Google doodle honours Montreal Canadiens legend Jacques Plante

Google is honouring Montreal Canadiens legend Jacques Plante Tuesday.

The search engine’s Google doodle marks the 65th anniversary of the goaltender’s signing with the Habs on Feb. 12, 1954.

READ MORE: Carey Price passes Jacques Plante for most games played by a Habs’ goalie

In his 10 years with the Canadiens, Plante won the Stanley Cup six times — including five consecutive wins from 1956 to 1960.

WATCH BELOW: Riverview man holds goalie mask believe to be connected with hockey legend Jacques Plante

1:35 Riverview man holds goalie mask believe to be connected to hockey legend Jacques Plante

During his time in the NHL, he also played for the New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins.

READ MORE: Hockey Day in Canada showcases key games for country’s NHL teams

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Plante was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Quebec Sports Pantheon in 1994. The Canadiens retired Plante’s jersey number, #1, the following year.

In 2017, he was named one of the 100 greatest NHL players in history.

Plante is also known as the first NHL goalie to wear a protective fiberglass mask full-time, changing hockey history when he stood his ground against reluctant coach Toe Blake in 1959.

It wasn’t until the late 1960s that goalies regularly started wearing masks, but experts believe it to be a mix of individuality and utilitarianism, as well as an iconic symbol of the league itself.

Plante was also one of the first goaltenders to skate behind the net to stop the puck and has long been considered a pioneer of how the position is played. Several awards have been created in his name.

Last April, Habs goalie Carey Price surpassed Plante for most games played by a goaltender in Montreal Canadiens history.

READ MORE: Riverview man may have goalie mask linked to hockey legend Jacques Plante

Plante retired from hockey in 1975, following the death of his youngest son.

He was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer in 1985 and passed away Feb. 27, 1986, in Geneva, Switzerland.

READ MORE: Call of the Wilde: Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs go to overtime

His casket passed under an arch of hockey sticks held by a young team of Quebec players who were in Switzerland for a tournament. He was 57.

The Google doodle commemorating Plante’s memory is up until 11:59 p.m. ET.

rachel.lau@globalnews.ca
Follow @rachel_lau