Tremblay made his NHL debut in 1959-60 with the Montreal Canadiens who were in the midst of winning their record 5th consecutive Stanley Cup. J.C. spent 13 seasons on the Canadiens defense and won five Stanley Cups in the process. Tremblay was a 7-time NHL All Star, was twice a Norris Trophy finalist and also earned 1st and 2nd Team NHL All Star selections during his NHL career.

In 1972-73 Tremblay left the NHL to sign with the Quebec Nordiques in the WHA. He represented the Nordiques in all 7 WHA seasons and helped them to the Avco Cup Championship in 1977. Tremblay was twice awarded the Dennis A. Murphy Trophy as the WHA’s top defenseman. He played in 6 WHA All Star Games and was selected 1st Team WHA All Star three times and 2nd Team WHA All Star once. Tremblay led the WHA in assists twice and ranks 2nd on the WHA’s all-time assists list. J.C. is considered the greatest defenseman in WHA history. In a memorable poll done some years ago that ranked the WHA’s 50 greatest players, Tremblay raked 4th on that prestigious list. In 2010, Tremblay was inducted as an inaugural member to the WHA Hall of Fame.

Tremblay was named to play for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series but was replaced after he signed with the WHA. J.C. did get his chance to compete against the Russians a couple of seasons later in the 8-Game 1974 Summit Series that pitted the Soviet Union against Team Canada’s WHA. It was the only international competition that Tremblay competed in during his illustrious career. During the aftermath of the series, a Soviet coach offered a shocking declaration saying “J.C. Tremblay was the best defenseman they ever saw!” Tremblay donated a kidney to his daughter in 1979. He died of kidney cancer in December of 1994 at the age of 55.

Our consignor went to a hockey game every night and had all autographs signed personally. The card and signature is beautiful.