| ARTICLES |
| Larry Robinson in numbers Canadiens.com | Nov 18, 2007 |
| Words don't quite do Larry Robinson's brilliant career justice. Here are a few numbers that could do the trick. 50 Population of Marvelville, ON, where Robinson grew up just outside of Ottawa. 10 Number of times Robinson led all Canadiens defensemen in points. 21 Number of postseason points put up by Robinson during the 1978 playoffs to tie Guy Lafleur for the league lead, as Robinson became the third defenseman to ever win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. +120 Club-record plus-minus differential posted by Robinson in 1976-77. 203 Team record number of playoff games played by Robinson with the Canadiens. 0 Number of times Robinson missed the playoffs over the course of his 20-year NHL career, including 17 seasons with the Canadiens. His 20-straight post season appearances remain an NHL record. 85 Number of points racked up by Robinson in 1976-77 to set a Canadiens club record for a defenseman, which still stands today. 1,202 Number of regular season games played by Robinson with the Canadiens, second on the team’s all-time list behind Henri Richard (1,256). |
For 17 seasons, Larry Robinson gave all he had to the Canadiens and their fans. On Monday, it was time to return the favor.
As soon as Robinson emerged from the tunnel holding his grandson Dylan’s hand, the crowd roared. The six-time Stanley Cup
champion, two-time Norris Trophy winner and Conn Smythe Trophy winner had them chanting his name one more time.
Despite his efforts to begin his speech, the crowd wouldn’t let him. The lengthy ovation even had Robinson motioning to keep the noise
down to move the ceremony forward.
“I’m extremely proud and this is an incredible honor,” admitted Robinson, as his family looked on seated alongside him, including his
wife Jeannette. “The rich tradition that exists here in Montreal is unreal, just like what the Yankees mean to New York. I still say
everywhere I go that Montreal is the true hockey city, the real Hockey Town, not Detroit or anywhere else.”
Few loomed larger on the Habs’ blue line than Robinson, who holds club records for most career games played, goals, assists, and
points by a Canadiens defenseman. Seeing his No. 19 raised to the rafters was the only way Robinson’s brilliant Habs legacy could
draw to a close. That being said, writing his speech was no easy task.
“It took me at least seven or eight drafts,” said Robinson with a smile. “You do what you can, try to name everyone and not leave anyone
out, while singling out those who had the biggest impact.”
Among those to impact Robinson even to this day is Devils President and GM Lou Lamoriello, who was a natural fit to speak on his
behalf on his big night.
“I thought the choice of Lou was fitting since he was so affected by the Canadiens and their success,” explained Robinson. “He often told
me about his days in Providence when he would watch how the Canadiens practiced and followed every move made by GM Sam Pollock.
Lou knew that if the day ever came that he could build his own hockey franchise, he would do so the right way. The way Pollock and the
Canadiens did it. And that’s exactly what he’s done in New Jersey.”
Lamoriello built the Devils from the ground up with the help of both Robinson and Jacques Lemaire, who each led New Jersey to Stanley
Cup titles from behind the bench.
“I am certain everyone here has different memories of #19, “Big Bird” as he was known while helping the Canadiens win the Stanley
Cup,” said Lamoriello during his glowing speech in honor of his current assistant coach with the Devils. “Tonight marks another moment
in Larry’s brilliant career. He was one-of-a-kind on the ice and one-of-a-kind off the ice, and I continue to cherish the opportunity to work
with him every day.”
As Robinson continued his trip down memory lane at the podium, his emotions got the best of him.
“I promised myself that I wouldn’t pull a Mark Messier,” joked Robinson as he unsuccessfully tried to choke back his tears. “You, the fans
have allowed a young farm boy from Marvelville reach all his goals. Without you, I wouldn’t be here tonight.”
Surrounded by microphones following his ceremony, Robinson didn’t know where to begin when asked to identify his greatest moment
with the Canadiens.
“Geez, there are just so many memories that to try to narrow it down to one would be like eating a can of beans and then trying to figure
out which one gave you gas,” smiled Robinson. “When you get to live as many great moments as I have, all you can you do is feel
blessed to have been so lucky.”
Canadiens fans everywhere know the feeling and they won’t soon forget the night Big Bird’s legacy flew its way up to the rafters where it
belongs.
As soon as Robinson emerged from the tunnel holding his grandson Dylan’s hand, the crowd roared. The six-time Stanley Cup
champion, two-time Norris Trophy winner and Conn Smythe Trophy winner had them chanting his name one more time.
Despite his efforts to begin his speech, the crowd wouldn’t let him. The lengthy ovation even had Robinson motioning to keep the noise
down to move the ceremony forward.
“I’m extremely proud and this is an incredible honor,” admitted Robinson, as his family looked on seated alongside him, including his
wife Jeannette. “The rich tradition that exists here in Montreal is unreal, just like what the Yankees mean to New York. I still say
everywhere I go that Montreal is the true hockey city, the real Hockey Town, not Detroit or anywhere else.”
Few loomed larger on the Habs’ blue line than Robinson, who holds club records for most career games played, goals, assists, and
points by a Canadiens defenseman. Seeing his No. 19 raised to the rafters was the only way Robinson’s brilliant Habs legacy could
draw to a close. That being said, writing his speech was no easy task.
“It took me at least seven or eight drafts,” said Robinson with a smile. “You do what you can, try to name everyone and not leave anyone
out, while singling out those who had the biggest impact.”
Among those to impact Robinson even to this day is Devils President and GM Lou Lamoriello, who was a natural fit to speak on his
behalf on his big night.
“I thought the choice of Lou was fitting since he was so affected by the Canadiens and their success,” explained Robinson. “He often told
me about his days in Providence when he would watch how the Canadiens practiced and followed every move made by GM Sam Pollock.
Lou knew that if the day ever came that he could build his own hockey franchise, he would do so the right way. The way Pollock and the
Canadiens did it. And that’s exactly what he’s done in New Jersey.”
Lamoriello built the Devils from the ground up with the help of both Robinson and Jacques Lemaire, who each led New Jersey to Stanley
Cup titles from behind the bench.
“I am certain everyone here has different memories of #19, “Big Bird” as he was known while helping the Canadiens win the Stanley
Cup,” said Lamoriello during his glowing speech in honor of his current assistant coach with the Devils. “Tonight marks another moment
in Larry’s brilliant career. He was one-of-a-kind on the ice and one-of-a-kind off the ice, and I continue to cherish the opportunity to work
with him every day.”
As Robinson continued his trip down memory lane at the podium, his emotions got the best of him.
“I promised myself that I wouldn’t pull a Mark Messier,” joked Robinson as he unsuccessfully tried to choke back his tears. “You, the fans
have allowed a young farm boy from Marvelville reach all his goals. Without you, I wouldn’t be here tonight.”
Surrounded by microphones following his ceremony, Robinson didn’t know where to begin when asked to identify his greatest moment
with the Canadiens.
“Geez, there are just so many memories that to try to narrow it down to one would be like eating a can of beans and then trying to figure
out which one gave you gas,” smiled Robinson. “When you get to live as many great moments as I have, all you can you do is feel
blessed to have been so lucky.”
Canadiens fans everywhere know the feeling and they won’t soon forget the night Big Bird’s legacy flew its way up to the rafters where it
belongs.