Randy Ladouceur is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on June 30, 1960, in Brockville, Ontario, Canada. Ladouceur began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Cornwall Royals in 1977. He played for the Royals for four seasons, during which he helped the team win two Memorial Cup championships in 1980 and 1981.
In 1982, Ladouceur was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in the same year and played for the team for two seasons. In 1984, he was traded to the Hartford Whalers, where he spent the next six seasons. During his time with the Whalers, Ladouceur established himself as a reliable defenseman and a team leader. He was known for his physical play, shot-blocking ability, and defensive prowess.
In 1990, Ladouceur was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, where he played for four seasons. He was named the team's first captain in 1993 and helped lead the team to its first playoff appearance in 1997. In 1994, Ladouceur was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he played for one season before retiring from professional hockey in 1996.
Throughout his NHL career, Ladouceur played in 1,001 games, scoring 30 goals and 142 assists for a total of 172 points. He was known for his durability and consistency, playing in over 70 games in eight of his 14 seasons. He was also a respected leader on and off the ice, serving as an alternate captain or captain for several of the teams he played for.
After retiring from professional hockey, Ladouceur began a coaching career. He served as an assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also served as the head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Sarnia Sting from 2005 to 2007.
In addition to his coaching career, Ladouceur has been involved in various charitable organizations. He has worked with the Special Olympics, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, among others.
Overall, Randy Ladouceur had a successful hockey career, playing for four different NHL teams and establishing himself as a reliable defenseman and team leader. He played in over 1,000 games and helped his teams win two Memorial Cup championships and make several playoff appearances. After retiring from professional hockey, he continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and remained active in charitable organizations.
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