Pierre Lacroix

In 1975, Lacroix began his career with the Quebec Ramparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He played five seasons (1975-79) in the league, two with the Ramparts and three with the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs, during which time he also played in three Memorial Cups (1976, 1977 & 1979). At the end of his last season, he received the CCM Trophy for the best junior player in Canada.

In August 1979, Lacroix was drafted to the Quebec Nordiques of the NHL. Before his fourth season began in 1982-83 with the Nordiques he was sent down to the minors, the Fredericton Express (AHL). During that same season, Lacroix was brought back up to the NHL and played 13 games with the Nordiques before being traded to the Hartford Whalers on December 3, 1982. Unknowingly, Lacroix played with his last NHL team in 1982-83 with the Hartford Whalers.

Following the 1982-83 season, Lacroix was in a serious car accident that caused him to need surgery to repair a perforated aorta. Because his injuries were so severe, Lacroix had to sit out the entire 1983-84 season. He studied Insurance during his recovery.

Although he wanted to come back to the NHL in 1984-85 he never returned. Instead, he went on to play in Switzerland for the EHC Arosa in 1985-86. In the 1986-87 season he went on to play in France for the Paris Francais Volants. Following one season in France Lacroix played two seasons (1987-1989) in Switzerland for the HC Fribourg-Gotteron. At the end of the 1989 season he returned to France where he played three seasons, one with CS Villard-de-Lans, one with ASG Tours and a last season with OHC Viry-Essone.

After he retired from playing, Lacroix returned to the game during the 1992 season as a coach for the OHC Viry-Essone in France. On May 24, 1994 Lacroix was named as the General Manager of the Quebec Nordiques. He made the move with the team to Colorado and is still with the team today as the GM and President. Since his inception the franchise has made it to the Conference quarter finals twice (1994-95 & 1997-98), the Conference finals three times (1996-97, 1998-99 & 1999-2000), and won the Stanley Cup twice (1995-96 & 2000-01).