Luc Robitaille

Lore & Background

Robitaille played 19 seasons in the NHL, winning the Stanley Cup in 2001–02 with the Detroit Red Wings, and also 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, with whom he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as top rookie and was named to eight NHL All-Star teams (five First team, three Second team). He served as Kings captain during the 1992–93 season (while Wayne Gretzky was injured) and for the final two games of the 2005–06 season. He retired after 2005–06 as the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history and holder of several Kings franchise and playoff records. In 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players'.

Reader's Guide

Robitaille was drafted by the Kings in the ninth round, 171st overall, of the 1984 NHL entry draft. He played junior hockey for the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL, amassing 155 goals and 269 assists for 424 points in 197 games, including winning CHL Player of the Year with 191 points in 1985–86. The QMJHL later created the Luc Robitaille Trophy, awarded to the team that scores the most goals each season. Robitaille and former teammate Dave Taylor are the lowest NHL draft picks to have recorded 1,000 career points. During the 1984 draft, the Kings drafted future Baseball Hall-of-Famer Tom Glavine in the fourth round, over 100 spots before Robitaille.

Did You Know?

• He set NHL records for most goals (63) and points (125) in a season by a left winger in 1992–93; the goals record was later broken by Alexander Ovechkin, but Robitaille still holds the points record.
• He scored his 500th career goal on January 7, 1999, in a 4–2 victory against the Buffalo Sabres at the Great Western Forum.
• Robitaille scored a hat-trick on January 19, 2006, to tie and pass Marcel Dionne's franchise record of 550 goals.
• His final NHL goal was a one-timer from Jeremy Roenick on a power play in a 6–2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on March 14, 2006.

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.