George Laraque's Net Worth 2025

Introduction – George Laraque’s Net Worth

George Laraque, known as “Big Georges” during his NHL career, transformed from one of hockey’s most feared enforcers to a successful entrepreneur, advocate, and media personality. This comprehensive analysis explores Laraque’s financial journey, examining how his 13-year NHL career and diverse business ventures have contributed to his current net worth.

Who is George Laraque?

Georges Laraque is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on December 7, 1976, in Montreal, Quebec, to Haitian immigrants, Laraque rose to prominence as one of the NHL’s premier enforcers while playing for the Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Montreal Canadiens.

Beyond his reputation as an intimidating presence on the ice, Laraque distinguished himself through his charity work, entrepreneurial ventures, political activism, and commitment to animal rights and veganism.

Career Highlights

NHL career spanning 13 seasons (1997-2010)
695 NHL games played
53 goals and 100 assists for 153 total points
1,126 penalty minutes
Served as NHLPA Deputy Director
Green Party of Canada Deputy Leader (2010-2013)
Author of autobiography “The Story of the NHL’s Unlikeliest Tough Guy”
Successful entrepreneur and business owner

George Laraque’s Net Worth

As of 2025, George Laraque’s estimated net worth is approximately $8-10 million. This wealth stems from his NHL salary earnings, business investments, media work, and various entrepreneurial ventures.

Primary Sources of Wealth

Source	Contribution to Net Worth
NHL Career Earnings	Substantial
Business Ventures	Significant
Media & Broadcasting	Moderate
Speaking Engagements	Moderate
Book Sales	Minor
Investments	Growing

NHL Career Earnings

The foundation of Laraque’s wealth was built during his professional hockey career, where he earned significant salaries as one of the league’s premier enforcers.

NHL Salary Progression

Team	Period	Estimated Total Earnings
Edmonton Oilers	1997-2006	$6.5 million
Phoenix Coyotes	2006-2007	$1.3 million
Pittsburgh Penguins	2007-2008	$1.3 million
Montreal Canadiens	2008-2010	$4.5 million

Major Contracts

Laraque’s most lucrative NHL contract came in July 2008 when he signed a three-year, $4.5 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens. Though the contract was bought out after two seasons, it represented the financial peak of his playing career.

Contract Buyout

In 2010, the Montreal Canadiens bought out the final year of Laraque’s contract, paying him approximately $1 million not to play for the team. This buyout money contributed to his overall career earnings.

Business Ventures and Investments

Following his retirement from professional hockey, Laraque has demonstrated considerable business acumen through various entrepreneurial ventures.

Super-Smoothie Franchise

One of Laraque’s early post-hockey ventures was investing in Boom Boom Protein Shakes, a smoothie franchise with locations in Montreal. While the business has since closed, it represented his initial foray into entrepreneurship.

Plant-Based Restaurant Chain

As a committed vegan, Laraque invested in Rise Kombucha and became a co-owner of Crudessence, a raw vegan restaurant chain in Montreal. These investments aligned with his personal values while diversifying his business portfolio.

Vegan Protein Supplement Company

Laraque founded AllVeganEverything (AVE), a company producing plant-based protein supplements and other vegan products. This business leverages both his athletic background and commitment to plant-based living.

Cannabis Industry Investments

With the legalization of cannabis in Canada, Laraque became a minority shareholder and ambassador for Eviana Health, a company focused on CBD extraction from industrial hemp. He has positioned himself strategically in this growing industry.

Real Estate Investments

Like many former professional athletes, Laraque has invested in residential and commercial real estate properties, primarily in the Montreal area. These investments provide ongoing income streams and asset appreciation.

Media and Broadcasting Career

Laraque has maintained a high profile through various media roles, contributing to his overall income and public visibility.

Radio Host

Laraque has worked as a sports radio host in Montreal, providing hockey analysis and commentary. His engaging personality and insider knowledge have made him a popular media figure.

Television Appearances

Beyond sports commentary, Laraque has appeared on various television programs, including:

Hockey Night in Canada (analyst)
Battle of the Blades (contestant)
Various sports talk shows and documentaries

Podcast

In recent years, Laraque has hosted the “Georges Laraque Podcast”, featuring interviews with athletes, entrepreneurs, and other public figures. This platform extends his media presence while creating additional revenue opportunities.

Speaking Engagements

Leveraging his status as a former NHL player and his various advocacy positions, Laraque has developed a career as a motivational speaker and public speaker.

Speaking Topics

Professional sports experiences
Veganism and plant-based nutrition
Environmental activism
Anti-racism initiatives
Animal rights
Entrepreneurship

Professional speakers of Laraque’s profile typically command $5,000-$15,000 per engagement, providing a meaningful supplementary income stream.

Book Sales and Publishing

In 2011, Laraque published his autobiography, “Georges Laraque: The Story of the NHL’s Unlikeliest Tough Guy.” The book details his hockey career, personal challenges, and evolution into activism.

While book sales contribute a relatively small portion to his overall net worth, they have enhanced his personal brand and opened additional opportunities.

Political and Advocacy Work

Though not directly profitable, Laraque’s political involvement and advocacy work have enhanced his public profile and indirectly created business and media opportunities.

Green Party Deputy Leadership

From 2010 to 2013, Laraque served as Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada, advocating for environmental causes and social justice issues.

PETA Ambassador

As a prominent spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Laraque has appeared in campaigns promoting veganism and animal rights.

Humanitarian Work

Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Laraque became heavily involved in relief efforts for the country of his parents’ birth, raising funds and awareness for reconstruction projects.

Comparison to Other NHL Enforcers’ Net Worth

Laraque has been notably successful in building wealth compared to other players who filled similar roles during their NHL careers.

Net Worth Comparison of Notable NHL Enforcers

Player	Estimated Net Worth	Primary Post-Hockey Income
Georges Laraque	$8-10 million	Business ventures, Media
Tie Domi	$6 million	Business investments
Donald Brashear	$500,000	Mixed (financial challenges)
Bob Probert	$4 million (at passing)	Limited post-career earnings
Marty McSorley	$3 million	Broadcasting, Coaching

Financial Management and Investment Strategy

Unlike many former athletes who face financial difficulties after retirement, Laraque has demonstrated sound financial management.

Diversification Approach

Laraque’s financial strategy centers on diversification across multiple sectors:

Plant-based food industry
Media and broadcasting
Real estate
Cannabis sector
Public speaking

This diversified approach has helped insulate him from downturns in any single industry.

Alignment with Personal Values

A notable aspect of Laraque’s business strategy is ensuring his investments align with his personal values and beliefs:

Environmental sustainability
Plant-based nutrition
Animal welfare
Social responsibility

This alignment has allowed him to build authentic personal branding while pursuing profitable ventures.

Charitable Work and Philanthropy

While charitable giving represents an outflow rather than income, Laraque’s philanthropic efforts demonstrate his commitment to using his wealth for positive impact.

Key Charitable Involvements

Haiti earthquake relief efforts
Hockey for Haiti initiative to rebuild hospital
PETA campaigns and fundraising
Youth hockey programs in underserved communities
Animal welfare organizations

Lifestyle and Expenditures

Laraque maintains a lifestyle that balances comfort with his values, avoiding the extravagant spending that has led to financial problems for many former athletes.

Notable Personal Assets

Montreal-area primary residence
Investment properties
Eco-friendly vehicles

Value-Based Spending

Consistent with his personal philosophy, Laraque focuses his expenditures on:

Plant-based, organic food
Sustainable products
Travel related to advocacy work
Supporting family members

Factors Contributing to Financial Success

Several key factors have contributed to Laraque’s ability to build and maintain wealth after his hockey career:

1. Early Financial Planning

Unlike many athletes who begin planning for retirement too late, Laraque began exploring business opportunities while still playing, providing a smoother financial transition.

2. Personal Brand Development

Laraque has successfully leveraged his unique story as an enforcer-turned-vegan-advocate to create a distinctive personal brand that opens business opportunities.

3. Authentic Alignment

By pursuing business ventures that align with his personal values, Laraque has maintained authenticity in his public persona while building successful enterprises.

4. Media Presence Maintenance

Through continuous media engagement, Laraque has maintained public visibility years after retirement, creating ongoing income opportunities.

5. Network Utilization

Laraque effectively utilizes his extensive network from hockey, politics, business, and activism to create partnerships and identify investment opportunities.

Future Net Worth Projection

Based on current trends and investments, Laraque’s net worth is likely to continue growing moderately in the coming years.

Growth Potential

Asset/Business Category	Growth Potential
Plant-Based Businesses	High
Cannabis Investments	Moderate to High
Real Estate Holdings	Stable
Media Opportunities	Moderate
Speaking Engagements	Stable

Projected Net Worth Trajectory

Assuming continued success in his current ventures and no major financial setbacks, Laraque’s net worth could reach $12-15 million by 2030.

Challenges and Setbacks

While generally successful, Laraque has experienced some financial and business challenges:

COVID-19 Impact

The pandemic negatively affected several of Laraque’s business interests, particularly his restaurant investments, which faced closure periods and reduced capacity.

Laraque’s Own COVID Battle

In 2020, Laraque contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized with severe symptoms. While he recovered, this health challenge temporarily impacted his business activities and public appearances.

Failed Ventures

Like most entrepreneurs, Laraque has experienced some business failures, including the closure of certain franchise locations and investments that didn’t meet expectations.

Conclusion

George Laraque’s estimated net worth of $8-10 million represents a successful financial journey from professional athlete to diversified entrepreneur. Unlike many former players who struggle financially after retirement, Laraque has leveraged his NHL career as a foundation for building sustainable wealth through strategic business investments, media work, and personal brand development.

What stands out about Laraque’s financial story is how he has aligned his business ventures with his personal values, creating authentic opportunities in plant-based foods, environmentally conscious businesses, and socially responsible investments. This approach has not only preserved but grown his wealth in the years following his hockey career.

As he continues to expand his business portfolio and media presence, Laraque serves as a positive example of post-athletic financial success. His story demonstrates how professional athletes can transition effectively from sports earnings to sustainable wealth through diversification, personal branding, and strategic investment in emerging markets aligned with personal values.