Larry Robinson
Big Bird: A Canadiens legend and six-time Stanley Cup champion.
Larry Clark Robinson (born June 2, 1951) is a Canadian former ice hockey coach, executive and player. He played 17 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens and three for the Los Angeles Kings, winning six Stanley Cups with the Canadiens (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986). He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in 2017.
- role
- Defenseman
- status
- Retired / Hall of Fame
- jersey_number
- 74
Lore & Background
Nicknamed "Big Bird" for his size (6'4", 225 pounds), Robinson was a dominant defenceman who won the James Norris Memorial Trophy twice (1976–77, 1979–80) and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1978. He holds the NHL career plus-minus record at +730, including a +120 season in 1976–77. He played in ten NHL All-Star games and scored 958 regular-season points.
In Their Own Story
The air in the Montreal Forum was thick with anticipation during the 1976 playoffs. As the puck dropped against the Boston Bruins, Robinson didn't just defend; he orchestrated. With a glance over his shoulder, he spotted a lane opening up, intercepted a pass meant for a Bruin forward, and launched a no-look saucer pass that found Lafleur in the slot. The net bulged, the crowd erupted, and 'The Big Chump' simply raised a gloved hand to calm them down, knowing there was still work to be done.
Reader's Guide
Robinson's coaching career includes head coaching positions with the New Jersey Devils (on two occasions) and the Los Angeles Kings. He won the Stanley Cup as a coach with the Devils in 2000 and later as an assistant. He is currently a Senior Consultant to Hockey Operations for the St. Louis Blues, with whom he won his tenth Stanley Cup in 2019.
Did You Know?
- Robinson's brother is Moe Robinson.
- He was a co-founder of the Montreal Polo Club.
- He was ranked number 24 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players in 1998.
- The Canadiens retired his No. 19 jersey on November 19, 2007.
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