Bobby Rousseau


Joseph Jean-Paul Robert Rousseau was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League from 1960 to 1974, most notably for the Montreal Canadiens. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1962 as NHL Rookie of the Year and won the Stanley Cup four times, all with the Canadiens. Prior to turning professional Rousseau played at the 1960 Winter Olympics with the Canadian national team, winning a silver medal.

Early life

Joseph Jean-Paul Robert Rousseau was born in Montreal, Canada on July 26, 1940. He grew up with thirteen siblings, mostly sisters.

Playing career

Early career

Rousseau started his career with the St. Jean Braves of the Quebec Junior Hockey League in 1955–56 where he led the league in scoring with 53 goals and 85 points in 44 games. The next season, Rousseau moved on with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens in the Ontario Hockey Association. Hull-Ottawa reached the 1957 Memorial Cup final against the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters losing game 7 3–2. The Canadiens returned to the Memorial Cup in 1957–58 defeating the Regina Pats in 6 games.
In 1960, Rousseau was loaned to the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen, the team that represented Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. Canada finished with a silver medal, while the USA won gold and the Soviets bronze. Rousseau scored 5 goals, 4 of which came in a 19–1 victory over Japan, and 9 points in 7 games during Canada's Olympic run.

NHL career

In 1960–61, Rousseau earned his first chance in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens. Rousseau played in 15 games earning 3 points. During his first full NHL season in 1961–62, he scored 21 goals and 24 assists and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL that year. Rousseau had a less productive season in 1962–63 as he scored 37 points. In 1963–64, Rousseau scored 25 goals and 56 points. Rousseau also had a 5-goal game against the Detroit Red Wings on February 1, 1964. The Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1964–65 against the Chicago Black Hawks. The series went to 7 games, which the Canadiens won, giving Rousseau the Stanley Cup for the first time. Rousseau was also invited to the 1965 All-Star Game. During the 1965-66 NHL season, Rousseau's 78 points tied him with Stan Mikita for second overall in the scoring race. His hard work earned him a spot on the NHL Second All-Star Team that season. Rousseau helped the Canadiens defend their Stanley Cup title as they beat the Detroit Red Wings in 6 games. The Canadiens returned to the Final for a third straight time in 1966–67 but lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 6 games. However, Rousseau and the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup the following two seasons.
After the 1969–70 season, his ninth with the Canadiens, during which he scored 24 goals, Rousseau was traded to the Minnesota North Stars where he spent the 1970–71 season. He was then traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for right winger Bob Nevin and helped the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup Final in 1971–72 which the Rangers lost in 6 games to the Boston Bruins, with Rousseau amassing 17 points during the playoff run. Rousseau played 8 games in 1974–75 but stopped in December 1974 to have spinal fusion surgery; the operation led to him retiring in August 1975.

Personal life and death

Rousseau was the brother of NHL players Rollie and Guy Rousseau. He was married to Huguette. He had three children, a daughter and two sons. Later in life, Rousseau began suffering from Alzheimer's disease. He died at a hospital in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, on December 13, 2025, at the age of 85.

Awards and achievements

Regular season and playoffs

Source:

International