The Edmonton Oilers' right-winger on playing and web surfing

by NHL | Dec. 10, 2001

What kind of person never goes on a trip without his laptop, spontaneously shows up at a school to read to children and cries at the end of "The Green Mile?" Well, apparently the answer is Edmonton Oilers Right Winger Georges Laraque.

While Laraque has been regarded as one of the NHL's toughest players, he also is one of the more appreciative people in the league. Thankful for the fan support he has received, Laraque brings his laptop computer with him on road trips to answer E-mails from his fans. During the first week of October, Laraque participated in Read-In Week with other Oilers by going to local schools and reading to children in French. Laraque, a native of Montreal, understands the positive influence an athlete can have on children and has no problem taking on the responsiblities that go hand-in-hand with being a role model.

Laraque learned to skate at the age of five. He grew up idolizing Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky. At 18 years old, Laraque was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers, and was the 31st player selected overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. During the first few years of his career, Laraque was either skating for the Oilers or their AHL affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs, a team he led to the Memorial Cup Championship in 1996.

What is your happiest NHL memory?
NHL draft in 95 and my hat-trick against L.A.!

What aspect of being in the NHL gives you the greatest pleasure?
Visiting kids and their family as well as answering fan mail.

What is the greatest compliment a fan could pay you?
Telling me that I'm a good example for kids.

What is your most memorable fan encounter?
A guy name Brett Klawitter made a terrific web site on me that demandad a lot of hours of work. When I discovered it, I then e-mailed him to let him know how much I appreciated it, we have become friends since then.

If you went to an NHL game as a spectator, which player would you most want to see on the ice?
Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux!

As a player, which opposing player would you NOT want to see on the ice?!
Tyson Nash.

What advice would you give to kids stepping onto the ice with a hockey stick for the first time?
Have fun, enjoy yourself.

Describe a perfect day off.
Wake up late, watch a movie later, have dinner, nothing fancy.

If you could play any role in the remake of any film, what role would it be?
I have no idea, maybe Clubber Lang in Rocky 3.

If you could have one superpower what would it be?
To fly!

Besides your uniform and equipment, what are you sure to bring on every road trip?
My laptop.

Using only one word, describe your feeling about the game of hockey.
Fantastic!

Thanks, Georges!
You're welcome.