As I mentioned the other day, I’ll be in Toronto on Monday to provide coverage of Luc Robitaille’s induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Tributes to Robitaille, and the other deserving inductees, are popping up everywhere, and I wanted to share two of my favorites so far.
The first is one from NHL.com, talking largely about Robitaille’s on-ice success, and the second is from Scott Burnside of ESPN.com, with some amazing detail about Robitaille’s off-ice personality and character…
I’m so glad this guy played on my team! Had he played in Montreal or with any other team on the East Coast, he would be considered one of the greatest to have ever played. The great thing about Luc is he could care less about the fame….He’s the King of KINGS!
Great Article! Great Player! More importantly Great Human Being!
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Every time I have met Luc (Skate with Kings, Tip a King, etc) he has been nothing but friendly and the epitome of class.
Great article on a great human being
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We Kings fans like to complain about how our franchise has always sucked. However, we’ve had the good fortune to be able to watch some of the best and classiest players in NHL history.
First (and this is dating myself), we got to see Marcel Dionne. Always the best, and always gracious. We got to see Dave Taylor prove his skill, hard work, and commitment to the franchise over and over for almost 20 years. Of course, we got to see the Great One and others like Jari Kurri.
But, Luc was always the best. He always had (and still has!) the most passion for the franchise. He’s never forgotten all he’s been given, and never failed to give back as much or more.
Even if he weren’t the greatest left wing of all time (which he is), he’d still be the greatest King of all time.
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I’ll never forget the day I met Luc at a team practice. He planted the palm of his hand on my forehand and said, “As a hockey player, you may never be the next Gretzky, but as a poet, a prophet, and anonymous fan, you will come to put words to those feelings and ideas and experiences which can be described in no other way. May your name one day be etched on Aladdin’s immortal lamp.” And so I ask you, Kings fans, if you recall the span of one season when Luc temporarily forsook his CCM head gear and wore a Jofa helmet — in emulation of the Great One — what have you done for your team lately? And what are your 3 wishes?
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Been a King’s fan since 1969. Luc is definately one of the Kings I’m most proud of.
As for those in the east who might not give Luc his due, they only prove their ignorance. The stats don’t lie and he’s going to the Hall of Fame. End of discussion.
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Was looking at the photo of Luc that’s on the Kings website… and thinking about he and his wife’s foundation and I said something to myself which I think about sums it up…. “What A Guy”.
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Was looking at the photo of Luc that’s on the Kings website… and thinking about he and his wife’s foundation and I said something to myself which I think about sums it up…. “What A Guy”. …. and No I haven’t already said that!
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Have nothing but fond memories of Lucky Luc and the Kings back in the early 90′s, just wish our goalie had been better back then, sorry Kelly.
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That’s an excellent Burnside article. Thanks Rich.
I had the honor of spending an afternoon with Luc and was blown away at how humble, personable and cool he was. It’s rare you meet someone you admire and they go well beyond your expectations.
He kept saying he needed to score more goals and points the next year. And he did at 63-62=125! Awesome player and dude… We are ‘lucky’ to have him!
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Luc has always been a perfect gentlemen in the few encounters I’ve had with him – just a great guy. A hall of famer in more ways than one.
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