Bobby Rousseau

Bobby Rousseau
Rousseau with the Montreal Canadiens, c. 1963
Born (1940-07-26)July 26, 1940
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died December 13, 2025(2025-12-13) (aged 85)
Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 178 lb (81 kg; 12 st 10 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Montreal Canadiens
Minnesota North Stars
New York Rangers
National team  Canada
Playing career 1958–1975

Joseph Jean-Paul Robert Rousseau (July 26, 1940 – December 13, 2025) was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1960 to 1974, most notably for the Montreal Canadiens. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1962 as NHL Rookie of the Year and won the Stanley Cup four times (1965, 1966, 1968, 1969), all with the Canadiens. Prior to turning professional Rousseau played at the 1960 Winter Olympics with the Canadian national team, winning a silver medal.

Early life

Joseph Jean-Paul Robert Rousseau was born in Montreal, Canada on July 26, 1940.[1] He grew up with thirteen siblings, mostly sisters.[2]

Playing career

Early career

Rousseau started his career with the St. Jean Braves of the Quebec Junior Hockey League in 1955–56 where he led the league in scoring with 53 goals and 85 points in 44 games. The next season, Rousseau moved on with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens in the Ontario Hockey Association. Hull-Ottawa reached the 1957 Memorial Cup final against the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters losing game seven 3–2.[3] The Canadiens returned to the Memorial Cup in 1957–58 defeating the Regina Pats in six games.[4]

Olympic medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Canada
Silver medal – second place1960 Squaw ValleyIce hockey

In 1960, Rousseau was loaned to the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen, the team that represented Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley.[5] Canada finished with a silver medal, while the USA won gold and the Soviets bronze. Rousseau scored 5 goals, 4 of which came in a 19–1 victory over Japan, and 9 points in 7 games during Canada's Olympic run.[6]

NHL career

In 1960–61, Rousseau earned his first chance in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens. Rousseau played in 15 games earning three points. During his first full NHL season in 1961–62, he scored 21 goals and 24 assists and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL that year.[7] Rousseau had a less productive season in 1962–63 as he scored 37 points. In 1963–64, Rousseau scored 25 goals and 56 points. Rousseau also had a five-goal game against the Detroit Red Wings on February 1, 1964.[8] The Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1964–65 against the Chicago Black Hawks. The series went to seven games, which the Canadiens won, giving Rousseau the Stanley Cup for the first time. Rousseau was also invited to the 1965 All-Star Game. During the 1965-66 NHL season, Rousseau's 78 points tied him with Stan Mikita for second overall in the scoring race.[9] His hard work earned him a spot on the NHL Second All-Star Team that season. Rousseau helped the Canadiens defend their Stanley Cup title as they beat the Detroit Red Wings in six games. The Canadiens returned to the Final for a third straight time in 1966–67 but lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games. However, Rousseau and the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup the following two seasons.[10]

After the 1969–70 season, his ninth with the Canadiens, during which he scored 24 goals, Rousseau was traded to the Minnesota North Stars where he spent the 1970–71 season. He was then traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for right winger Bob Nevin and helped the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup Final in 1971–72 which the Rangers lost in six games to the Boston Bruins, with Rousseau amassing 17 points during the playoff run. Rousseau played eigh games in 1974–75 but stopped in December 1974 to have spinal fusion surgery; the operation led to him retiring in August 1975.[11]

Personal life and death

Rousseau was the brother of NHL players Rollie and Guy Rousseau. He was married to Huguette.[12] They had three children, a daughter and two sons.[13] Later in life, Rousseau began suffering from Alzheimer's disease.[2] He died at a hospital in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, on December 13, 2025, at the age of 85.[14][11]

Awards and achievements

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Source:[21]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1955–56 St. Jean Braves QJHL 4453328525 —————
1956–57 Hull-Ottawa Canadiens OHA 287152218 —————
1956–57 Hull-Ottawa Canadiens EOHL 154262 —————
1956–57 Hull-Ottawa Canadiens M-Cup ————— 874118
1957–58 Hull-Ottawa Canadiens OHA 2724275164 —————
1957–58 Hull-Ottawa Canadiens EOHL 3626265214 —————
1957–58 Hull-Ottawa Canadiens M-Cup ————— 13717246
1958–59 Hull-Ottawa Canadiens EOHL 187182526 31122
1958–59 Hull-Ottawa Canadiens M-Cup ————— 926819
1958–59 Rochester Americans AHL 20000 —————
1959–60 Hull-Ottawa Canadiens EPHL 44264 —————
1959–60 Brockville Jr. Canadiens M-Cup ————— 131492314
1960–61 Montreal Canadiens NHL 151234 —————
1960–61 Hull-Ottawa Canadiens EPHL 3834266018 141271910
1961–62 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7021244526 60220
1962–63 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6219183715 50112
1963–64 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7025315632 71122
1964–65 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6612354726 13581324
1965–66 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7030487820 104486
1966–67 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6819446358 101784
1967–68 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7419466547 132468
1968–69 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7630407059 143258
1969–70 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7224345830 —————
1970–71 Minnesota North Stars NHL 634202412 122680
1971–72 New York Rangers NHL 7821365712 16611177
1972–73 New York Rangers NHL 788374514 102354
1973–74 New York Rangers NHL 721041514 121894
1974–75 New York Rangers NHL 82240 —————
NHL totals 942245458703359 12827578469

International

Year Team Event GPGAPtsPIM
1960 Canada OLY 75492
Senior totals 75491
Source:[22]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Brown, Morris (March 7, 1972). "Rousseau Makes Ranger Trade Look Good". Saint John Times Global. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Fitz-Gerald, Sean (November 26, 2020). "Canadiens' Bobby Rousseau has a Hockey Hall of Fame resume, so why isn't he in?". The Athletic. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  3. ↑ "The Memorial Cup: A History...1957". Taking Note with Gregg Drinnan. May 26, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  4. ↑ "The Memorial Cup: A History...1958". Taking Note with Gregg Drinnan. May 27, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  5. ↑ Hockey's Glory Days: The 1950s and '60s, Dan Diamond, p.147 Published in Canada by Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2003,ISBN 978-0-7407-3829-6
  6. ↑ "Bobby Rousseau". Legends of Hockey. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Habs great Bobby Rousseau hosts 2nd annual Martlet Basketball Golf Tournament". McGill University Athletics. McGill University. June 23, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Five Goal Games in NHL History". Joe Pelletier. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  9. ↑ Jenish, D'Arcy (2008). The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years of Glory. Toronto: Doubleday Canada. p. 185. ISBN 978-0-385-66324-3.
  10. ↑ Jenish (2008). The Montreal Canadiens. pp. 192–194.
  11. 1 2 Stubbs, Dave (December 13, 2025). "Rousseau dies at 85, 4-time Stanley Cup winner with Canadiens". NHL. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  12. ↑ Cowan, Stu (December 13, 2025). "Bobby Rousseau, who won four Stanley Cups with Canadiens, dead at 85". The Gazette. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  13. ↑ Stubbs, Dave (December 13, 2025). "Rousseau dies at 85, 4-time Stanley Cup winner with Canadiens". NHL. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Montreal Canadiens legend Robert Rousseau passes away at 85". CityNews. December 13, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Hull Players Dominate EPHL All-Star Teams". The Montreal Star. April 4, 1961. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  16. ↑ Bacon, Dick (October 20, 1965). "'Golden Boy' Bobby Hull Will Play All-Star Game". Valley News. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Roster Completed for NHL All-Star Game Wednesday". The Burlington Free-Press. January 14, 1967. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  18. ↑ "ALL-STAR GAME NUMBERS". The Toronto Star. January 21, 1969. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  19. ↑ O'Brien, Andy (December 17, 1966). "Bobby Rosseau". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Canadiens Top Wings". The Standard Times. February 2, 1964. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Bobby Rousseau #22 RW". NHL. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Team Canada – Olympics – Squaw Valley 1960 – Player Stats". QuantHockey. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
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