Claude Cyr

In 1959, Montreal's starting goalie Jacques Plante pulled a muscle and was unable to play for a couple of games. The Canadiens replaced Plante with a goalie named Claude Pronovost in the middle of the third period. Pronovost got the start the following game (March 19, 1959) but gave up 5 goals in the first two periods.

Earlier that day Montreal made an agreement with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens of Eastern Ontario Hockey League. Hull-Ottawa loaned goalie Claude Cyr to Montreal until Jacques Plante was healthy again. At the beginning of the third period Claude Pronovost was pulled in favor of Cyr, who surrendered only one goal. The Canadiens lost the game to the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3, with Pronovost getting the loss. For Cyr it was his only 20 minutes of NHL action.

Cyr, a Memorial Cup champion in 1958, also appeared in games for the Montreal Royals (EPHL), Cleveland Barons (AHL), Calgary Stampeders (WHL), Knoxville Knights (EHL) and Verdun, Sherbrooke, Victoriaville and Drummondville (QSHL).

Besides his 20 minutes of NHL fame, Cyr was a late addition to the 1961 Trail Smoke Eaters. He was a backup goaltender to starter Seth Martin. The Smoke Eaters won the World Championship that year, defeating the Soviet Union. Cyr participated in 3 games, winning 2 with a goals-against-average of 2.24.