Ron Lapointe

Ron Lapointe, born on November twelfth, nineteen forty-nine, was a prominent Canadian ice hockey player and coach, known for his significant contributions to the sport. Growing up in Verdun, Quebec, he honed his skills in the junior ice hockey league, specifically the QMJHL, which laid the foundation for his future coaching career.

Lapointe's coaching journey began with the Shawinigan Cataractes, where he served as head coach. His expertise led him to the NHL, where he took on assistant coaching roles with the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals. He also made his mark in the American Hockey League by leading the Fredericton Express.

In the midst of the nineteen eighty-seven to eighty-eight NHL season, Lapointe was appointed as the interim head coach of the Quebec Nordiques. Despite a challenging start to the following season, he faced personal health struggles that ultimately led to his resignation due to a kidney tumor. Following this, he spent two seasons coaching the Milwaukee Admirals before health issues forced him to step down.

Lapointe's legacy continued as he transitioned to a scouting role with the Vancouver Canucks. His total NHL coaching record stands at thirty-three wins, fifty losses, and six ties. Tragically, he passed away at the young age of forty-two on March twenty-third, nineteen ninety-two, after a courageous three-year battle with kidney cancer. In his honor, the Ron Lapointe Trophy was established, awarded annually to the Coach of the Year in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.