Defenceman Gilles Marotte played over 800 NHL games for five different clubs in the 1960s and '70s. He was a fine playmaker who could work the point on the power play and handle the rough going in his own end.
The Montreal native was a junior standout with the OHA's Niagara Falls Flyers before joining the parent Boston Bruins early in the 1965-66 season. The youngster played well for the Beantowners but was included in the infamous trade that brought Phil Esposito and Ken Hodge to Boston from Chicago in May 1967. Marotte was a solid two-way defenceman for three seasons in the Windy City but was part of the package sent to the L.A. Kings to acquire Bill White and Gerry Desjardins.
The West Coast agreed with Marotte as he was given a great deal of responsibility and power-play time. In 1972-73, he set a personal best with 45 points and was a key factor in the club's transition game. The following season he was sent to the New York Rangers as part of a multi-player deal that brought Mike Murphy to the Kings. In his first year with the "Blueshirts," he helped them reach the semi-finals where they succumbed to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Flyers.
Prior to the 1976-77 season, Marotte was acquired by the St. Louis Blues but was only used in 47 games. He retired in 1978 after playing a year with the WHA's Cincinnati Stingers and Indianapolis Racers.
