The Paiement brothers, Rosaire and Wilf, played in the National Hockey League from the late 1960’s through to the 1980’s. Wilf, Rosaire’s younger brother by ten years, had the lengthiest NHL career, playing over 1,000 games, regular season and playoffs combined.
Rosaire played major junior hockey with the Niagara Falls Flyers in 1964-65 and 1965-66. In his first year with the Flyers, he, and the likes of Derek Sanderson and Bernie Parent, won a Memorial Cup championship with a four games to one final series win over the Edmonton Oil Kings.
In 1966-67, Paiement found himself in the Eastern Hockey League with the Jersey Devils. In 72 games, he scored 61 and assisted on 64 for 125 points while also sitting 175 minutes in the penalty box. Big numbers for a first year pro. Rosaire led the EHL in goals and points and placed ninth in PIM. The Devils reached the finals before losing in five games to the Nashville Dixie Flyers.
He once again proved his toughness and offensive ability combination in 1969-70 with the Quebec Aces of the American Hockey League. Rosaire led the AHL with 242 PIM but was also over a point per game. In 67 games with the Aces, Paiement scored 28 and assisted on 40 for 68 points.
Paiement played 190 regular season games in the National Hockey League between 1967-68 and 1971-72 with the Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks. He was originally property of the Boston Bruins before his rights were traded to the Flyers on October 18, 1967.
The Vancouver Canucks played their inaugural season in the NHL in 1970-71. For Rosaire, it was his first full season in the league. Paiement led the Canucks in goals scored and penalty minutes. Playing the full 78 game schedule, he scored 34 and assisted on 28 for 62 points while sitting 152 minutes in the sin bin.
When the World Hockey Association opened for business in 1972-73, Paiement jumped ship to join the Chicago Cougars. He played 455 regular season games in the WHA between 1972-73 and 1977-78, appearing with the Cougars, New England Whalers and Indianapolis Racers. In his second season, the Cougars reached the Avco Cup finals before being swept by the Houston Aeros.
Younger brother Wilf also played junior with the Niagara Falls Flyers. He played three years in the OHA from 1971-72 to 1973-74. Just his first year was with the Flyers, his final two were played with the St. Catherines Black Hawks. In his final year with St. Catherines, Wilf scored 50 goals and and totalled 123 points over 70 regular season games. He placed seventh in the league for goals and was fifth in the race for the Eddie Powers Trophy.
Paiement was the second overall pick at the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft, going to the Kansas City Scouts. Greg Joly was selected first overall by the Washington Capitals. The two teams entered the NHL for the 1974-75 season and therefore got the top two picks.
Wilf played 946 regular season games in the NHL between 1974-75 and 1987-88 with the Scouts, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. Over that time, he scored 356 goals and assisted on 458 for 814 points. Paiement also played in 69 Stanley Cup playoff games, scored 18 and contributing 35 points.
In 1976-77 with the Colorado Rockies, his 41 goals placed him sixth in the NHL. On December 29, 1979, Wilf was a part of the infamous trade that sent Lanny McDonald and Joel Quenneville from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Rockies. Joining Paiement to Toronto was Pat Hickey.
The Rookie Cards
The Rosaire Paiement rookie card appears as number 226 in the 1970-71 O-Pee-Chee set and is rated as a common card. Rosaire is featured as a member of the Canucks.
The Wilf Paiement rookie card is number 292 in the 1974-75 O-Pee-Chee set. The card is valued at 50% higher than a common card and shows Paiement in a Kansas City Scouts uniform.