THE RENAISSANCE MAN

I ran into a former NHL player at a civic event a few weeks back. After exchanging pleasantries, I asked him how he was enjoying retirement. The smile disappeared from his face. “Honestly,” he said, “half the time I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Georges Laraque clearly isn’t having the same problem filling his post-playing days. In the nine years since he last laced ‘em up for the Montreal Canadiens, the 42-year-old seems to have found time to do virtually everything. He’s written a highly entertaining memoir, hosted a radio program, served as the deputy leader of Canada’s Green Party, appeared on CBC’s “Battle of the Blades” and “Canada Reads,” fought MMA legend Georges St-Pierre, made a memorable cameo in the cult classic “Goon,” partnered in several vegan restaurants and spearheaded charitable eff orts for (among other causes) the earthquake victims of Haiti.

And just last year, the 6-foot-3, 300-pounder won top prize in a Montreal Pride drag contest a ther performing Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” in a wedding dress.