In somber news today, the NHL Alumni Association has announced the passing of former defenseman Larry Trader at the age of 61. Trader, who had a varied career across multiple teams, made a significant impact during his time in hockey.
Trader first made headlines in the fall of 1982 at the Detroit Red Wings’ training camp. Selected 86th overall by Detroit in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, he quickly became a favorite among coaches and teammates. Head coach Nick Polano even suggested the possibility of Trader starting the regular season with the NHL team.
Unfortunately, Trader’s NHL career was brief. At just 19 years old, after playing only 15 games, he was reassigned to the OHL’s London Knights. This marked the beginning of a career filled with ups and downs.
Throughout his career, Trader never played more than 40 games in a single NHL season. His most productive year came in 1984-85, when he recorded 10 points with three goals and seven assists in 40 games with Detroit, although his season was cut short by knee surgery.
Trader also played for the St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens. His tenure with the Red Wings ended on August 7, 1986, when he was traded to the Blues for defenseman Lee Norwood.
Despite the challenges in the NHL, Trader excelled at the junior and AHL levels. In the 1981-82 season, he scored 19 goals for the London Knights, and his versatility was highlighted by his time playing center, despite the Red Wings’ preference for him as a defenseman.
Trader was an offensive force in the AHL, surpassing 50 points twice. His best season came in 1985-86 with the Adirondack Red Wings, where he scored 10 goals and 46 assists for 56 points, earning a spot on the AHL’s Second All-Star Team and helping Adirondack win the Calder Cup.
Before the 1985-86 NHL season, Red Wings coach Harry Neale praised Trader’s skills but emphasized the need for him to become more physically engaged to succeed at the NHL level.
On the international stage, Trader represented Canada at the 1983 World Junior Championship, earning a bronze medal and tallying five points in seven games, matching the output of future Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman. He also contributed to Team Canada’s victory in the Spengler Cup in 1986-87.
Trader came from a hockey family; his cousin was Jim Peplinski, former captain of the Calgary Flames.
Larry Trader will be deeply missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.
Leave a Reply