Georges Laraque facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Georges Laraque
Laraque in 2016
Born	(1976-12-07) December 7, 1976 (age 48) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	273 lb (124 kg; 19 st 7 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Edmonton Oilers Phoenix Coyotes Pittsburgh Penguins Montreal Canadiens
NHL Draft	31st overall, 1995 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	1996–2010, 2015
Website	https://georgeslaraque.com

Georges Laraque (born December 7, 1976) is a Canadian former ice hockey player. He was known as one of the best "enforcers" in hockey during his time. An enforcer is a player who protects their teammates and stands up for them, often by fighting. Laraque stopped playing professional hockey in 2010. Even though he played for several teams, the Edmonton Oilers are still the team closest to his heart.

Today, Georges hosts a radio show in Montreal. He also works as a public speaker and is part of the NHL diversity coalition. Since starting his hockey career, Laraque has done a lot of charity work. He has spent time with people in hospitals and played in charity hockey games. After retiring, he helped build a hospital in Haiti. As a speaker, he is very passionate about fighting racism. He is also a strong supporter of veganism, which means he does not eat animal products.

In 2012, he was the executive director of the Canadian Hockey League Players' Association. During his 14 years in the National Hockey League (NHL), he played for the Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Montreal Canadiens. From 2010 to 2013, he was one of the two deputy leaders of the Green Party of Canada.

Playing Hockey

Georges Laraque started his hockey journey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He played for different teams there. In 173 junior games, he earned 107 points and spent 661 minutes in penalties. Laraque was part of the Granby Prédateurs team that won the Memorial Cup in 1996.

After junior hockey, Laraque played for the American Hockey League's (AHL) Hamilton Bulldogs. He had his first professional fight on October 25, 1996.

On September 15, 1997, Laraque fought a well-known tough player, Donald Brashear, in a pre-season game. He wanted to show the coaches what he could do. On November 15, 1997, Laraque was called up to the NHL. He had his first NHL fight against Todd Simpson of the Calgary Flames. Laraque won that fight and four others before going back to the AHL.

A year later, Laraque worked hard to improve his game. The Edmonton team brought him to the NHL to play regularly. While he was a strong offensive player in junior hockey, he became known as an "enforcer" in the NHL. His large size (273 pounds) and his willingness to fight made him one of the most feared forwards. The Hockey News named him the 'Best Fighter' in 2003. Sports Illustrated also called him the number one enforcer in 2008. Even with his reputation for fighting, Laraque also showed his offensive skills. On February 21, 2000, he scored three goals in one game (a hat trick) against the Los Angeles Kings.

Laraque playing for the Penguins in April 2008

During the 2004–2005 NHL lockout, Laraque played in Sweden for AIK. The next season with the Oilers, on November 23, 2005, Laraque defeated the very large player Derek Boogaard in a game. In 2006, Laraque was a free agent and wanted to stay with the Oilers. He even offered to take less money if they gave him a long-term contract with a "no-trade clause." This meant the team could not trade him without his permission. The Oilers did not agree, so he signed with the Phoenix Coyotes on July 5, 2006. He scored his first goal as a Coyote against Edmonton. Laraque was then traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2007–08 season. His former junior coach, Michel Therrien, who was then the Penguins coach, wanted Laraque to protect young star players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Laraque pictured during his time as a member of the Montreal Canadiens

On July 3, 2008, Laraque signed with the Montreal Canadiens. He chose to wear number 17 instead of his usual 27. The Canadiens wanted Laraque to add toughness to their team. On November 21, 2009, Laraque was suspended for 5 games after a knee-to-knee hit on Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall. On December 12, 2009, Laraque had his final fight against Eric Boulton of the Atlanta Thrashers. The Montreal Canadiens released Laraque on January 21, 2010, and bought out his contract. He had been dealing with back injuries, so he announced his retirement from professional hockey. After being released, Laraque helped his family's home country of Haiti. He raised money to rebuild the Grace Children's Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after the 2010 earthquake.

While playing with the Oilers, Laraque was famous for his "Laraque Leap." He would jump and hit his body against the glass after the Oilers scored a goal.

Laraque briefly came out of retirement on January 16, 2015. He played two games for Lokomotiv Fana in Norway before retiring again. He also helped coach the Haiti street and ball hockey national team in 2015.

Political Career

On February 13, 2010, Laraque joined the Green Party of Canada. On July 31, 2010, he was named one of the party's Deputy Leaders. On July 9, 2013, he announced he would run for election in the area of Bourassa. However, on October 17, 2013, Laraque resigned from his roles with the Green Party.

Personal Life

Georges Laraque's parents were both born in Haiti and moved to Canada. He was born in Montreal, Quebec. During his NHL career, people called him "Big Georges" or "BGL." His brother, Jules-Edy Laraque, also played hockey. His cousin, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, played in the NHL and in Europe. Laraque has twins who play minor hockey in Edmonton. His daughter, Milayna, plays in the Alberta Female Hockey League, and his son, Marcus, plays in the Junior Prospects Hockey League.

In the off-season, Laraque lives in Edmonton, which he considers his second home. He often hosts a sports radio show there. Laraque spends a lot of time doing charity work to help people in Edmonton, Pittsburgh, and Haiti.

On August 10, 2018, Laraque took part in a celebrity event during Montreal Pride. He performed and won the competition, donating the prize money to local LGBTQ+ organizations.

On April 30, 2020, Laraque, who has asthma, was hospitalized for COVID-19 in Longueuil, Quebec.

Laraque is a strong supporter of veganism.

Business and Other Activities

Laraque became a vegan in 2009 to protest animal treatment in the meat industry. He has invested in vegan restaurants.

On May 21, 2010, Laraque appeared on a TV show with mixed martial arts champion Georges St-Pierre. They did grappling for takedowns. In the same year, Laraque competed in Season 2 of the TV show Battle of the Blades. This show pairs hockey players with figure skaters. He was paired with Olympic skater Anabelle Langlois. Laraque said that figure skating is much harder than hockey. He even got his first stitches from a fall during the show.

In 2011, Laraque took part in the Canada Reads literary competition. He defended the book The Bone Cage.

Laraque appeared in the 2011 movie Goon as a hockey enforcer.

On November 8, 2011, Laraque published his autobiography called Georges Laraque: The Story of the NHL's Unlikeliest Tough Guy.

On November 17, 2014, Laraque challenged a Quebec women's cycling champion, Lex Albrecht, to a bike race up Mount Royal. Laraque lost the race and needed medical attention afterward.

On October 15, 2016, Laraque co-founded Mentorum, a health and fitness company.

In November 2020, Laraque mentioned that a charity fight with Mike Tyson was almost arranged.

Laraque now hosts a radio show on BPM Sports. He also owns several health and fitness businesses, including a vegan restaurant in Montreal.

Laraque receives a Community Service Award in April 2008.

Achievements

Awards

• Edward J. Debartolo Community Service Award – 2008

Career Statistics

See Also

• List of Montreal athletes
• List of famous Montrealers
• List of black NHL players
• List of Pittsburgh Penguins players