Jean Potvin dead; former Islanders defenseman was 72

Jean Potvin, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 72 after a lengthy, non-COVID-19-related illness, didn’t have the Hall of Fame playing career of his younger brother, Denis. But that did not diminish his legacy with the Islanders, nor the importance his reacquisition meant to the first two of the franchise’s four straight Stanley Cups from 1980-83.

"I think anybody you talk to on the team will always go back to Jean’s personality and the maturity," Denis Potvin told Newsday in May 2020 of his late brother. "One of the problems we faced as a team was we were a very young team and, maybe, a little too uptight, knowing we were better but not being able to prove it in critical times."

The Islanders announced Jean Potvin’s passing following Tuesday night’s loss to the Capitals in Washington. A defenseman like his brother, he played 10 seasons in the NHL, including two tenures with the Islanders, and also worked as the team’s radio analyst after retiring as a player.

Coach Barry Trotz started his postgame comments by sending condolences to Potvin’s family.

"Obviously part of the Islanders’ family," Trotz said. "Part of two Cups. He was a big part of the Islanders’ legacy and the community."

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Potvin family," Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. "Jean was a leader on the ice, helping the organization win two Stanley Cup championships. He made his home on the Island and was always such a friendly face in the community. We send our sincere condolences to all those who grieve his loss."

Captain Anders Lee also spoke of Jean Potvin’s legacy and continued ties to the organization.

"Guys like him, they put a lot of pride into the jersey that they wore and established a lot of what it means to be an Islander," Lee said.

Dynasty architect Bill Torrey first acquired Jean Potvin from the Flyers for Terry Crisp on March 5, 1973, and he became a huge part of the expansion franchise quickly developing into a playoff contender. That included two goals and four assists in 1975 as the upstart Islanders shocked the Rangers in three games in the first round, rallied from three games down to eliminate the Penguins and nearly rallied from the same deficit before losing Game 7 of the NHL semifinals to the eventual Cup champion Flyers.

The Potvin brothers had already been teammates in junior hockey for their hometown Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey Association.

Denis Potvin said his older brother’s presence helped ease his transition to New York after being drafted first overall in 1973.

But Torrey traded Jean Potvin along with J.P. Parise to the Cleveland Barons for Wayne Merrick on Jan. 10, 1978.

"My brother would sit directly across the room from me," Denis Potvin recalled. "His stall was empty. I couldn’t believe this. I didn’t get a call or a warning or anything. That’s the way it was in those days. It was a tremendous blow."

Torrey rectified that by re-signing Jean Potvin as a free agent on June 10, 1979.

Jean Potvin would only play 40 regular-season games over the next two seasons before retiring. He did not dress for any of the playoff games but his name is still engraved on the Cup twice.

Plus, his calming influence helped his brother develop into an effective captain and the team overcome playoff failures in 1978 and 1979.

"I was named captain of the team in training camp in 1979, which meant a lot to me, and my brother was back," Denis Potvin said. "Those two things, personally, for the Potvin clan, meant a lot."

"It was a brilliant move by Bill Torrey to bring Jean back because it certainly settled things down with Denis," Butch Goring told Newsday in April 2020. "Denis and Jean are as close as brothers can be. To have him on the team certainly makes life a little more fun for Denis."

Jean Potvin finished his career with 63 goals, 224 assists and 478 penalty minutes in 613 career games, plus two goals and nine assists in 39 playoff games. He also played for the Kings and Minnesota North Stars.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.