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Tuesday, December 15, 2020

#NHLPeachy #WhomWeMiss @NHL Commissioner Bettman Statement on the Passing of Pierre Lacroix

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman today released the following statement regarding the passing of Pierre Lacroix:

“Pierre Lacroix's eye for talent, appreciation for elite-level athletes and fearlessness in pulling off the big trade made him one of the most successful team builders in recent NHL history. Fiercely competitive and personally engaging, he was highly regarded by his fellow General Managers and his voice was respected throughout the League.

“Following a successful career as a player agent, Lacroix became President and General Manager of the Quebec Nordiques in 1994, shepherded the team's relocation the following year and established the Colorado Avalanche as a model franchise while re-establishing the NHL in Denver.

“The teams Lacroix built won nine division titles in his first nine seasons as a general manager and captured the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001. Having represented such superstar Quebec players as Patrick Roy and Mike Bossy as an agent, Lacroix traded for Roy, Ray Bourque and Rob Blake as a GM to complete Avalanche teams with young mainstays such as Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg, turning them into champions. The National Hockey League mourns his passing and sends our condolences to his wife, Colombe, their sons, Martin and Eric, and the entire Lacroix family.”

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