Hec Lalande

Former Chicago Black Hawk Hec Lalande died on August 18th, 2010 at the age of 75.

A junior sensation with the Galt Black Hawks in the early 1950s, Lalande got his first taste of the National Hockey League at the age of 19. He would play regularly if unspectacularly with Chicago from 1955 though 1958, finishing that third NHL season with the Detroit Red Wings.

He scored 21 goals and 60 points in 151 games over three NHL seasons with the Black Hawks and Red Wings. Lalande was described as a very good playmaker. Although his penalty minute totals do not hint at it, he was also known as a tough player who never backed down from anybody.

He was also known as a great baseball player. He would return home to North Bay, Ontario in the summertimes and play ball.

For whatever reason, Lalande left the NHL after three seasons. He would continue to play in the minor leagues until 1967. He spent several seasons with Hershey of the AHL, leading the Bears to two Calder Cup championships. He later put up back to back 100 point seasons with the Clinton Comets of the EHL.

After hockey Lalande returned to his dear North Bay and coached local hockey and baseball teams. He also was active in organizing and coaching sled hockey for disabled athletes, and enjoyed hunting. Lalande was inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.