Robert “Bobby” Rousseau, a legendary ice hockey player who won the Stanley Cup four times with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 85. The Canadiens confirmed his death in Trois-Rivières, Que., on Saturday, although the cause of death was not disclosed.
Originally from Montreal, Rousseau enjoyed a successful career spanning 15 seasons in the NHL, with a significant portion spent playing for his hometown team. He earned the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie during the 1961-62 season, his first full year in the NHL. Notably, as a right-winger, he contributed to the Canadiens’ Stanley Cup victories in 1964-65, 1965-66, 1967-68, and 1968-69.
In addition to his tenure with the Canadiens, Rousseau also played for the Minnesota North Stars (1970-71) and the New York Rangers (1971-75). His impressive career statistics include 703 points (245 goals, 458 assists) in 942 regular-season games and 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 128 playoff appearances.
Before making his mark in the NHL, Rousseau excelled with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens, winning the Memorial Cup in 1958 at the junior level. Transitioning to the senior level, he achieved a remarkable 60-point season in 38 games in 1960-61. Rousseau also represented Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics, where he led the team to a silver medal.
He is survived by his wife, Huguette, and his children Richard, Pierre, and Anne, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.