Georges Vezina

Joseph Georges Gonzague Vézina (January 21, 1887 – March 27, 1926) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He played seven seasons in the National Hockey Association (NHA) and nine in the National Hockey League (NHL), all with the Montreal Canadiens. After being signed by the Canadiens in 1910, Vézina played in 327 consecutive regular season games and a further 39 playoff games before leaving early during a game in 1925 due to illness. He was the only goaltender to play for the Canadiens between 1910 and 1925.

Vézina helped Montreal win the Stanley Cup in 1916 and 1924, while reaching the Stanley Cup Final three more times. Nicknamed the "Chicoutimi Cucumber" for his calm composure in goal, he allowed the fewest goals in the league seven times in his career: four times in the NHA and three times in the NHL. In 1918, Vézina became the first NHL goaltender to both record a shutout and earn an assist on a goal.

After leaving the 1925 game due to illness, Vézina was diagnosed with tuberculosis and died on March 27, 1926. At the start of the 1926–27 NHL season, the Canadiens donated the Vezina Trophy to the NHL as an award to the goaltender who allowed the fewest goals during the season.