Sports
Pat LaFontaine
born 1965 · ice hockey center
Hall of Fame center who grew up in Waterford, Oakland County, after 1972 and became one of the highest-scoring American-born players in NHL history.
- Born
St. Louis, Missouri
age 61- Birth name
- Patrick Michael LaFontaine
- Detroit years
- 1972–1982
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
LaFontaine was born in St. Louis, and in 1972, when he was seven, his father's job brought the family to the Detroit area. He grew up in Waterford Township in Oakland County, learned the game on local ponds and rinks, and developed into a phenomenal youth player in metro Detroit's competitive amateur programs, graduating from Waterford Kettering High School. He left for major junior hockey in Quebec, played for the United States at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics and joined the New York Islanders in time for the 1984 Stanley Cup Final. A fast, creative center, he starred for the Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres, scoring 148 points in 1992–1993, and his 1.17 points per game remain the best among American-born players. Concussions ended his career in 1998. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, at a ceremony in Detroit.
Highlights
- Grew up in Waterford Township from 1972; Waterford Kettering graduate
- 1.17 points per game, best among American-born NHL players
- 148 points for Buffalo in 1992–1993
- Played for the U.S. at the 1984 and 1998 Olympics
- Hockey Hall of Fame 2003; Michigan Sports Hall of Fame 2004
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · late 1970s–early 1980s
Waterford Kettering High School
His high school in Waterford Township, Oakland County (also Kirk Gibson's school).