Jean Potvin obit

Jean Potvin, Part of the 1980s Islanders’ N.H.L. Dynasty, Dies at 72

He was traded to New York in 1973, when they were an awful expansion team, but became part of a fast-improving franchise that won its first two Stanley Cups in 1980 and ’81. 

He was not on the list.

The New York Islanders are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jean Potvin.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Potvin family," Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello said. "Jean was a leader on the ice, helping the organization win two Stanley Cup Championships. He made his home on the island and was always such a friendly face in the community. We send our sincere condolences to all those who grieve his loss."

Potvin, 72, was a member of the Islanders from 1972-73 through 1977-78 and rejoined the club for the 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons. He was a member of two of the Islanders Stanley Cup Championships in 1980 and 1981, winning the Cup with his brother Denis.

Potvin was a defenseman from Ottawa, ON, who scored 63 goals and 224 assists for 287 points in 613 games with the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Cleveland Barons, Minnesota North Stars and Islanders.

Following his playing career, Potvin returned to the Islanders as the color commentator for the team's radio broadcast from 1980 through 1989.

He played for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, Cleveland Barons, and Minnesota North Stars from 1970 to 1981. He was the older brother of Denis Potvin and cousin of Marc Potvin

 Potvin began his professional hockey career in December 1969 with the Springfield Kings in the American Hockey League (AHL). The next season in 1970–71, he led all defencemen on the team in scoring as he played on the Springfield Kings' Calder Cup-winning team with teammates Butch Goring and Billy Smith. During that playoff season, Potvin scored two goals and had 10 assists for 12 points in 12 games. A decade later, Goring, Smith, and Potvin would play together again on the first two New York Islanders' Stanley Cup-winning teams, in 1980 and 1981.

He was traded along with Ross Lonsberry, Bill Flett and Eddie Joyal from the Kings to the Flyers for Serge Bernier, Bill Lesuk and Jim Johnson on January 28, 1972.

During his 11-year career, Potvin scored 63 goals and had 224 assists in 613 career NHL games. He led the league in games played with 78 in 1973–74. Two seasons later, he was the second-highest-scoring defenceman in the NHL with 72 points (17 goals and 55 assists). The only other defenceman to have more points that season was his brother Denis, with 98 points (31 goals and 67 assists).

On January 22, 1976, in a game against the Detroit Red Wings at Nassau Coliseum, Potvin scored three goals and also added an assist, while his brother Denis had two goals and two assists of his own. Two of Jean's goals came on the power play, with his final two goals coming 45 seconds apart. Potvin's hat trick is the only one by an Islanders defenceman not had by Denis.

Potvin was involved in the last Christmas Day fight in NHL history. Potvin, who played for the Los Angeles Kings at the time, fought Ernie Hicke of the California Golden Seals on December 25, 1971. Both players were charged with 5 penalty minutes. Potvin and Hicke were later teammates on the Islanders from 1973 to 1975.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season             Playoffs

Season Team            League            GP            G            A            Pts            PIM            GP            G            A            Pts            PIM

1966–67            Hull Volants QJHL            45            22            27            49            115            —            —            —            —            —

1967–68            Ottawa 67's      OHA            54            18            17            35            138            —            —            —            —            —

1968–69            Ottawa 67's      OHA            54            17            23            40            116            7            1            7            8            20

1969–70            Springfield Indians            AHL            61            3            5            8            42            14            0            2            2            24

1970–71            Los Angeles Kings            NHL            4            1            3            4            2            —            —            —            —            —

1970–71            Springfield Indians            AHL            60            9            23            32            94            12            2            10            12            17

1971–72            Los Angeles Kings            NHL            39            2            3            5            35            —            —            —            —            —

1971–72            Philadelphia Flyers            NHL            29            3            12            15            6            —            —            —            —            —

1972–73            Philadelphia Flyers            NHL            35            3            9            12            10            —            —            —            —            —

1972–73            New York Islanders            NHL            10            0            3            3            12            —            —            —            —            —

1973–74            New York Islanders            NHL            78            5            23            28            100            —            —            —            —            —

1974–75            New York Islanders            NHL            73            9            24            33            59            15            2            4            6            9

1975–76            New York Islanders            NHL            78            17            55            72            74            13            0            1            1            2

1976–77            New York Islanders            NHL            79            10            36            46            26            11            0            4            4            6

1977–78            New York Islanders            NHL            34            1            10            11            8            —            —            —            —            —

1977–78            Cleveland Barons            NHL            40            3            14            17            30            —            —            —            —            —

1978–79            Minnesota North Stars            NHL            64            5            16            21            65            —            —            —            —            —

1978–79            Oklahoma City Stars            CHL            9            3            7            10            10            —            —            —            —            —

1979–80            New York Islanders            NHL            32            2            13            15            26            —            —            —            —            —

1980–81            New York Islanders            NHL            18            2            3            5            25            —            —            —            —            —

NHL totals            613            63            224            287            478            39            2            9            11            17