Denis Savard was born on February 4, 1961, in Pointe Gatineau, Quebec. In the junior leagues he played with Montreal Juniors of the QMJHL and after the 1979-80 season, where he was named a first team all-star and league MVP in 1980, he was drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks only behind Doug Wickenheiser and Dave Babych. Savard possessed great speed and exceptional skating ability which made it possible for him to put a great mark on the game which is his now famous move called The Spin-o-rama.

"Denis Savard has thrilled Blackhawk fans for many years and is deserving of this tribute," team president Bill Wirtz said. "Savard was responsible for the rebirth of the Chicago Blackhawks when he was drafted in 1980."

Denis Savard still holds the Blackhawk records for most assists in a season (87), most points in a season (131), most 100-point seasons (5), quickest goal from the start of a period (4 seconds, also an NHL record) and points in a playoffs (29). As a Blackhawk, Savard ranks fourth in goals (377), second in assists (719) and third in points (1,096) in 881 games. He set the team record for points in a season with 131 in 1987-88. Savard also established a club mark for assists with 87 in 1981-82 and matched that number six years later. 

Denis played in theAllStar Game seven imes (1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991 and in 1996). In 1996, he was a special selection of the league commissioner to honor his accomplishments over the years. Savard will become the fifth Chicago player to have his number retired, joining Glenn Hall (1), Bobby Hull (9), Stan Mikita (21) and Tony Esposito (35). "The four guys up there have been great to the game and they've been great for our team," Savard said. "I feel very fortunate and honored about it." The four previous honorees will participate in Thursday's ceremony, along with a number of Savard's former teammates, including Steve Larmer, Doug Wilson, Rich Preston and Keith Brown. 
Savard's coach in Montreal, Jaques Demer, will participate but only on the video-screen.

The first ten years of his NHL-career he spent in Chicago, then he was traded to Montreal Canadiens for Chris Chelios and a draft-pick. In Montreal he also won the Stanley Cup in 1993. He also played one and a half season for the Tampa Bay Lightning. On April 6th, 1995 he was re-aquired by the Chicago Blackhawks, and said "Just suiting up for the Blackhawks again was great. It's something magical about that jersey".

YEAR   TEAM    GP   G Ass. Pts  PIM  +/-
80-81   Chi    76  28  47   75   47  27 
81-82   Chi    80  32  87  119   82   0 
82-83   Chi    78  35  86  121   99  26 
83-84   Chi    75  37  57   94   71  13-
84-85   Chi    79  38  67  105   56  16 
85-86   Chi    80  47  69  116  111   7 
86-87   Chi    70  40  50   90  108  15 
87-88   Chi    80  44  87  131   95   4 
88-89   Chi    58  23  59   82  110   5-
89-90   Chi    60  27  53   80   56   8 
90-91   Mon    70  28  31   59   52   1-
91-92   Mon    77  28  42   70   73   6 
92-93   Mon    63  16  34   50   90   1 
93-94   TB     74  18  28   46  106   1-
94-95   TB/Chi 43  10  15   25   18   3-
95-96   Chi    69  13  35   48  102  20 
96-97   Chi    64   9  18   27   60  10-

Total   NHL  1196 473 865 1338 1336  97 
Playoff NHL   169  66 109  175  256