Biography

Family Trottier – Bryan’s Achievements Off the Ice

Bryan Trottier may be only one of only three players in league history to win the Calder, Ross, Hart and Smythe trophies during his Hall of Fame career in the NHL.  But Trottier’s achievements in his life off the ice have also been quite rewarding, helping define him as the person he is today.

Bryan was born on July 17, 1956 in Redvers, Saskatchewan.  He was raised in Val Marie by father Buzz – of Cree Chippewa Metise blood – and Irish mother Mary.  His parents also produced four siblings, including sisters Carol and Kathy and brothers Monty and Rocky.

While Bryan is clearly the most successful athletic star in the family, each of his brothers and sisters has their own special talents, and all of them have made an impact on him over the years.  Carol’s main strength is in the kitchen, where she loves cooking eggs and baking terrific puffed wheat squares.  Meanwhile, Kathy is the best musician but is also a nature lover and self-designated wildlife expert with a strong interest in prairie dogs, snakes and grassland geography.

Monty is the family storyteller who remembers every joke and embellishes every story, entertaining anyone and everyone who will listen to him.  Rocky is the baby and most beloved of his sisters despite his strong passion for drinking beer since the age of two.

Bryan truly enjoyed having such a large, close-knit family around him growing up, so it’s no surprise that he has four children of his own.  The oldest of the children is son Bryan Jr. (30 years old), who is married to Joey Cole and currently in his third year of residency at the University of Minnesota Hospital.

Oldest daughter Lindsey (27) graduated from San Diego State University with a journalism degree and stays active by participating in marathons and triathlons while youngest daughter Tayler (19) is a sophomore at New York University focused on communications and business.

Bryan and wife Jennifer are currently raising youngest son Christian, who is in the second grade and plays baseball, hockey and video games, although he isn’t the baby in the family.  That distinction belongs to grandson Parker Cole, who at only 1 ½ already loves books and taking whacks at tee ball.  He has made parents Bryan Jr. and Joey very proud along with his famous grandfather, who believes Parker is the “best kid on the planet” due to his fun-loving attitude.  Someday Christian and Parker will learn about one of the “best hockey players on the planet” and realize the role he played on and off the ice with Family Trottier.

Bryan with Christian