During his active career, Laraque was known as one of the toughest players in the hockey world. The 191-centimeter-tall and 127-kilo-heavy Canadian made a total of 13 seasons in the NHL and was noted, among other things, for 695 matches, 1126 deportation minutes and 131 fights.

During the lockout season 2004/2005 he made a short but notable victory in AIK where he accounted for 12 points (7 + 5) in 10 matches in the qualifying series for the Allsvenskan.

Now he has just recovered from covid-19 after lying in a hospital in his hometown of Montreal. He was discharged on Monday.

- I got really, really, really suffering. The first few days were hell and I tried to talk to people, but had difficulty breathing, Laraque tells the Montreal Gazette.

- Just getting up and going to the gym was like a workout. I was completely exhausted and had zero energy.

Laraque says he lost "at least nine pounds" in weight and that he had trouble sleeping because the high fever kept him awake.

But it was the breathing problems that worried Laraque most because he is an asthmatic.

- It's crazy. I had a job to fight and never hurt myself in a cheat, but it is nothing compared to what I have just gone through.

- Not everyone will be as lucky as me. Anyone can be affected and people need to take this seriously.

During her time at the hospital, Laraque has posted several posts on social media and received greetings from big stars such as Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby.

ARCHIVE: NHL legend Roenick quarantine gyms - for the chips (April 9, 2020)

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