Former NHLer Larry Trader passes away at 61
The National Hockey League Alumni Association announced Thursday that former player Larry Trader has died at the age of 61.
The NHL Alumni Association is saddened to learn that Larry Trader has passed away at the age of 61.
Larry was drafted in the 5th round of the 1981 Entry Draft to the @DetroitRedWings. He played two seasons with the team before moving on to the @StLouisBlues, and finishing his… pic.twitter.com/4WbIDI3S0Q
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) September 5, 2024
“Larry was loved by all those who met him, with his positive energy and quick wit, he could make anyone smile,” the NHL Alumni wrote in their social media post. “We send our deepest condolences to Larry’s family, friends, and former teammates during this difficult time.”
Born in Barry’s Bay, Ont., Trader played junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights. Through three seasons, he scored 39 goals and 88 assists for 127 points.
Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Trader bounced up and down between the big club and their AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Red Wings.
His best season came in 1985-86, scoring 10 goals and 46 assists for 56 points in 64 regular-season AHL games, then adding six goals and 16 assists for 22 points in 17 playoff games, helping the AHL Red Wings win the 1986 Calder Cup.
Trader played 91 career NHL regular-season games with the Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens, scoring five goals and 13 assists for 18 points.
He would go on to Europe to play in Austria and Italy before retiring from professional hockey in 1994. He would soon take a coaching job with the Brantford Smoke of the United Hockey League, where he would spend three seasons, each with a winning record.