Born in Brownsburg, Quebec, on April 20, 1954, Gilles Lupien had been involved in hockey for close to 50 years, first as a player and, following his retirement, as an advisor and player agent. An astute businessman, he also succeeded as a franchisee in the fast-food industry.
With his 6'6'' frame, Lupien hardly went unnoticed wherever he went, especially in the corners where his opponents feared his solid hits. He was a people's person and everyone around him enjoyed the presence for his good spirits and straight talk. He was only 17 when he made his QMJHL debuts with the Quebec Remparts before moving to the Sherbrooke Castors and the Montreal Bleu Blanc Rouge. He made the jump to professional hockey in 1974-1975 with the Canadiens AHL affiliate, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs.
Despite his physical stature, Lupien was an honest player who respected his opponents. He was a gentle giant, that is unless the opponents started taking liberties with some of his teammates at which time they would have to deal with "Loupie". He was known to be the Guy Lafleur's bodyguard.
A second-round selection of the Canadiens in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft, Lupien enjoyed a successful professional hockey career winning the Calder Cup twice with the Voyageurs, in 1976 and 1977, before etching his name on the Stanley Cup as a member of the Canadiens in 1978 and 1979.
In 1996 he founded his agency to provide advice, assistance and guidance to young hockey players and set their career, and financial future, on the right path. As a player, Lupien was respectful and trustworthy and as an agent he retained these qualities that made him. When negotiating with the club representatives, he was known to be straightforward and considered as one of the best agents in the business. Over his 25 years as a player agent, he helped countless young Quebec hockey players make their way to the NHL and manage their career and assets.
Gilles Lupien is survived by his daughters Jennifer and Catherine, his son Erik, his grandchildren Izac, Evan, Maelle, Charles and Livia, as well as numerous friends and former teammates.
The family would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt condolences and kindly requests that its privacy be respected during this time of grief.
