Born in Montreal, Quebec, Georges Laraque was chosen 31st overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft after he notched 19 goals for the St. Jean Lynx of the QMJHL. He returned for one more year of junior and suited up for three different clubs St. Hyacinthe, Laval and Granby before turning pro with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs in 1996-97.



A Memorial Cup winner with the Granby Predateurs in 1996, Laraque spent the next two years with the Oilers AHL affiliate in Hamilton and gradually worked his way into the Edmonton line up. One of the toughest players in the league, Laraque played his first full season as an NHLer in 1999-00 and was a physical presence and sound defensive player on the ice for his club. After scoring a personal-high 13 goals in 2000-01, Laraque continued to play a physical game and has become a more disciplined player each and every year.