Orval Tessier
Sport: Hockey
Year Inducted: 1968
Born on June 30, 1933 in Cornwall, Orval Tessier had a remarkable career in hockey.
Orval developed in the Bruins junior and minor league system. After completing a high scoring junior career with the Barrie Flyers, Orval was dealt to Montreal in the summer of 1953. After appearing in just four games with Montreal during the 54-55 season, he was re-acquired by the Bruins in the in Intra-League draft in June of 1955.
He would score 5 goals with the Bruins during the 1955 and 1956 seasons.
Always a high scorer in the minors, Orval was a powerplay specialist with the Bruins, but most of his time with the Bruins was spent in the minors, including three fine season with the Kingston Frontenacs, registering 283 points and leading the league in scoring in 1959 – 60 with 126 points, including 59 goals. After retiring from playing after the 63-64 season, Orval turned to scouting in the NHL.
He began his coaching career in Cornwall with the Royals taking the third year franchise to the 1972 Memorial Cup Championship. He left to coach the Quebec Remparts the following year, losing in the Memorial Cup final. Orval spent the next six seasons in the Quebec League returning for three seasons with the Royals and later Chicoutimi Sagueneens. In 1980-81 he coached the Ontario League Kitchener Rangers who made it all the way to the Memorial Cup final only to lose the game to his former team the Cornwall Royals. Not many have coached in three Memorial Cup final games.
In 1982, he coached New Brunswick Hawks to the Calder Cup Championship (AHL); In 1983, Orval was promoted to coach the Chicago Blackhawks and subsequently won the Jack Adams award as Coach of the Year.
From 1986 – 1989, Orval returned as coach of the Royals. He was hired as a scout for the Colorado Avalanche and was a part of their 1996 Stanley Cup winning team.