Leo Labine

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

Leonard Gerald "Leo The Lion" 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. He played with the following teams during his lifetime:

• St. Michael's Majors from 1949 to 1950;
• Barrie Flyers, with whom he won the Memorial Cup, from 1950 to 1951;
• Hershey Bears 1951 to 1953;
• Boston Bruins 1951 to 1961;
• Detroit Red Wings 1961 to 1962;
• Sudbury Wolves 1961 to 1962;
• Los Angeles Blades 1962 to 1967.

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.

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

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				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

External links

• Hockey database profile
• Leo Labine at Find a Grave