A two-time Stanley Cup Champion with Montreal, Rogie Vachon was traded to the Los Angeles Kings one Game into the 1971-72 Season, and it was a King where Vachon cemented his Hall of Fame resume.
Vachon's first year in L.A. was not very good, but he was easily the best player that the Kings had his next four years. In 1974-75 and 1976-77, Vachon was a Second Team All-Star and a Finalist for the Hart in both years. Had it not been for the greatness of Ken Dryden, he would have been a First Team All-Star at least twice. On the strength of Vachon, the Kings made the playoffs five times, and while they were not serious contenders, the fact that they made the post-season at all was because of Rogie.
The Los Angeles days of Vachon ended when he signed with the Red Wings in 1978, and Vachon gave them 171 Wins against 148 Losses and 66 Ties. In 1985, The Kings made him the first player in franchise history to have his number retired when number 30 was taken out of circulation.
Vachon was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016.
Comments powered by CComment