An NHL player briefly in the 1940s and 1950s with the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens, defenseman J.P. Lamirande was playing with the Quebec Aces of the Quebec Hockey League in 1957-58 before applying to have his amateur status reinstated and joining the Whitby Dunlops. Lamirande was one of several reinforcements (including former NHL star Sid Smith) added to the roster of the defending Allan Cup champions who were preparing to represent Canada at the World Championships. The Canadian club ran up six lopsided victories before defeating the Soviet Union 4-2 in the final game to win the World Championship.
Lamirande was a member of the Belleville McFarlands in 1958-59 when he once again had the chance to represent Canada abroad. The McFarlands were perfect through seven games of the 1959 World Championships and knew they had already clinched the gold medal before they played Czechoslovakia (and lost 5-3) in the final game. Lamirande had helped anchor a Canadian defense that allowed only nine goals in eight games and recorded four shutouts. He was named the Best Defenseman at the tournament. |