FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, NO NHLER HAS EVEN COME CLOSE TOSHUTTING DOWN THE OPPOSITION’S MOST POTENT OFFENSIVE LINES LIKE GUYCARBONNEAU CONSISTENTLY MANAGED TO DO THROUGHOUT HIS PLAYING CAREER.

Before making his mark as one of the most effective defensive forwards in the league, Carbonneau set the QMJHL on fire during his stint with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.  His play in the Q – particularly his 141 and 182 points in his last two seasons – was enough to grab the attention of Canadiens scouts, who recognized what the young center could bring to their lineup.  

Drafted in the third round in the NHL Amateur Draft in 1979, Carbonneau made his professional debut with the AHL’s Nova Scotia Voyagers during the 1980-81 season.  Always an offensive threat, the Sept-Iles native finished third and first in team scoring, with 88 and 94 points respectively, during his two seasons with the Canadiens feeder club.  

After making the big jump to start the 1982 season, Carbonneau never looked back.  An astute student, he was quickly paired with captain Bob Gainey, where he learned the tricks of the trade from one of the best defensive forwards the league has ever seen.  In the company of the master, Carbonneau perfected his skills, frustrating the NHL’s top snipers for years to come.  Just like Gainey had done four times before him, Carbonneau was awarded the Frank Selke Trophy, an award he would monopolize for three consecutive seasons.  To this day, only Gainey has more Selke Trophies on his mantle than Carbonneau.  

Despite his role as a defensive specialist, just as he had done in juniors, Carbonneau still managed to find his way onto the score sheet with regularity.  In 13 seasons with the Habs, he hit the 50 point benchmark on five occasions, including a personal best 57 points in 1984-85.  

A masterful penalty killer, he could always keep his opponents on their toes.  Never one to shy away from a shot blocking opportunity, he would throw himself in front of pucks with precision timing.  “Carbo” also still holds the team record with 27 career shorthanded goals, including a franchise-high seven PK markers in 1984-85.

In the spring of 1986, for his first time as an NHLer, Carbonneau captured the Holy Grail of hockey.  Icing a rookie-heavy lineup, the Canadiens surprised the hockey world when they ousted the Calgary Flames in the Finals to capture the Stanley Cup.  

Named co-captain of the Canadiens, along with Chris Chelios, at the start of the 1989-90 season, Carbonneau only had to share the “C” for one year, becoming the full-time captain after Chelios left for Chicago at the end of the campaign.  

Captain Carbo led his steed all the way to a Stanley Cup Championship in 1993, playing a pivotal role for the Canadiens in the Finals against the Los Angeles Kings.  Not only did he silence Wayne Gretzky during the series, but it was Carbonneau who rightfully suggested to coach Jacques Demers that he should measure Marty McSorley’s stick; the incident proved to be a major turning point of the series.

Traded to the St. Louis Blues just prior to the start of the 1994-95 season, Carbo joined his former teammate, Gainey, just one year later in Dallas.  With Gainey now in the driver’s seat – serving as the Stars’ general manager – Carbonneau hoisted the Stanley Cup for the third time of his career in 1999.  

After one last appearance in the Finals in 2000, Carbonneau announced his retirement.  To this day, he ranks sixth on the all-time list for games played in the postseason, having suited up for a career total of 231 playoff games.