Francois Leroux was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams during his career. He was born on May 15, 1970, in Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, Canada.
Leroux began his hockey career playing for the Laval Titan in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in the late 1980s. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut with the team in the 1990-91 season.
Leroux was known for his physical play and defensive skills, which made him a valuable player for the Penguins. He played for the team for several seasons, including their back-to-back Stanley Cup championship wins in 1991 and 1992.
In 1995, Leroux was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, where he played for one season before being traded again to the Colorado Avalanche. He played for the Avalanche for two seasons before being traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 1998.
Leroux's NHL career came to an end in 1998 when he was traded to the New York Islanders but was unable to play due to a back injury. He retired from professional hockey shortly after.
In total, Leroux played in 403 NHL games, scoring 10 goals and 29 assists for a total of 39 points. He was known for his physical play, racking up 1,126 penalty minutes during his career.
After retiring from hockey, Leroux worked as a hockey analyst for various media outlets, including TSN and RDS. He also worked as a scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins and as a coach for the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL.
Overall, Francois Leroux had a successful career in the NHL, winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and earning a reputation as a tough and reliable defenseman.
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