Claude Lemieux facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Claude Lemieux |
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Lemieux c. 1999–2000
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| Born | July 16, 1965 Buckingham, Quebec, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb) | ||
| Position | Right wing | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Montreal Canadiens New Jersey Devils Colorado Avalanche Phoenix Coyotes Dallas Stars EV Zug San Jose Sharks |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 26th overall, 1983 Montreal Canadiens |
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| Playing career | 1983–2009 | ||
Claude Percy Lemieux (born July 16, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played for 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with six different teams.
Lemieux is famous for winning four Stanley Cup championships during his career. He won two with the New Jersey Devils, one with the Montreal Canadiens, and one with the Colorado Avalanche. He is one of only 11 players to win the Stanley Cup with at least three different teams. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1995, which is given to the most valuable player in the playoffs. Claude Lemieux is known as a great playoff player, scoring 80 goals in the playoffs, which is one of the highest totals in NHL history.
Lemieux was born in Buckingham, Quebec, Canada. He grew up in Mont-Laurier, Quebec. He was picked by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1983 NHL Draft. He played for the Canadiens from 1983 to 1990, winning his first Stanley Cup with them in 1986.
In 1990, he joined the New Jersey Devils and played there for five seasons, winning another Stanley Cup in 1995. After that, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 1995. He won his second Stanley Cup in a row with them in 1996. During those playoffs, an incident involving Lemieux and Kris Draper of the Detroit Red Wings started a big rivalry between the two teams.
In 1999, Lemieux returned to the Devils and won his fourth Stanley Cup in 2000. He then played for the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars. Lemieux left the NHL in 2003 and played briefly in Switzerland before retiring. In 2005, he became the president of the Phoenix RoadRunners hockey team for two years. Lemieux made a comeback to the NHL with the San Jose Sharks for the 2008–2009 season before retiring again.
His son, Brendan Lemieux, is also a professional hockey player. He currently plays in Switzerland.
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Playing Career in the NHL
Claude Lemieux was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the Canadiens from 1983 to 1990. He helped them win the Stanley Cup in 1986.
In September 1990, Lemieux was traded to the New Jersey Devils. He won his second Stanley Cup in 1995 when the Devils beat the Detroit Red Wings. He scored 13 goals in those playoffs and was named the playoff MVP, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Before the 1995–96 season, Lemieux was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. When the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 1996, Lemieux became one of the few players to win two Stanley Cups in a row with different teams.
In November 1999, Lemieux was traded back to the New Jersey Devils. He won his fourth and final Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2000. After that season, Lemieux signed with the Phoenix Coyotes.
In January 2003, the Coyotes traded him to the Dallas Stars. Lemieux finished his NHL playing career with Dallas after the 2002–03 season. He then played a short time for EV Zug in Switzerland.
Life After the NHL
In 2005, Lemieux became the president of the Phoenix RoadRunners hockey team. He held this job until 2007.
In 2007, Lemieux appeared on a TV show called Pros vs. Joes. In 2009, he competed in a figure skating reality show called Battle of the Blades with Shae-Lynn Bourne.
His Comeback in 2008
In September 2008, Lemieux said he wanted to return to the NHL. He started the season playing in Asia for the China Sharks. Then, he signed a contract with the Worcester Sharks in November.
After playing well in Worcester, Lemieux signed a contract with the San Jose Sharks in December 2008. He was called up to the NHL on January 19, 2009. On February 19, he got his first and only point of his comeback, helping on a goal against the Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks won the Presidents' Trophy that year for having the best regular season record.
Playing for Canada
Lemieux played for Canada three times in international hockey tournaments. His first time was with the Canadian national junior team in 1985. He helped Canada win a gold medal at the 1985 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Lemieux was also part of the team that won the 1987 Canada Cup. His last time playing for Canada was at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, where Canada finished second.
Personal Life
Claude Lemieux was born in Buckingham, Quebec. He lives in Huntington Beach, California. He became a U.S. citizen in 2009.
Lemieux is the older brother of former NHL player Jocelyn Lemieux. He is not related to the famous Hall of Fame player Mario Lemieux.
Claude Lemieux has four children: three sons and one daughter. His son Brendan Lemieux is a forward for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Since retiring from the NHL, Lemieux has often appeared on TV shows to share his thoughts on hockey.
Awards and Achievements
- 4x Stanley Cup champion (1986, 1995, 1996, 2000)
- Conn Smythe Trophy winner (1995)
- QMJHL Playoff MVP (1985)
- QMJHL First All-Star Team (1985)
- QMJHL Second All-Star Team (1984)
- Guy Lafleur Trophy (1985)
- Inducted into Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Hall of Fame (2005)
- 9th all-time in Stanley Cup playoff goals with 80
See also
- Notable families in the NHL
