Chicago Blackhawks Greatest 100- #69 Jean-Pierre Bordeleau

Our first player in the 60’s in our countdown to #1 is a player that would have stuck around with the current Chicago Blackhawks for a long time because he played a 200 foot game. 

J.P. Bordeleau was a first round selection by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1969 draft. It took Bordeleau a few years to make it to the show.

He did make it to the NHL in 1972-1973 which was you know a Stanley Cup Final season for the Chicago Blackhawks.  J.P. would hit his career high in goals with 15 that season, but as you know the Blackhawks fell to the Canadiens in 6 games and never would return to the Finals until 1992.

J.P. was a mainstay during the 70’s  playing his gritty 200 foot game night in and night out.  He played his entire career with the Chicago Blackhawks and currently has played the 35th most games by anyone in franchise history.

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A couple off the ice stories are interesting about J.P.  To show how much different professional sports is now compared to the mid 70’s and especially the NHL.  J.P. sold cars during the offseason to make extra money.  Could you imagine pulling up to a car lot today and Brandon Bollig or Nick Schmaltz greeting you wanting to sell you a car?

When Keith Magnuson became coach of the Chicago Blackhawks in 1980, he apparently didn’t like his former teammate and so he cut him from the team.  J.P. would never return to the NHL after losing his job that season.  J.P. would end up with 97 goals and 223 points with the Blackhawks playing 519 career games.

Don’t worry, after selling insurance he purchased two Tim Horton donut franchises and that is where he had the money to retire.

J.P. would have been a fan favorite for Blackhawks fans today especially with that great mustache that fit that era of American history!

What do you think? Does anyone remember watching J.P. play?

We are down to 69 days until opening night at the United Center with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins coming to town.