Montreal Canadiens’ Georges Laraque: Life After Hockey

In February, just a month after his release from the Canadiens, Laraque joined the Green Party of Canada, and in July of that year, was appointed Deputy Leader of the Party. Laraque’s passionate causes include animal welfare, the environment, continued relief and support for Haiti, and sports.

He signed on in order to help promote healthy lifestyles through sport and activity, to help fight obesity – especially among young people – and to make a difference that was global. In his position as Deputy Leader, he traveled the country with the Green Party’s leader, Elizabeth May, and actively reported back via his Facebook page.

He stepped down from the role in 2013 – amidst controversial charges against him, a former business partner alleging he committed fraud. He has maintained his innocence in the charges, the Party has supported him, and the charges were retracted.

In 2011, Laraque took Habs’ defenseman P.K. Subban on a trip to Haiti. Subban called it a “life-changing experience” as they visited earthquake-devastated areas, met with patients and their families at a children’s hospital, and played ball hockey with some of the kids they met.

For then-21-year-old Subban, the experience was profoundly moving, and he was visibly grateful to Laraque for the opportunity.

Laraque has a website where he has uploaded information and write-ups about everything from his career and his life post-hockey. He maintains one of the most positive outlooks you can find online, promoting not only his book and his biography, but his causes and the ways in which people can get involved.

I like the good things in life. I like to have fun, to joke around. However, it’s my humanitarian side, my involvement in various charitable and professional projects that really defines who I am. – Georges Laraque, Homepage

He is also active on Twitter and Facebook, interacting with his fans whom he has never forgotten.

Laraque has remained active and outspoken in various arenas:

• A vegan since 2009, he is an animal activist and has opened two vegan restaurants

• In 2010, he launched a campaign – including offering $100,000 of his own money – to urge the Edmonton Zoo to move an elephant named Lucy. Lucy was suffering from cold and isolation, and Laraque tried to save her from a sure death. Lucy remains in Edmonton, but is being watched by veterinarians. She is said to be stable, and in comfortable conditions, though Laraque’s commitment to her well-being continues and he recently retweeted this:

• He has taken part in “Canada Reads”, an annual event featuring celebrity panelists “defending” chosen books in order to promote literacy. Laraque’s chosen book, in 2010, was “The Bone Cage“, a novel that revolves – not surprisingly – around athletes.
•  For 5 consecutive years, Laraque has taken part in the “5 Days For The Homeless” campaign, an event which takes place every March. It involves participants sleeping outdoors for 5 nights, and remaining in place for 5 straight days, in order to raise fund for, and awareness of, the plight of the homeless in Montreal. Laraque has joined Montreal Mayor, Denis Coderre, other politicians, and radio personalities in his annual participation.

• He took to running marathons for charity, not an easy feat for someone of his build; in 2014, he ran a marathon to collect money for leukemia patients. But he was not deterred by the training or the grueling run:

"I know how hard it is to run. But it’s not nearly as hard as fighting leukemia."

• On his Facebook page, a few years ago, Laraque asked for contributions in the form of articles, attributing his request to the high caliber of followers on his page. He asked for any topic, as long as it was respectful and interesting, and to any he published, he would send a cap from one of his NHL teams. I am proud to say I own one of those autographed caps – from the Habs, of course – due to my article on cyberbullying issues. Other issues he addressed ranged from family topics to sports.

Personal photo by Lissa Albert, 2015

But his most recent success comes in the form of hockey – street hockey. And it’s a resounding triumph.

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