currently held by Paul Coffey (37 in 1985)