SPORTY PEACHY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HOCKEY LEGEND ANDRE LACROIX! HE TELLS WHOM YOU KNOW READERS WHAT HE THINKS OF THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS! Our Coverage Sponsored by Cosmopolitan Dental, Official Dentist of Whom You Know
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It's not who you know, it's Whom You Know and Peachy has known Andre since her first memory of seeing a puck drop in the Hartford Civic Center at about age 5. We are absolutely thrilled to present this interview with Andre Lacroix, Hockey Legend.
Andre Lacroix was a dangerous offensive player who enjoyed six solid years in the NHL. His most noteworthy scoring feats took place in junior and the WHA.
The native of Lauzon, Quebec spent the 1963-64 season with the Montreal Junior Canadiens before joining the Peterborough Petes. He led the OHA in assists twice and won the scoring title with 120 points in 1965-66. Lacroix began his pro career with the AHL's Quebec Aces and became the property of the expansion Philadelphia Flyers when the minor pro club was purchased in May 1967.
The talented centre impressed by scoring 14 points in 18 games during the 1967-68 season. The next year he scored 24 goals playing with Dick Sarrazin and Jean-Guy Gendron which began a string of three straight 20-goal performances. Early in the 1971-72 season, Lacroix was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks because the Flyers had Bobby Clarke, Bill Clement Eddie Joyal, Michel Parizeau and young Rick MacLeish waiting in the wings.
Prior to the 1972-73 season, Lacroix decided to try his luck with the Philadelphia Blazers of the WHA. He blossomed with a league leading 124 points and was named to the first all-star team. Lacroix proved he was no flash in the pan by leading the WHA with 80 assists in 1973-74 and topping the scoring parade with 147 points for the San Diego Mariners the next season. He also took part in the 1974 Summit Series versus the USSR and was selected to the WHA first all-star team in 1974 and 1975.
Lacroix topped the 100-point mark six times during the league's seven year existence. He retired in 1980 after returning to the NHL for 29 games as a member of the Hartford Whalers following the NHL/WHA merger. Today, Andre is 66 years old and turning 67 in early June and he now lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He is
the Hockey Director at the Pond, an ice rink in Auburn Township. His
daughter Chantal and her husband Tim and their 4 children, 3 girls
and a boy live in Cary, North Carolina and his
son Andre Jr. and his wife Erika live in Novelty Ohio with his 3
boys. Peachy Deegan interviewed Andre Lacroix for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: What has surprised you the most in the playoffs up until this point?
Andre Lacroix: The lack of scoring and the defensive style of play the teams are
playing.
What do you think the greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses are of
the remaining four teams?
New Jersey is very strong defensively and play the trap which makes it
difficult for the Rangers to penetrate in the zone.
New Jersey might not score too many goals and need their system to work
every night if they will have a chance to win.
New York Rangers have the best goalie in the league and he keeps them in
the game.
The Rangers are not as strong defensively as the Devils but the
goaltending makes up for it.
The Kings are on a roll but they are in a weaker division and I believe
that is one of the reason the goalies are doing very well.
The kings do not play as well defensively as the Devils or the Rangers
and will have to score a lot of goals to win.
The Kings are not as deep as the team in the East.
The Coyotes went as far as they could with not as much talent as the
other teams.
The Coyotes lack scoring power.
What are your predictions for Round 3?
The Kings and the Devils
We must say that we did notice that Boyle and Kreider factored in on
all 3
goals in Game One and Kreider was a direct factor in Game Two as well,
other than Boston College, which is clearly the best training for the
NHL,
what other avenues do you believe produce the best?
Europe is the second best place to recruit players after College.
It seems like the games are very low scoring though we expect the one
goal
differentials...what do you think?
Everybody knows that you win hockey games with defense not offense. They
all look at films and try to figure out how to beat the other team
defense. Special units will always be a big factor in the playoffs.
Who's better, Lundqvist or Brodeur and why?
I have to go with Lundquist because of his age but he still has to win
the Cup to be compared to Brodeur.
In Game One the Rangers seemed to be slightly better at forechecking
and
faceoffs which we think are two key factors to success in the
postseason...Game Two seemed to be even-what do you think?
Teams always adjust to the other team's weakness. They might have a
different center taking faceoffs to change the momentum.
Do you think the officiating has been well done during the post-season?
Why or why not?
I don't think the officiating has been that good. They are not
consistent and I can't believe the calls they miss and they are two of
them. I also believe they have been told to let them play.
What players would you like to see in a bit of a scuffle with each
other
before the end of round 3?
I don't like to see anybody fight. I wish the NHL would ban fighting and
I think they would have more viewers if they did.
Do you think anyone is likely to score a Gordie Howe hatrick and if so,
who and why?
I don't think so. The game has changed too much for this to happen.
Do you feel there are more blocked shots these days?
Yes and the players are better protected to do that.
What coaches remaining impress you the most and does Tortorella remind
you
of the Dos Equis guy?
I have to go with Dave Tippett in Phoenix. He did a great job with a
team that did not know where they might play next season.
What should Gary Bettman be doing to promote the NHL more?
The NHL should ban fighting.
They should promote their stars more.
They should change the playoff system. Switch divisions after the first
round and play the best team in any division against the worst team in
any division.
Change the overtime. The teams who loses in a shoot out should not get a
point.
The season is too long. Nobody wants to watch hockey in late May and
early June.
Teams should not be able to ice the puck while killing a penalty.
How can anyone walk into a New York sports bar, particularly on the
civilized Upper East side, and ask that the Rangers game be turned off i
n
favor of the Yankees (not in the post-season) or NBA playoffs (Knicks
out
now) and what can we do about it other than give those people a look
that
they must not have been brought up right?
Because Hockey is still behind the other major sports in the States.
Peachy ate gummy penguins during the 91-92 post-season. What food do
you
think is best to eat during a hockey game?
Philly cheese steak
And you drink?
Molson beer
What commercials do you like the best?
The ESPN commercials are great.
What golf courses do you think have the most NHL players on them right
now?
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
What songs do you think would summarize the playoff season thus far?
You are the Champions
What else should Whom You Know readers know about the post-season?
Watch the plays of the players without the puck.
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
