Jacques Mailhot

Jacques Mailhot had to fight for a professional hockey career - literally.

Mailhot never played in a high junior league when he was a teenager. He turned to senior hockey when he was old enough and quickly became noticed for his extremely rough style of play. After two seasons and 426 PIM in Senior hockey (that's a whole lot for that level of hockey, folks!) Mailhot impressed enough people to earn a contract to play at the minor league level. He split 43 games in the AHL with the Fredericton Express and Baltimore Skipjacks where he showed not only a willingness to fight, but some promise as well with 4 goals and 10 points.

By 1988 Mailhot signed a one year contract with the Quebec Nordiques. The Nords were looking for a tough guy and offered the Rimouski tough guy a shot at NHL employment. Mailhot spent most of the year with the AHL Halifax Citadels but also gave Mailhot a 5 game NHL audition. He played sparingly and when he did play he fought, earning 33 minutes in penalties. Not surprisingly Mailhot was called up in time to play in the intense rivalry against the provincial rival Montreal Canadiens.

Mailhot would become a long time minor leaguer following his one NHL contract. He bounced around terribly for the next two years, playing with 6 teams in 3 leagues before quitting pro hockey. He moved to New Brunswick where he finished the year rediscovering his love for hockey playing at the senior level.

Mailhot, a 6'2" 208lb left winger born in Shawinigan Quebec, would sign on in Colonial Hockey League in 1991 where he was not only a sure-fire tough guy but also a decent player. He would also extend his professional career in Texas in the upstart Western Professional Hockey League.