Pat LaFontaine (born February 22, 1965, in St. Louis, Missouri) was an Ice Hockey center in the National Hockey League, who played from the 1983-84 season to the 1997-98 season for the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers (the only man ever to skate with all three clubs based in New York State).

LaFontaine joined the Islanders after a few monster campaigns in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and after representing the US in the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics. Although he appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals in only his rookie season, he was unable to play a major role since the team was already deep in veterans. Furthermore, his arrival was concurrent with the beginning of the end of the Islanders' dynasty.

In the 1987 playoffs, LaFontaine scored a famous goal in the 4th overtime period of the seventh and decisive game between the Islanders and Washington Capitals. "It was the most memorable moment in my hockey life," he later recalled.

Traded to Buffalo in 1991 for fellow superstar Pierre Turgeon, LaFontaine exploded offensively in the 1992-93 season with a personal-best and team-record 148 points (53 goals + 95 assists). During the 1993 playoffs, LaFontaine engineered another great moment: in spite of playing with a damaged knee, as well as having fallen onto the ice, he still managed to set up Brad May 's overtime, series-clinching goal against the Boston Bruins.

LaFontaine was forced to retire at the age of 33 after suffering from a concussion, caused by an accidental collision with a Rangers teammate. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 3, 2003.

LaFontaine is considered to be one of the most classy and graceful players of all-time. However, he will be best remembered for his big heart, and for his longtime involvement off the ice in charitable projects for sick children.

External links

• The Hockey Hall of Fame profile of Pat LaFontaine
• The Companions In Courage Foundation