Elmer Lach

The Punch Line centre — led the NHL in scoring with Rocket Richard and Toe Blake on his wings.

Elmer James Lach was born in Nokomis, Saskatchewan in 1918. He spent his entire 14-season career with the Montreal Canadiens — serving as the centre of the famous Punch Line alongside Maurice Richard and Hector Toe Blake. He won three Stanley Cup championships (1944, 1946, 1953). He won the Hart Trophy as MVP in 1945 and the Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion twice (1945, 1948). He set the NHL assists record in 1951-52, which stood until Jean Béliveau broke it years later. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966. His role on the Punch Line — distributing to Richard on his right and Blake on his left, absorbing punishment from opposing defencemen while generating offence — was the archetypal playmaking centre role. He was one of the most durable players of his era despite a reputation for absorbing significant physical punishment throughout his career.

Lach was known for his exceptional playmaking ability and hockey intelligence as a center. He possessed excellent vision and passing skills, making him the ideal pivot between his linemates Maurice Richard and Toe Blake on the Punch Line.

Lach helped establish the Montreal Canadiens' winning tradition and demonstrated the importance of skilled playmaking centers in hockey.

• Stanley Cup 3x (1944,1946,1953)
• Art Ross Trophy 2x
• Hart Trophy (1945)
• Hall of Fame (1966)