1975-76 O-Pee-Chee 305 Pierre Larouche Hockey Card (Front)
1975-76 O-Pee-Chee 305 Pierre Larouche Hockey Card (Back)
1975-76 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
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Card Notes
Pittsburgh’s candidate for rookie of the year honors last season. Scored five power play goals and had four game-winning goals. Speedy center with top play-making skills. Was second team All-Star choice in junior play.
En Français
Le candidat de Pittsburgh comme recrue de l’année en 1974-75. Pierre produisit cinq buts sur des jeux de puissance et quatre buts gagnants. Un centre rapide qui sait préparer le jeu.
Details
Pierre Larouche finished second in Calder Trophy voting in 1974-75 with Eric Vail of the Atlanta Flames taking home the prize for NHL rookie of the year. Also in the running were Danny Gare, Bob Hess and Ron Greschner.
Three of his 31 goals in his rookie season came on the night of March 12, 1975 against the Boston Bruins at home at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. The Penguins won the game 5-3 and Larouche recorded his first career hat trick in the NHL. Ron Stackhouse from the Pens blue line put in three assists. All goals were scored on Boston goalie Gilles Gilbert.
1975-76 would turn out to be a career year for Pierre. He scored 53 goals and assisted on 58 for 111 points. He finished third in the NHL for goal scoring, eight behind leader Reggie Leach. His point total placed him fifth in the race for the Art Ross Trophy, 14 behind leader Guy Lafleur.
How Larouche was just a Second Team All-Star in 1973-74 with the Sorel Eperviers is surprising. He scored 94 goals and assisted on 157 for 251 points in just 67 games. His assist total still stands today as a league record while his point total has only been surpassed by Mario Lemieux. Gary MacGregor of the Cornwall Royals was the First Team All-Star at centre. MacGregor did put up a 100 goal season so the selection was deserved.
Between 1974-75 and 1987-88, Pierre Larouche appeared in 812 regular season and 64 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Hartford Whalers and New York Rangers. He would have one more 50 goal season, scoring exactly 50 with the Habs in 1979-80.