In June of each year, Éric Lacroix awaited the publication of the list of newly elected members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. His older brother Martin also wanted their father to be elected to the temple. As for their mother, she had given up.
“I had resigned, I no longer believed in it,” said Colombe Lacroix.
The lady was the woman behind Pierre Lacroix for 52 years.
On December 13, 2020, the last general manager in the history of the Quebec Nordiques and first GM of the Colorado Avalanche died suddenly of a heart attack resulting from COVID-19. He was 72 years old.
On June 21, the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee elected Pierre Lacroix, posthumously, in the builder category. Next Monday, he will be officially inducted into the temple.
“It’s unfortunate that he won’t be with us for the celebrations,” laments his wife.
“At least he was recognized. So, it’s wonderful!”
Touching moments
Mme Lacroix was overcome by emotion during her husband’s election to the temple on June 21. Like Pierre Turgeon, she had no idea that she would hear the voice of Lanny McDonald, president of the temple, on the line when she saw the Toronto area code on the display of her phone.
“I was going to dinner with my sister who also lives in Denver,” she says.
“It never crossed my mind that the call could come from the Hall of Fame. I know a lot of people in Toronto. I thought it was an acquaintance calling me.
“When I found out who the call was from, I was speechless. My blood only boiled. It was a very moving moment. I don’t even know what I said.”
The lady burst into tears.
What she didn’t know was that she was being heard live on TSN while McDonald and Mike Gartner, chairman of the selection committee, told her the happy news in front of the cameras.
Mme Lacroix then jumped in his car and headed to the Avalanche training center, where his son Eric runs a training and development school for young players with the help of other former NHL players. .
The eldest of Eric’s three children, Max, was on the ice. A goaltender who will turn 20 on December 13, the anniversary of the death of his grandfather with whom he had a close relationship, Max plays with the Colorado Grit of the North American Hockey League. He will join the ranks of the Boston University Terriers next season.
Upon hearing the news, he hugged his grandmother.
Get to business quickly, Pierre!
Pierre Lacroix was the only man in the life of his partner, nicknamed Coco by those close to him.
“The first time we saw each other, we were 12 years old,” says the lady.
“I have always loved hockey. I followed my brother everywhere. He wore the colors of the Ahuntsic Braves while Pierre played for Rosemont. Pierre and I were 12 years old.”
The paths of Pierre and Colombe crossed again a few years later
“Pierre was the equipment manager for the Laval Saints Junior B,” she says.
“During a game, he said to Rodger Brulotte, who was playing with the team: ‘Do you see the girl over there with the coat checkered (the less young will remember the La Canadienne coats)? I’m going to marry her one day.” But he hadn’t spoken to me.
“It’s the truth. Talk to Rodger about it.”
My friend Rodger remembers it very well.
“On our first official outing, we went to a Canadian game at the Forum. And it was I who took him with tickets that Lise Richard (Henri’s wife) had given me,” continues Mme Lacroix, very proud of her move.
Mme Lacroix knows the Richard family well since his sister Louise is married to Normand Richard, one of the seven children of the descendants of Maurice and Lucille Richard.
From there, she soon discovered that her chum was quickly on his skates.
“A week after our first outing, Pierre proposed to me! says the lady, laughing heartily.
“I said, ‘Hey! We are only 18 years old. Let’s wait a little.”
In 1968, at the age of 20, Pierre Lacroix and Colombe Prénoveau united their destinies. Their parents had to consent to their union by written consent since the age of majority was 21 years old.
The young couple did not know then that life would have great moments in store for them.
Profiles for the Nordiques (1994-1995) and the Avalanche (from 1995-1996 to 2005-2006) under his direction:
Regular season PJ: 868 G: 473 P: 259 N: 106 PF: 30 Avg: .623
Playoffs PJ: 189 G: 93 P: 66 Avg: .585
Stanley Cup: 1995-1996, 2000-2001
Division Championships: 1994-1995 to 2002-2003
Honors: Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (2008), Hockey Hall of Fame (2023)
Key exchanges:
June 3, 1994: in Quebec: Stéphane Yelle (1996 and 2001 cup with the Avalanche)); to New Jersey: 11th round pick (Mike Hanson) 1994
June 28, 1994: in Quebec: Wendel Clark, Sylvain Lefebvre (1996 Cup with the Avalanche), Landon Wilson and first round choice (Jeff Kealty); in Toronto: Garth Butcher, Mats Sundin, Todd Warriner and first round pick (Nolan Baumgartner)
June 28, 1994: in Quebec: Uwe Krupp (1996 Cup with the Avalanche), 1st round pick (Wade Belak); to the New York Islanders: Ron Sutter and first pick (Brett Lindros)
October 3, 1995: to Colorado (three-club trade): Claude Lemieux (1996 Cup with the Avalanche)); to the New York Islanders Wendel Clark (obtained from the Devils for Lemieux)
October 26, 1995: in Colorado: Sandis Ozolinsh (1996 Cup with the Avalanche); in San Jose: Owen Nolan
December 6, 1995: in Colorado: Mike Keane (1996 Cup with the Avalanche), Patrick Roy (1996 and 2001 Cups with the Avalanche); in Montreal: Andrei Kovalenko, Martin Rucinsky, Jocelyn Thibault
March 6, 2000: in Colorado: Dave Andreychuk, Raymond Bourque (2001 Cup with the Avalanche); in Boston: Martin Grenier, Samuel Pahlsson, Brian Rolston
February 21, 2001: in Colorado: Rob Blake (2001 Cup with the Avalanche), Steven Reinprecht; in Los Angeles: Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller, Jared Aulin and two first-round picks (David Steckel and Brian Boyle