University of Saskatchewan Huskies Men's Hockey Team - Gerry Couture
- A-1051
- Item
- 1945
Gerry Couture, right winger and captain, in uniform.
Bio/Historical Note: Gerald Joseph Wilfred Arthur (Doc) Couture was born 6 August 1925 in Saskatoon and attended St. Joseph's School. While there he experienced his first hockey success, playing on the Church League winners in 1936 and 1937. He played junior hockey for the Saskatoon Quakers in 1941-1942 and 1942-1943 and then joined the University of Saskatchewan Huskies where he starred for two seasons. Couture was an outstanding tennis player, joining John Leicester in doubles and often winning Saskatchewan championships. They played in two Canadian championships and once beat the Mexican Davis Cup doubles team. Couture also played some senior hockey at this time, including while serving with the Navy in Saskatoon. Couture started his National Hockey League career as a right-winger with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1945 Stanley Cup playoffs. He had an outstanding season in 1949-50 when he scored 29 goals - his best season in the NHL, and played on the Detroit team, which won the Stanley Cup. He scored four goals and one assist in the playoffs and his line scored the winner in the seventh game of the final against New York. Couture was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Bert Hirschfield in 1951. He played 10 games with the Habs in their 1951-52 campaign, posting one assist and amassing four penalty minutes before a laceration he suffered to his ankle brought his season to an early end. He was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1952 in return for financial compensation. Couture played two seasons with Chicago before announcing his retirement. Couture scored 86 goals and recorded 70 assists in his 385-game career. He played 45 playoff games with 9 goals and 7 assists. Couture joined the Calgary Stampeders of the Western Hockey League for three seasons, scoring 32 goals and winning all-star one year and scoring 33 goals another season. He later played for Saskatoon-St. Paul Regals and finished his career with the Saskatoon Quakers who went to the western final in 1959-60. He was the team coach and won the Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League most valuable player award. Couture died 13 July 1994, a month after learning he had been accepted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame.
