Peterborough welcomed Andre Lacroix with open arms
High-scoring forward went on to become one of the greatest Petes ever before going on to NHL
Peterborough Petes alumnus Andre Lacroix didn’t have access to an indoor rink until he was 13.
“After a season with the Jr. Canadiens, I went home and belonged to the Quebec Aces,” Lacroix said.
“Then I heard that I was invited to go to Peterborough and I was nervous at the start because I couldn’t speak English and I had no one to speak French there.”
The Lauzon, Que. native’s nerves quickly dissipated as Peterborough welcomed him with open arms and a few lessons in English.
“That was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, I learned the language. There was a family that used to own a bowling alley in Peterborough and I used to hang around there,” Lacroix said.
“Someone gave me very good advice, he said ‘always keep your conversation short. That way you won’t make too many mistakes.’”
Lacroix played for the Petes from 1964 to 1966 alongside future NHL stars Mickey Redmond and Danny Grant. The high-scoring forward reflected on his two years playing at the Memorial Centre with glee and looks forward to his next opportunity to visit the Lift Lock city.
“I only had good experiences in Peterborough, it’s a great place to play hockey. The people were unbelievable. That’s the problem with junior hockey when you have to leave most of the time when you turn pro, you don’t have much time to go back.”
He was given insight into just how selfless Peterborough people are when Lacroix was met with a near blinding injury at a game in Toronto.
“We were playing in Toronto and I got hurt. I got hit in the eye. There was a couple from Peterborough who came to the game in Toronto. After the game, I had to get back to Peterborough but they wanted me to lay down so they took me back in their car. I didn’t know these people, they were just fans from Peterborough,” Lacroix recalled.
“I was in the hospital for a week and the whole time the doctor would come twice a day. The nurse was so nice and would read me the newspaper.”
In 1964-65, Lacroix led the Ontario Hockey Association in assists and the year after he led the league in assists and points. He also won the OHA Red Tilson Trophy in both seasons.
“In those days everyone was so happy to be playing hockey. The best way to explain it is in those days hockey was a sport now it’s a business and sport comes second.
“Everyone who was playing for the Petes was from a bluecollar family.”
After two seasons in the OHA, Lacroix spent three seasons with the Quebec Aces, before joining the Philadelphia Flyers. In Philly, Lacroix would ride alongside his former Ace linemates Jean-Guy Gendron and Simon Nolet to become the Flyers leading scorer in 1969 and 1970.
In 1970, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, a team he was unable to mesh with.
“When I got traded to Chicago from the Flyers, they were trying to go to the rough stuff. They wanted to be like the Broad Street Bullies, so I could not play my style of game at all and I was not happy,” Lacroix said.
“At the end of the season, I got a call from an attorney in Philadelphia who said I used to watch you with the Flyers. I don’t know what they’re paying you in Chicago but I want you to come play for my franchise. I’ll double your salary and give you a five-year contract.’ I said, ‘I’m gone.’”
Lacroix switched to the World Hockey Association in 1972 and played a single season for the Philadelphia Blazers.
Across five years in the WHA, he dressed for the New York Golden Blades, San Diego Mariners, Houston Aeros and Hartford Whalers. Each contract from the Aces to the Whalers was negotiated and signed by Lacroix-sans agent.
He won the Bill Hunter Trophy as WHA leading scorer in 1973 and 1975, scored 100 points or more in six consecutive seasons and is the WHA’s all-time leader in games played, assists and points.
Since retiring, Lacroix continued his involvement in hockey on the West Coast.
“I was living in Connecticut then I got a call from Oakland, California and they wanted me to help them build a rink. I was supposed to be there for one year and I ended up staying there for 11 years to run the facility.”
Today, Lacroix lives in Ohio relishing in his grandchildren and promoting his autobiography, “After the Second Snowfall: My Life On and Off the Ice.”
What’s more impressive than Lacroix’s long list of records is his humble upbringing and selfdirected path.
He is a proud Petes alumnus and among the greatest names to don the maroon and white.