Mike Lalor was a professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman. He was born on October 27, 1963, in London, Ontario, Canada. Lalor started his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the London Knights in the early 1980s. He played for the Knights for three seasons, from 1980 to 1983, and was known for his physical play and strong defensive skills.
In 1983, Lalor was drafted by the New York Rangers in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Rangers in the 1984-85 season and played for the team for four seasons. Lalor was a solid defenseman for the Rangers, known for his physical play and his ability to block shots. He was also a good penalty killer and was often used in that role.
In 1988, Lalor was traded to the Hartford Whalers, where he played for two seasons. He continued to be a solid defenseman for the Whalers, but his offensive production declined. In 1990, Lalor was traded to the Minnesota North Stars, where he played for two seasons. He was again a solid defenseman for the North Stars, but his offensive production remained low.
In 1992, Lalor signed as a free agent with the San Jose Sharks, where he played for two seasons. He was a veteran presence on a young Sharks team and was known for his leadership and work ethic. Lalor retired from the NHL after the 1993-94 season but came out of retirement to play for the Sharks in the 1994-95 season, which was shortened due to a lockout.
After retiring from the NHL for good, Lalor played for several years in Europe, including stints in Germany and Austria. He also played for the Canadian national team in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Lalor retired from professional hockey in 1999 and returned to Canada, where he became a coach and a scout.
Overall, Mike Lalor had a solid NHL career as a defenseman, known for his physical play, strong defensive skills, and leadership. While he was not known for his offensive production, he was a valuable player on every team he played for. After retiring from hockey, Lalor continued to be involved in the sport as a coach and a scout.
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