Bobby Rousseau

Lore & Background

Rousseau started his career with the St. Jean Braves of the Quebec Junior Hockey League in 1955–56 where he led the league in scoring with 53 goals and 85 points in 44 games. The next season, Rousseau moved on with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens in the Ontario Hockey Association. Hull-Ottawa reached the 1957 Memorial Cup final against the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters losing game seven 3–2. The Canadiens returned to the Memorial Cup in 1957–58 defeating the Regina Pats in six games.

In 1960, Rousseau was loaned to the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen, the team that represented Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. Canada finished with a silver medal, while the USA won gold and Czechoslovakia took bronze. Rousseau scored 5 goals, 4 of which came in a 19–1 victory over Japan, and 9 points in 7 games during Canada's Olympic run. In 1960–61, Rousseau earned his first chance in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens.

Rousseau played in 15 games earning three points. During his first full NHL season in 1961–62, he scored 21 goals and 24 assists and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL that year. Rousseau had a less productive season in 1962–63 as he scored 37 points. In 1963–64, Rousseau scored 25 goals and 56 points.

Rousseau also had a five-goal game against the Detroit Red Wings on February 1, 1964. The Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1964–65 against the Chicago Black Hawks. The series went to seven games, which the Canadiens won, giving Rousseau the Stanley Cup for the first time. Rousseau was also invited to the 1965 All-Star Game.

During the 1965-66 NHL season, Rousseau's 78 points tied him with Stan Mikita for second overall in the scoring race. His hard work earned him a spot on the NHL Second All-Star Team that season. Rousseau helped the Canadiens defend their Stanley Cup title as they beat the Detroit Red Wings in six games. The Canadiens returned to the Final for a third straight time in 1966–67 but lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games.

However, Rousseau and the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup the following two seasons. After the 1969–70 season, his ninth with the Canadiens, during which he scored 24 goals, Rousseau was traded to the Minnesota North Stars where he spent the 1970–71 season.

Reader's Guide

Rousseau was a right winger known for his scoring touch and playmaking. He won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1962 and was a key contributor to four Stanley Cup championships with the Montreal Canadiens. He also represented Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics, winning a silver medal. Later in his career, he played for the Minnesota North Stars and New York Rangers, helping the Rangers reach the 1972 Stanley Cup Final.

Did You Know?

• He was the brother of NHL players Rollie and Guy Rousseau.
• Rousseau died at a hospital in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, on December 13, 2025, at the age of 85.