Alumni Profile: Roberto Luongo
Whether it is his hilarious social media presence or his ability to stop the powerful slapshots of NHL greats, Roberto Luongo is without a doubt one of the most beloved goalies to suit-up between the pipes. The now retired NHL star had a lucrative and award-winning career in the National Hockey League. Really, let’s just call it what it was: Legendary.
The six-foot-three netminder from Quebec was drafted fourth overall by the New York Islanders during the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. From there, he would go on to play 20 years in the National Hockey League. His many accolades include two Olympic gold medals and a pair of gold medals at the world championships for Team Canada, silver at the World Juniors and having been nominated for both the Vezina and Hart Memorial trophies.
But, before he was the superstar NHLer he is recognized as today, he was a successful major junior player who once was a championship member of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Luongo was drafted second overall in the first round of the 1995 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Foreurs and hit the ice with them for three-and-a-half seasons, during which time he won a President Cup with Val-d’Or in 1998.
He made his debut in Bathurst following the 1998 Christmas trade period. In his 22 regular season appearances for the Titan, Luongo went 14-7-1 with a 3.31 goals against average and a 0.906 save percentage. During the 1999 history-making playoff run, Luongo won 16 of 23 games, posting a goals-against-average of 2.74 and a 0.915 save percentage to backstop the Titan to their first President Cup championship. He also did it during the Acadie-Bathurst Titan’s inaugural season in the city.
On Aug. 19, 2012 we lifted his No. 1 jersey to the rafters at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre, forever immortalizing his name and number alongside the other Titan greats who have called the K.C. Irving Regional Centre home.
Luongo was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last year, solidifying himself as one of the greatest players to ever hit the ice. We are proud of the heart, dedication and legacy Roberto showed as a Titan, an NHLer, and as a person.
