The Career of Pat LaFontaine

[@Joe.0oo]

When playing in Buffalo, he lived 4 houses down from me- was just talking about him with the landscaper who has been working here for a few decades now and formerly for LaFontaine. He said that after his concussions, he'd come out and have conversations with him, and couldn't remember his name- said it clearly frustrated him because he is the kind of guy who, even at the height of his fame, knew everyone by name. My mother worked for the Sabres during that time as well, and she said he was the absolute nicest man she worked with and had a heart bigger than the emblem on the jersey. Real shame what happened to him, but I'm glad to see that he is doing well now, and I really hope he doesn't develop CTE from the sustained concussions. He is a class act, and he is one of the absolute best Sabres, and American (maybe behind Kane only due to Cups) players of all time. P.s. Sabres fans knew something was wrong when he walked from the org a few years ago lol

[@Mph-ut4bs]

My father repaired his car a few years ago on Long Island. He was impressed with my Dad remembering games he went to and how he played. He gave my dad a signed hockey stick!

[@phlorzum2927]

@@Mph-ut4bs Dang. Yall have the craziest stories

[@phlorzum2927]

Thats awesome

[@v4v819]

Yes i'm glad he's better than ever now! That's the funny thing with concussions it can make you worse in the short term but actually make you smarter in the long term cause it rewires the brain! There's lots of reports of people getting brain injuries and all of a sudden having talents unlocked or knowing languages they never learned or becoming super good at math... There's a movie in the 90's with Travolta about a guy like that! The human brain is amazing and we should protect it but also learn to grow with it and roll with the blows as my head doctor always says!!!!!!! 😄

[@leeturiano4419]

Just saw Pat this Morning- He lives in Lloyd Harbor, on Long Island. He was walking his dogs ( I gave them biscuits, lol) . I do sanitation in that village. I've seen him a few times, always kind. I thanked him for so many great Islander memories and was talking about the Easter Epic, and an amazing goal he scored against the Devils where he was drifting backwards. He was surprised I brought it up. Great player, great man!

[@bdonaghu]

His tenure as Pres. of Hockey Ops was so bizarre. Wants to extend the core of Miller, Vanek, Pominville, etc., and try to get back to the playoffs after narrowly missing out in 2011-12 and in 2012-13, but GM Tim Murray said nope, and traded off everyone and initiated the tank, and LaFontaine basically said "F*** this" and left. I don't blame him for leaving, and Buffalo is still rebuilding to this day.

[@thegoldrobber]

Do you know where LaFontaine is nowadays?

[@mason698]

@@thegoldrobber Drinking lots of Champaign, bathing in illuminati lotion with all the money

[@thegoldrobber]

@@mason698 what?

[@subraxas]

That's the curse of the disgraced Buffaslug. :-) Shannon himself unwittingly nailed it a couple of months ago when he talked about Sabers' woes and in passing mentioned that "the last time the team mattered was when they still had the infamous Buffaslug on their jerseys". :-) Then, all of a sudden, I realized that it is the fault of the Sabres' infantile fans who were moaning over the poor Buffaslug until they forced the club's management to prematurely get rid of it and that was the beginning of the franchise's STILL-current misery. :-P

[@VJVMuzika]

Lafontaine was a great player. He fought really hard, did it right, and didn't get red in the face

[@BrodieBr0]

Rick Jeanneret: Scoreeeeeeeee!! Pat La-la-La-la-La-la-La-la-La-la-La-la-La-la-La-la-La-la-La-la-La-la-fontaine!!! Obviously I enjoyed him as a Sabre. hahaha

[@GrizzaSMASH]

HE'S THE COOKIE MONSTER. WHERE MOM HIDES THE COOKIES. Only thing better than Pat, was his commentator. LMAO

[@Sempermortis84]

Hero!

[@bdonaghu]

Tis the season! Fa-la-la-la-laaaa-la-LaFontaine

[@Davidjon1946]

​@@bdonaghu One of my all time favorite RJ "calls

[@DG-uy8uo]

Thanks for putting this video together. He was my favourite player hands down b/c he could do it all on the ice: fast skater, amazing hands and a team player. More importantly, he used his position as an NHL superstar to give back to the community. The real shame is trying to find highlights of his goals. I have scoured the internet and can only find limited videos … but trust me, my memory recalls a lot of awesome goals.

[@InsignificantNick]

Why is Mogilny not in the HOF, my god!

[@dnasty312]

*#89* should be retired by the Sabres too 💙💛⚔

[@outplay_kids6654]

I actually just bought a black goat head lafontaine jersey, couldn’t be happier

[@dnasty312]

I've a blue one meself 💙💛⚔

[@christhornycroft3686]

I always connect LaFontaine in my mind with the guy he was traded for, Pierre Turgeon. Both very good players, but it's a shame Pat had the injury problems.

[@yankees29]

My mom works at a bicycle/fitness store on Long Island for 50 years. She has done business with Pat since the mid 1980’s. He’s a class act.

[@tremoloman]

One of my favorite players of all time! Thank you for the video :)

[@GrinderCB]

I remember Patty Lafontaine from the early 90's when he was coming back from an injury, though not a concussion. He'd broken his jaw and was wearing a special mask that resembled a welder's mask. He was also asthmatic. My mom has asthma and she got a pamphlet from her doctor once and she showed it to me and asked if I knew who Pat Lafontaine was. Of course I did. The thing had an article about how asthma treatment had advanced and gave him as an example of someone in a physically exerting occupation who succeeded despite asthma.

[@tomgilson9180]

Pat LaFontain, St. Louis made, started playing hockey in Kirkwood, MO where my nephew now plays squirt, under Joey Vitale.

[@wilseph1]

What a player. That speed and shot. And playmaking.

[@dnasty312]

And leadership

[@bosskey7212]

got to watch Pat play several times in that 148 point season, he was a an amazing player, its ashame the injury/concussion bug was a problem for him. I truly think Lafontaine would have been up there with the top of the "GOAT list", he and Mogilny were an amazing tandem and very entertaining

[@Electricalphil]

Pat Quinn said Mogilny was the most talented player he ever saw, but was lazy.

[@bosskey7212]

@@Electricalphil I remember that, but, I also remembered that Mogilny broke his leg twice in 2 years early in his career and it really slowed him down pretty quickly as he got older. I never thought of Mogilny as being lazy, he, along with Lafontaine just seemed to get hurt a lot and eventually those pile up pretty quick. For Alex his speed and skating were his hallmarks and once his wheels were gone he was really never the same even though he had some good years

[@ravensshadow2179]

I still have his signed framed jersey hang on my wall. The fans loved he was great in the community. When he was out with his knee he was still try to do what ever he could for the team and the fans. He wouldn't leave a autograph session till everyone that wanted one had one.

[@BrettHornby]

Rick Jeanneret made him more memorable as a Buffalo Sabre.

[@TheMan750]

LA LA LA LA LA LA LAAAAAAFONTAINE

[@davebenn420]

I grew up in the same neighborhood as Pat. You could tell when we were kids he was an exceptional player. They had a rink on the lake and he would let us skate around and play hockey with him he was always very easy and holding back what he could actually be. Was always a great person as well as a great player

[@patriciajordan9407]

i can tell you pat laforntaine was like a magician on skates.The only explanation is god given talent.He would make opposing defenders look foolish,he could literally stick handle around the entire opposing team.Not only was his pure talent second to none but same goes for his character and integrity.I watched him play a lot im from long island and a huge islander fan.In terms of pure talent and finesse he is the greatest nhl player of all time i mean he was slick theres no doubt about it.Certain players might have similar numbers but they get their goals from having a wicked shot . Lafontaine had a fantastic shot but how he scored goals was just pure skill and talent he could stickhandle and deke around the entire opposing team.The sidney crosbys pavel bures connor mcdavid etc are a notch below.

[@northeastoutrider2124]

My all time favorite. His years with Mogilny were incredible to watch during my collage stay in Buffalo. Unlike today...

[@jeremykennedy9808]

LaFontaine's abbreviated 1993-94 wasn't due to a concussion, but a torn knee ligament, which also kept him out of much of the 94-95 lockout season.

[@dnasty312]

Wasn't Al acting captain during that time? *#89*

[@allsystemsgo8678]

The trade worked out great for the isles. Turgeon alone was almost as good as him. Krup was an excellent dman and Hogue had three consecutive seasons of at least 30 goals.

[@ARTOFFICIAL66]

Houge would fit in today

[@thegamersgalaxy2855]

1000% correct! Loved LaFontaine as a life long Islanders fan. That written, that trade was a win for the Islanders. Regardless of Pat's future production.

[@scotsaul3971]

one of my "all time" favourites. I remember when he came to the Islanders and they were on a mission for cup #5. Unbelievable player

[@gocanuckurself1]

Got excited when I saw this in my subscriptions!!! 🙌

[@xjpsmithx]

My favorite player growing up. I was heartbroken when he left the Islanders. Met him at a Kmart when I was 10.

[@J_Aaron_L]

Great vid... surprised just as much that Patty wasn't done yet. Perhaps a look at John Leclair soon?

[@jimread412]

He also played and won a gold medal in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

[@Mph-ut4bs]

Shannon mentions Pat Flatley and it makes me watch clips of the Heals and Flats show. I mean the Flats and Heals show.

[@williampilling6576]

Watching this career video in particular reminded me "Hey, Buffalo was actually decent and competitive"

[@aussiecanuck3628]

I picked up a LaFontaine goathead for $10 recently with the C. Great video as always Shannon

[@ABobeck94]

$10. ULTIMATE STEAL!

[@saltywingsandavsfan]

I did not know he had 148 points one season wow

[@dnasty312]

A Sabres record *and* a record for U.S. born players! Second that season to one Super Mario

[@everydaycarry1328]

Yep!

[@ronfroehlich4697]

You also probably didn't know that Mario Lemieux came back from cancer 17 points behind Lafontaine in the scoring race and still won the Art Ross that same season

[@maxrates]

That was in 92-93, a year with weak expansion teams which inflated scoring across the board. Several players had career seasons that year.

[@giotrapani7852]

Shannon can you do a THG hall of fame video on Dave Taylor or Gary suter.

[@ronfroehlich4697]

Great vid for us Gen X Patrick Division kids. Thank you, Shannon.

[@AustinLCampbell]

The first season I watched hockey, and the Capitals (I was just moved to DC at the time) in the 86-87 season. After the playoffs ended for the Caps with that LaFontaine goal, I just remember thinking to myself "does it always end like this for the Caps?" The answer to that question is yes and all the agony to go with it.

[@billyquinn8343]

one of, if not the best american born players ever

[@ShantyIrishman]

It’s Modano or Kane

[@allsystemsgo8678]

@@ShantyIrishman Modano and Kane were on much better teams. LaFontaine had more pure skill then them although they were are much better two way players.

[@southsider3542]

@@ShantyIrishman 1. Kane 2. Chelios 3. LaFontaine

[@Davidjon1946]

Mikey Modano pat LaFontaine

[@Davidjon1946]

​@@allsystemsgo8678 thank you !! He had mogilny and that was on the same line that was best he had

[@markerworld5912]

Best American player ever not even close. My favorite player ever. Him and Mogilny were so much fun to watch. Born on the exact same day as me! Nuff said.

[@ll7868]

How about a Career of Mike Peca? The guy who was traded by Vancouver for Alex Mogilny, everyone thought it was lopsided but Peca turned into a top 2-way forward and Captain of the Sabres winning 2 Frank Selke Trophies. One of the most underrated players during his time in the NHL when the Sabres were still somewhat respectable.

[@jahmanoog461]

Now i remember the loaded ISLES getting LaFontaine and thinking the same--its not fair, they gonna win three more! Great skater, fluid and elusive.

[@philtorrez4198]

The true King of New York.

[@dk_creates]

One of the longest awaited THG videos

[@michaelinglis1856]

Another great video from The Hockey Guy. I must, however, possess that hat.

[@theprettybond159]

He gets sandwich breath in his face a lot. He also likes to fight, fight, fight.

[@unkemptcl4ptp511]

He makes others get red in the face

[@coadymcgillivray3846]

He's into Chevrolets, zebras, and honesty

[@nfbuckeye]

ASMR is everywhere. 😂

[@twown]

This little comment thread is fascinating because I don't get it. Haha.

[@BourLeaf]

He can feel in the other cut he had and everything is back to normal

[@tmoore4075]

Glad he was taken there. He seemed like THE pick for the Red Wings at 4 with him being from Michigan but the Wings got Yzerman instead. I think that worked out better on a number of levels for the Wings.

[@allsystemsgo8678]

Glad you wore a Sabres jersey since he demanded a trade from the isles

[@Davidjon1946]

LaFontaine mogilny on right wing yurri khmylev on the left wing that line was unstoppable!!

[@slothkng]

I’m with you. I remember him more for his time in buffalo knowing full well he played on the island. But when I hear that name I think sabers

[@6Snaus]

Hard not to hear Rick Jeanneret's voice when reading the name Pat LaFontaine.

[@jimmyj-514]

I remember growing up in Montreal there was always rumours to bring Lafontaine from the Isles to the Habs as he played his junior career there. The trade was always Richer and Corson for Lafontaine

[@brycemcneil4404]

1:44 One of the great "heartbreaking in hindsight" moments in sports was LaFontaine scoring two goals in the first minute of 3rd period, SCF Gm 5. Edmonton ran over the Isles in Northlands for eight periods and it was as though the Isles had just aged a thousand years & lost the will to complete the Drive For Five. Then here's this young sparkplug starting his career saying "Hey, I want to hoist the Cup too!," getting them back into the game. Alas, they couldn't curb the deficit further. Who could have known at that moment that he'd never get to the Finals again? 3:17 Multi-OT games weren't as common then and moreover, it was just a great game on its own merits before it went to OT. That's why it really was the Easter Epic. It wasn't a boring game that got dragged out, it was a knockdown drag out that went on forever. 6:12 Birth of La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-lllaaaaaaaaaaaFontaaaiinnnnnnneee!

[@seanyoung5380]

Damn this guy is a beast, Thank You Shannon. Never knew about him now I got another great to look up. Thanks Hockey Guy.

[@everydaycarry1328]

Absolute beast!

[@kylestoddart]

This will be an interesting video. Pat Lafontaine was a solid player!

[@thegreatrenaldo7718]

Pat was always a class act. He and Mogilny were my favorite Sabres

[@frankcapuano4857]

Best playoff performance in my opinion was 91-92. He owned Boston in that 7 game series

[@VeniVidiViciFilmsvonVisionEnt.]

As an Islanders fan, I thought LaFontaine was going to have a great career. I thought they’d win at least once with him. Honestly, the NHL did a disservice to the hockey community in the 1984 finals by changing the format to 2/3/2, the Islanders lost the first game 1-0, won 6-1 in game 2, but Edmonton won games 3 & 4 with ease. Had the series been allowed to come back to New York, the Islanders could have used the day off for veterans nursing injuries to recuperate, but they played two straight in the Coliseum, flew to Canada, then played three straight games. The Islanders were getting shutout after two periods in game 5. Then on the first shift into the third period, down 3-0, LaFontaine scored two quick goals in the early minutes, but the Dynasty ended that night. Today they have an off day, sometimes two between games. The Islanders of the Dynasty era, won 19 series in a row. Rocket's Canadiens played in 6 team league, only had 2 rounds to hoist the Stanley Cup. So five cups, ten series wins in a row. Guy Lafleur's Canadiens won 4 straight Cups in the late 70’s, had 3 rounds so that great team won 12 straight series wins. So I do think of if the Islanders had the typical 2/2/1/1/1 series, perhaps the Oilers would still have beaten the Islanders in their Drive for Five Stanley Cups. But when I think of how wonderful I felt moments after Pat LaFontaine scored those two fast goals. It’s a shame that was his only chance in a Stanley Cup Finals round because LaFontaine shined in game 5. Had the series been normal, with days off between games 4, 5, 6 & 7 so these players can recuperate, it would have been a fair match. Regardless if the Islanders won number Five in 1984 had the schedule been normal; the Islanders were going to pass the baton to the Oilers the next year anyway. One Dynasty ended, another Dynasty began. Because the Oilers were ready to win in 1985, so if they lost in 84, their future was bright. As I thought Pat LaFontaine's future was. It’s truly a shame what happened to his career. It modern day tragedy.

[@tmod3266]

Fun Fact: The most popular thing about Pat Lafontaine is a Cranial nerve exam. I am not kidding.

[@live2cd]

maybe in recent time, but he was one of the greatest to play the game in the late 1980s and early 1990s. every NHL fan knew his name.

[@ramonleclerc5060]

The Lindros Brothers also with the concussions

[@samuelfrick3475]

I still have the DVD of the Easter Epic. I have fond memories of those games including the moment where Bob Cole says “LaFontaine shot, he scores! LaFontaine at the blue line!!! Here in the 4OT!” Still gives me chills. That’s why I miss Bob Cole calling games

[@timsherman7736]

Thank you so much for this!

[@zoso73]

The top 5 picks of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft was insane. 1. Brian Lawton. 2. Sylvain Turgeon. 3. Pat LaFontaine. 4. Steve Yzerman. 5. Tom Barrasso.

[@Laniccal]

I've been waiting for this

[@twsb156]

Hey Shannon, I don't know if you would ever consider this but would you possibly do a video on Ales Hemsky?

[@TheBoxfitter]

That Easter epic was something. Longest game I've ever seen.

[@ryancalhoun2910]

Can you please do a video about Scott Stevens?

[@LordMcQuack]

LaFontaine played more games, had more goals, and more points as an Islander

[@egante]

the Guy Carbonneau hit was a bomb too

[@DrewRitz]

Pat LaFontaine is the Don Mattingly of hockey

[@live2cd]

and growing up on LI in the 1980s they were both my idols.

[@urmantaqi3253]

A tragic and sad ending to a Greatest USA born player. Thanks for awesome video.

[@Roacha9]

Imagine if he and Mogilny had ALOT more games together.. damn those injuries!

[@steventalbott6066]

Tis the season Fa La La Lafontine

[@RandomPlaceHolderName]

Point totals and such don't matter much when trying to give perspective Shannon. You ought to add where they finished amongst the league, IE 9th in goals that year and 7th in points. That sort of thing.

[@jcm_9994]

9:39 that 2nd round pick ended up being Andrew Peters

[@lunalouhoo]

That fourth overtime game against the Caps...oh yea....I remember that one.

[@KarlSchoenefeld4]

So glad he finally did this

[@preppen78]

An emergency career video in the middle of the semi finals when THG noticed the absence of one.

[@saltywingsandavsfan]

Yes a Career video!

[@TriggermanEst91]

Strange parallels with pat and jack leaving buffalo with career threatening injury. Buffalo deciding pat couldnt play due to concussion while he disagreed.

[@aahmadzai7189]

Not to mention where he ends up going. Many speculate that Eich wants to go to NYR

[@nicholasbeck4142]

He is the best American born player to play in the nhl.

[@faunbudweis]

well Mike Modano and Patrick Kane come close ;)

[@daveyboy_]

Played Jr. Verdun Quebec

[@PoSeiDoNN91]

Do one on the career of Mikhail Shtalenkov next

[@MiroHeinonen]

The man who just missed a dynasty. Norm Ullman also had this trait.

[@dsc4178]

We still know so little about CTE. Some people get hit in the head so much, no CTE ever, clear life all the way to their 90's. Others never get hit in the head, have zero reason to think they have problems, CTE riddles them before age 50. We still know so little.

[@thegoldrobber]

How come 84 regular season games played one year? Does anyone know how that is possible?

[@SabresGuy87]

Islanders and Rangers legend Pat Lafontaine!

[@dnasty312]

I was about to complain until I saw your pic 💙💛

[@loudini2695]

Lol

[@christophedube516]

Lookin for a good reason to rock the sabres jersey , lol

[@ARTOFFICIAL66]

Patty is one of my favorite my Mom thought I was crazy in church looking like a zombie because I watch the whole game he was as good as scouts said he would be

[@weaselworm8681]

Don’t forget Butch Goering’s hair. I’m sure that helped the Islanders greatly.

[@dnasty312]

And that helmet (?) of his

[@Davidjon1946]

I never knew it was James Patrick who gave him that concussion funny they become teenage

[@oldskool1979]

6:41 Dave McLlwain played until 2009.. what are you talking about ?

[@lpt421]

His NHL career was 87-88 to 96-97

[@soonerfan4321]

As a newer hockey fan, I’ve only know Lafontaine from watching RJ’s Sabres calls here on YT. La la la la la la LA FON TAINE

[@maverik094]

LaLaLaLaLaLaLaLaLaLaFontaine!

[@edalder2000]

As a Caps fan, I will never forgive LaFontaine for scoring in that 4th OT.

[@Detector1977]

One of the biggest reasons for Montreal's success in the late 70's was that they were the best at robbing other franchises of their draft picks. The Islanders did well here too. It was just so easy in the past to just go the the bottom feeders and give them some mediocre players and get their top 3 picks.

[@weltermanpodcastofswelters2752]

Yay! What a great career

[@drivethru6155]

Mr. Cranial Nerve Test ASMR himself, Pat LaFontaine!

[@timar6868]

Sabres fan. Lalalalalalalalalafontaine!!!!!!!!

[@wilseph1]

4 year deal worth 6 million total. Let that sink in.

[@signin4079]

I litteraly just watched the canadian jock's video on injuries that ended a player's career and guess who I see next? Pat Lafontaine

[@Laniccal]

Then another Subban trade occurs, the conspiracy continues.

[@musix7295]

If he had no concussions he would’ve stayed on a superstar level.

[@artystaar]

And Lafontaine is from STL.

[@67JLBlues19]

Chevrolet, zebra, honesty.

[@Davidjon1946]

"La LA LAAA FONTAINE rick Jennette was the best ever!!

[@HeritageWealthPlanning]

Easter! That’s all I gotta say... Easter