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Marcel Pronovost |
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Born: 1930
Birth Place: Lac la Tortue, Quebec
Position: Left Wing
First Season: 1947 - 48
Last Season: 1970 - 71
Jersey Number: 3
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Biography |
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Marcel Pronovost was born in 1930 in Lac la Tortue, Quebec. Marcel was one of twelve children, including nine brothers. Marcel first started gaining attention for his hockey ability when he played center for Shawinigan Tech, his high school hockey team. In particular, his play impressed a player, Larry Wilson, from Tech's cross town rivals. When the Detroit Red Wings signed Wilson, he told Detroit scout Marcel Cote about Pronovost's ability. Cote heeded the advice and had Pronovost sent to the Wings' international Hockey League team the Windsor Spitfires. He was switched to defense and fine-tuned his skill for the next two years with the Spitfires. In 1949 he turned pro with Detroit's farm team in Omaha.
Pronovost developed quickly gained a reputation for delivering the big hit. Coupled with his ability to launch effective rushes, it was only a matter of time before he earned the opportunity to shine for the Detroit Redwings. His big break came in 1950 when Gordie Howe suffered a serious injury in the semi-finals versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. Defender Red Kelly was converted to a forward and Pronovost was called up to take Kelly's place on the blue line. The Wings caught fire and defeated the Leafs and Rangers to capture the coveted Stanley Cup. This was the first of four Stanley Cup titles for Pronovost whose career would also include seven regular-season titles and four All-Star appearances.
During the 1965-66 season, Marcel was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in an eight-player deal that sent Andy Bathgate to the Red Wings. Marcel solidified an already strong defense and was part of the Over-the-Hill-Gang that won the Stanly Cup for Toronto in 1967.
The hard play that defined Pronovost's career resulted in slew of tough man injuries that included stitches, scars, dislocations, sprains and a nose that was broken at least fourteen times. Pronovost retired just seven games into the 1969-70 season, feeling he no longer had the legs to compete in the league. He spent the next two years playing for the Tulsa Oilers in the Central Hockey League. He decided to hang up the blades at age 41 and turned to coaching. His most successful coaching season came in 1977-78, when he steered the Maple Leafs to a 105-point season.
Marcel Pronovost was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1978.
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| Games and Awards |
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1960, 1961 - First All-Star Team Defense
1958, 1959 - Second All-Star Team Defense
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