Jacques Plante's net worth, earnings during his career, and salary history. He earned $668,748 (about $4,480,859 in today's money), placing him 3598th in NHL/hockey career earnings. His highest salary was $225,000 with the Montreal Canadiens in 1969-70. Jacques Plante was a Canadian hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens and is considered one of the founders of modern-day goaltending as an important part of team defense. Plante led the Canadiens to their first Stanley Cup victory in 1953, and was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the most valuable player in the playoffs. He was also the first goaltender to win the award. Plante was born on January 4, 1920 in Saint-Jean-de-Lévis, Quebec. He started his professional career with the Montreal Royals of the American Hockey League in 1942. The next year, he joined the Canadiens and became the starter for the team after Frank Brimsek got injured. In 1949-50, he helped the Canadiens win their second consecutive championship. That same season, he was voted by his teammates to be the best goalie in the league. In 1951-52, he received attention for saving 54 shots without letting any goals past him, a record that still stands today.