Bobby Rousseau

Joseph Jean-Paul Robert "Bobby" Rousseau, a celebrated Canadian professional ice hockey right winger and one of the defining players of the Montreal Canadiens' 1960s dynasty, died December 13, 2025, at a hospital in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, with family by his side. He was 85 years old. Rousseau had been living with Alzheimer's disease in later years.

Born July 26, 1940, in Montreal, Rousseau grew up in a large family of hockey players, including older brothers Rollie and Guy, both of whom briefly reached the NHL.

Rousseau's professional career began in earnest after standout performances at the junior and amateur levels, including a silver medal with Team Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics.

Over 15 seasons in the National Hockey League, Rousseau appeared in 942 regular-season games, scoring 245 goals and 458 assists for 703 career points. His NHL tenure began with the Montreal Canadiens (1960–70), continued with the Minnesota North Stars (1970–71), and concluded with the New York Rangers (1971–74).

Rousseau's impact was immediate. In 1962 he was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie, and he became a cornerstone of the Canadiens' attack throughout the 1960s. He won four Stanley Cups with the Canadiens in 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1969, helping anchor one of the most successful eras in NHL history.

One of Rousseau's signature performances came on February 1, 1964, when he scored five goals in a single game against the Detroit Red Wings at the Montreal Forum, an achievement shared by few in franchise history.

Off the ice, Rousseau's passion for sport endured. After retiring following the 1974–75 season, he devoted himself to golf, owning and operating golf courses in Quebec with his children.

He was known not only for his skill and creativity on the ice, but also for his professionalism, leadership, and commitment to the communities that embraced him. Teammates and fans remember him as a player of grace under pressure and quiet dignity off the ice.

Rousseau is survived by his wife, Huguette; three children; Richard, Pierre and Anne; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

By Legacy News Staff

(Image: Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)