Defenceman Francois Lacombe played parts of four NHL seasons with three different clubs. Most of his pro career was spent in the WHA.
Born in Montreal, Quebec Lacombe played amateur hockey with the Lachine Maroons of the QJHL and the OHA's Montreal Junior Canadiens. In May 1968 the Canadiens prospect was sent to the Oakland Seals where he looked solid while dressing for all 72 games as an NHL rookie. After spending most of the 1969-70 season in the minors Lacombe was traded back to Montreal along with the well-known draft pick that was used to choose Guy Lafleur. Later that day the young blueliner was chosen by the Buffalo Sabres in the Expansion Draft.
After bouncing around the minors for a couple of years Lacombe signed with the Quebec Nordiques of the WHA. He spent six of the next seven seasons there while spending a year with the Calgary Cowboys. In 1977 he helped Quebec win the Avco Cup then was on hand in 1979-80 when the team joined the NHL. Lacombe played most of that season with the Syracuse Firebirds of the AHL before retiring.
