Denis Potvin

Denis Charles Potvin (born October 29, 1953) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who served as team captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. In his youth, Potvin excelled for the Ottawa 67's, where his play saw him touted as a potential next Bobby Orr. The Islanders selected him first overall in the 1973 draft, and he went on to play all fifteen of his NHL seasons with the team.

In his first season, Potvin won the Calder Memorial Trophy for his rookie play, becoming the first Islander to win a major award. In 1977–78 he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy for his defensive play, an award he would claim two further times. He served as captain from 1979 to 1987 and led the Islanders to the Stanley Cup championship in four consecutive years from 1980 to 1983.

A reliable presence known for his physicality and his slap shot, Potvin passed Orr for the most goals by a defenceman and became the first player at his position to score 300 goals in NHL history, reaching the mark in his final season in 1988. Over more than 1,000 games, he recorded 310 goals and 742 assists for a total of 1,052 points.