With the Quebec Major Junior Hockey league now establishing itself in St. John's, I have been conducting a number of "five for fighting" interviews with a number of of the tough guys on the various teams in the league.  Not only have I been interviewing current fighters in the Q, but also QMJHL alumni.  And that is how I came to interviewing Mr. Georges Laraque, of the Edmonton Oilers.

One on One With Georges Laraque

Paul Griffin: When did you start playing hockey?
Georges Laraque: When I was 5 years old.

Paul Griffin: What is your favorite road arena to play in?
Georges Laraque: Bell Centre in Montreal

Paul Griffin: What is your Favorite pre/post game meal?
Georges Laraque: Nothing in particular.
 

Paul Griffin: Is there anything you do before a game to pump yourself up?
Georges Laraque: No not really.

Paul Griffin: What are your superstitions?
Georges Laraque: I like to pray before games. I get to the game 4 hours before so I could pray in peace.

Paul Griffin: Who was your NHL idol growing up, or maybe a player you pattern your game after? Why?
Georges Laraque: My idol growing up wasn't a hockey player, it was Jackie Robinson, first black player to play baseball. When I read his book, I read how hard it was for him to make it and because of that he became a great role model for minorities and since in hockey there's wasn't really any black players to look up too. I looked up to him to try to become a role model just like he did.

Paul Griffin: You had fairly strong seasons in the QMJHL putting up 22 points in your rookie season along with 142 penalty minutes. Then in your second and third years you continuously got better. In 94-95 you had 41 pts and 259 PIM. Then in 95-96 in a mere 41 games you managed put up 44 pts with 257 PIM. What happened that season where your were traded a couple times and only played 42 games?
Georges Laraque: I had knee surgery which limited the number of games I played and since it was my last year junior, St-Haycinthe gave me the luxury to choose between Granby or Hull for my next destination for a chance to win the cup.

Paul Griffin: When you first started your QMJHL career was there any player/fighter that took you under their wing and taught you the basics of the league? What key advice did they give you?
Georges Laraque: No one, I did it all on my ownPaul Griffin: Any one moment that really sticks out to you from your days in the QMJHL?
Georges Laraque: Definitely winning the memorial cup, it was a great experience.

Paul Griffin: In the 1995 NHL Entry Draft the Edmonton Oilers selected you in the second round. What were your thoughts on being drafted and how did it feel to know so far all of your hard work and determination had paid off? Did you expect to be picked by the Oilers?
Georges Laraque: I knew the Oilers were gonna pick me if I was available in the second round because of the previous interview and as happy as I was to be drafted I knew I was still a long way from being in the NHL and had to work now even harder to make it.

Paul Griffin: Right now, who is your biggest personal rival in the NHL? Who was your biggest rival in the QMJHL and why?
Georges Laraque: Well,every tough guy in the NHL is my biggest rival and it was the same
in the Q every tough guy were my biggest rival

Paul Griffin: Tell you about your first goal in the QMJHL
Georges Laraque: I actually dont remember my first goal in the Q

Paul Griffin: When was your first hockey fight?
Georges Laraque: lol, I have no idea to be honest I can't remember.

Paul Griffin: Tell me about your best QMJHL fight!
Georges Laraque: Joel Theriault in my last year, it was a real man fight, toe to toe and he was my best friend.

Paul Griffin: Tell me about your worst QMJHL fight!
Georges Laraque: This, one I'll never forget Sylvain Blouin and it was in Laval Colisee. It was one of my first one, my rookie season. Everyone told me not to do it, but I wanted to try cause Sylvain was the thoughest guy in the league at that time. He caught me with a big one that really made me bleed a lot. It looked like a face off circle dot cause there was so much blood. I got so traumatized that I didn't fight for an other 40 games after that and frankly thought I wasn't never gonna do it again.

Paul Griffin: What exactly goes through your mind as you're squaring off against a guy?
Georges Laraque: Hurry up and get it over with.

Paul Griffin: In all of your fights, who do you think you ever hit the hardest, and who was it that ever hit you the hardest?
Georges Laraque: Well I don't really know so many guys do hit hard and did. Its to hard to judge with so much adrenaline you don't feel a thing.

Paul Griffin: Is there any one player out there, still active, retired, or even dead I suppose, that sometime in your career you would love to get your hands on and have a tango with? Or tango with again?
Georges Laraque: No, because I actually don't like fighting, I just do it cause it's my job.

Paul Griffin: Funniest thing you've seen in a game?
Georges Laraque: Would have to be the naked streaker in Calgary knocking himself out on the ice when try to go over the glass.

Paul Griffin: If you could change one rule about the game, what would it be?
Georges Laraque: Instigator rule

Paul Griffin: What celebrity, dead or alive, would you most like to hang out with?
Georges Laraque: No one really, I like the meet everyone the same and don't consider celebrities anymore special than anyone else.

Paul Griffin: What's the worst habit a roommate has ever had?
Georges Laraque: I wont mention names but snoring so loud that I couldn't sleep.

Paul Griffin: Most embarrassing CD you own?
Georges Laraque: haha I don't have one otherwise I would throw it away lol.

Paul Griffin: What song do you never want to hear in an arena again?
Georges Laraque: I actually don't mind any cause I don't pay much attention to them

Paul Griffin: What's the best practical joke you've ever seen?
Georges Laraque: some players putting a pie of shave cream on a face of an other player on an live interview on late Hockey Night in Canada

Paul Griffin: Finally what can fans expect to see of you in the future? What plans do you have in mind after your hockey career is over?
Georges Laraque: I plan on finishing my law degree and doing some radio stuff..

Paul Griffin: What is your proudest moment in career to date
Georges Laraque: My NHL hat trick.

Thank you Georges for taking to time to talk with us.

Please visit Georges website www.georgeslaraque.com