Their lone NHL game was with the Bleu-Blanc et Rouge : A to E

Any fan would agree that it would be the ultimate thrill just to get a chance to play for the Montreal Canadiens for one game.

For several pro players, they got just that one game that ultimately would be their only NHL game.

Over the next few days I will be providing a little insight into these players. Some have a few interesting stories or connections along the way.

Don (John) Aiken – G

Aiken, the Bruins practice goalie was loaned to the Canadiens as an injury replacement for Jacques Plante during a game on March 13, 1958.

He took the loss after giving up six goals in 34 minutes. An excellent look back on Aiken’s “moment of glory” from HabsEyesOnthePrize.

Max “Maxie” Bennett - RW

Despite a successful minor league career, Bennett only found himself on one game for Montreal in the 1935-36 season after signing as a free agent in May of 1935.

Andre Binette – G

Registered a win (7-4 over Chicago) in his only NHL game as an injury replacement, with the Canadiens on November 11, 1954.

Garry Blaine – RW - Blaine played his lone game in the 1954-55 season.

Len Broderick – G

With Jacques Plante injured, Broderick was loaned to the Canadiens by the Toronto Maple Leafs (via the Toronto Malboros) on Oct 30 1957. He played all 60 minutes as the Canadiens won the game 6-2.

Despite a great career in Jr., he never returned to the NHL.

A great article on Broderick’s experience can be found here.

Norm “Dodger” Collings – LW

Collings rights were purchased form the CAHL Philadelphia Arrows in the 1934-35 season. He recorded an assist in his lone NHL game as was back in the CAHL the following year.

Roger Cormier – RW

Played a single game in 1925-26. Despite not playing in the NHL again, Cormier continued playing in the minors fro 13 more seasons.

Hugh Currie – D

Currie logged over 1000 games in the minor pros with several All-Star selections.

He set a then-AHL record for points by a blueliner with 65 points in 1950-51 and found himself wearing number 4 for the Canadiens that same season in his single career NHL game.

Claude Cyr – G

Cyr played the third period for the Canadiens in a 6-3 loss to Toronto, on March 19, 1959, allowing one goal.

Jonathan Delisle – RW

The Canadiens 86th pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, Delisle got his lone NHL game in the 1998-99 season.

He spent three more seasons in the AHL and found himself playing in Britain in 2002-03.

He returned home to the NAHL the following season.

On March 16, 2006 Delisle lost his life in a car crash along with two teammates while driving home from a training session near Beauceville, QC.

Fred “Doc” Doherty – RW

Doherty had spent time, over three seasons, in the old NHA (the Canadiens were part of the NHA) with the Toronto Ontarios, Hamilton Tigers and Montreal Wanderers.

After being out of hockey after two years, for military service, Doherty was signed by the Canadiens in the 1918-19 season and played his lone NHL game.