Georges "The Rock" Laraque

Georges Laraque played 13 NHL seasons for four teams, earning the nickname “The Rock” as a feared enforcer. But beyond his tough on-ice reputation, his bestselling biography reveals a compassionate humanitarian and active community leader. The son of Haitian immigrants, Georges has been deeply involved in relief efforts for Haiti, including rebuilding the Grace Children’s Hospital after the 2015 earthquake. A committed environmentalist, he even served as Deputy Leader of the Green Party in 2010. Since retiring, Georges has inspired audiences across North America with stories about his career and his passions for inclusivity, anti-racism, environmental sustainability, and bullying prevention.

Over his career, Georges played 695 regular-season and 57 playoff games, appearing in two Stanley Cup Finals with Edmonton (2006) and Pittsburgh (2008), before signing a three-year contract with his hometown Montréal Canadiens. As a prominent person of colour in the NHL, he became a symbol of pride and representation for his community. Reflecting on his journey, Georges says, “All of this went well beyond my expectations… It was truly special playing for the hometown team in Montréal that inspired me to start hockey.”