Robert “Bobby” Rousseau, a beloved former Montreal Canadiens forward who clinched four Stanley Cups, has passed away at 85 in Trois-Rivières, as confirmed by the team on Saturday morning.
Born in Montreal on July 26, 1940, Rousseau had a remarkable career in the NHL, notably spending 10 seasons with the Canadiens from 1961 to 1970.
Prior to his time with the Canadiens, Rousseau left his mark with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens, where he secured the Memorial Cup in 1958 at the junior level and tallied 60 points in 38 senior-level games in 1960-61. He also proudly represented Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, contributing to the team’s silver medal win.
Rousseau’s inaugural full NHL season in 1961-62 earned him the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie after netting 45 points, including 21 goals, in 70 games. Known for his smooth skating and playmaking skills, he led the league in assists in 1965-66, tying with Stan Mikita and teammate Jean Béliveau at 48.
Throughout his NHL journey spanning 942 games with the Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, and New York Rangers, Rousseau accumulated 703 points, with 245 goals to his name. Notably, with Montreal alone, he achieved 200 goals and 322 assists for a total of 522 points, placing him 22nd in the club’s history.
Rousseau stands as one of only eight Canadiens players to score five goals in a single game, accomplishing this feat on February 1, 1964, against the Detroit Red Wings at the Forum in a resounding 9–3 win, marking the first of his four NHL hat tricks.
In playoff appearances, Rousseau participated in 128 games, including 78 with Montreal, where he scored 16 goals and provided 29 assists for a total of 45 points.
Beyond his hockey career, Rousseau showcased his talent in golf. He is survived by his wife, Huguette, his children Richard, Pierre, and Anne, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
