About Me
Born in Montreal, it was natural for Laraque to enter the QMJHL, where he played for a variety of teams, generally as a power forward. In 173 games at the junior level, Laraque stockpiled 107 points and an even more impressive 661 penalty minutes. Georges was a member of the 1996 Granby Prédateurs team which won the Memorial Cup.After finishing junior, Laraque spent parts of three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs.Despite concerns about his skating, Laraque showed enough at the AHL-level for Edmonton to bring him to the NHL. Although he was something of a power forward in junior, Laraque is considered primarily as an enforcer at the NHL level. His 6'3" frame and his habit of fighting made him one of the most feared forwards in the league (in terms of checking and fighting). He was unanimously awarded the 'Best Fighter' award from The Hockey News in 2003.During the NHL lockout, he played in Sweden, signing on with AIK Stockholm. In the 2006 off season Laraque was up for free agency and wanted to stay in Edmonton and play. He even said he was willing to take a salary cut if the Oilers accepted on giving him a long-term, no trade clause deal. However, such a contract was not signed. On July 5th, 2006, Georges signed with the Phoenix Coyotes. He scored his first goal as a Phoenix Coyote against Edmonton on October 26, 2006. Despite playing in Phoenix, Arizona, Georges says he will keep his home in Edmonton and wants to continue to have strong ties with the city. Now Georges Laraque is with Pittsburgh Penguins.In june 2008, He sign with the Montreal Canadiens. Myspace Layouts
