Leonard Gerald "Leo The Lion"[1] Labine (July 22, 1931 – February 25, 2005) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. A native of Haileybury, Ontario, Labine played for teams in the NHL, WHL, EPHL, and the AHL. At 5'10", and 178 lbs, Labine had a long and varied career.

Leo Labine
Born (1931-07-22)July 22, 1931
Haileybury, Ontario, Canada
Died February 26, 2005(2005-02-26) (aged 73)
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Boston Bruins
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 1950–1967

Biography

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Memorial Cup Winner 1951 Barrie Flyers

Leo Labine began his career as a featured member of the Memorial Cup winning Barrie Flyers, the Boston Bruins OHA affiliate. After a brief spell with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, Labine joined the Bruins near the conclusion of the 1951–52 season and with his rugged, spectacular style, he quickly established himself as a regular.

In 1955 Labine won the Elizabeth C. Dufresne Trophy, given to the Boston Bruins player voted most outstanding during home games. Labine also led the Bruins in scoring for the 1954–55 season. His best campaigns in Boston were spent on Boston's top power unit with his long-time partner Real Chevrefils and smooth, crafty centre Don McKenney. His fiery, aggressive style fit in well with the Boston Bruins of the 1950s. Labine was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1961.

Labine, who retired from hockey in 1967, was also a member of the WHL All-Star Team in 1964, and participated in the NHL All-Star Games of 1955 and 1956. Labine played in a total of 643 NHL games, had 128 goals, and 321 points.[1]

Labine died of cancer at the North Bay General Hospital in North Bay, Ontario, on February 25, 2005, at the age of seventy-three.[1] He is buried in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in North Bay.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1949–50 St. Michael's Majors OHA 47 20 22 42 77 5 1 2 3 13
1950–51 Barrie Flyers OHA 52 32 46 78 143 12 13 13 26 36
1950–51 Barrie Flyers M-Cup 11 12 13 25 36
1951–52 Boston Bruins NHL 15 2 4 6 9 5 0 1 1 4
1951–52 Hershey Bears AHL 53 23 23 46 88 5 0 1 1 20
1952–53 Boston Bruins NHL 51 8 15 23 69 7 2 1 3 19
1952–53 Hershey Bears AHL 16 7 3 10 33 3 1 2 3 8
1953–54 Boston Bruins NHL 68 16 19 35 57 4 0 1 1 8
1954–55 Boston Bruins NHL 67 24 18 42 75 5 2 1 3 11
1955–56 Boston Bruins NHL 68 16 18 34 104
1956–57 Boston Bruins NHL 67 18 29 47 128 10 3 2 5 14
1957–58 Boston Bruins NHL 62 7 14 21 60 11 0 2 2 10
1958–59 Boston Bruins NHL 70 9 23 32 74 7 2 1 3 12
1959–60 Boston Bruins NHL 63 16 28 44 58
1960–61 Boston Bruins NHL 40 7 12 19 34
1960–61 Detroit Red Wings NHL 24 2 9 11 32 11 3 2 5 4
1961–62 Detroit Red Wings NHL 48 3 4 7 30
1961–62 Sudbury Wolves EPHL 9 10 10 20 18 5 0 4 4 4
1962–63 Los Angeles Blades WHL 68 30 47 77 90 3 1 0 1 2
1963–64 Los Angeles Blades WHL 70 31 46 77 56 12 10 12 22 10
1964–65 Los Angeles Blades WHL 58 16 37 53 42
1965–66 Los Angeles Blades WHL 71 33 30 63 33
1966–67 Los Angeles Blades WHL 70 18 29 47 24
WHL totals 337 128 189 317 245 15 11 12 23 12
NHL totals 643 128 193 321 730 60 12 11 23 82

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Leo Labine, former Bruin and Red Wing, dead at 73". USA Today. February 26, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
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