By the age of 13, it was apparent Andre Champagne had an exceptional scoring touch while playing minor hockey in Eastview, Ontario, a suburb of Ottawa. He was even called up on two occasions to play in the QHL, once with the Ottawa Junior Canadiens and again with the Quebec Aces with players five and six years older.
At the age of 16, Champagne joined the Toronto St. Michael's Buzzers of the OHA Junior B league. After a highly successful season with the club, playing against other boys as much as three and four years older, Champagne was called up to the St. Michael's Majors of the OHA Junior A. In 1960-61, Champagne earned a regular roster spot with the Majors. In 47 games, he recorded eleven goals and 23 points. During the playoffs that year, Champagne led the Majors to the Memorial Cup championship and was the top point producer in the playoffs, notching 21 points on ten goals and eleven assists. Others on that championship team included; goaltenders Gerry Cheevers and Dave Dryden and coach, Father David Bauer.
In 1961-62, St. Michael's joined the MTJHL. In 29 games, Champagne scored 14 goals and 32 points. After playing one more year of junior hockey, Champagne played in the only two NHL games of his career in 1963, when he got the call from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Champagne, called up as an injury replacement, saw limited playing time, and was not really afforded the opportunity to showcase his offensive capabilities. He was held pointless in his two games with the Leafs.
In 1963-64, Champagne returned to the OHA with the Toronto Marlboros as an overage player. Once again he was one of the top offensive stars, scoring 31 goals and 71 points in 47 games. The powerhouse Marlboros were the heavy favourites not only to win the Ontario championship, but the national crown as well. The team did not disappoint. The Marlboros went on to capture the Memorial Cup championship that year. Other future NHL stars on the club included the likes of; Ron Ellis, Wayne Carleton, Jim McKenny, Rod Seiling, Pete Stemkowski, Mike Walton and goaltender Gary Smith.
Although Champagne never again had the opportunity to play in the NHL, he did continue is pro hockey career for six years in the CPHL with the Tulsa Oilers and the Rochester Americans of the AHL, where he retired following the 1969-70 season to go into coaching.
Champagne can also be found on one of the many Hall of Fame's humorous, but fictitious hockey lines. Dubbed the "Refreshment Line," Champagne is teamed with other such NHL notables as; Eddie Beers and Per Djoos up front, with Paul Coffey and Paul Shakes patrolling the defense with Bill Beveridge between the pipes.
