Luc Robitaille

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Lore & Background

During his 19-season NHL career, Robitaille won the Stanley Cup in 2001–02 with the Detroit Red Wings, and played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers. He is most known for his 14 seasons (over three different stints) with the Los Angeles Kings, for whom he finished second in Calder Memorial Trophy voting as a rookie, and was named to seven NHL All-Star teams (five First team and two Second team). He served as the Kings' team captain during the 1992–93 season (while Wayne Gretzky was injured) and for the final two games of the 2005–06 season. Robitaille retired after the 2005–06 season as the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history and the holder of several Kings franchise records, along with numerous Kings playoff records. In 2017, Robitaille was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.

In Their Own Story

The journey included departures and returns that tested his loyalty. In 1994, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Rick Tocchet, followed by a move to the New York Rangers where he recorded fewer points than penalty minutes. He returned to Los Angeles in 1997 via a trade for Kevin Stevens. His resurgence included scoring his 500th career goal on January 7, 1999, against the Buffalo Sabres. Seeking a championship, Robitaille signed with the Detroit Red Wings in 2001 for less compensation than other offers. There, he won the Stanley Cup in 2001–02, becoming the third Red Wing to skate the trophy after Steve Yzerman and Dominik Hašek. He returned to the Kings for a final stint starting in 2003, scoring his 650th career goal on March 9, 2004. On April 10, 2006, he announced his retirement, confirmed the next day at Toyota Sports Center. His final NHL home game was against the Calgary Flames on April 15, where he wore captain's 'C' and received a standing ovation from 18,118 fans after a short speech.

Reader's Guide

Robitaille was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the ninth round, 171st overall, of the 1984 NHL entry draft. He played junior hockey for the Hull Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In three seasons with the Olympiques from 1983 to 1986, Robitaille amassed 155 goals and 269 assists for 424 points in only 197 games, including winning the CHL Player of the Year with 191 points in 1985–86. In his honour, the QMJHL later created the Luc Robitaille Trophy, awarded to the team which scores the most goals each season. Robitaille's first NHL season was in 1986–87, where he helped the Kings qualify for the 1987 Stanley Cup playoffs despite a 31–41–8 record. He scored 45 goals and had 39 assists in 79 games, edging out Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ron Hextall for the Calder Memorial Trophy for the NHL's top rookie, the only Los Angeles player to ever win the award. He also earned a spot on the second All-Star team. Robitaille scored more than 40 goals in each of his first eight seasons, including three 50 or more goal seasons, with a career-high 63 in 1992–93. That year, Robitaille set NHL records for most goals and points (125) in a season by a left winger. Robitaille's 63-goal record amongst left wingers was eclipsed by Alexander Ovechkin during the 2007–08 season, although Robitaille still holds the record for most points in a season by a left winger. With captain and superstar Wayne Gretzky sidelined by injury for much of 1992–93, Robitaille assumed the captaincy and led the team in scoring, playing a key role in helping his struggling team to make the playoffs. In 1993, the Kings reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. However, they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. Robitaille had 9 goals and 13 assists in 24 playoff games. During the 1993–94 season, Robitaille's scoring totals remained respectable but considerably lower than his previous seasons, while Gretzky had returned from injury to win the NHL scoring title. The Kings failed to make the 1994 playoffs. On July 29, 1994, Robitaille was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Rick Tocchet and the Penguins' second-round pick in the 1995 NHL entry draft (used to select Pavel Rosa). With Pittsburgh, Robitaille set then-career lows in goals and assists during the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season. After one season, Robitaille was tr

Did You Know?

• Robitaille and former teammate Dave Taylor are often cited as among the lowest draft picks to reach 1,000 points, though Taylor was actually undrafted.
• During the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, the Kings drafted future Baseball Hall-of-Famer Tom Glavine in the fourth round, over 100 spots before Robitaille.
• No Los Angeles Kings player has ever won the Calder Memorial Trophy.

The Late Draft Pick Who Became a Legend

Luc Robitaille's path began with skepticism; experts expected him drafted late due to poor skating. Selected 171st overall by the Kings in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, he attended the event and introduced himself to GM Rogie Vachon. Before turning pro, he dominated junior hockey with the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL from 1983 to 1986. In just 197 games, he tallied 155 goals and 269 assists for 424 points, winning CHL Player of the Year in 1985–86 with 191 points. The QMJHL later created the Luc Robitaille Trophy to honor the team scoring the most goals each season. He and Dave Taylor remain the lowest draft picks to record 1,000 career points.

Dominance on the Left Wing and Franchise Records

Robitaille's offensive output with the Kings was historic. In his debut 1986–87 season, he scored 45 goals and 39 assists in 79 games to win the Calder Memorial Trophy. He posted over 40 goals for eight straight seasons, peaking at 63 goals and 125 points in 1992–93. These figures set NHL records for most goals and points by a left winger; while Ovechkin surpassed the goal record in 2007–08, Robitaille's point total remains the standard. He was named to eight All-Star teams and served as captain when Gretzky was injured in 1992–93. His leadership guided the Kings to their first Stanley Cup Final in 1993 against Montreal, where he recorded 9 goals and 13 assists in 24 games.

A Journey of Trades and a Championship Redemption

Robitaille's career saw him move to Pittsburgh on July 29, 1994, for Rick Tocchet. After a lockout-shortened season with lows in stats, he was traded to the New York Rangers alongside Ulf Samuelsson for Petr Nedvěd and Sergei Zubov. His time in New York saw his first career season with more penalty minutes (80) than points (69). Returning to Los Angeles on August 28, 1997, for Kevin Stevens, he scored his 500th goal against Buffalo on January 7, 1999. In 2001, seeking a title, he signed with Detroit for $9 million over two years. He won the Stanley Cup in 2001–02, hoisting it after Yzerman and Hašek. The Red Wings won the Presidents' Trophy that year, though Robitaille had limited playoff ice time due to roster depth.

Enduring Legacy and Executive Leadership

Returning to LA for his final stint in 2003–04, Robitaille led the team in goals and points despite lower totals. On March 9, 2004, he scored his 650th career goal against Phoenix. He played his 1,000th game as a King on March 13, 2004. On January 19, 2006, he tied and passed Marcel Dionne's franchise record with a hat-trick against Atlanta. Announcing retirement on April 10, 2006, his final goal came on March 14, 2006. His last home game was April 15, 2006, against Calgary, where he wore the 'C' and received a curtain call from 18,118 fans. He retired as the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history. In 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players'. Today, he serves as president of the Los Angeles Kings.