Luc Robitaille

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Robitaille's connection to Los Angeles ran deeper than any other player. Unlike the common story that he was not at the draft, he did not personally introduce himself to general manager Rogie Vachon at the 1984 draft. Playing for the Hull Olympiques, he amassed 424 points in 197 games, earning CHL Player of the Year honors in 1985–86. Upon entering the league, he immediately impacted the Kings, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as top rookie with 45 goals and 39 assists in 1986–87, becoming the only Los Angeles player to ever win the award. He scored over 40 goals for eight consecutive seasons, including a career-high 63 in 1992–93. That year, he set a Kings franchise record for goals, though the NHL record for most goals by a left winger was held by Steve Shutt (60) and later broken by Alexander Ovechkin. He also set an NHL record for most points by a left winger with 125, a mark later surpassed by Ovechkin (132 in 2009–10). Robitaille served as an alternate captain for the entire 2005–06 season, and he wore the 'A' during the 1993 playoffs as well, helping the Kings reach their first Stanley Cup Final.

In Their Own Story

The journey included departures and returns that tested his loyalty. In 1994, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Rick Tocchet, followed by a move to the New York Rangers where he recorded fewer points than penalty minutes. He returned to Los Angeles in 1997 via a trade for Kevin Stevens. His resurgence included scoring his 500th career goal on January 7, 1999, against the Buffalo Sabres. Seeking a championship, Robitaille signed with the Detroit Red Wings in 2001 for less compensation than other offers. There, he won the Stanley Cup in 2001–02, becoming the third Red Wing to skate the trophy after Steve Yzerman and Dominik Hašek. He returned to the Kings for a final stint starting in 2003, scoring his 650th career goal on March 9, 2004. On April 10, 2006, he announced his retirement, confirmed the next day at Toyota Sports Center. His final NHL home game was against the Calgary Flames on April 15, where he wore captain's 'C' and received a standing ovation from 18,118 fans after a short speech.

Reader's Guide

Robitaille's career offers lessons in resilience and record-breaking consistency. He holds the Kings franchise records for goals, assists, and points, along with numerous playoff marks. His ability to produce elite numbers even during team struggles defined his tenure; he was named to eight NHL All-Star teams (five First Team, three Second Team). In 2005–06, he recorded a hat-trick against the Atlanta Thrashers on January 19, tying and passing Marcel Dionne's franchise goal record. His final goal came on March 14, 2006, one-timing a pass from Jeremy Roenick past Curtis Joseph. Beyond playing, his legacy includes being named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in 2017 and transitioning to executive leadership as Kings president. Fans should note that alongside Dave Taylor, he is one of the lowest draft picks (171st overall) to reach 1,000 career points.

Did You Know?

• Robitaille was drafted 171st overall in the ninth round of the 1984 draft because experts doubted his skating ability.
• He is one of only two players, alongside Dave Taylor, who were drafted that late (ninth round or later) to reach 1,000 career points.
• During the 1992–93 season, he set a Kings franchise record with 63 goals, and an NHL record for most points by a left winger with 125, a mark later broken by Alexander Ovechkin (132 points in 2009–10).
• On March 14, 2006, his final goal was scored one-timing a pass from Jeremy Roenick past goaltender Curtis Joseph during a power play.
• In 2005–06, he served as an alternate captain for the entire season, with Mattias Norström wearing the 'C'.

The Late Draft Pick Who Became a Legend

Luc Robitaille's path began with skepticism; experts expected him drafted late due to poor skating. Selected 171st overall by the Kings in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, he attended the event and introduced himself to GM Rogie Vachon. Before turning pro, he dominated junior hockey with the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL from 1983 to 1986. In just 197 games, he tallied 155 goals and 269 assists for 424 points, winning CHL Player of the Year in 1985–86 with 191 points. The QMJHL later created the Luc Robitaille Trophy to honor the team scoring the most goals each season. He and Dave Taylor remain the lowest draft picks to record 1,000 career points.

Dominance on the Left Wing and Franchise Records

Robitaille's offensive output with the Kings was historic. In his debut 1986–87 season, he scored 45 goals and 39 assists in 79 games to win the Calder Memorial Trophy. He posted over 40 goals for eight straight seasons, peaking at 63 goals and 125 points in 1992–93. These figures set NHL records for most goals and points by a left winger; while Ovechkin surpassed the goal record in 2007–08, Robitaille's point total remains the standard. He was named to eight All-Star teams and served as captain when Gretzky was injured in 1992–93. His leadership guided the Kings to their first Stanley Cup Final in 1993 against Montreal, where he recorded 9 goals and 13 assists in 24 games.

A Journey of Trades and a Championship Redemption

Robitaille's career saw him move to Pittsburgh on July 29, 1994, for Rick Tocchet. After a lockout-shortened season with lows in stats, he was traded to the New York Rangers alongside Ulf Samuelsson for Petr Nedvěd and Sergei Zubov. His time in New York saw his first career season with more penalty minutes (80) than points (69). Returning to Los Angeles on August 28, 1997, for Kevin Stevens, he scored his 500th goal against Buffalo on January 7, 1999. In 2001, seeking a title, he signed with Detroit for $9 million over two years. He won the Stanley Cup in 2001–02, hoisting it after Yzerman and Hašek. The Red Wings won the Presidents' Trophy that year, though Robitaille had limited playoff ice time due to roster depth.

Enduring Legacy and Executive Leadership

Returning to LA for his final stint in 2003–04, Robitaille led the team in goals and points despite lower totals. On March 9, 2004, he scored his 650th career goal against Phoenix. He played his 1,000th game as a King on March 13, 2004. On January 19, 2006, he tied and passed Marcel Dionne's franchise record with a hat-trick against Atlanta. Announcing retirement on April 10, 2006, his final goal came on March 14, 2006. His last home game was April 15, 2006, against Calgary, where he wore the 'C' and received a curtain call from 18,118 fans. He retired as the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history. In 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players'. Today, he serves as president of the Los Angeles Kings.