Desmond Michael Patrick "Desse" Roche (February 1, 1909 – January 18, 1971) was a Canadian ice hockey player. He played four seasons in the National Hockey League for the Maroons, Senators, Eagles, Canadiens and Red Wings. He was one of only six NHL players to have worn the number 99.[1] His brother Earl Roche also played in the National Hockey League. Roche scored the final goal of the original Ottawa Senators franchise on March 17, 1934, to tie the Maroons 2–2 in Montreal.

Des Roche
Born (1909-02-01)February 1, 1909
Kemptville, Ontario, Canada
Died January 18, 1971(1971-01-18) (aged 61)
Height 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight 156 lb (71 kg; 11 st 2 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shot Right
Played for St. Louis Eagles
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Maroons
Ottawa Senators
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 1930–1939

Playing career

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Born in Kemptville, Ontario, Roche moved to Montreal, Quebec as a youth. He played junior for the Montreal Victorias, and played for other teams in the local railway league. In 1929, he joined the Montreal Hockey Club, and, with his brother Earl, the team won the Allan Cup. He signed in the fall of 1930 with the Maroons, playing with the Maroons and the minor-league Windsor Bulldogs until 1933, when he was traded to the Senators for Wally Kilrea. At the same time, the Senators acquired his brother Earl, and the two played with the Senators NHL franchise until 1934 when it relocated to St. Louis to become the Eagles. Playing with his brother, Roche had his best season in 1933–34 with 14 goals and 10 assists in 46 games. He was traded to Boston in December 1934 by the Eagles; he was then traded by the Bruins to the Canadiens four days later. That season, 1934–35, Roche played for six pro teams; the three in the NHL and three minor-league teams. He did not play in the NHL again; he continued in the minor leagues until 1939.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1925–26 Montreal Victorias MCJHL 6 4 1 5 2 4 3 1 4 2
1926–27 Montreal Victorias MCHL 1 0 0 0 0
1927–28 Montreal Bell Telephone MRTHL
1927–28 Montreal St. Anthony's MRTHL 13 7 0 7
1928–29 Montreal Bell Telephone MRTHL 5 4 9 20
1928–29 Montreal Martins MRTHL 7 0 7
1929–30 Montreal Bell Telephone MRTHL 10 6 0 6 8 2 1 0 1 2
1930–31 Montreal Maroons NHL 19 0 1 1 6
1930–31 Windsor Bulldogs IHL 26 10 2 12 16 6 1 0 1 2
1931–32 Windsor Bulldogs IHL 42 11 12 23 42 6 2 0 2 6
1932–33 Montreal Maroons NHL 5 0 0 0 0
1932–33 Windsor Bulldogs IHL 20 7 4 11 32
1932–33 Ottawa Senators NHL 16 3 6 9 6
1933–34 Ottawa Senators NHL 46 14 10 24 22
1934–35 St. Louis Eagles NHL 7 0 0 0 0
1934–35 Montreal Canadiens NHL 5 0 1 1 0
1934–35 Buffalo Bisons IHL 1 1 1 2 2
1934–35 Detroit Red Wings NHL 15 3 0 3 10
1934–35 Detroit Olympics IHL 7 0 3 3 6 5 6 2 8 4
1934–35 London Tecumsehs IHL 3 0 0 0 4
1935–36 Pittsburgh Shamrocks IHL 25 7 7 14 26
1935–36 Cleveland Falcons IHL 19 3 5 8 10 2 0 0 0 0
1936–37 St. Louis Flyers AHA 4 3 0 3 2
1937–38 Tulsa Oilers AHA 32 12 9 21 27
1938–39 Spokane Clippers PCHL 45 14 11 25 33
NHL totals 113 20 18 38 44

References

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  1. ^ Pelletier, Joe (November 20, 2009). "Greatest Hockey Legends.com: Ask The Hockey History Blogger". Greatest Hockey Legends.com. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
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