NHL career
In 1960-61, Rousseau earned his first chance in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens. Rousseau played in 15 games earning 3 points. During his first full NHL season in 1961-2, he scored 21 goals and 24 assists and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL that year. [5] Rousseau had a less productive 1962-3 season as he scored only 37 points. In 1963-64, Rousseau scored 25 goals and 56 points. Rousseau also had a 5-goal game against the Detroit Red Wings on February 1, 1964. [6] The Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1964-65 against the Chicago Black Hawks. The series went to 7 games, which the Canadiens won, giving Rousseau his first Stanley Cup. Rousseau was also invited to the 1965 All-Star Game. During the 1965-66 NHL season, Rousseau's 78 points tied him with Stan Mikita for second overall in the scoring race. [7] His hard work earned him a spot on the NHL Second All-Star Team that season. Rousseau helped the Canadiens defend their Stanley Cup title as they beat the Detroit Red Wings in 6 games. The Canadiens returned to the Finals for a third straight time in 1966-67 but lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 6 games. However, Rousseau and the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup the following two seasons.
After the 1969-70 NHL season, his ninth with the Canadiens, during which he scored 24 goals, Rousseau was traded to the Minnesota North Stars where he spent the 1970-71 season. He was then traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for right winger Bob Nevin and helped the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1971-72 which the Rangers lost in 6 games to the Boston Bruins, with Rousseau amassing 17 points during the playoff run. After playing 8 games in 1974-75, Rousseau retired.
Canada 