Pierre Renald Plante, the former National Hockey League right winger who played nearly 600 regular-season games during the 1970s, has died at the age of 75.
A current obituary from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, confirms that Pierre Plante died on September 27, 2026. Funeral arrangements are being handled by J.A. Larin & Fils Inc., with a visitation and celebration of life scheduled for October 16.
Hockey records identify Pierre Renald Plante as having been born on May 14, 1951, in Valleyfield, Quebec. He went on to play 599 NHL regular-season games for the Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques.
Pierre Plante’s Obituary Confirms His Death
The current obituary for Pierre Plante of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield confirms that he died on September 27, 2026.
The memorial notice lists his immediate family and announces services at Complexe Funéraire J.A. Larin & Fils in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
The obituary does not publicly state a specific medical cause of death.
For that reason, no illness or other medical circumstance should be inferred.
Pierre Renald Plante Was 75
Pierre Renald Plante was born on May 14, 1951, in Valleyfield, Quebec.
That made him 75 at the time of his death in September 2026.
His roots in the Valleyfield area remained an important part of his life.
Historical hockey records note that he returned to Valleyfield after his professional playing career ended.
He Was a First-Round NHL Draft Pick
Plante entered professional hockey as a highly regarded young right winger.
The Philadelphia Flyers selected him in the first round of the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft with the ninth overall pick.
Before turning professional, he played junior hockey with the Drummondville Rangers.
His scoring production there helped establish him as one of the stronger prospects of his generation.
Junior Career With the Drummondville Rangers
Plante developed much of his offensive reputation while playing for Drummondville.
During the 1969–70 season, he recorded 51 goals and 51 assists for 102 points, according to contemporary career summaries.
That performance helped position him as a high first-round NHL selection the following year.
His combination of speed, scoring and durability would later define much of his professional career.
NHL Debut With the Philadelphia Flyers
Plante began his NHL career with Philadelphia during the 1971–72 season.
Hockey-Reference records show that he appeared in 24 games for the Flyers that season.
His time in Philadelphia was relatively brief.
In December 1972, the Flyers traded Plante and Brent Hughes to the St. Louis Blues in a deal that brought André Dupont to Philadelphia.
That trade ultimately led to the most productive period of Plante’s NHL career.
Best NHL Years Came With the St. Louis Blues
Plante became most closely associated with the St. Louis Blues.
He spent several seasons with the organization and developed into a dependable scoring winger.
His strongest statistical season came in 1974–75, when he recorded 34 goals and 32 assists for 66 points.
That season represented the peak of his offensive production at the NHL level.
Three Hat Tricks in One Season
Plante’s 1974–75 campaign included another notable achievement.
Career records indicate that he became only the second St. Louis Blues player at that time to record three hat tricks in a single season.
The feat highlighted the scoring ability that made him an important offensive player during his prime.
Trade to the Chicago Black Hawks
In August 1977, St. Louis traded Plante to the Chicago Black Hawks in exchange for defenseman Dick Redmond.
Plante played 77 games during his Chicago season and recorded 28 points.
His time with Chicago lasted only one season before another series of transactions moved him elsewhere.
Brief Minnesota and Detroit Connections
In May 1978, Chicago sent Plante to the Minnesota North Stars as part of a previous trade arrangement.
He did not play an NHL game for Minnesota.
Later that year, Detroit claimed him on waivers before the New York Rangers acquired him in the NHL Waiver Draft.
That move brought him to a Rangers team that would make a deep playoff run.
Pierre Plante Helped the Rangers Reach the 1979 Stanley Cup Final
Plante played an important supporting role for the New York Rangers during the 1978–79 season.
Hockey-Reference records confirm that he was part of the Rangers roster that season.
New York advanced through the playoffs and reached the 1979 Stanley Cup Final.
Plante was part of that postseason run, appearing in 18 playoff games and contributing six assists during the playoffs, according to career summaries.
The Rangers ultimately lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Montreal Canadiens.
Rangers Records Confirm His Role
Official NHL game records also show Plante wearing No. 24 for the Rangers during their 1979 playoff run.
In Game 5 of the semifinal series against the New York Islanders, for example, Plante appeared in the Rangers lineup during a 4–3 victory.
Those records provide direct confirmation of his participation in one of the most memorable Rangers playoff runs of the era.
Selected by the Quebec Nordiques
After the Rangers’ Stanley Cup Final appearance, Plante returned closer to home.
The Quebec Nordiques selected him from New York in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft.
The move allowed the Valleyfield native to finish his NHL career in Quebec.
He spent the 1979–80 season with the Nordiques, scoring four goals and adding 14 assists.
It was his final NHL season.
Career Totals: 599 NHL Games
Across his NHL career, Plante appeared in 599 regular-season games.
His career totals were:
- 125 goals.
- 172 assists.
- 297 points.
- 599 penalty minutes.
He also played in 33 postseason games during his NHL career.
Those numbers place him among the many durable and productive Canadian forwards who built lengthy careers during the physical 1970s NHL era.
Played for Five NHL Teams
Pierre Plante’s NHL career included appearances with five franchises:
- Philadelphia Flyers.
- St. Louis Blues.
- Chicago Black Hawks.
- New York Rangers.
- Quebec Nordiques.
Although St. Louis became the team most closely associated with his prime years, his career touched several notable organizations.
Known as a Durable Winger
Historical player profiles described Plante as a durable right winger who rarely missed games because of injury.
He combined an offensive mindset with a willingness to play through the demanding style of hockey common during the 1970s.
At 6-foot-1 and roughly 190 pounds, he had the size to compete physically while also contributing as a scorer.
His longevity across nearly 600 NHL games reflected that durability.
Hockey Was Also Part of the Plante Family
Historical hockey records identify Pierre’s brother Bernard Plante as a former major-junior player.
His son Kevin Plante also played major-junior hockey.
That gave hockey a multigenerational presence within the Plante family.
The current obituary also lists Bernard among Pierre’s surviving brothers.
Pierre Plante Is Survived by His Wife Nancy Connor
The obituary identifies Pierre’s wife as Nancy Connor.
She is among the immediate family members mourning his death.
The obituary does not provide extensive details about their marriage or family life, so those personal matters should remain private.
His Sons Oliver and Kevin Survive Him
Pierre is also survived by two sons:
- Oliver, with Caterine.
- Kevin, with Noémie.
Kevin’s name also appears in historical hockey records as a former major-junior player.
The family connection to the sport therefore continued beyond Pierre’s own NHL career.
Three Grandchildren Listed in the Obituary
Pierre’s obituary lists three grandchildren:
- Ally.
- Mason.
- Sacha.
For them, his legacy extends beyond the professional hockey statistics familiar to fans.
He was a grandfather and family member whose life included decades after his NHL career ended.
Brothers and Extended Family Also Mourn Him
The obituary lists Pierre’s surviving brothers as:
- Jacques, with Réjeanne.
- Bernard, with Lise.
- Alain, with Linda.
- Serge.
It also names sister-in-law Joann, brother-in-law Dave, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Those family details offer a fuller picture of the people mourning him beyond the hockey world.
Visitation Scheduled for October 16
Family and friends will gather for visitation on Friday, October 16, 2026.
The visitation is scheduled from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. at:
Complexe Funéraire J.A. Larin & Fils
317 Rue Victoria
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec J6T 1B3.
The gathering will provide an opportunity for relatives, former teammates, friends and community members to pay their respects.
Celebration of Life Will Follow
A celebration of Pierre Plante’s life will take place at 2 p.m. on October 16, immediately following the visitation at the same funeral complex.
The obituary does not currently provide additional details concerning burial or another private family ceremony.
Pierre Plante’s Cause of Death Has Not Been Publicly Disclosed
The obituary confirms Pierre’s death but does not state a cause.
No reliable source reviewed for this article has publicly attributed his passing to:
- A particular illness.
- An accident.
- A medical emergency.
- Any other specific condition.
His cause of death should therefore remain undisclosed unless his family later chooses to release that information.
He Returned to Valleyfield After Hockey
Historical career records state that Plante returned to Valleyfield after retiring from professional hockey.
That return brought his life full circle.
He had been born in Valleyfield in 1951, left the region to pursue junior and professional hockey, traveled throughout North America during his NHL career, and later returned to his hometown area.
The 2026 obituary again identifies Salaberry-de-Valleyfield as his community at the time of his death.
A Career From Valleyfield to the Stanley Cup Final
Plante’s path through hockey covered a remarkable range.
He began as a young player from Valleyfield.
He became a 100-point junior scorer.
He was drafted ninth overall by Philadelphia.
He developed into a 34-goal scorer in St. Louis.
He played for Chicago.
He joined the Rangers for their memorable 1979 Stanley Cup Final run.
And he concluded his NHL career back in Quebec with the Nordiques.
It was a professional journey that lasted almost a decade at the NHL level.
What Has Been Confirmed
The following information is supported by current obituary and hockey records:
- Pierre Plante of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield died on September 27, 2026.
- Pierre Renald Plante was born May 14, 1951, in Valleyfield, Quebec.
- He was 75 years old.
- He played right wing.
- Philadelphia selected him ninth overall in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft.
- He played 599 NHL regular-season games.
- His career totals were 125 goals, 172 assists and 297 points.
- He played for Philadelphia, St. Louis, Chicago, the New York Rangers and Quebec.
- He was part of the 1978–79 Rangers team that reached the Stanley Cup Final.
- His NHL career ended after the 1979–80 season.
- His wife is Nancy Connor.
- His sons are Oliver and Kevin.
- His grandchildren include Ally, Mason and Sacha.
- His surviving brothers include Jacques, Bernard, Alain and Serge.
- Visitation and a celebration of life are scheduled for October 16 in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
What Has Not Been Publicly Announced
At the time of publication, authoritative sources had not publicly disclosed:
- Pierre Plante’s specific medical cause of death.
- The medical circumstances preceding his passing.
- Whether he had been experiencing a prolonged illness.
- Detailed information about his life after retiring from hockey.
- Burial arrangements beyond the announced celebration of life.
Those details should not be assumed.
Valleyfield and Hockey Community Remember Pierre Plante
Pierre Renald Plante’s death marks the loss of a player whose career connected small-town Quebec hockey with some of the NHL’s most recognizable franchises.
He played during an era known for physical hockey, long travel schedules and demanding seasons.
Across 599 NHL games, he established himself as a productive and durable right winger.
His 34-goal season in St. Louis demonstrated his scoring ability.
His participation in the Rangers’ 1979 Stanley Cup Final run gave him a place in New York playoff history.
His final NHL season with Quebec allowed him to finish his career closer to where it began.
But away from hockey, the 2026 obituary tells another story.
Pierre was a husband to Nancy, a father to Oliver and Kevin, a grandfather to Ally, Mason and Sacha, and a brother and relative whose family will gather in Valleyfield to remember him.
The statistics preserve his hockey career.
The memories held by his family, former teammates and friends preserve the man behind them.
Disclaimer
This report is based on the current obituary for Pierre Plante of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, whose death on September 27, 2026 and family and funeral details are listed through J.A. Larin & Fils, together with established hockey records identifying Pierre Renald Plante, born May 14, 1951, in Valleyfield, as the former NHL right winger who played 599 games.
The obituary does not publicly state a cause of death. This article therefore does not speculate about any illness or medical circumstances surrounding his passing.