Former Islanders defenseman Jean Potvin dies at age 72

Jean Potvin (Wikimedia Commons)

Former New York Islanders defenseman Jean Potvin of Ottawa, Ontario passed away on Tuesday at the age of 72 according to Richard Sandomir of the New York Times. Jean Potvin, who is the older brother of Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Potvin, played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, Cleveland Barons, and Minnesota North Stars.

Potvin played 613 games in the NHL from 1970 to 1981. He had 63 goals and 224 assists for 287 points. Potvin was a -60 with 478 penalty minutes, 139 power-play points, six shorthanded points, 12 game-winning goals, and 927 shots one goal. It is interesting that Potvin had more power-play assists than even-strength assists in his NHL career. He had 112 power-play assists and 111 even-strength assists.

Potvin had one lone hat trick in his NHL career. It came in a 8-1 Islanders win over the Detroit Red Wings on January 22, 1976.

Potvin won two Stanley Cups with the Islanders in 1980 and 1981. However in each of those two Stanley Cup playoff seasons, Potvin did not play a postseason game. He played 32 regular season games for the Islanders in 1979-80, and 18 regular season games for the Islanders in 1980-81.

Potvin’s best NHL season came with the Islanders in 1975-76. That year he had career highs in goals (17), assists (55), points (72), plus/minus (+16), power-play points (46), and shots on goal (167).

 

 

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