Francois Leroux
Encyclopedia
François Leroux is a Canadian
former professional ice hockey
player. At 6'6" and over 240 pounds, Leroux was a physical, defensive-minded defenceman who amassed 577 penalty minutes in his NHL career. In his NHL career, he played with the Edmonton Oilers
, Ottawa Senators
, Pittsburgh Penguins
and Colorado Avalanche
.
in the 1988 NHL Draft, Leroux made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers
during the 1988–1989 season, playing two games. He would split time between Cape Breton and Edmonton from 1989 to 1993. Leroux would eventually be claimed on waivers by the Ottawa Senators
on October 6, 1993. Leroux played 23 games for the Senators before being sent down to the Prince Edward Island Senators
, where he would remain until the completion of the 1993–1994 season. On January 18, 1995, the Pittsburgh Penguins
would claim Leroux in the NHL Waiver Draft. On March 26, 1996, Leroux beat St. Louis Blues forward Tony Twist
in a fight. Twist was considered by many to be the NHL's "heavyweight champ" at the time.(Leroux did receive a match penalty for the fight. It was determined that he had tape over his knuckles before fighting) Prior to the start of the 1997–1998 season, Leroux would be traded to the Colorado Avalanche
for a third round pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
Following his stint with the Colorado Avalanche
, Leroux would not be offered an NHL contract. He would later play for the Grand Rapids Griffins
of the International Hockey League and the Springfield Falcons
of the American Hockey League
. He would later spend one season in the German Elite League playing for Berlin Capitals.
The Pittsburgh Penguins signed Leroux to a two-way contract
on July 16, 2002. Leroux played 57 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before being traded. In a cost-cutting move, the Penguins traded Jan Hrdina
and Leroux to the Phoenix Coyotes
for three prospects (forwards Ramzi Abid
& Guillaume Lefebvre, and defenceman Dan Focht
) on March 16, 2003. Leroux would make a second stop at Springfield, as they were the Coyotes' AHL affiliate. He played six game before announcing his retirement from the NHL on September 6, 2003.
(LNAH), which has the unofficial reputation as "the world’s roughest hockey league." He picked up 42 penalty minutes with the Chiefs. On November 21, 2007, after practicing on and off with the team, Leroux would sign with the Wheeling Nailers
of the ECHL
.
On July 17, 2008, Leroux assumed the position of Commissioner of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League
(MAHL). Leroux's role as league commissioner included hosting a weekly MAHL radio show and to represent the league at regular season and post-season games. Leroux tenure as commissioner was short lived however with the MAHL disbanding on September 23, 2008.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
former professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player. At 6'6" and over 240 pounds, Leroux was a physical, defensive-minded defenceman who amassed 577 penalty minutes in his NHL career. In his NHL career, he played with the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
and Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
.
Playing career
A first-round draft choice of the Edmonton OilersEdmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in the 1988 NHL Draft, Leroux made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
during the 1988–1989 season, playing two games. He would split time between Cape Breton and Edmonton from 1989 to 1993. Leroux would eventually be claimed on waivers by the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
on October 6, 1993. Leroux played 23 games for the Senators before being sent down to the Prince Edward Island Senators
Prince Edward Island Senators
The Prince Edward Island Senators are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 1996. Originally located in New Haven, Connecticut for 21 seasons, including one as the affiliate of the Ottawa Senators, the franchise relocated to Charlottetown, Prince Edward...
, where he would remain until the completion of the 1993–1994 season. On January 18, 1995, the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
would claim Leroux in the NHL Waiver Draft. On March 26, 1996, Leroux beat St. Louis Blues forward Tony Twist
Tony Twist
Anthony Rory Twist is a former professional ice hockey player. He played left wing in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues and Quebec Nordiques, but was also a feared enforcer. He now is a co-host in post-game shows after Blues games on Fox Sports Midwest...
in a fight. Twist was considered by many to be the NHL's "heavyweight champ" at the time.(Leroux did receive a match penalty for the fight. It was determined that he had tape over his knuckles before fighting) Prior to the start of the 1997–1998 season, Leroux would be traded to the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
for a third round pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
Following his stint with the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
, Leroux would not be offered an NHL contract. He would later play for the Grand Rapids Griffins
Grand Rapids Griffins
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League....
of the International Hockey League and the Springfield Falcons
Springfield Falcons
The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. He would later spend one season in the German Elite League playing for Berlin Capitals.
The Pittsburgh Penguins signed Leroux to a two-way contract
Two-way contract
A two-way contract is a professional sports contract which stipulates that an athlete’s salary is dependent upon the league in which the athlete is assigned to play in...
on July 16, 2002. Leroux played 57 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before being traded. In a cost-cutting move, the Penguins traded Jan Hrdina
Jan Hrdina
Jan Hrdina is a retired Czech professional ice hockey player.- Playing career :Hrdina was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft in the 5th round, 128th overall....
and Leroux to the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
for three prospects (forwards Ramzi Abid
Ramzi Abid
Ramzi Abid is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for EC Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian EBEL...
& Guillaume Lefebvre, and defenceman Dan Focht
Dan Focht
Dan Focht is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round, 11th overall, in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft....
) on March 16, 2003. Leroux would make a second stop at Springfield, as they were the Coyotes' AHL affiliate. He played six game before announcing his retirement from the NHL on September 6, 2003.
Post retirement
On February 2, 2006, Leroux would be lured out of retirement by the St. Jean Chiefs of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de HockeyLigue Nord-Américaine de Hockey
The Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey was founded in 2004 and is a low-level professional league based in the Canadian province of Quebec. It was called the Quebec Semi-Pro Hockey League from 1996 until it turned pro in 2004...
(LNAH), which has the unofficial reputation as "the world’s roughest hockey league." He picked up 42 penalty minutes with the Chiefs. On November 21, 2007, after practicing on and off with the team, Leroux would sign with the Wheeling Nailers
Wheeling Nailers
The Wheeling Nailers are an ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL....
of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
.
On July 17, 2008, Leroux assumed the position of Commissioner of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League
Mid-Atlantic Hockey League
The Mid-Atlantic Hockey League was a minor professional ice hockey league in the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions of the United States. The league began play in November 2007...
(MAHL). Leroux's role as league commissioner included hosting a weekly MAHL radio show and to represent the league at regular season and post-season games. Leroux tenure as commissioner was short lived however with the MAHL disbanding on September 23, 2008.
Awards, Trivia and Career Milestones
- 1992–931992–93 AHL seasonThe 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day...
-AHLAmerican Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
Calder CupCalder CupThe Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
(Cape Breton OilersCape Breton OilersThe Cape Breton Oilers were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team relocated from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1988 and was renamed for Cape Breton Island. Home games were played in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, at Centre 200...
)
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1987–88 1987–88 QMJHL season The 1987–88 QMJHL season was the 19th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Ten teams played 70 games each in the schedule. Patrice Lefebvre of the Shawinigan Cataractes becomes the last player in Canadian Hockey League history to record a 200-point season... |
St-Jean Castors | QMJHL | 58 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 143 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 21 | ||
| 1988–89 1988–89 QMJHL season The 1988–89 QMJHL season was the 20th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL first awards the end-of-season honours of the "Rookie All-star team" to first year players.... |
St-Jean Castors | QMJHL | 57 | 8 | 34 | 42 | 185 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | St-Jean Castors | QMJHL | 41 | 4 | 28 | 32 | 122 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 1989–90 QMJHL season The 1989–90 QMJHL season was the 21st season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates five new awards for accomplishments during the season. Shell Canada sponsored two Shell Cup "Player of the Year" awards, one each for offensive and defensive players.... |
Victoriaville Tigres Victoriaville Tigres The Victoriaville Tigres are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team is based out of Victoriaville, Quebec. The team plays its home games at the Colisée Desjardins.-History:... |
QMJHL | 13 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 1990–91 AHL season The 1990–91 AHL season was the 55th season of the American Hockey League. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Cape Breton Oilers Cape Breton Oilers The Cape Breton Oilers were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team relocated from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1988 and was renamed for Cape Breton Island. Home games were played in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, at Centre 200... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
71 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 124 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | ||
| 1990–91 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 1991–92 AHL season The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season... |
Cape Breton Oilers | AHL | 61 | 7 | 22 | 29 | 114 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| 1991–92 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 1992–93 AHL season The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day... |
Cape Breton Oilers | AHL | 55 | 10 | 24 | 34 | 139 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 29 | ||
| 1992–93 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 AHL season The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Prince Edward Island Senators Prince Edward Island Senators The Prince Edward Island Senators are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 1996. Originally located in New Haven, Connecticut for 21 seasons, including one as the affiliate of the Ottawa Senators, the franchise relocated to Charlottetown, Prince Edward... |
AHL | 25 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 23 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 70 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 1994–95 AHL season The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule... |
Prince Edward Island Senators | AHL | 45 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 137 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
NHL | 40 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 114 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 14 | ||
| 1995–96 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 66 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 161 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 20 | ||
| 1996–97 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 59 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 81 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98 | Colorado Avalanche Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise... |
NHL | 50 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 140 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Grand Rapids Griffins Grand Rapids Griffins The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.... |
IHL | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Springfield Falcons Springfield Falcons The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the... |
AHL | 64 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 162 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2000–01 2000–01 AHL season The 2000–01 AHL season was the 65th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns its divisions again. The Atlantic division is renamed the Canadian division. The Empire State division is replaced by the South division, with many teams shifting from the Mid-Atlantic division.Twenty... |
Springfield Falcons | AHL | 65 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 180 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Berlin Capitals | DEL | 56 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 110 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 2002–03 AHL season The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza... |
AHL | 57 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 124 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Springfield Falcons | AHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | St-Jean Chiefs Saint-Jean Chiefs The Saint-Jean Chiefs is a hockey team based in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. The team is part of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey . The Chiefs play at the Colisée Isabelle-Brasseur.... |
LNAH Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey The Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey was founded in 2004 and is a low-level professional league based in the Canadian province of Quebec. It was called the Quebec Semi-Pro Hockey League from 1996 until it turned pro in 2004... |
12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 24 | ||
| 2007–08 | St-Jean Chiefs | LNAH | 20 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 74 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | ||
| 2007–08 | Wheeling Nailers Wheeling Nailers The Wheeling Nailers are an ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL.... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
28 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 249 | 3 | 20 | 23 | 577 | 33 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 34 | ||||