Glen Harmon
A steady and reliable defenseman who anchored the blue line for the mighty Montreal Canadiens during their formative post-war dynasty years.
1921–2007 (age 86)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: January 2·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Glen Harmon emerged from the Canadian prairies to become a cornerstone of the Montreal Canadiens' defense in the 1940s. Nicknamed "Bulldog" for his tenacious style, he was not a flashy scorer but a fundamentally sound and intelligent player whose value was measured in clean breakouts and defensive consistency. His career, which spanned from 1942 to 1951, coincided with the team's transition into the formidable outfit that would dominate the latter half of the decade. Harmon provided a calm, veteran presence on a squad brimming with emerging talent, helping to secure a Stanley Cup championship in 1946. Though his name is often overshadowed by the legendary stars who followed, those who watched the Canadiens of that era understood that Harmon's quiet effectiveness was a vital ingredient in the team's foundation.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Glen was born in 1921, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Glen Was Born
The biggest hits of 1921
#1 Movie
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Glen's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1921Born
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1926Started school
Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket
President: Calvin Coolidge"Baby Face" — Jan Garber
1934Became a teenager
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1937Could drive
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1939Could vote
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1942Turned 21
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1951Turned 30
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1961Turned 40
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1971Turned 50
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1981Turned 60
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1991Turned 70
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
2001Turned 80
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2007Died at 86
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
Key Achievements
- Won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1946.
- Played 486 regular season games for the Canadiens, recording 162 points from the defense.
- Was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game in 1947 and 1948.
- Served as an alternate captain for the Montreal Canadiens during his tenure.
Did You Know?
He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II while playing for the Canadiens' senior affiliate, the Montreal RCAF.
His brother, Hugh Harmon, also played briefly in the NHL for the New York Rangers.
After hockey, he had a long career with the Ford Motor Company in Canada.
“A good defenseman makes the play in front of him and gets the puck up to the forwards.”
