Drafted 112th overall by the NY Islanders in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft, Langevin instead chose to sign with the Edmonton Oilers of the rival World Hockey Association, who also had selected him in the WHA draft the same year, since his prospects of getting regular playing time were better in the WHA. Langevin became a solid performer for the Oilers, making the All-WHA Second All-Star team in 1978–79. When the Oilers joined the NHL the following season, the Islanders reclaimed him as a former New York draft pick.
Langevin was a strictly defensive defenseman, whose forte was full-body checking. Langevin was instrumental in the Islanders' come-back victory in the 1985 playoffs against the Washington Capitals. Benched for the first two losses, he entered game three with a decisive physical presence, most notably checking sniper Mike Gartner with a powerful hip check. The Islanders went on to win three straight and became the only team ever to lose the first two games of a five-game series and go on to win.
Post Playing Career
Langevin served as head coach of the expansion Idaho Steelheads of the West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) during the 1997–98 season. After a single season in Idaho, he returned to Minnesota and became a real estate appraiser and high school hockey coach. He also served as a South Suburban (MnJHL) head coach until the team folded following the 2001–02 season. He has also done part-time work for the NHL Central Scouting Bureau after his retirement.
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