Luc Robitaille

Junior Career and Unlikely Draft

Luc Robitaille's path to the NHL was unconventional, as he was not highly regarded by scouts during his junior career. He played for the Hull Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1983 to 1986, where his offensive production soared in his final two seasons. In the 1984-85 season, Robitaille recorded 149 points, and he followed that with a dominant 191-point campaign in 1985-86, earning him the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year award. Despite this success, concerns about his skating ability led to his selection in the ninth round, 171st overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Robitaille himself has stated he had only had contact with one NHL team during his junior career, the Kings, and he happened to be attending the 1984 draft in the stands. He later introduced himself to first-year Kings general manager Rogie Vachon after being selected. Robitaille and former teammate Dave Taylor later became the lowest NHL draft picks to record 1,000 career points. In honour of his junior scoring prowess, the QMJHL later created the Luc Robitaille Trophy, awarded annually to the team that scores the most goals in the regular season.

NHL Career and Scoring Prowess with Los Angeles

Robitaille made an immediate impact in his rookie season with the Los Angeles Kings in 1986-87, scoring 45 goals and 84 points in 79 games. This performance earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie, edging out Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ron Hextall, and he was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. He began his career with an extraordinary streak of eight consecutive seasons scoring more than 40 goals, including three campaigns with 50 or more. His pinnacle came in the 1992-93 season when, serving as team captain in Wayne Gretzky's absence due to injury, he scored a career-high 63 goals and 125 points, setting NHL records for most goals and points in a season by a left winger. That season, he led the Kings to their first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history, contributing 9 goals and 13 assists in 24 playoff games, though they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. Robitaille's scoring touch defined his first stint in Los Angeles, cementing his status as a franchise icon. His 63-goal record for left wingers was later surpassed by Alexander Ovechkin in 2007-08, but Robitaille's single-season points record for the position remains.

Career Transitions and Stanley Cup Victory

After the 1993-94 season, Robitaille's career took him to several other franchises. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 29, 1994, in exchange for Rick Tocchet and a draft pick, where he played one season during the lockout-shortened 1994-95 campaign and set then-career lows in production. A subsequent trade sent him to the New York Rangers in exchange for Petr Nedvěd and Sergei Zubov, where he played two seasons. With the Rangers, his production continued to be below his previous standards, and in the 1995-96 season he recorded more penalty minutes (80) than points (69) for the first time in his career. Seeking a championship, Robitaille signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings in 2001, accepting less money than other offers for a chance to win. In his first season in Detroit, he scored 30 goals and 50 points, helping the team win the Presidents' Trophy. The Red Wings' playoff run culminated in a Stanley Cup victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in five games, with Robitaille fulfilling his quest for a championship. At captain Steve Yzerman's direction, Robitaille was among the first players who had never won the Cup to hoist it, skating it around Joe Louis Arena after Yzerman and goaltender Dominik Hašek.

Return to Los Angeles, Records and Retirement

Robitaille returned to the Los Angeles Kings in August 1997, reacquired by general manager Dave Taylor in his first move as GM in exchange for Kevin Stevens. After a slow first season back where he scored only 16 goals, he regained his All-Star form, scoring 36, 36, and 37 goals over the next three seasons and recording his 500th career goal on January 7, 1999, against the Buffalo Sabres. Following his Stanley Cup win with Detroit, he returned to the Kings as a free agent for the 2003-04 season, leading the team in goals and points despite lower totals. On March 9, 2004, he scored his 650th career goal, and on January 19, 2006, he scored a hat trick to surpass Marcel Dionne's franchise record of 550 goals, a moment met with several minutes of standing ovations. Robitaille announced his retirement in April 2006, concluding a 19-season career. His final home game on April 15, 2006, was a celebratory event where he served as captain and received an emotional curtain call from the Staples Center crowd after a shootout win over Calgary. He finished his career as the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history with 668 goals and 1,394 points, and second in all-time assists by a left winger with 726, behind John Bucyk.

International Play and Championship Gold

Luc Robitaille represented Canada in three major international tournaments, contributing to some of the country's most memorable hockey moments. He played for Canada at the 1986 World Junior Championships, winning a silver medal. He was also a member of the Canadian team for the 1991 Canada Cup. His most celebrated international achievement came at the 1994 IIHF World Championships in Milan, Italy, where Canada went unbeaten through the tournament. In the gold medal game against Finland, the score was tied after regulation and a ten-minute overtime, forcing a shootout. After the first five shooters for each team had scored twice, the contest moved to a sudden-victory format. Robitaille was chosen as Canada's first shooter in the sudden victory and, despite losing the puck on his approach, managed to beat Finnish goaltender Jarmo Myllys. Canadian goaltender Bill Ranford then made a save on the ensuing Finnish attempt, securing Canada's first world championship gold medal in 33 years. Robitaille later said, 'I'm not sure I've ever jumped so high in my life,' and described the celebration as something he would never forget. He still possesses the equipment bag he used during that tournament.

Executive Career and Kings Presidency

Following his retirement as a player, Robitaille quickly transitioned into hockey management. In July 2006, he was named president of the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League. His return to the Kings organization came on May 25, 2007, when he was appointed president of business operations and alternate governor. In this executive role, Robitaille oversaw the business side of the franchise during a period of on-ice resurgence. The Kings won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and again in 2014, with Robitaille contributing to the organization's success from the front office. On April 10, 2017, his role was expanded as he was named president of the Los Angeles Kings, a position he continues to hold. His tenure has been marked by sustained competitive success and the integration of his playing legacy into the franchise's modern identity. Under his leadership, the Kings have maintained their status as a major NHL franchise in the California market and a key part of the league's growth on the west coast.

Honours, Records and Lasting Impact

Luc Robitaille's career is decorated with individual honours and enduring records. His accolades include the Calder Trophy, eight NHL All-Star Team selections with five First Team and three Second Team nods, and the CHL Player of the Year award. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009 alongside former teammates Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, and Brian Leetch. The Los Angeles Kings retired his number 20 in a ceremony on January 20, 2007, and a bronze statue in his honour was unveiled outside Staples Center in March 2015, placed near the statue of Wayne Gretzky. Robitaille's statistical achievements form a significant part of hockey history and demonstrate his consistent excellence. He was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history in 2017, further solidifying his place among the sport's elite. His journey from a lightly regarded draft pick to a record-setting scorer and Hall of Famer remains one of the most inspirational narratives in hockey, particularly for Canadian players who overcome early doubts about their potential. The creation of the QMJHL's Luc Robitaille Trophy further solidifies his legacy as a symbol of offensive production.

• Most career goals by a left winger in NHL history (668).
• Most points in a single season by a left winger (125 in 1992-93).
• Los Angeles Kings franchise record for career goals (577).
• Second-most career points in Kings franchise history (1,154), behind Marcel Dionne.
• Fourth in Kings franchise history in assists (726), behind Dionne, Gretzky, and Dave Taylor.
• One of only two players drafted in the ninth round or later to record 1,000 NHL points.
• Member of the NHL's 100 Greatest Players list, announced in 2017.
• Holds numerous Los Angeles Kings playoff records.

Career Statistics and Final Seasons

Luc Robitaille played his 1,000th game as a Los Angeles King on March 13, 2004, in a 3-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks. He returned to the Kings as a free agent for the 2003-04 season and led the team in both goals and points that year. On January 19, 2006, he scored a hat trick to break Marcel Dionne's franchise record for goals. Robitaille played his final NHL game on April 17, 2006, in a 4-0 win over the San Jose Sharks, where he received applause and chants of 'Luuuc' from the opposing fans. After the game, players from both teams came onto the ice to shake his hand. At the end of his career, he held the NHL record for goals by a left winger with 668. In his final season of 2005-06, he scored 15 goals and 24 points in 65 games. His final NHL goal was a power play one-timer from a pass by Jeremy Roenick against the Phoenix Coyotes on March 14, 2006.

Personal Life and Public Profile

Luc Robitaille is married to Stacia Robitaille, formerly Stacia McQueen and née Toten. The couple has a son, born on June 2, 1995. Robitaille's stepson from his wife's first marriage, Steven McQueen, is the grandson of actor Steve McQueen and is an actor known for his role in the television series The Vampire Diaries. Robitaille became an American citizen in 2005 and first registered to vote in the United States in 2008. He and his wife co-founded the non-profit charity Shelter for Serenity in 2005 to aid families displaced by Hurricane Katrina, which later evolved into Echoes of Hope to support needy children in the Los Angeles area. Robitaille has maintained a public profile through various media appearances, including a guest role as himself on the television series Bones, a cameo in the film D2: The Mighty Ducks, and a voice appearance in Phineas and Ferb. He also appeared in a well-known Delissio frozen pizza commercial in Canada alongside goaltender Martin Brodeur, where they watched footage of Robitaille's goals against Brodeur. Robitaille also made a cameo appearance in the film Sudden Death and was featured in a parody of VH1's Behind the Music called Underneath the Tunes.

Questions about Luc Robitaille

How many Stanley Cups did Luc Robitaille win?

Luc Robitaille won one Stanley Cup championship during his playing career. He achieved this with the Detroit Red Wings in the 2001-02 season. The Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in five games in the final. Robitaille also won two Stanley Cups as an executive with the Los Angeles Kings, in 2012 and 2014, while serving as president of business operations.

What records does Luc Robitaille hold?

Luc Robitaille holds the NHL record for most career goals by a left winger, with 668. He also set the record for most points in a single season by a left winger, with 125 during the 1992-93 campaign. Within the Los Angeles Kings franchise, he is the all-time leader in goals with 577. He remains one of only two players drafted in the ninth round or later to have recorded 1,000 NHL points.

Why is Luc Robitaille's draft story so notable?

Luc Robitaille's draft story is notable because he was selected 171st overall in the ninth round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, a position from which very few players achieve NHL success. Scouts had concerns about his skating ability, which caused his stock to fall. His subsequent development into a Hall of Fame player and the highest-scoring left winger in league history makes his journey a classic underdog tale. He and former Kings teammate Dave Taylor are the lowest-drafted players to ever reach 1,000 career points.

What is Luc Robitaille's role with the Los Angeles Kings now?

As of 2017, Luc Robitaille serves as president of the Los Angeles Kings. He first joined the Kings' front office in 2007 as president of business operations and alternate governor. In his executive capacity, he oversees the overall operations of the franchise. During his tenure in management, the Kings have won two Stanley Cup championships, in 2012 and 2014.

What was Luc Robitaille's role in Canada's 1994 World Championship win?

Luc Robitaille scored the decisive goal in a sudden-victory shootout to secure Canada's gold medal at the 1994 IIHF World Championships. After regulation and overtime ended in a tie with Finland, the game went to a shootout. With the score tied after the first five shooters, Robitaille was chosen as Canada's first shooter in the sudden-death round. He scored despite mishandling the puck, and goaltender Bill Ranford made the subsequent save to win the tournament, ending Canada's 33-year gold medal drought at the worlds.

When was Luc Robitaille inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Luc Robitaille was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. The announcement was made on June 23, 2009, and the induction ceremony took place that November. He was inducted alongside former Detroit Red Wings teammates Steve Yzerman and Brett Hull, as well as former New York Rangers teammate Brian Leetch. His induction recognized his extraordinary 19-season career and his status as the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history.

Sources and further reading

• Luc Robitaille (Wikipedia)
• NHL100: Luc Robitaille (nhl.com)
• Luc Robitaille Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Title (hockey-reference.com)
• Luc Robitaille (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-24.