Denis Bernard Herron is a former
CanadianCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professionalA professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
ice hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltenderIn ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
who played for the
Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
,
Kansas City ScoutsThe Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies...
, and
Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
in the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
Playing career
Herron played junior hockey with the
Trois-Rivieres DraveursThe Trois-Rivières Draveurs were a junior ice hockey team playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They played at the Colisée de Trois-Rivières, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The team was originally known as the Trois-Rivières Ducs and were a founding member of the QMJHL in 1969...
and the Trois-Rivieres Ducs of the Quebec Junior Hockey League. He had a good junior career and in 1972, he was named to the Second All-Star Team with the Trois-Rivieres Ducs. In
1972-Final:New York Rangers vs. Boston BruinsBoston Bruins win the best-of-seven series 4 games to 2 for the Stanley Cup-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:-Leading goaltenders:...
, Herron was drafted 40th overall by the
Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. In his first season, he split his time between the Penguins, and the
Hershey BearsThe Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
of the
AHLThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. In
1974-NHL awards:A new award, the Jack Adams for the best coach, was introduced for this season. The first winner was Fred Shero of the Philadelphia Flyers.-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:...
, Herron played for three different teams. He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Hershey Bears and the
Salt Lake Golden EaglesThe Salt Lake Golden Eagles were a minor professional hockey team based in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1969 to 1994.They played in the Western Hockey League from 1969 to 1974, the Central Hockey League from 1974 to 1984 and the International Hockey League from 1984 to 1994...
.
Next season-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL.-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = PointsSource: NHL.-Leading goaltenders:...
, Herron would play the first half of the season with the Pens and the Bears before being traded to the
Kansas City ScoutsThe Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies...
. He played 22 games with them that season and spent another year in Kansas City before becoming a free agent.
He was signed by Pittsburgh again and played with them for the next three years. In
1978The 1978 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia from 26 April to 14 May. Eight teams took part, with each team playing each other once in the first round, and then the four best teams meeting in a new round. This was the 45th World Championships, and also the 56th ice...
, Herron made an appearance with Team Canada in the
World ChampionshipsThe Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
where he won a bronze medal.
In
1979The 1978–79 NHL season was the 62nd season of the National Hockey League. The Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup finals four games to one for their fourth Cup in a row...
, the Penguins traded him to the
Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
. He would remain with the Canadiens for the next three years where he would share goaltending duties. In
1981The 1980–81 NHL season was the 64th season of the National Hockey League. This was the first season that the Calgary Flames played in Calgary, Alberta. Previously, they were the Atlanta Flames and played in Atlanta, Georgia. The New York Islanders won their second consecutive Stanley Cup, defeating...
, Herron was awarded the
Vezina TrophyThe Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
with teammates
Michel LarocqueMichel Raymond "Bunny" Larocque was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League....
and
Richard SevignyRichard Sevigny was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec Nordiques in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
. In
1982The 1981–82 NHL season was the 65th season of the National Hockey League. The William M. Jennings Trophy made its debut this year as the trophy for the goaltenders from the team with the fewest goals against...
, Herron shared the
William M. Jennings TrophyThe William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League award given to "the goalkeeper having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it. Winners are selected based on regular-season play." From 1946 until 1981, the Vezina Trophy had been awarded...
with fellow netminder
Rick WamsleyRichard James Wamsley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs...
.
In
1983-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL.-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = PointsSource: NHL.-Leading goaltenders:...
, Herron would return to Pittsburgh for the third time in his career. He remained there until
1986-Final:Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary FlamesMontreal wins best-of-seven series 4–1-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:- Leading goaltenders :-Debuts:...
, where he would retire.
Personal life
He is married to Debbie Pike, of St. Lambert Quebec and has two daughters, Elissa and Mandi. After retirement he worked in sales for a car dealership in Granby but then moved on to work as the director of sales and marketing the Airport Hilton in West Palm Beach Florida. Like all NHL players, his NHL pension kicked in at age 55, which was in 2007.
His brother Ronald was also a professional goalie, having played in France and his niece Catherine Herron tended nets for the women's Marlet team at McGill University.
Awards and achievements
- Selected to the QMJHL
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
Second All-Star Team in 1972.
- Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
winner in 1981The 1980–81 NHL season was the 64th season of the National Hockey League. This was the first season that the Calgary Flames played in Calgary, Alberta. Previously, they were the Atlanta Flames and played in Atlanta, Georgia. The New York Islanders won their second consecutive Stanley Cup, defeating...
(shared with Michel LarocqueMichel Raymond "Bunny" Larocque was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League....
and Richard SevignyRichard Sevigny was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec Nordiques in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
).
- William M. Jennings Trophy
The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League award given to "the goalkeeper having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it. Winners are selected based on regular-season play." From 1946 until 1981, the Vezina Trophy had been awarded...
winner in 1982The 1981–82 NHL season was the 65th season of the National Hockey League. The William M. Jennings Trophy made its debut this year as the trophy for the goaltenders from the team with the fewest goals against...
(shared with Rick WamsleyRichard James Wamsley is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs...
).
Regular season
|
|
| Season In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
|
Team |
League |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
MIN |
GA |
SO |
GAA Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
|
| 1969-70 |
Trois-Rivieres Draveurs The Trois-Rivières Draveurs were a junior ice hockey team playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They played at the Colisée de Trois-Rivières, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. The team was originally known as the Trois-Rivières Ducs and were a founding member of the QMJHL in 1969...
|
QJHL |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
96 |
10 |
0 |
6.25 |
| 1970-71 |
Trois-Rivieres Draveurs |
QJHL |
33 |
— |
— |
— |
1980 |
136 |
0 |
4.12 |
| 1971-72 |
Trois-Rivieres Ducs |
QMJHLThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
|
40 |
— |
— |
— |
2400 |
160 |
2 |
4.00 |
| 1972-73 -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:-Leading goaltenders:Note: GP = Games played; Min - Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts-Debuts:...
|
Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
|
NHLThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
|
18 |
6 |
7 |
2 |
967 |
55 |
2 |
3.41 |
| 1972-73 |
Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
|
AHLThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
|
21 |
— |
— |
— |
1185 |
63 |
0 |
3.19 |
| 1973-74 |
Salt Lake Golden Eagles The Salt Lake Golden Eagles were a minor professional hockey team based in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1969 to 1994.They played in the Western Hockey League from 1969 to 1974, the Central Hockey League from 1974 to 1984 and the International Hockey League from 1984 to 1994...
|
WHL The Western Hockey League was a minor pro ice hockey league that operated from 1952 to 1974. Managed for most of its history by Hockey Hall of Fame member Al Leader, it was created out of the merger of the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Canada Senior Hockey League...
|
9 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
530 |
32 |
0 |
3.62 |
| 1973-74 |
Hershey Bears |
AHL |
17 |
10 |
4 |
1 |
967 |
52 |
0 |
3.22 |
| 1973-74 -NHL awards:A new award, the Jack Adams for the best coach, was introduced for this season. The first winner was Fred Shero of the Philadelphia Flyers.-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:...
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
5 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
260 |
18 |
0 |
4.15 |
| 1974-75 |
Hershey Bears |
AHL |
12 |
2 |
7 |
2 |
615 |
45 |
0 |
4.39 |
| 1974-75 -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL.-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = PointsSource: NHL.-Leading goaltenders:...
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
108 |
11 |
0 |
6.11 |
| 1974-75 |
Kansas City Scouts The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies...
|
NHL |
22 |
4 |
13 |
4 |
1280 |
80 |
0 |
3.75 |
| 1975-76 -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points-Leading goaltenders:Note: GP = Games played; Min - Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts-Debuts:The following is a list...
|
Kansas City Scouts |
NHL |
64 |
11 |
39 |
11 |
3620 |
243 |
0 |
4.03 |
| 1976-77 -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties In Minutes-Leading goaltenders:...
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
34 |
15 |
11 |
5 |
1920 |
94 |
1 |
2.94 |
| 1977-78 Game 5 was Fred Shero's last game as head coach of the Flyers and Gerry Cheevers left the ice without shaking hands with any of the Flyers. -Finals:Boston Bruins vs...
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
60 |
20 |
25 |
15 |
3534 |
210 |
0 |
3.57 |
| 1978-79 The 1978–79 NHL season was the 62nd season of the National Hockey League. The Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup finals four games to one for their fourth Cup in a row...
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
56 |
22 |
19 |
12 |
3208 |
180 |
0 |
3.37 |
| 1979-80 The 1979–80 NHL season was the 63rd season of the National Hockey League. This season saw the addition of four teams from the disbanded World Hockey Association as expansion franchises. The Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New England Whalers , and Quebec Nordiques joined the NHL, bringing the total...
|
Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
|
NHL |
34 |
25 |
3 |
3 |
1909 |
80 |
0 |
2.51 |
| 1980-81 The 1980–81 NHL season was the 64th season of the National Hockey League. This was the first season that the Calgary Flames played in Calgary, Alberta. Previously, they were the Atlanta Flames and played in Atlanta, Georgia. The New York Islanders won their second consecutive Stanley Cup, defeating...
|
Montreal Canadiens |
NHL |
25 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
1147 |
67 |
1 |
3.50 |
| 1981-82 The 1981–82 NHL season was the 65th season of the National Hockey League. The William M. Jennings Trophy made its debut this year as the trophy for the goaltenders from the team with the fewest goals against...
|
Montreal Canadiens |
NHL |
27 |
12 |
6 |
8 |
1547 |
68 |
3 |
2.64 |
| 1982-83 -NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL.-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = PointsSource: NHL.-Leading goaltenders:...
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
31 |
5 |
18 |
5 |
1707 |
151 |
1 |
5.31 |
1983-84The 1983–84 NHL season was the 67th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers de-throned the four-time defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders four games to one in the Cup finals.-League business:...
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
38 |
8 |
24 |
2 |
2028 |
138 |
1 |
4.08 |
| 1984-85 The 1984–85 NHL season was the 68th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers won their second straight Stanley Cup by beating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to one in the final series.-League business:...
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
42 |
10 |
22 |
3 |
2193 |
170 |
1 |
4.67 |
1985-86-Final:Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary FlamesMontreal wins best-of-seven series 4–1-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:- Leading goaltenders :-Debuts:...
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
180 |
14 |
0 |
4.67 |
| 1985-86 |
Baltimore Skipjacks The Baltimore Skipjacks were a minor professional ice hockey team in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League. They played in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Baltimore Arena.-History:...
|
AHL |
27 |
10 |
11 |
4 |
1510 |
86 |
0 |
3.42 |
| NHL totals |
462 |
146 |
203 |
76 |
25,608 |
1579 |
10 |
3.70 |
Playoffs
|
|
| Season |
Team |
League |
GP |
W |
L |
MIN |
GA |
SO |
GAA |
| 1970-71 |
Trois-Rivieres Draveurs |
QJHL |
7 |
— |
— |
420 |
23 |
1 |
3.29 |
| 1971-72 |
Trois-Rivieres Ducs |
QMJHL |
4 |
— |
— |
200 |
19 |
0 |
5.70 |
| 1972-73 |
Hershey Bears |
AHL |
4 |
— |
— |
240 |
16 |
0 |
4.00 |
| 1973-74 |
Hershey Bears |
AHL |
4 |
4 |
0 |
242 |
7 |
0 |
1.73 |
| 1976-77 |
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
3 |
1 |
2 |
180 |
11 |
0 |
3.67 |
| 1978-79 |
Pittsburgh Penguins |
NHL |
7 |
2 |
5 |
421 |
24 |
0 |
3.42 |
| 1979-80 |
Montreal Canadiens |
NHL |
5 |
2 |
3 |
300 |
15 |
0 |
3.00 |
| NHL totals |
15 |
5 |
10 |
901 |
50 |
0 |
3.33 |
International
|
|
| Year |
Team |
Event |
|
GP |
W |
L |
T |
MIN |
GA |
SO |
GAA |
| 1978 The 1978 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia from 26 April to 14 May. Eight teams took part, with each team playing each other once in the first round, and then the four best teams meeting in a new round. This was the 45th World Championships, and also the 56th ice...
|
Canada |
WCThe Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
|
5 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
255 |
12 |
0 |
2.82 |
| Senior int'l totals |
5 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
255 |
12 |
0 |
2.82 |
External links