Guillaume Latendresse
A powerful Quebec-born winger whose promising NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens was ultimately reshaped by injuries.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: May 24·Millennials
Biography
Guillaume Latendresse netted 25 goals in a single campaign with the Minnesota Wild, the most productive offensive stretch of his NHL career. He arrived in the league carrying the weight of a province's hopes, a local kid drafted by the Montreal Canadiens. His blend of size, soft hands, and a natural scoring touch made him an instant fan favorite at the Bell Centre. Every goal was celebrated as a hometown triumph. After parts of five seasons with the Habs, a trade sent him to Minnesota. His physically demanding style of play and a series of concussions and other injuries began to take a steep toll. Latendresse's career, which also included a brief stop in Ottawa, was cut shorter than many anticipated. It remains a story of flashes of brilliance interrupted by the physical realities of professional hockey.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Guillaume was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Guillaume Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Guillaume's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored 25 goals in a single season for the Minnesota Wild during the 2009-2010 campaign.
- Played over 300 games in the NHL for the Canadiens, Wild, and Senators.
- Was selected 45th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
Did You Know?
He was drafted directly from the QMJHL's Drummondville Voltigeurs.
He scored his first NHL goal in his very first game with the Montreal Canadiens.
He is fluent in both French and English.
“In Montreal, you don't just play hockey; you live it every single day.”
