Michel "Bunny" Larocque (April 6, 1952 – July 29, 1992) was a Canadian professional athlete who played ice hockey as a goaltender. He spent the prime of his career in the National Hockey League, most notably as part of the Montreal Canadiens organization and later with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues.

Playing career

Larocque came to prominence in the 1970s as a dependable team goaltender. He earned the nickname "Bunny" and was widely regarded for his steadiness in net, calm presence on the bench and ability to step into high-pressure games. While he often served in a backup role to established starters, he also logged significant minutes as a starting netminder during stretches when teams faced injuries or heavy schedules.

Style and role

Larocque was known for a pragmatic, positionally sound approach rather than flash. He read plays well, managed rebounds conservatively and communicated with his defense to limit odd-man chances. Such attributes made him a valued backup on teams that competed for championships, where reliability in limited appearances is especially important.

Legacy and later life

Although he never became a perennial star, Larocque's career illustrates the importance of depth goaltending in professional hockey. He played through the 1970s and into the 1980s, contributing to several strong clubs and earning respect from teammates and opponents alike. Larocque died in 1992 at age 40; he is remembered for his role in a notable era of Canadiens history and for a solid NHL career that spanned multiple franchises.

  1. Full name and nickname: Michel "Bunny" Larocque.
  2. Position: goaltender in the NHL.
  3. Teams: Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues.
  4. Reputation: reliable backup and occasional starter during the 1970s–1980s.

For further reading on the teams and league context in which Larocque played, see overview pages for the Canadiens, the Maple Leafs, and historical summaries of the NHL.