Athletes - Pat LaFontaine

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	Athletes - Pat LaFontaine

Pat LaFontaine (born February 22, 1965, in St. Louis, Missouri) was an ice hockey center in the National Hockey League, who played for the New York Islanders (1983–1991), Buffalo Sabres (1991–1997), and New York Rangers (1997–1998).

Junior Hockey

Pat Lafontaine scored 103 goals & 132 assists for 235 points with the Verdun Juniors of the QMJHL in the 1982-83 season, winning the Jean Béliveau Trophy as the top scorer, out-dueling future NHL icon Mario Lemieux. Two of the more prominent records he broke were Guy Lafleur's 40-game point-scoring streak and Mike Bossy's 70 goals by a rookie.

He was awarded the Michel Brière Commemorative Trophy as the MVP of the regular season, the Guy Lafleur Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs, the Michel Bergeron Trophy as the Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Mike Bossy Trophy as the best professional prospect, and the Frank J. Selke Commemorative Trophy as the Most sportsmanlike player. Also in 1982-1983 Pat Lafontaine was chosen Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year.

NHL Career

LaFontaine was selected by the New York Islanders in the 1st round, 3rd pick overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He started his NHL career after representing the US in the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics.

He appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals in only his rookie season, although the Edmonton Oilers won the series and ended the Islanders' reign of 4 straight Stanley Cup Championships. LaFontaine distinguished himself with a strong performance, scoring two third-period goals during the Islanders' 5-2 loss to the Oilers in the fifth and deciding game of the series.

However, his arrival was concurrent with the beginning of the end of the Islanders' dynasty, which was steeped deep in aging veterans. LaFontaine would have a promising career ahead as one of the team's best players, but he was unable to reverse the Islanders' gradual slide.

In the 1987 playoffs, LaFontaine scored a famous goal in the 4th overtime period of the seventh and decisive game between the Islanders and Washington Capitals, known as the "Easter Epic". The game was started on Saturday, April 18 and concluded just before 2 am on the 19th, Easter Sunday. "It was the most memorable moment in my hockey life," he later recalled. "Even today, wherever I go, people come up to me and start telling me where they were during the Easter Epic".

The Islanders continued to struggle, and in 1989 missed the playoffs for the first time since 1974. In the first game of his next series, in 1990, LaFontaine suffered the first of many concussions, after being elbowed in the face by James Patrick of the New York Rangers. He fell on his head, and was unconscious while being taken off the ice on a stretcher. Famously, his ambulance was delayed en route to the hospital by Ranger fans who tried to turn the ambulance over. He was lost for the remainder of the series.

The 1990-91 season was another strong season for LaFontaine, but the Islanders bottomed out, finishing a dismal 25-45-10. LaFontaine, frustrated with his situation on Long Island, turned down a four year, $6 million contract offer and refused to report to the Islanders for the start of the 1991-1992 season. 3 weeks into the season, on October 25, Lafontaine was traded, along with teammate Randy Wood for 4 players, including former first round pick Pierre Turgeon.

LaFontaine exploded offensively in the 1992-93 season with a personal-best and team-record 148 points (53 goals + 95 assists). His linemate, Alexander Mogilny, set a team-record with 76 goals, many assisted by LaFontaine. LaFontaine finished as runner-up to Mario Lemieux in the scoring race and earned a spot on the postseason NHL All-Star Second Team. He was also a finalist for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and the Lady Byng Trophy as most the sportsmanlike player.

During the 1993 playoffs, LaFontaine engineered another great moment: in spite of playing with a damaged knee, as well as having fallen onto the ice, he still managed to set up Brad May's overtime, series-clinching goal against the Boston Bruins.

In the 1994-1995 season he was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.

Humanitarian efforts

LaFontaine is considered to be one of the most classy and graceful players of all-time. However, he will be best remembered for his big heart, and for his longtime involvement off the ice in charitable projects for sick children. While in Buffalo, LaFontaine donated his free time to charity and became a legend. He is considered to be the greatest captain in Sabres history. His dedication to the community was unmatched.

Retirement

The 1996-97 season was the beginning of the end of his career. In a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, LaFontaine was hammered by Francois Leroux with a high hit to the head, knocking him out with a concussion. This hit caused a condition called Post-concussion syndrome. He was determined to return, even though the doctors advised him not to. Sabres Management, in conjunction with team doctors and specialists, refused to clear Lafontaine to return, recommending he retire. Lafontaine, still believing he could still play, demanded a trade, which the Sabres obliged. He was traded to the New York Rangers for a 4th round pick.

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Athletes - Pat LaFontaine

Junior Hockey

NHL Career

Humanitarian efforts

Retirement

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