1975-76 O-Pee-Chee 152 Ron Lalonde Hockey Card (Front)
Washington Capitals: Team History
A look back at the history of the Washington Capitals — from expansion years to modern success.
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Card Notes
Washington’s third leading scorer last season. Also third on the club with four power play goals. Served as captain for his junior team in 1971-72 season.
En Français
Troisième meilleur compteur de Washington la saison dernière; troisième du club pour les buts durant des jeux de puissance avec quatre. Capitaine de son équipe junior durant la saison 1971-72.
Details
Ron Lalonde started the 1974-75 NHL season with the Pittsburgh Penguins but was traded to the Washington Capitals on December 15, 1974 for Lew Morrison. With the Penguins, Lalonde contributed just three assists over 24 games. With the Caps, he scored 12 and assisted on 14 for 26 points over 50 games.
A bit of an error, these numbers did not rank him in the top three for the Capitals. His 12 goals placed him fourth behind Tommy Williams, Denis Dupere and Mike Marson. However, Dupere finished the season with the St. Louis Blues so that may have caused the confusion. In the points department, his 26 ranked him tied for fifth with Mike Bloom.
Lalonde’s four power play goals ranked him tied for fourth on the team with Ron Anderson. Dupere led with eight. Ron also added a shorthanded goal and his lone NHL hat trick. The shortie was scored on December 20, 1974 in a 5-2 road loss to the California Golden Seals. He scored at 10:33 of the second with Yvon Labre in the box. It was the second shorthanded goal scored by the Capitals during that same penalty kill.
His lone NHL hat trick was scored on March 30, 1975 at home in an 8-5 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. All three were scored on Detroit goalie Terry Richardson and the third put the Caps up 5-2. Unfortunately, the Red Wings scored six unanswered, starting just 31 seconds after Lalonde’s third goal. Marcel Dionne had four points for the Wings in the match.
Yes, Ron Lalonde was captain of his junior team in 1971-72. He led the Peterborough Petes to a league championship before narrowly missing out on the Memorial Cup title with a 2-1 loss to the Cornwall Royals in the final. The Penguins drafted him after the conclusion of that season in the fourth round of the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft.
Between 1972-73 and 1978-79, Ron Lalonde played 397 regular season games in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. He never had the chance to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
NHL Hockey Trivia: 1974–75 Washington Capitals
1. The 1974–75 season marked the Washington Capitals’ inaugural NHL campaign. What was their final regular-season record?
2. Who was the head coach of the Washington Capitals during their inaugural 1974–75 season?
3. The Capitals recorded their first-ever NHL victory on October 17, 1974. Which team did they defeat?
4. During the 1974–75 season, the Capitals played their home games at which arena?
5. The 1974–75 Capitals’ season is often cited for holding which unfortunate NHL distinction?