In the amazing history of the Montreal Canadians, a wide array of talented goaltenders have donned there iconic jersey. However, only one can be the first, and that man was Georges Vezina.

The foundation of what may have been hockey’s first dynasty, Frank McGee led the Ottawa Silver Seven to the Stanley Cup multiple times in the early 1900’s. McGee, who had only one eye, was a natural sniper and easily the best of his day. He was always the leading scorer for his squad, and one time scored eight goals in nine minutes in a game. McGee stopped playing organized hockey before he turned thirty and despite his disability (one eye) managed to enlist in the Canadian Army for World War I. Sadly, McGee died in France serving his country.

Had there been a Lady Byng Trophy in Eddie Gerard’s day, there is a solid chance he would have won a boatload of them. Gerard was not just a gentlemanly player, but a certifiable star on the blue line. Initially Gerard started his career as a forward, but once he converted to defense he was came into his own and propelled the Ottawa Senators to three Stanley Cups, and ironically one as a member of the Toronto St. Pats, when he was allowed to substitute for injured players in 1922. Can you imagine that happening today?

One of the greatest goaltenders of hockey’s early era, Charlie Gardiner’s greatness was curtailed at the age of 29 by a brain hemorrhage that took him away only weeks after his greatest triumph.