Wilf Cude & Bill Durnan Uniting two great Montreal Canadiens goalies
Wilf Cude (1906–1968)
St. John’s Norway Cemetery, Toronto
On my walk through St. John’s Norway Cemetery in Toronto, and with a goalie stick in hand, I discovered the grave of Wilf Cude, a name etched in early NHL lore.
Born in Wales, Cude learned the game of hockey not in his homeland, but in Winnipeg, where his soccer-loving father had moved the family while searching for work. Quickly, Wilf fell in love with the Canadian game, rising through the ranks to become the starting goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens from 1937 to 1941. Though he never hoisted the Stanley Cup, Cude earned respect as a superstitious and fiercely competitive netminder, even being named a two-time NHL Second Team All-Star.
After retiring, he transitioned into the oil business, while also contributing to the game as a coach and scout, most notably for the Detroit Red Wings later in life.
Wilf Cude died in Montreal on May 5, 1968, at the age of 61 — remembered as a goalie who bridged eras and helped define the early days of the NHL crease.
Returned to Wilf Cude’s grave today, Fall 2025. Love the little engraved hockey sticks between his years.
Bill Durnan (1916–1972)
Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, Toronto
On my walk at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery in Toronto — again, with goalie stick in hand — I discovered the grave of one of the greatest netminders ever to wear a Montreal Canadiens sweater: Bill Durnan.
Born in Toronto, Durnan played just seven NHL seasons — all with the Habs — but his impact was enormous. A dominant force between the pipes, he won the Vezina Trophy six times, was named to the NHL First All-Star Team six times, and led Montreal to two Stanley Cups.
In 1948, he became the last goaltender in Canadiens history to serve as team captain, a role modern rules now prohibit for goalies. Despite his success, the pressure of the position eventually took its toll, and Durnan retired in 1950— still at the top of his game.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964 and, decades later, was named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players in league history.
Bill Durnan passed away on October 31, 1972, at just 56 years old. His legacy, however, stands tall — a towering figure in the rich goaltending tradition of the Montreal Canadiens.
