The Detroit Red Wings had high expectations for defenseman Serge Lajeunesse, and it’s easy to see why. Back in the 1969-70 OHA Jr.
A season, Lajeunesse was a standout on a powerhouse Montreal Jr. Canadiens team that clinched the Memorial Cup.
His teammates? Future NHL stars like Gilbert Perreault, Richard Martin, and Ian Turnbull, to name a few.
Lajeunesse, standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 185 pounds, was known for his defensive prowess. During that season, he notched two goals and 29 points, while racking up 87 penalty minutes over 54 games.
The Detroit Red Wings were impressed enough to draft him 12th overall in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. As Detroit coach Ned Harkness put it, “He likes to hit and mix it up. He’s a lean, tough kid.”
In his rookie season, Lajeunesse quickly made his mark, being voted the club’s “most exciting player.” Yet, his time with the Red Wings was short-lived.
During his debut season in 1970-71, he managed one goal and three assists in 62 games and finished with a minus-28 rating. Language barriers posed a challenge, as Lajeunesse spoke little English upon arriving in Detroit.
Over the following two seasons, his appearances dwindled to just 35 games, where he added only one assist. Despite turning down a contract from the Quebec Nordiques of the WHA, hoping to secure a steady NHL spot, his journey took another turn.
After the 1972-73 season, Lajeunesse was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for enforcer Rick Foley. With the Flyers, he played six games over two seasons and even saw time as a right-winger. During the Flyers’ Stanley Cup triumphs in 1973-74 and 1974-75, Lajeunesse contributed as a Black Ace, offering depth and grit to a championship squad.
Serge Lajeunesse’s career may not have followed the trajectory many hoped for, but his impact and determination left a mark on those who watched him play.