Born in Surrey, B.C., Bob Rouse played 1,061 NHL games, winning in back to back Stanley Cups with Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998. A prototypical stay-at-home defenceman, Rouse was drafted in 1982 by the Minnesota North Stars.
After playing parts of six seasons with the North Stars, Rouse was traded to the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline of the 1988–89 NHL season in the deal that also sent Dino Ciccarelli to the Capitals. His steady and tough style of defensive play helped guide the Capitals to their first semifinals appearance in 1990.
During the middle of the 1990–91 season he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rouse joined the Detroit Red Wings in 1994 as a free agent. After winning his second cup in Detroit, Rouse moved on to play with the San Jose Sharks in 1998–99 and retired during the 1999–2000 season after the Sharks released him.
In 1,061 NHL games, Rouse had 37 goals, 181 assists, and 1,559 penalty minutes. He served as a full-time alternate captain with the Maple Leafs, and as part-time alternate captain with the Capitals and Red Wings.
