Leo Lamoureux

Leo Lamoureux was a defenseman with the Montreal Canadiens from 1942 through 1947. Born in Espanala, Ontario but raised in Windsor, Leo was part of Montreal's Stanley Cup championship teams in 1944 and 1946.

In the book Heroes and History by Stan and Shirley Fischler, Habs goaltending great Bill Durnan reflected back on Leo, describing him as "a real character."

"Leo was a worry wart; if something was going to happen, it would be to him. He was also always in and out of mischief along with his pal Murph Chamberlain. They gave (coach Dick) Irvin so many headaches between them that Dick actually missed them once they were gone. Irvin used to say, 'Geez, if we could only get some guys on this team who could get in trouble like those two we'd be alright."

Lamoureux was certainly a well travelled hockey player, bouncing around various Ontario senior teams, down to Washington in the AHL and even in Great Britain for a season before joining the Habs full time in 1942. A converted center, Lamoureux was described as a crafty defenseman, adding some offensive spark. He was also played the game tough while defending his own zone, making life unpleasant for oncoming attackers.

Though his NHL days were over by 1947, Lamoureux enjoyed a lengthy minor league and senior league career through to 1957.

He turned to coaching after that, but he passed away mid-season while coaching the Indianapolis Chiefs of the International Hockey League. He had to leave the bench in November as a case of acute hepatitis hospitalized him. He died on January 11th, 1961. He was just 45 years old.

In memoriam, the IHL created the Leo Lamoureux Trophy to be handed out to that league's leading scorer.