Jocelyn Guevremont

As a junior defenseman with the Montreal Junior Canadiens from 1968 to 1971, Jocelyn Guevremont established some very impressive credentials, especially for his offensive work from the point. He was the top offensive defenseman of the 1971 draft and was dubbed as the next Bobby Orr. So highly regarded was the two time Memorial Cup champion that the Vancouver Canucks selected Guevremont third overall behind none other than hockey legends Guy Lafleur and Marcel Dionne.

Though he lacked defensive ability to jump to the NHL right away, he joined the Canucks for the 1971-72 season and finished his rookie campaign with a then-league-record 51 points by a rookie dman. He impressed enough that he was asked to represent Canada at the inaugural top level international hockey showdown as Team Canada took on the Soviets in the 1972 Summit Series. He did not play in the tournament though, as his wife, who accompanied him to Moscow, fell ill and fame home to a Canadian hospital.

Though he continued to be an offensive specialist, the Canucks lacked the patience and veteran player presence to properly teach Geuvremont the defensive game that he was knocked for. It wasn't until a trade to the Buffalo Sabres in 1974 that "Josh" earned the reputation as a solid two way player.

The Sabres of the 1970s were known for their hulking, physical defenders. Guevremont didn't necessarily fit in with that group more so than complimented it nicely with his different approach. Guevremont was a regular power play power point quarterback in Buffalo, often trying to set up forward Rene Robert for one timers on the other point, while Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Danny Gare set up down low. When playing at full strength he often paired with lanky defensive specialist Bill Hajt.

Guevremont lasted with the Sabres until 1979 when he was moved on to the New York Rangers. Guevremont's career came to a disappointing end with the Rangers. Upset with his lack of playing time in the Big Apple, he asked to be sent to the minors so he could play. Still unhappy about the situation, Guevremont  warned the Rangers' management that unless he got some ice-time on his next invite the NHL, they could consider him to have an injury. As a result, the Rangers blackballed the crafty defenseman. Word traveled across the league that the veteran defender was damaged goods, scaring off other teams from picking him up.

Guevremont retired at the close of the 1979-80 campaign. He played 571 games, scored 84 goals, 223 assists and 307 points.

After retiring Guevremont tried his hand coaching in junior hockey and setting up his own hockey schools and fantasy hockey camps in Florida. He also became quite involved with the Ottawa Wheels professional roller hockey team in the mid 1990s.