Denis Savard was born on February 4, 1961, in Pointe Gatineau, Quebec. He played junior hockey with the Montreal Juniors of the QMJHL, where he was named a first team all-star and league MVP in 1980. Savard possessed great speed and exceptional skating ability. He was chosen third overall in the 1980 NHL entry draft behind Doug Wickenheiser and Dave Babych.
Savard played center for the Blackhawks from 1980 to 1990, when he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Chris Chelios. Savard fulfilled every hockey player's dream of winning the Stanley Cup while he was with the Canadiens in 1993. After a short stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he returned to the only place he ever belonged, Chicago, on April 6, 1995.
Denis Savard still holds the Blackhawk records for most assists in a season (87), most points in a season (131), most 100-point seasons (5), quickest goal from the start of a period (4 seconds, also an NHL record) and points in a playoffs (29).
Denis played in the NHL All-Star game in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1996. In 1996, he was a special selection of the league commissioner to honor his accomplishments over the years.
Savard's greatest mark on the game may be his now famous move called the spin-o-rama which cannot be described in words, it has to be seen. There is no doubt that Denis Savard was the greatest Blackhawk to grace the ice of Chicago Stadium during the 1980's.
(While playing for the Blackhawks)
Season Games Goals Assists Points PIM 1980-81 76 28 47 75 47 1981-82 80 32 87 119 82 1982-83 78 35 86 121 99 1983-84 75 37 57 94 71 1984-85 79 38 67 105 56 1985-86 80 47 69 116 111 1986-87 70 40 50 90 108 1987-88 80 44 87 131 95 1988-89 58 23 59 82 110 1989-90 60 27 53 80 56 1994-95 12 4 4 8 8 1995-96 69 13 35 48 102 1996-97 64 9 18 27 50
Totals 881 377 719 1096 995