Michel Larocque

Michel Larocque
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Nickname(s)	Bunny
Height Weight	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg)
Teams	Montreal Canadiens Toronto Maple Leafs Philadelphia Flyers St. Louis Blues
Nationality	Canadian
Born	April 6, 1952, Hull, PQ, CAN
Died	July 29,1992 (age 40), Hull, PQ, CAN
NHL Draft	6th overall, 1972 Montreal Canadiens
Pro Career	1972 – 1985

Michel Raymond 'Bunny' Larocque (April 6, 1952, in Hull, Quebec, Canada - July 29, 1992) was a Canadian professional goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League.

Playing career

In his junior hockey days, he played with the Ottawa 67's of the OHA from 1967-68 to 1971-72. He led the league in shutouts for the last 3 of those years. He was also one of the most penalized goalies, and was regularly involved in fights. In 1972-73 he was with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs of the AHL. In 1973-74, he began his NHL career with Montreal. Larocque would help win four Vezina Trophies. During that time, the trophy was given to the principal goalies on the team allowing the fewest goals in the regular season. The first three were shared with Ken Dryden who played the bulk of the games. The final trophy was with Denis Herron and Richard Sevigny in 1981. Larocque won the trophy despite being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs near the end of the season.

He would win four Stanley Cups with Montreal in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979. Near the trade deadline in 1980-81, he was traded to Toronto for Robert Picard. He was traded to Philadelphis in 1982-83, and finished his NHL career with St. Louis in 1983-84.

Retirement and death

After his playing career ended, he served as general manager of the Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) during the 1989–90 season and won QMJHL executive of the year for 1989–90. He was vice president of the QMJHL during the 1991–92 season and still held the position at time of his death.

He died of brain cancer at age 40 in his hometown of Hull, Quebec.

Career statistics

Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1970–71	Ottawa 67's	OHA		56	—	—	—	3345	189	5	3.39	—
1971–72	Ottawa 67's	OHA		55	—	—	—	3287	189	4	3.45	—
1972-73	Nova Scotia Voyageurs	AHL		47	—	—	—	2705	113	1	2.50	—
1973–74	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		27	15	8	2	1431	69	0	2.89	—
1974–75	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		25	17	5	3	1480	74	3	3.00	—
1975–76	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		22	16	1	3	1220	50	2	2.46	—
1976–77	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		26	19	2	4	1525	53	4	2.09	—
1977–78	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		30	22	3	4	1729	77	1	2.67	—
1978–79	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		34	22	7	4	1986	94	3	2.84	—
1979–80	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		39	17	13	8	2259	125	3	3.32	—
1980–81	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		28	16	9	3	1623	82	1	3.03	—
1980–81	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		8	3	3	2	460	40	0	5.22	—
1981–82	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		50	10	24	8	2647	207	0	4.69	—
1982–83	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		16	3	8	3	835	68	0	4.89	—
1982–83	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		2	0	1	1	120	8	0	4.00	—
1983-84	Springfield Indians	AHL		5	5	3	2	301	21	0	4.18	—
1983–84	St. Louis Blues	NHL		5	0	5	0	300	31	0	6.20	—
1984-85	Peoria Rivermen	AHL		13	7	3	3	786	41	0	3.13	—
NHL totals				312	160	89	45	17,615	978	17	3.33	—

External links

• Michel Larocque's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database

Preceded by Ken Dryden	Winner of the Vezina Trophy with Ken Dryden 1977, 1978, 1979	Succeeded by Don Edwards and Bob Sauve
Preceded by Don Edwards and Bob Sauve	Winner of the Vezina Trophy with Denis Herron and Richard Sevigny 1981	Succeeded by Billy Smith