The Montreal Canadiens are much more than the most successful team in hockey history. They are also the most successful franchise in any professional sport. Their "Bleu, Blanc, Rouge" uniforms are as well known as the Yankee pinstripes or the green and white of the Boston Celtics. The Flying Frenchmen have won twentythree league championships—more than either the legendary Yankees or the fabled Celtics.

In 1985 les Canadiens celebrated their 75th anniversary. As one of the "original six" of the National Hockey League, they hold an impressive list of records. Besides having won the most Stanley Cup championships, they have participated more often than any other team in both the playoffs and the Stanley Cup finals. They are the only team to have made ten consecutive appearances in the finals (1951–1960 inclusive) and to have won five consecutive Stanley Cup championships (1956–1960 inclusive).

One reason for the unparalleled success of les habitants has been management's ability to identify talent. Throughout their history les Canadiens have had a galaxy of superstars play for them. To name only a few: Edouard "Newsy" Lalonde, George Vezina, Aurele Joliat, Howie Morenz, Rocket Richard, Doug Harvey, jean Beliveau, Ken Dryden, Guy Lafleur and Larry Robinson. These Canadiens and others have played with such skill and grace that they will remain forever young in the minds of hockey fans.
 

1. The 1986 Stanley Cup Champions. 2. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney celebrates with Mats Naslund and Ron Corey, President.

The brilliance of les Canadiens on the ice has been matched by the genius of their management. Managing directors such as Leon Dandurand, Frank J. Selke and Sam Pollock (all members of the Hockey Hall of Fame) have provided shrewd leadership for such hockey coaching legends as Dick Irwin, Toe Blake and Scotty Bowman. Meticulous long-term planning and a stress upon listening carefully to employees at all levels have been hallmarks of the organization since its inception.

The management of les Canadiens has also shown a remarkable capacity to transform losing teams into winners. In 1982, after two seasons in which the Canadiens were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, Ronald Corey became the team's new President. One of his first major moves was to appoint Serge Savard as the new Managing Director. The two men pledged to bring the Stanley Cup back to Montreal by 1988. In 1986, two years ahead of schedule, Corey and Savard made good on this promise. Under the leadership of head coach jean Perron, les Canadiens won the Stanley Cup for an astounding twenty-third time!

The story of les Canadiens, then, is one of superlative athletic talent and organizational excellence. This happy combination has produced a team with a winning tradition unsurpassed in professional sports. The Yankees and the Celtics may be legendary, but les Canadiens are a dynasty.