Dave Stubbs
@davestubbs.bsky.social
🇨🇦 National Hockey League columnist and historian, based in Montreal. Professional writer since 1976. Strong black coffee; great music under fine headphones in the dark.
Canada 🇨🇦 as viewed by my camera.
November 4, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Canada 🇨🇦 as viewed by my camera.
Canadiens icon Jacques Plante changed the face of goaltending forever 66 years ago on this November 1 in 1959, for the first time wearing his mask into a game at MSG against the Rangers. In tribute, my 1959 Plante replica this morning atop a net in my hometown Pointe-Claire Bob Birnie Arena.
November 1, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Canadiens icon Jacques Plante changed the face of goaltending forever 66 years ago on this November 1 in 1959, for the first time wearing his mask into a game at MSG against the Rangers. In tribute, my 1959 Plante replica this morning atop a net in my hometown Pointe-Claire Bob Birnie Arena.
Late, incomparable Jean Béliveau was elected Canadiens captain on this October 13 in 1961. Le Gros Bill would win the Stanley Cup 10 times as a player (five as captain), adding seven more in retirement as the team's senior VP. There has been no greater hockey ambassador in the history of the NHL.
October 13, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Late, incomparable Jean Béliveau was elected Canadiens captain on this October 13 in 1961. Le Gros Bill would win the Stanley Cup 10 times as a player (five as captain), adding seven more in retirement as the team's senior VP. There has been no greater hockey ambassador in the history of the NHL.
Chicago Blackhawks and soloist Jim Cornelison did it up right tonight.
October 11, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Chicago Blackhawks and soloist Jim Cornelison did it up right tonight.
2/2 And my 2016 portrait of Ted Lindsay at Joe Louis Arena, plus a classic Gordie Howe photo and two of Mr. Hockey’s sweaters displayed during his emotional June 2016 public visitation at the Joe. Ted and Gordie were the best of the best.
October 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
2/2 And my 2016 portrait of Ted Lindsay at Joe Louis Arena, plus a classic Gordie Howe photo and two of Mr. Hockey’s sweaters displayed during his emotional June 2016 public visitation at the Joe. Ted and Gordie were the best of the best.
1/2 I have a soft spot for every “Original Six” team. “Bar none!” as the legendary Detroit Red Wings firebrand Ted Lindsay would say. From 2016, my photos of then-captain Henrik Zetterberg’s jersey hanging in the visitors’ dressing room at Montreal’s Bell Centre…
October 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
1/2 I have a soft spot for every “Original Six” team. “Bar none!” as the legendary Detroit Red Wings firebrand Ted Lindsay would say. From 2016, my photos of then-captain Henrik Zetterberg’s jersey hanging in the visitors’ dressing room at Montreal’s Bell Centre…
Here's Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr in the Montreal Gazette on this October 9 in 1971, offering a few training tips for youngsters. Numbah 4 was still smarting from his defending Cup-champion Bruins having been upset by the Canadiens in the 1971 QF. Boston would win the championship again in 1972.
October 9, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Here's Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr in the Montreal Gazette on this October 9 in 1971, offering a few training tips for youngsters. Numbah 4 was still smarting from his defending Cup-champion Bruins having been upset by the Canadiens in the 1971 QF. Boston would win the championship again in 1972.
I want these guys as my Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending tandem, forever: Johnny Bower and the masked Terry Sawchuk. These legends shared the net in 1966-67, Toronto’s most recent Stanley Cup championship
October 9, 2025 at 12:00 AM
I want these guys as my Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending tandem, forever: Johnny Bower and the masked Terry Sawchuk. These legends shared the net in 1966-67, Toronto’s most recent Stanley Cup championship
I've just had a wonderful chat with Glenn Hall, Mr. Goalie celebrating his 94th birthday on this October 3 in Stony Plain, Alberta. Glenn is overwhelmed that so many good wishes are coming his way from all directions on my social media. He thanks all for their comments, memories and congratulations.
October 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I've just had a wonderful chat with Glenn Hall, Mr. Goalie celebrating his 94th birthday on this October 3 in Stony Plain, Alberta. Glenn is overwhelmed that so many good wishes are coming his way from all directions on my social media. He thanks all for their comments, memories and congratulations.
Bernie Parent's urn at today's funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Buckingham, Pa. Frenchy loved everything about the Stanley Cup, having won it in 1974 & 1975 with the Philadelphia Flyers, then having spent an unforgettable day with it in February 2019. Sleep well, dear friend.
October 3, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Bernie Parent's urn at today's funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Buckingham, Pa. Frenchy loved everything about the Stanley Cup, having won it in 1974 & 1975 with the Philadelphia Flyers, then having spent an unforgettable day with it in February 2019. Sleep well, dear friend.
This October 3 is a bittersweet day. Glenn Hall turns 94 today in Stony Plain, Alberta; in Philadelphia, the funeral will be held at noon for Bernie Parent. Here, Mr. Goalie (on the left) and Frenchy as I photographed two goaltending legends and dear friends in Saskatoon on February 6, 2020.
October 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM
This October 3 is a bittersweet day. Glenn Hall turns 94 today in Stony Plain, Alberta; in Philadelphia, the funeral will be held at noon for Bernie Parent. Here, Mr. Goalie (on the left) and Frenchy as I photographed two goaltending legends and dear friends in Saskatoon on February 6, 2020.
I filed a feature today, publishing soon, to wrap up an NHL series I’ve written on how the outdoors has impacted players’ lives. Boyhood idol Rogie Vachon was a Hall of Fame goaltender in Montreal, Los Angeles, Detroit and Boston; today, Rogie’s a happy goat-tender in Montana. Photo by Renee Vachon
September 30, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I filed a feature today, publishing soon, to wrap up an NHL series I’ve written on how the outdoors has impacted players’ lives. Boyhood idol Rogie Vachon was a Hall of Fame goaltender in Montreal, Los Angeles, Detroit and Boston; today, Rogie’s a happy goat-tender in Montana. Photo by Renee Vachon
Late October 2019. Bernie Parent in Philadelphia hospital a few hours after his 2nd back surgery, this one removing a disc, inserting a separator, extending two titanium rods and inserting two more screws, adding to a junk drawer full of them already placed, zippered shut with 20 or so sutures. …
September 24, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Late October 2019. Bernie Parent in Philadelphia hospital a few hours after his 2nd back surgery, this one removing a disc, inserting a separator, extending two titanium rods and inserting two more screws, adding to a junk drawer full of them already placed, zippered shut with 20 or so sutures. …
A long, heartbroken writing day is done. There was no other shirt to be worn today. Sleep well, Frenchy. I cherished our friendship; I’ll never forget you.
September 21, 2025 at 11:31 PM
A long, heartbroken writing day is done. There was no other shirt to be worn today. Sleep well, Frenchy. I cherished our friendship; I’ll never forget you.
A typist, Panger and five Hall of Fame goalies, Saskatoon, February 2020: Martin Brodeur, Ed Belfour, Bernie Parent slaps a headlock on Glenn Hall, myself, Darren Pang and Grant Fuhr.
September 21, 2025 at 11:21 PM
A typist, Panger and five Hall of Fame goalies, Saskatoon, February 2020: Martin Brodeur, Ed Belfour, Bernie Parent slaps a headlock on Glenn Hall, myself, Darren Pang and Grant Fuhr.
Please join me in extending happy, healthy 92nd birthday wishes on this September 18 to William Scott Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history. From 2023, as Scotty turned 90: www.nhl.com/news/scotty-...
September 18, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Please join me in extending happy, healthy 92nd birthday wishes on this September 18 to William Scott Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history. From 2023, as Scotty turned 90: www.nhl.com/news/scotty-...
My portrait of Glenn Hall taken on this September 17 in 2018, harvesting stories in Mr. Goalie’s memorabilia-rich den. None better than this modest legend.
September 18, 2025 at 2:23 AM
My portrait of Glenn Hall taken on this September 17 in 2018, harvesting stories in Mr. Goalie’s memorabilia-rich den. None better than this modest legend.
I was deeply honoured to participate in this wonderful project. The world premiere of Mr. Goalie is next month, the date to be announced; stay tuned for its viewing availability beyond the first screening doc.storydoc.com/bea8oI
September 17, 2025 at 1:03 AM
I was deeply honoured to participate in this wonderful project. The world premiere of Mr. Goalie is next month, the date to be announced; stay tuned for its viewing availability beyond the first screening doc.storydoc.com/bea8oI
Sleep well, Eddie. You thrilled us and you entertained us. You always had a great story to share, and like many of your contemporaries, the truth of your life was better than any fiction I could write. I celebrate your memory tonight.
September 16, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Sleep well, Eddie. You thrilled us and you entertained us. You always had a great story to share, and like many of your contemporaries, the truth of your life was better than any fiction I could write. I celebrate your memory tonight.
A Hockey Hall of Fame window-displayed statuette of Ken Dryden in his iconic pose. I’m unsure whether it’s still there, but it was an impressive sight when I paused to take this photo some years ago.
September 9, 2025 at 9:02 PM
A Hockey Hall of Fame window-displayed statuette of Ken Dryden in his iconic pose. I’m unsure whether it’s still there, but it was an impressive sight when I paused to take this photo some years ago.
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame goalie Rogie Vachon this evening with carrot cake - his favourite - and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon to celebrate his 80th birthday at home in Montana. That is very authentic happiness. Thanks to Renee and Nicholas Vachon for the wonderful photo. All the best, Rogie!
September 9, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame goalie Rogie Vachon this evening with carrot cake - his favourite - and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon to celebrate his 80th birthday at home in Montana. That is very authentic happiness. Thanks to Renee and Nicholas Vachon for the wonderful photo. All the best, Rogie!
It strikes me how Team Canada’s 1972 Summit Series goalies Ken Dryden and Tony Esposito both left this world in a very similar way: quietly, gracefully and privately, with only their families aware of their cancer battles. We lost Tony on Aug. 10, 2021 and said farewell to Ken on Sept. 5, 2025.
September 8, 2025 at 4:19 PM
It strikes me how Team Canada’s 1972 Summit Series goalies Ken Dryden and Tony Esposito both left this world in a very similar way: quietly, gracefully and privately, with only their families aware of their cancer battles. We lost Tony on Aug. 10, 2021 and said farewell to Ken on Sept. 5, 2025.
Sleep well, Ken. You were one of a kind.
September 7, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Sleep well, Ken. You were one of a kind.
When a typist happens upon a legend in the dairy aisle: it was wonderful this afternoon seeing my old friend Dick Irvin Jr., still motoring at age 93. Happiness and good health always to one of the absolute greats – a broadcast icon, prolific hockey author and an encyclopedia of the game.
July 22, 2025 at 9:18 PM
When a typist happens upon a legend in the dairy aisle: it was wonderful this afternoon seeing my old friend Dick Irvin Jr., still motoring at age 93. Happiness and good health always to one of the absolute greats – a broadcast icon, prolific hockey author and an encyclopedia of the game.