Michel Larocque

Lore & Background

Larocque played junior hockey with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1968 to 1972, leading the league in shutouts for the last three of those years. He was also one of the most penalized goalies and regularly involved in fights. In 1972, he was selected sixth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL Amateur Draft. He played with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs of the American Hockey League in 1973, winning the Hap Holmes Memorial Award with Michel Deguise and being selected to the AHL Second All-Star Team.

Larocque started his NHL career in 1974 with the Canadiens, during a season when Ken Dryden sat out in a contract dispute. He shared playing time with Michel Plasse and Wayne Thomas, but was the starting goalie in the playoffs. Dryden returned in 1975, and Larocque became his back-up, sharing four Vezina Trophy wins. The first three were largely because of Dryden's all-star play. In 1977, Larocque led the NHL with a 2.09 goals against average, but only played 26 games. The Canadiens won four Stanley Cups from 1976 to 1979, but Larocque's only playoff action was one period in 1979.

After Dryden retired in 1979, Larocque saw more action and won his fourth Vezina Trophy in 1981, sharing duties with Richard Sévigny and Denis Herron. Near the trade deadline that season, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Robert Picard. He later played for the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues, retiring from hockey in 1985 after playing with the Peoria Rivermen of the International Hockey League.

Reader's Guide

Michel Larocque's significance lies in his role as a key backup goaltender during the Montreal Canadiens' dynasty of the late 1970s. Though he shared four Vezina Trophies with Ken Dryden, the article notes that the first three were largely due to Dryden's all-star play. Larocque's own achievement of leading the NHL with a 2.09 goals against average in 1977, despite limited games, demonstrates his individual skill. His fourth Vezina Trophy in 1981, shared with Denis Herron and Richard Sévigny, came after Dryden's retirement, showing he could carry the load. His four Stanley Cup wins (1976–1979) place him among the most decorated players of that era, even though his playoff action was minimal. After his playing career, he served as general manager of the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL, winning QMJHL executive of the year for 1989–90, and later as vice president of the QMJHL until his death from brain cancer at age 40.

Did You Know?

• Larocque acquired the nickname 'Bunny' as an infant; it was his mother's pet name for him.
• He led the OHA in shutouts for three consecutive years from 1969 to 1972.
• He was in net when the Buffalo Sabres scored an NHL record 9 goals in one period in a 14-4 game.
• He won QMJHL executive of the year for 1989–90 as general manager of the Victoriaville Tigres.