Robert Picard

Last updated
Robert Picard
Robert Picard Panini 1979.jpg
Born (1957-05-25) May 25, 1957 (age 68)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 02 in (188 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Washington Capitals
Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens
Winnipeg Jets
Quebec Nordiques
Detroit Red Wings
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
NHL draft 3rd overall, 1977
Washington Capitals
WHA draft 38th overall, 1977
Quebec Nordiques
Playing career 19771990
Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1978 Prague

Robert Rene Joseph Picard (born May 25, 1957) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player.

Contents

Career

Robert Picard established himself as a highly regarded defensive prospect with the Montreal Juniors and Montreal Bleu Blanc Rouge from 1973 to 1977. He was selected 3rd overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft. [1]

In Washington, expectations were high due to the team's abysmal performance, and Picard was expected to single-handedly reverse the losing fortunes. Picard played well, but after three seasons of unrealistic expectations he was traded to Toronto in exchange for goaltender Mike Palmateer. Toronto management gave Picard little opportunity to show what he was capable of, sending him to his hometown Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Michel Larocque in March, 1981. In his hometown, the expectations were raised even higher and, as before, Picard, in his sensitivity, tried to do more than he could.

In 1983, he was traded to the Winnipeg Jets and was paired with fellow defender Randy Carlyle, with whom he found an opportunity to play within his means. The time in Winnipeg was good but short. Just over two seasons later, he was again on the move, this time to the Quebec Nordiques, where he was a regular on the blueline for four seasons before retiring after a 20-game stint with the Red Wings in 1990.

Trivia

On November 4, 1983, Picard was traded to the Winnipeg Jets by the Montreal Canadiens for Winnipeg's 3rd round choice in the 1984 Entry Draft, Montreal would use that draft pick to select goaltender Patrick Roy, who would go on to a Hall of Fame career.

Robert Picard signed with the Capitals after he was drafted with the team’s first choice (third overall) in the 1977 NHL amateur draft. He later realized he could make more money in the World Hockey Association and signed a five-year deal for $625,000 with the WHA’s Quebec Nordiques in Sept., 1977. But the WHA barred Picard from playing with the Nords, realizing that the league would face a lawsuit from the NHL if he suited up. An angry and frustrated Picard said "I’d rather deliver pizzas in Quebec City" than play hockey in Washington. A few days later he reported for his first Capitals training camp.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1973–74 Montreal Bleu Blanc Rouge QMJHL 707465328691456
1974–75 Montreal Bleu Blanc RougeQMJHL70137487337813437
1975–76 Montreal Juniors QMJHL721467812826291125
1976–77 Montreal JuniorsQMJHL70326092267132101220
1977–78 Washington Capitals NHL 75102737101
1978–79 Washington CapitalsNHL7721446585
1979–80 Washington CapitalsNHL78114354122
1980–81 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL596192568
1980–81 Montreal Canadiens NHL8224610000
1981–82 Montreal CanadiensNHL622262810651127
1982–83 Montreal CanadiensNHL64731386030000
1983–84 Montreal CanadiensNHL70220
1983–84 Winnipeg Jets NHL626162234300012
1984–85 Winnipeg JetsNHL7812223410782248
1985–86 Winnipeg JetsNHL2025717
1985–86 Quebec Nordiques NHL48727343630222
1986–87 Quebec NordiquesNHL788202871132101210
1987–88 Quebec NordiquesNHL6531316103
1988–89 Quebec NordiquesNHL747142161
1989–90 Quebec NordiquesNHL2405528
1989–90 Detroit Red Wings NHL2003320
NHL totals8991043194231,025365152039

International

YearTeamEvent GPGAPtsPIM
1978 Canada WC 101234
1979 CanadaWC70002
Senior totals171236

References

  1. "Caps Alumni Biographies: Did You Know?". NHL.com. 30 January 2017. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
Preceded by Washington Capitals first round draft pick
1977
Succeeded by