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. 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.

Playing career

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, scoring 14 goals and adding 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

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1925–26Montreal VictoriasMCJHL6415243142
1926–27Montreal VictoriasMCHL10000—————
1927–28Montreal Bell TelephoneMRTHL——————————
1927–28Montreal St. Anthony'sMRTHL13707——————
1928–29Montreal Bell TelephoneMRTHL—54920—————
1928–29Montreal MartinsMRTHL—707——————
1929–30Montreal Bell TelephoneMRTHL10606821012
1930–31Montreal MaroonsNHL190116—————
1930–31Windsor BulldogsIHL26102121661012
1931–32Windsor BulldogsIHL421112234262026
1932–33Montreal MaroonsNHL50000—————
1932–33Windsor BulldogsIHL20741132—————
1932–33Ottawa SenatorsNHL163696—————
1933–34Ottawa SenatorsNHL4614102422—————
1934–35St. Louis EaglesNHL70000—————
1934–35Montreal CanadiensNHL50110—————
1934–35Buffalo BisonsIHL11122—————
1934–35Detroit Red WingsNHL1530310—————
1934–35Detroit OlympicsIHL7033656284
1934–35London TecumsehsIHL30004—————
1935–36Pittsburgh ShamrocksIHL25771426—————
1935–36Cleveland FalconsIHL193581020000
1936–37St. Louis FlyersAHA43032—————
1937–38Tulsa OilersAHA321292127—————
1938–39Spokane ClippersPCHL4514112533—————
NHL totals11320183844—————

External links

  • Biographical information and career statistics from , or , or , or