His 60 goals in 1976-77 were an NHL record until Luc Robitaille
Maybe it's because he was mostly paired on a line with Guy Lafleur
Ironically, despite all three being integral parts of the team's success and history, they each had to endure the hardships of being a Canadien which meant, in the 80s, to be forced into retirement without being ready for it. Lemaire exiled himself in Switzerland where he became a player/coach, then came back to coach the Habs and ultimately force Lafleur into retirement (Lafleur would un-retire 4 years later). Shutt was sent to L.A. Other former Habs stars were also sent abroad in the twilight of their careers: Serge Savard was traded to Winnipeg, Bob Gainey
But as it often happens with the Habs (see: Gainey, Guy Carbonneau
I sent Shutt these two cards and a fan letter on September 2nd, care of the Habs' Alumni Association, and got both back on November 1st, signed in black sharpie, personalized to me - although not spelled the same way both times: once he wrote SébastiAn, with an 'A' at the end, as I write it, and the other with an 'E'. But the gesture is much appreciated. It makes already-beautiful cards even more meaningful. Two months' time, through a third party from a player who lives in another province? That's a mighty quick return from a Hall of Famer.
Speaking of which, the one on the left is from Upper Deck's 2004-05 Legendary Signatures set (card #8) while the beautiful foil-plated die-cut card on the left is #SCH-SS of Topps' 2002-03 Stanley Cup Heroes set and looks even better (less dark) in person.
These days, Shutt skates in Old Timers' games, which draws nostalgic fans such as myself but also helps raise money for charitable organizations. I make sure to buy tickets whenever they're in town out of principle, and if I can't go myself, I give them away as presents to family or friends - an easy way to make two nice gestures in one.
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