Posted by Kyle
Over the course of the summer, I got fed up of hearing how small the Canadiens were. According to research done by Miro Koutaniemi of quanthockey.com, for the 2008-09 season, the average NHL skater is 73.18 inches tall (6’1″), and weighs 203.3 pounds. How much that has changed in 1 season is probably a very small amount in either direction.
That said, let’s look at the Habs, who are described as weak and tiny, vs the Leafs, who are described as the polar opposite: strong and hulking.
I checked out the Canadiens and Leafs websites and pulled information about players sizes and weight. Note that I do not (and cannot) account for the type of player (aggressive vs passive). So while you can say that Gomez, Cammalleri and Gionta are small in stature, they play bigger than their stats suggest. On the flip side, Hal Gill is about as big a player you’ll find, and weighs 240lbs, yet he certainly does not play the way you’d think a player of that size would.
Here’s a summary of what I found (I can send you the excel spreadsheet if you contact me):
Montreal Canadiens:
Average forward is 5’11 1/3″ and weighs 204lbs.
Average defenseman is 6’2 1/4″ and weighs 215lbs.
Overall average size of a Habs player: height = 6’0 1/2″ and weighs 207
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Average forward is 6’1″ and weighs 197.5lbs.
Average defenseman is 6’1 1/3″ and weighs 207lbs.
Overall average size of a Leafs player: height = 6’1 1/5″ and weighs 201.3lbs
So the average Montreal Canadien is .7″ shorter than the average Leaf, but weighs roughly 6lbs more.
Which suits your definition of “bigger”? Pick your poison.
Bonus: Montreal Canadiens vs NHL players
Overall average size of a Habs player (’09-’10): height = 5’11 1/3″ and weighs 204
Overall average size of an NHL player (’08-’09): height = 6’1 1/5″ and weighs 203
So the average Hab is nearly 2 inches shorter and weighs a pound more. Is 2″ really enough to say that one team in tiny and frail, and the other is towering? Heck, the average Canadien, being shorter and slightly heavier may not have the same reach, but he’s got a lower center of gravity and is therefore harder to knock off the puck.
There. It’s out there. We can all see it.
What say you?