Yvon Labre
Yvon Labre Jules ( born November 29, 1949 in Sudbury, Ontario ) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach, who played in his playing days from 1966 to 1981 among others for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League.
Career
Yvon Labre began his career as a hockey player in the Canadian Junior Football League Ontario Hockey Association, first as a Junior B for the Markham Waxers and later at age 18 for the Toronto Marlboros. Even then, it was the passion and commitment, who appreciated his teammates and coaches at him, because his step runs and playful options were limited.
After a year at the Baltimore Clippers in the American Hockey League, he came in the 1970/71 season for his debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had obliged him by the NHL Amateur Draft 1969 in the third round. In the following years he played mostly with the Hershey Bears in the AHL and was only in the 1973/74 season came to a few uses.
When NHL Expansion Draft 1974 Washington Capitals picked him in their squad. He had shot for the Penguins in the NHL two-goal. The first of twelve that followed for the Capitals made , for special attention. It was the first Heimtor in the history of the new team from Washington than he could conquer in goal for the Los Angeles Kings Rogatien Vachon. But not his goals took him to the heart of the Capitals fans, but the way he lived Hockey in one place, which is not known for its hockey tradition. The fact that he played for one of the weakest teams in the NHL, never discouraged him there. He was plagued by the 1975/76 season of injuries. In his last four seasons, he could deny only in a more than 25 games. At the age of 32 years his knee forced him to end his playing career. The Capitals honored him shortly afterwards, by hanging a banner with his number 7 in their stadium and this number never forgave again. Labre is thus the only player who ever played for the Capitals with the number 7.
After his playing career, he stayed true to the Caps. He was assistant coach and took over more responsibilities on the staff of franchises.