Larry Giroux

Larry "Buffalo Head" Giroux (born August 28, 1951 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan) is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman. Defenceman Larry Giroux played nearly 300 NHL games for four different clubs in the 70s and 80s. He was a decent positional player who could pass the puck to his forwards effectively. The hard working defender was also known as "Buffalo Head" due to his puffy hairstyle. Other nicknames included "Melon Head" (the more distasteful moniker), and "Cotton."

Born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Giroux starred in junior with the local Red Wings and the Swift Current Broncos. He then spent a year playing senior hockey with the WIHL's Kimberley Dynamiters before signing as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues. He was assigned to the Fort Worth Wings of the CHL and recorded 47 points on the way to being named to the league's first all-star team.

After a solid rookie season with St. Louis in 1973-74, Giroux was traded to the expansion Kansas City Scouts. He only lasted 21 games there before he was sent to the Detroit Red Wings for Guy Charron. Giroux spent nearly four years as a useful farmhand with the Wings before returning to the Blues in 1978-79. Along the way he was named the CHL's top defenceman and a first team all-star in 1978. Following his return to St. Louis he played 73 games and played in all situations for the first time since his rookie season. After signing as a free agent with the Hartford Whalers, Giroux played 47 games in 1979-80 before retiring.

Giroux started his National Hockey League career with the St. Louis Blues in 1974. He also played for the Kansas City Scouts, Detroit Red Wings, and Hartford Whalers. He retired after the 1980 season.

External links

• Larry Giroux career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database