A Michel-Larocque street demanded in Gatineau

His name is engraved in multiple places on the Stanley Cup. But in his hometown of Gatineau, goalie Michel “Bunny” Larocque seems to have been forgotten in public space.

No park, sports building or street bears the name of the former Montreal Canadiens player.

It’s sadlaments Pierre Alarie, a citizen who decided to take charge of the situation.

He appeared before the Gatineau municipal council last summer to ask that the memory of the father, who died of virulent cancer at the age of 40 in 1992, be finally immortalized by the City.

It’s simple. The man has won the Stanley Cup four times. He comes from Hull. He was raised on the corner of Crémazie and Montcalm streetshe emphasizes, he who grew up idolizing Mr. Larocque.

Mr. Alarie did not consult the family before contacting the City of Gatineau. His approach is, however, well received by the widow of the former cerberus, Hélène Legris.

She claims to have already tried several times to convince elected officials and civil servants to designate a street or place in honor of their deceased spouse. Each time, she was faced with a dead end.

This never happened, either because we changed mayors or because we changed councilorsdeplores Ms. Legris.

Michel Larocque had a great career in front of the net. First in the junior ranks with the Ottawa 67’s then 11 years in the National Hockey League with the Canadiens then the Maple Leafs from Toronto, Flyers of Philadelphia and the Blues from St. Louis.

The Vezina Trophy, which at the time recognized the goaltenders of the team that allowed the fewest goals, was awarded to him four times. An honor he shared three times with his teammate at the time, Ken Dryden.

Team Canada also chose him as one of four goaltenders for the Century Series in 1972. He did not have the opportunity to play games.

It was an incredible experience for him. He had been able to train with the greatest attackers in Canadaunderlines Hélène Legris, showing the coat in the colors of Canada that Michel Larocque wore at the time.

But in his eyes, the man also left his mark on the community. A fast-pitch tournament bearing his name was presented for eight summers during his time with the Habs, even attracting American teams to Hull.

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After putting away his pads, Mr. Larocque was a teacher at Grande-Rivière high school in addition to working with minor hockey and minor baseball in Aylmer. He was also general manager of the Victoriaville Tigres for a season, then vice-president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League until his death.

During his eight years after his retirement, he was very involved with young people hereargues Ms. Legris.

Michel donated money to the boxing club and the youth center. He wanted to help young people because he too had grown up in a difficult environment.

A privileged link with Robert Guertin

Mr. Larocque also has a privileged link with a builder of the sports scene in the former city of Hull. At the age of 12, he received his first pair of skates from councilor Robert Guertin.

The latter wanted to thank him at the time for his community involvement.

Michel was named volunteer of the year because he always went to clear the outdoor rinks in his parishrelates Hélène Legris.

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Only three years after receiving that first pair of skates, Bunny Larocque made his debut with the 67’s. He quickly made a name for himself in opposing arenas where fans made fun of the nickname he had inherited from his mother.

People threw carrots on the ice in front of his net […] Michel picked them up and pretended to eat oneremembers Ms. Legris with a laugh.

She is delighted that the City of Gatineau now seems to have an appetite for the most recent request to honor the memory of the former goalkeeper, more than three decades after his death.

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The Lac-Beauchamp district councilor, Denis Girouard, clearly demonstrated his support for a man he knew. He had received Michel Larocque a few times on the set of his community TV show.

He’s a local guy who was so generous. This is what I remember about himhe said.

He’s a guy you can’t forget. We must honor him. Something must be done.

His colleague on the municipal council, Gilles Chagnon, points out that the name of Michel Larocque is already in the toponymy bank of the City of Gatineau. It remains to find a suitable location, he continues.

At the same time, the elected representative of the Aylmer sector recalls that the Toponymy Commission, of which he is president, is working on a project with a sporting theme for a future district to the west of the road Clock. Streets would then be named after former athletes, coaches, builders and volunteers.

This is when there will probably be a place for Mr. Larocquesays Gilles Chagnon.