Michel Goulet

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Goulet's rise began with a legendary dedication to his craft as a midget player; he reportedly stole the key to the local arena in Mistassini to skate alone at 5:00 AM roughly three times a week for over a year. After collecting 58 points as an 18-year-old rookie with the WHA's Birmingham Bulls, he was drafted by Quebec in 1979. He quickly became one of the NHL's most prolific scorers, recording four consecutive seasons of 50 goals from 1982 to 1986. His peak came in 1983–84 with 122 points and a franchise-record 57 goals in his first 50-goal season. Goulet was known for specific technical advice he received from teammate Marc Tardif regarding breakaway shots: "Put 60 to 100 pucks between the blueline and red line and go down the wing and shoot." His career also included a notorious moment in the 1984 playoffs, where he scored a goal but took three penalties during the "Good Friday Massacre" loss to Montreal.

In Their Own Story

On February 23, 1991, playing his 878th game against the Minnesota North Stars at the Met Center, Goulet recorded his 1,000th career point with a goal in a 3–3 tie. Two years later, on February 16, 1992, he became the 17th player to reach 500 career goals against Jeff Reese of the Calgary Flames at Chicago Stadium in a 5–5 tie. That same season, Goulet led the Blackhawks to their only Stanley Cup Final appearance. Facing the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins, he scored his lone goal of the series in Game one to give Chicago an early 2–0 lead, though they were swept in four games. His playing career ended abruptly three days after scoring his final goal on March 13, 1994, against Vancouver. On March 16 at the Montreal Forum, he lost an edge going down the wing during a collision with Mike Goulet (Roenick), sustaining a severe concussion that forced his retirement in early 1995.

Reader's Guide

Michel Goulet's post-playing career saw him work in the front office for the Colorado Avalanche, where his name was engraved on the Stanley Cup when the team won in 1996 and 2001. He remained with the organization until being let go in 2009. Following his departure from Colorado, he served as a scout for three different teams between 2009 and 2020. Goulet was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998, cementing his legacy as a unique figure who excelled in both the WHA and NHL, leading the Nordiques to their peak offensive years before transitioning into an executive role with the franchise's successor.

Did You Know?

• Goulet was one of only four 18-year-olds to play in the WHA alongside Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Jari Kurri.
• He reportedly stole the arena key in Mistassini to skate alone at 5:00 AM three times a week for over a year.
• Goulet was the first player to request a contract in French while with the Nordiques.
• He sustained a career-ending concussion on March 16, 1994, after losing an edge during a collision at the Montreal Forum.