Georges Laraque had a successful 13 year career in the NHL playing with the Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penquins and the Montreal Canadians. He was known as “The Rock”, acting primarily as an enforcer and feels fortunate to have made two Stanley Cup Final appearances.
Growing up George faced racism and bullying to the extent that he almost abandoned the dream he cherished, to some day play in the NHL. It’s after reading Jackie Robinson’s biography, the first black major league baseball player, that Georges rolled up his sleeves and discovered the strength to believe in his dream.
In his best-selling biography, The Story of The NHL’s Unlikeliest Tough Guy, goes well beyond the stereotype of the tough guy. It is the story of a true humanitarian, an engaged citizen not only in his immediate community, but on the global stage as well. The son of Haitian immigrants, Georges has campaigned for World Vision to help with Haitian relief and the rebuilding of the Grace Children’s Hospital in Port-au-Prince.
Known as a player who was unfailingly respectful and gentlemanly even when he was going toe to toe with the toughest guys in the toughest league in the world, he now takes that courageous sense of what is fair into fights that are much more important than the outcome of a hockey game, today, he is involved in many charities.