Patrice Brisebois' History with the Canadiens

Long-time Hab Ranks Among Franchise’s Top Defensemen All-Time

Sep 26, 2009

It wasn't always easy for Patrice Brisebois over the course of his career. Despite the ups and downs, the rearguard made a name for himself on the Canadiens' blue line.

It’s an opportunity many players dream of but few get to experience: Being drafted by their hometown/favorite team, going on to play nearly their entire career in that city, and to top it all off, winning a Stanley Cup with the club while establishing himself as one of top on the team all-time.

Drafted in the second round, 30th overall, by the Canadiens at the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, the Montreal native’s dream soon became a reality. Though already an old pro at playing on his home turf thanks to four years of junior hockey with the Laval Titan of the QMJHL, “Breezer” (as he would come to be known) wouldn’t soon forget his big league debut. On January 27, 1991, Brisebois said goodbye to his teen years and hello to the NHL on his 20th birthday. While the Habs would fall 3-1 to the Bruins that night, the young blue-liner would pick up an assist on his team’s only goal, to earn his first NHL point.

He would have to wait a bit longer for his first NHL marker. That would come against Tom Barrasso in a 2-1 win over the Penguins at the Forum on February 22, 1992.

While those would be memorable moments to kick off his career, his first full campaign as a Hab would be the sweetest icing on the cake. A blue line regular in 1992-93, Brisebois suited up for 20 of the Canadiens’ 21 playoff games en route to the 24th Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Brisebois’ Relationship with Canadiens Fans

The years would pass and Brisebois – as well as the Canadiens – would endure highs and lows. For all the points he put up on the scoresheet, he would miss at least double as many games. Injuries limited him for five of six seasons from 1993-94 through 1999-2000. His best campaign during that stretch would also be his healthiest, notching 37 points in 79 games in 1997-98.

When he wasn’t adding to his numbers or spending time in the clinic, he was dealing with the Bell Centre boo-birds. That is, until ahead of the 2003-04 season, when then-new general manager Bob Gainey came to the defense of his veteran rearguard.

After that season came the lockout and ultimately a break-up between Brisebois and the Canadiens’ faithful. It was a two-year separation during which the defenseman found new life with the Colorado Avalanche, enjoying a career-best 39-point campaign in 2005-06.

He returned to where it all began in 2007-08 and, unlike his last strides on the Bell Centre ice, was showered with a lengthy ovation at the Habs’ home opener. Brisebois book-ended his career another highlight: his 1,000th career NHL game on March 14, 2009.

Brisebois One of the Top on the Canadiens’ All-Time Scoring List for Defensemen

He may never have been as imposing nor as dominant as some Montreal’s great blue-liners of the past, but Patrice Brisebois can proudly boast that upon his retirement on September 24, 2009, he was right there with them in the upper echelons of the Canadiens' all-time scoring list for defensemen. His 87 goals and 371 points both rank fifth, the latter fewer than only heavyweights Larry Robinson, Guy Lapointe, Doug Harvey and Serge Savard. He closed out his career sixth in assists with 284 and sat third behind only Robinson and Savard with 896 games played in a Habs jersey.

But it wasn’t just the regular season that saw him rise up in the record books. Though Brisebois saw less playoff action than his fellow all-time leaders (89 games, to rank 14th), he nonetheless made a mark for himself on the postseason list as well. His offensive numbers are eighth best across the board, despite being a part of teams that didn’t enjoy the stacked talent as the squads of the defensemen surrounding him.

In all, in a city where the spotlight beams exceptionally bright, Brisebois lived a dream.

“When you love what you do, you don’t want it to end,” he said at the press conference announcing his retirement. “But, you know that one day, it will.”

The copyright of the article Patrice Brisebois' History with the Canadiens in National Hockey League (NHL) is owned by Heather Engel. Permission to republish Patrice Brisebois' History with the Canadiens in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.