Sean Tallaire 1973-2024

The hockey world is mourning the loss of former college star Sean Tallaire (Lake Superior State), who recently passed away in Texas at the age of 50.

A native of Steinbach, Man., Tallaire skated for LSSU from 1992 to 1996, and still ranks fourth among all-time Lakers with 207 career points on 103 goals and 104 assists in 171 games played. A member of the CCHA All-Rookie Team in 1993 when he helped the Lakers to the NCAA championship game, he guided LSSU to the national title the following season while earning NCAA Most Valuable Player honors. As a senior in 1995-96, he scored 32 goals, garnered All-CCHA First-Team and NCAA All-America accolades, and was also voted LSSU's MVP. He was inducted into the LSSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021.

After college, Tallaire went on to play 14 seasons of professional hockey, including five campaigns in the now-defunct IHL where he tallied 113-128—241 points in 376 regular-season appearances with Grand Rapids, Cleveland, Long Beach, Utah and Kansas City. He also had brief stints with Central Texas (WPHL) and Springfield (AHL) during that time, before finishing his career in Germany. In 425 career DEL regular-season outings, he posted 123-155—278 points in all before retiring following the 2009-10 season. 

Originally selected in the eighth round (202nd overall) by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Tallaire starred with Estevan (SJHL) for two seasons before heading to LSSU. Following his retirement as an active player, he coached with the Soo Indians 18U AAA, the Texas Jr. Stars 14U AA, and the Austin Ice Bats (NA3HL), while also serving as a scout with the NAHL's Northeast Generals.

Tallaire was predeceased by his former LSSU teammate, goaltender Blaine Lacher, who backstopped the Lakers to the 1994 NCAA title and passed away in January at the age of 53.