Andre Pronovost Passes Away At 90

In an unfortunate update, the Montreal Canadiens announced that former winger André Pronovost has passed away at the age of 90.

Given his lengthy life, it’s no surprise that it’s been some time since Pronovost last appeared in an NHL contest. A native of Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, Pronovost’s professional career began in the 1956-57 season with the Canadiens. The start of his career occurred six years before the first NHL Draft, so Pronovost initially joined the Canadiens through one of their affiliate teams, the QHL’s Shawinigan Falls Cataractes.

Although he was never one of the Canadiens’ best players, Pronovost joined the team at the right time. His rookie campaign was the second season of what would be a five-peat as Stanley Cup champions for Montreal. In the first four years of his career, Pronovost knew nothing but winning.

Still, he did not spend his entire career with the Canadiens. As Montreal fell back to earth in the 1960-61 season, Pronovost was traded to the Boston Bruins for Jean-Guy Gendron. Two years later, the Bruins dealt him to the Detroit Red Wings for Forbes Kennedy.

Pronovost remained with the Red Wings for a few more years, becoming the team’s assistant captain for the 1964-65 season. Unfortunately, injuries began to take their toll, and Pronovost’s career was effectively ended by the time he was 28. However, he returned to the NHL a few years later with the upstart Minnesota North Stars after he was selected in the 1967 Expansion Draft.

Pronovost finished his decade-long career with 94 goals and 198 points in 557 games and a -78 rating. In the postseason, Pronovost scored 11 goals and 22 points in 70 games with a +5 rating, having his name stamped on the Stanley Cup four times.

In a relevant factoid, Pronovost still has a connection to today’s NHL. He is the grandfather of New Jersey Devils forward Anthony Mantha and had a major influence on Mantha’s path to the NHL. Pronovost was present when Mantha scored his first NHL goal against the Canadiens in 2016.