| Luc Robitaille | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hockey Hall of Fame, 2009 | |||
 Robitaille with theLos Angeles Kings in 2005 | |||
| Born | (1966-02-17)February 17, 1966 (age 59) Montreal, Quebec, Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Los Angeles Kings Pittsburgh Penguins New York Rangers Detroit Red Wings | ||
| National team |  Canada | ||
| NHL draft | 171st overall,1984 Los Angeles Kings | ||
| Playing career | 1986–2006 | ||
Luc Jean-Marie Robitaille[1][2] (born February 17, 1966) is a Canadian-American professionalice hockey executive and former player who serves as president of theLos Angeles Kings of theNational Hockey League (NHL).
During his 19-season NHL career, Robitaille won theStanley Cup in2001–02 with theDetroit Red Wings, and played for thePittsburgh Penguins andNew York Rangers, but is most known for his 14 seasons (over three different stints) with the Los Angeles Kings.[3] He served as the Kings'team captain during the1992–93 season (whileWayne Gretzky was injured) and for the final two games of the2005–06 season. Robitaille retired after the 2005–06 season as the highest-scoringleft winger in NHL history and the holder of several Kings franchise records,[4] along with numerous Kings playoff records.[5] In 2017, Robitaille was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.[6]
Robitaille was drafted by theLos Angeles Kings in the ninth round, 171st overall, of the1984 NHL Entry Draft. Many hockey experts expected Robitaille to be drafted late in the draft due to his poor skating ability.[7] Robitaille himself has stated he had only had contact with one NHL team during his junior career, the Kings. He happened to be attending the 1984 draft (in the stands) and later introduced himself to first-year Kings general managerRogie Vachon.
Robitaille and former teammateDave Taylor are the lowest NHL draft picks to have recorded 1,000 career points. During the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, the Kings drafted futureBaseball Hall-of-FamerTom Glavine in the fourth round, over 100 spots before Robitaille.
Robitaille playedjunior hockey for theHull Olympiques of theQuebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In three seasons with the Olympiques from1983 to1986, Robitaille amassed 155goals and 269assists for 424 points in only 197 games,[3] including winning theCHL Player of the Year with 191 points in 1985–86. In his honour, the QMJHL later created theLuc Robitaille Trophy, awarded to the team which scores the most goals each season.
Robitaille's first NHL season was in1986–87, where he helped the Kings qualify for the1987 Stanley Cup playoffs despite a 31–41–8 record.[8] He scored 45 goals and had 39assists in 79 games,[3] edging outPhiladelphia Flyers goaltenderRon Hextall for theCalder Memorial Trophy for the NHL's top rookie,[9] the only Los Angeles player to ever win the award.[10] He also earned a spot on thesecond All-Star team.[10]
Robitaille scored more than 40 goals in each of his first eight seasons, including three 50 or more goal seasons, with a career-high 63 in1992–93.[3] That year, Robitaille set NHL records for most goals and points (125) in a season by a left winger.[11] Robitaille's 63-goal record amongst left wingers was eclipsed byAlexander Ovechkin during the2007–08 season, although Robitaille still holds the record for most points in a season by a left winger. With captain and superstarWayne Gretzky sidelined by injury for much of1992–93, Robitaille assumed the captaincy and led the team in scoring, playing a key role in helping his struggling team to make theplayoffs. In1993, the Kings reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.[12][13] However, they lost to theMontreal Canadiens in five games.[13] Robitaille had 9 goals and 13 assists in 24 playoff games.[3]
During the1993–94 season, Robitaille's scoring totals remained respectable but considerably lower than his previous seasons, while Gretzky had returned from injury to win the NHL scoring title. The Kings failed to make the1994 playoffs.
On July 29, 1994, Robitaille was traded to thePittsburgh Penguins in exchange forRick Tocchet and the Penguins' second-round pick in the1995 NHL Entry Draft (used to selectPavel Rosa).[14] With Pittsburgh, Robitaille set then-career lows in goals and assists during the lockout-shortened1994–95 season.[3]
After one season, Robitaille was traded to theNew York Rangers (alongsideUlf Samuelsson) in exchange forPetr Nedvěd andSergei Zubov.[15] Robitaille had below-average numbers in two seasons with the Rangers, and for the first time in his career, had morepenalty minutes (80) than points (69) in1995–96.[3]
On August 28, 1997, in new general managerDave Taylor's first move, the Kings re-acquired Robitaille from the Rangers in exchange forKevin Stevens.[16]
Robitaille struggled in his first season back in Los Angeles, scoring only 16 goals in an injury-shortened1997–98 season.[3] However, in the 1998–99 season, Robitaille returned to his All-Star form, scoring no fewer than 36 goals and had the best stats of his career after his first stint with the Kings during those three seasons.[3] On January 7, 1999, he scored his 500th career goal in a 4–2 victory at theGreat Western Forum against theBuffalo Sabres.[5][17]
During the2000–01 season, Robitaille scored 37 goals and 88 points. In the2000–01 playoffs, Robitaille helped the seventh-seeded Kings to a first-round upset of theDetroit Red Wings, and his team took the eventual Stanley Cup championColorado Avalanche to seven games in the conference semifinals. Robitaille was named a second team all-star, his first post-season team honour since 1993. Robitaille turned down a one-year deal with a substantial pay cut by Kings GM Dave Taylor.
Robitaille signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the Red Wings beginning in the 2001–02 season, accepting less compensation than what other teams offered because the Red Wings represented his best chance at winning theStanley Cup, particularly after their recent acquisition of goaltenderDominik Hašek.
In his first season with the Red Wings, Robitaille scored 30 goals and 50 points,[3] helping them win thePresidents' Trophy, awarded to the team with the best regular season record.[18] Due to the tremendous depth of scorers among Detroit's roster, Robitaille had less playoff ice time, although he still scored four playoff goals. The Red Wings defeated the Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals in seven games, meaning that Robitaille was going to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in his career. With the Red Wings' 3–1 victory in Game 5 against theCarolina Hurricanes, Robitaille's quest for an elusive Stanley Cup championship finally came to an end. At the direction of Red Wings captainSteve Yzerman, all of the teammates who had never previously won the Cup would hoist it after Yzerman, with Robitaille being the third Red Wing to skate the Cup aroundJoe Louis Arena, after Yzerman and Hašek.
Robitaille then had the lowest goal total in his career in2002–03, due partially to limited ice time, and the Red Wings were upset in the first round of the playoffs by theMighty Ducks of Anaheim in a four-game sweep.
Robitaille returned to Kings as a free agent for the2003–04 season.[3] Although his scoring totals (22 goals and 29 assists) were below his previous levels as a King, he did lead the team in both goals and points, and the Kings stayed in playoff contention until a shocking 11-game losing streak to finish the season. On March 9, 2004, Robitaille scored the 650th goal of his professional career in a 3–2 victory over thePhoenix Coyotes atStaples Center.[5][19] He played his 1,000th game as a King a few days later, on March 13, 2004, in a 3–1 loss to theSan Jose Sharks atHP Pavilion at San Jose.[5][19]
On January 19, 2006, during a game against theAtlanta Thrashers, Robitaille scored a hat-trick, tying and passingMarcel Dionne's then-franchise record of 550 goals.[20] His record-breaking goal was met with several minutes of standing ovations and a video-congratulation reel on the scoreboard. On April 10, the Kings announced Robitaille's intention to retire at the conclusion of the2005–06 NHL season. Robitaille officially confirmed this the next day in a press conference held at theToyota Sports Center inEl Segundo,California.[citation needed] Robitaille's final goal and point was scored in typical Luc Robitaille fashion: one-timing a pass fromJeremy Roenick while at the centre of the right wing face-off circle past goaltenderCurtis Joseph during a power play in a March 14, 2006, 6–2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.
Robitaille played his final NHL home game as a Los Angeles King against theCalgary Flames on April 15, 2006. He also wore the captain's "C" that normally belonged to defencemanMattias Norström. Although he was held without a point in the game, he logged 18:37 of ice time and had four shots on goal.[21] He was also the second shooter in the shootout, but his shot towards the upper-right corner of the net was stopped by the glove of goaltenderMiikka Kiprusoff, despite being given an openfive hole.[21][22] The Kings ultimately won the game 2–1 off of a shootout goal byPavol Demitra and three shootout saves by Kings goaltenderJason LaBarbera. The Kings held a curtain call for Robitaille after the game, where he was given a standing ovation by the sell-out crowd of 18,118 fans in attendance. After chants of his name died down, he gave a short speech and did one final lap of the rink at Staples Center.
Robitaille finished his playing career on April 17, 2006, at the HP Pavilion in a game against the San Jose Sharks. The Kings won 4–0.[23] He received applause and chants of "Luuuc, Luuuc!" throughout the night by the 17,496 fans in attendance, as well as good wishes from many of the opposing players of the Sharks. After the game ended, the Kings players came out and gathered around him first, rather than the traditional congratulation of the goaltender. The Sharks players also came onto the ice to shake hands with Robitaille before they headed off into their locker room.[citation needed]
At the end of his career, Robitaille had made eight NHL All-Star teams,[citation needed] set the NHL record for goals by a left winger (with 668) and points (with 1,394),[citation needed] as well the Kings' franchise record for goals, with 577,[24] finished second to Dave Taylor in games played,[24] fourth (behind Marcel Dionne, Wayne Gretzky and Taylor) in assists with 726,[24] second behindJohn Bucyk's NHL record for assists by a left winger (813),[citation needed] and second to Dionne in points, with 1,154.[24] Robitaille also became the second player in NHL history to record 1,000 points after being drafted as low as the ninth round.[citation needed]
The Kings honored his playing career by retiring his number during apre-game ceremony on January 20, 2007. Robitaille's number 20 hangs in the rafters of Crypto.com arena alongside those ofRogatien Vachon, Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor, Wayne Gretzky,Rob Blake, and Dustin Brown.[citation needed]
On June 23, 2009, it was announced Robitaille would be inducted into theHockey Hall of Fame. He was honored during the November 6–9 induction weekend alongside his former Detroit Red Wing teammates Steve Yzerman andBrett Hull and former Ranger teammateBrian Leetch.[25]
Robitaille has won three Stanley Cup championships, in 2002 as the member of the Detroit Red Wings, and in 2012 and 2014 as president of operations with the Los Angeles Kings.[citation needed]
On March 7, 2015, the Kings organization unveiled a bronze statue of Robitaille outside of the Staples Center honouring his accomplishments as an NHL player and as a member of the Kings. The statue is located near the main entrance to the arena, next to the statue honoring former King and teammate Wayne Gretzky.[citation needed]
On July 6, 2006, Robitaille was named president of theOmaha Lancers of theUnited States Hockey League (USHL).[26]
Robitaille has participated in three international tournaments forCanada:
The gold medal at the 1994 world championship was Canada's first title in 33 years. Going unbeaten through the tournament, Canada faced Finland in the final. Finland took the lead, but Canada courtesy ofRod Brind'Amour tied the game. Ten minutes of overtime solved nothing, and the game went into a shoot out. In the first five shots, Robitaille andJoe Sakic scored for Canada, butJari Kurri andMikko Mäkelä responded for the Finns, meaning the game moved to a sudden-victory shootout. Robitaille was up first for Canada and, despite losing the puck on his approach, was able to beatJarmo Myllys to put the pressure on the Finns.Bill Ranford made the save, and Canada was once again world champion. "I'm not sure I've ever jumped so high in my life," Robitaille said later of his reaction after Ranford's final save. "It was just such a relief, and the celebration was something I will never forget."[27]
Robitaille was named the Kings' president of business operations on May 25, 2007.[28] He also serves as the team's alternate governor. On April 10, 2017, Robitaille was named president of the Kings.[29]
Since joining the Kings in a management role, the team has won two Stanley Cups, in 2011–12 and 2013–14.
Robitaille and his wife Stacia co-founded the non-profit charity Shelter for Serenity in 2005 to help families displaced byHurricane Katrina, and has extended to needy children in the Los Angeles community as Echoes of Hope.[5][30]
Robitaille made an appearance on theFOX TV seriesBones in the season 4 episode "Fire in the Ice". He appears as himself in an hallucination had by lead characterSeeley Booth (portrayed byDavid Boreanaz, a passionate hockey fan[31]), when Booth is knocked out while playing in a recreational hockey game.
Robitaille also appeared in the movieSudden Death. The directors used this to their advantage, sending Robitaille in on a breakaway to tie the game as time expired.[32]
In Canada, Robitaille appeared alongsideNew Jersey Devils goaltenderMartin Brodeur in aDelissio frozen pizza commercial, where the two watch footage of Robitaille's many goals against Brodeur while sharing a pizza.
Robitaille made a cameo appearance as himself in the 1994 movie,D2: The Mighty Ducks,[33] and voiced himself in thePhineas and Ferb episode "For Your Ice Only".
He also made a cameo appearance as himself in the15th episode of theeighth season of theCBS sitcomHow I Met Your Mother. He is featured, among other Canadian celebrities, inUnderneath the Tunes, a parody ofVH1'sBehind the Music.
Robitaille is married to Stacia (née Toten, formerly McQueen). They have a son born on June 2, 1995.[34] Robitaille's stepson from his wife's first marriage,Steven, is grandson of actorSteve McQueen and is an actor in the TV seriesThe Vampire Diaries.[35]
Robitaille became an American citizen in 2005 and first registered to vote in 2008.[36]
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1982–83 | Bourassa Angevins | QMAAA | 48 | 36 | 57 | 93 | 28 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 13 | 14 | ||
| 1983–84 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | 70 | 32 | 53 | 85 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | 64 | 55 | 93 | 148 | 115 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 27 | ||
| 1985–86 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | 63 | 68 | 123 | 191 | 93 | 15 | 17 | 27 | 44 | 28 | ||
| 1986–87 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 79 | 45 | 39 | 84 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1987–88 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 53 | 58 | 111 | 82 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 18 | ||
| 1988–89 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 78 | 46 | 52 | 98 | 65 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 10 | ||
| 1989–90 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 52 | 49 | 101 | 38 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 12 | ||
| 1990–91 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 76 | 45 | 46 | 91 | 68 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 22 | ||
| 1991–92 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 44 | 63 | 107 | 95 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | ||
| 1992–93 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 84 | 63 | 62 | 125 | 100 | 24 | 9 | 13 | 22 | 28 | ||
| 1993–94 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 83 | 44 | 42 | 86 | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 46 | 23 | 19 | 42 | 37 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 26 | ||
| 1995–96 | New York Rangers | NHL | 77 | 23 | 46 | 69 | 80 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 1996–97 | New York Rangers | NHL | 69 | 24 | 24 | 48 | 48 | 15 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 4 | ||
| 1997–98 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 57 | 16 | 24 | 40 | 66 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 1998–99 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 82 | 39 | 35 | 74 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 71 | 36 | 38 | 74 | 68 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2000–01 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 82 | 37 | 51 | 88 | 66 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 10 | ||
| 2001–02 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 81 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 38 | 23 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 10 | ||
| 2002–03 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 81 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 50 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 22 | 29 | 51 | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 65 | 15 | 9 | 24 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 1,431 | 668 | 726 | 1,394 | 1,177 | 159 | 58 | 69 | 127 | 174 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | WJC | 7 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | |
| 1991 | Canada | CC | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | |
| 1994 | Canada | WC | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 | |
| Junior totals | 7 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | |||
| Senior totals | 16 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 12 | |||
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)| Preceded by | CHL Player of the Year 1986 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Calder Memorial Trophy winner 1987 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Los Angeles Kings captain 1992–1993 | Succeeded by Wayne Gretzky |