Product Code Database
Vincent Joseph Riendeau (born April 20, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. During his time in the National Hockey League, which lasted from 1987 to 1995, Riendeau played for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and the Boston Bruins. Riendeau was the first Canadian and former NHL player to sign with a professional hockey team in the Russian Superleague. Hockey's Book of Firsts, p.33, James Duplacey, JG Press, As of January 2019 he has been the director of goalie development for the Canadiens. The Official Site of the Montreal Canadiens - Hockey Operations
He played junior ice hockey with the Verdun Juniors in the QMJHL during the 1983–84 season, posting a 22-13-2 record with 2 and a 4.14 goals against average. He also played 15 games for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL during the same season.
The following season, Riendeau left the junior leagues to play Canadian college hockey for Sherbrooke College of the CEGEP.
Riendeau returned to the juniors for the 1985–86 season, suiting up for the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL. With a record of 33-20-3, Riendeau was able to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Montreal Canadiens before his season ended in the juniors.
Riendeau established himself as the starting goaltender for the 1989–90 season, in which he was supported by Millen and Curtis Joseph. He was able to make his first playoff appearance with the Blues that season as well. While Joseph was the goaltender who led St. Louis in the opening round of the playoffs, Riendeau took over during the second round, in which they were eliminated by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Riendeau's most successful season in the NHL was the 1990–91 season, in which he posted a 29-9-6 record in 44 games, with Joseph serving as his backup. Riendeau once again led St. Louis into the playoffs. While they eliminated Detroit in the opening round, they lost to the Minnesota North Stars in the next round. In the playoffs, Bob Probert punched Riendeau after Riendeau pointed Probert's actions out to a referee in an unsuccessful attempt to draw a penalty. The Strangest One Of All: Absurd Goalie Monday: Vincent Riendeau
Riendeau continued to support Cheveldae during the 1992–93 season, appearing in 22 regular season games. Riendeau did not appear in any playoff games that season, where Detroit was eliminated in the opening round by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Riendeau continued his role as a backup during the 1994–95 season, supporting Blaine Lacher. Riendeau did not fare well during the regular season, posting a 3-6-1 record, leaving Boston to rely on Lacher in the playoffs, where Boston was eliminated in the opening round by New Jersey, who were the eventual Stanley Cup Champions. Riendeau did participate in one playoff game for the minor league affiliate Providence Bruins of the AHL that season. On 21 August 1995, Riendeau was released by Boston. Vincent Riendeau - Hockey Zone Plus
Riendeau returned to North America for the 1996–97 season, where he played for the Manitoba Moose of the IHL. Despite having a prolific previous season, Riendeau posted a 10-18-5 record at a minor league level.
Riendeau began to believe that his playing career was over when he received an offer from the German club Revier Löwen during the summer prior to the 1997–98 season. After appearing in 14 games, the club began to suffer financial difficulties, causing Riendeau to sign on with HC Lugano of the Swiss Nationalliga A, where he appeared in one game.
Riendeau found himself with the Ayr Scottish Eagles of the British Ice Hockey Superleague for the start of the 1998–99. Riendeau played both regular season games and in tournaments, where he played against members of the Russian Superleague. Riendeau admired the Russians' work ethic and sought to join the Russian Superleague. After playing in 32 games and tournament appearances, a clause in Riendeau's contract came into effect in January 1999 that the club had to renegotiate his contract. Riendeau was able to negotiate a deal to be released by Ayr and join HC Lada Togliatti of the Russian Superleague. Riendeau appeared in 5 regular season contests and 7 playoff contests. Riendeau continued to play for Lada Togliatti for the 1999–00 season, appearing in 16 regular season games and one playoff game.
Riendeau returned to North America for the 2000–01 season and play his final professional season with the Anchorage Aces of the WCHL. Riendeau posted an 8-10-2 record backing up Dan McIntyre.
In 2012, Riendeau joined the Canadiens organization as a goaltending consultant to their AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. In 2014, he was named as an assistant general manager of the Bulldogs, a role he continued after the Canadiens AHL affiliate relocated to Newfoundland and Labrador and took control of the IceCaps in 2015.
As of 2019 he was the director of goalie development for the Canadiens.
| 1983–84 | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | — | — | |
| 1983–84 | Verdun Juniors | QMJHL | .870 | .794 | |
| 1985–86 | Drummondville Voltigeurs | QMJHL | .881 | .862 | |
| 1986–87 | Sherbrooke Canadiens | AHL | .902 | — | |
| 1987–88 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | .773 | — | |
| 1987–88 | Sherbrooke Canadiens | AHL | .901 | .892 | |
| 1988–89 | St. Louis Blues | .871 | — | ||
| 1989–90 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | .883 | .892 | |
| 1990–91 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | .892 | .881 | |
| 1991–92 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | .885 | — | |
| 1991–92 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | .935 | .867 | |
| 1991–92 | Adirondack Red Wings | AHL | .915 | — | |
| 1992–93 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | .877 | — | |
| 1993–94 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | .824 | — | |
| 1993–94 | Adirondack Red Wings | AHL | .900 | — | |
| 1993–94 | Boston Bruins | NHL | .880 | .810 | |
| 1994–95 | Boston Bruins | NHL | .878 | — | |
| 1994–95 | Providence Bruins | AHL | — | .897 | |
| 1995–96 | SC Riessersee | DEL | .880 | .861 | |
| 1996–97 | Manitoba Moose | IHL | .889 | — | |
| 1997–98 | Revier Löwen | DEL | 14 | .896 | — |
| 1997–98 | HC Lugano | NLA | — | — | |
| 1998–99 | Ayr Scottish Eagles | BISL | .901 | — | |
| 1998–99 | HC Lada Togliatti | RSL | .909 | — | |
| 1999–00 | HC Lada Togliatti | RSL | .909 | — | |
| 2000–01 | Anchorage Aces | WCHL | .878 | — | |
|
|
