John LeClair facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John LeClair
LeClair in November 2013
Born	(1969-07-05) July 5, 1969 (age 56) St. Albans, Vermont, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Montreal Canadiens Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins
National team	United States
NHL Draft	33rd overall, 1987 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	1991–2006
Medal record Men's ice hockey Representing the  United States Olympic Games Silver 2002 Salt Lake City Team competition

John Clark LeClair (born July 5, 1969) is a former professional ice hockey player from the United States. He played for 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). His teams included the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He played from 1991 to 2006.

LeClair won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. He scored two game-winning goals in overtime during the 1993 Finals. With the Flyers, LeClair made history. He was the first American-born player to score 50 goals in three seasons in a row. He achieved this while playing on the famous "Legion of Doom" line. This line included Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg.

Early Life and Hockey Dreams

John LeClair was born on July 5, 1969. His hometown was St. Albans, Vermont, close to the Canadian border. His father, Robert "Butch" LeClair, managed a paint store. His mother, Beverly, was a nurse. John has three older sisters and a younger brother.

John's father never played hockey himself. But John became interested in the sport at age six. He asked his dad for ice skates. In the 1960s, there was no organized hockey in St. Albans. But kids found ways to play.

Butch LeClair remembers how they started. "They played in an old railroad shed," he said. Later, people helped build the Coote Field Arena. It was a simple metal building. It had a lunch bar and an old tractor to clear the ice. It was basic, but it helped create good hockey players.

John's friend Jeremy's father, Richard Benoit, also helped. He made a rink in his backyard. He flooded his volleyball court and added boards. He even put up lights for night games. There was also a small shack with a heater. This was a warm place for the kids to rest.

High School and College Hockey

When LeClair was a freshman, he tried out for his high school team. It was the Bellows Free Academy team. The team was very competitive, and he did not make it. So, he kept playing in community leagues.

In his second year, LeClair made the team. He quickly started to get noticed. A teammate, Luke Cioffi, remembered John's dedication. "He would be in the corner, five against one," Luke said. "Somehow, he would get the puck out."

College scouts soon began watching him. He played in "Hockey Night in Boston." This event showed off young hockey talent. LeClair decided to go to college. He was accepted at the University of Vermont (UVM).

His college career had some challenges. He had injuries during his second and third years. He only played in 28 games during that time. In his final year, he missed the first month. This was due to an illness called meningitis. But he finished strong. He scored 25 goals and 20 assists in just 33 games.

Playing in the NHL

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens picked LeClair in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 33rd player chosen. After high school, LeClair chose to go to the University of Vermont. He received a full scholarship for hockey. He scored in his very first college game.

After his senior year, he signed with the Canadiens. Less than a week later, he played his first NHL game. He also scored in that game. LeClair was part of the Canadiens team that won the Stanley Cup in 1993. He scored two game-winning goals in overtime during the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals. He was the first player from Vermont to have his name on the Stanley Cup.

Philadelphia Flyers and the Legion of Doom

On February 9, 1995, LeClair was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Canadiens also sent Éric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne to Philadelphia. In return, Montreal received Mark Recchi. LeClair quickly connected with his new teammate, Eric Lindros. He became one of the NHL's top goal scorers.

With the Flyers, he played left-wing on the famous "Legion of Doom" line. Lindros was the center, and Mikael Renberg played right-wing. This trio was great at scoring goals. They were also very strong and physical on the ice.

In 1998, LeClair made history again. He became the first American-born NHL player to score 50 goals in three seasons in a row. He was also the second Flyer to do this, after Tim Kerr. After the 1997–98 season, he had two more seasons with 40 goals or more. He had a healthy season in 2001-02. Before and after that, he dealt with back and shoulder injuries.

LeClair was named to the NHL All-Star team five times while with the Flyers. He was on the first team twice and the second team three times. He played for the Flyers for 10 seasons. He was one of the best players in the team's history. He scored 333 goals for the Flyers. He also scored 35 goals in the playoffs. These numbers place him in the top 10 Flyers' career goal scorers.

Pittsburgh Penguins

LeClair with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006

On July 23, 2005, the Flyers had to make changes. A new agreement in the NHL brought a salary cap. This meant teams had a limit on how much they could spend. The Flyers had to let LeClair go to make space under the cap.

On August 15, 2005, LeClair signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He signed a two-year deal. He had a good season in Pittsburgh in 2005–06. He was fourth on the team in scoring. He also reached 400 career goals. It was his ninth season with 50 or more points.

LeClair had a tough start to the 2006–07 season. He scored only two goals and five assists in 21 games. On December 14, 2006, he and the Penguins agreed to end his contract. LeClair retired from playing hockey after that season.

Life After Hockey

LeClair signing autographs at Dick's Sporting Goods in 2014.

John LeClair is now the president of the John LeClair Foundation. This foundation gives money to non-profit groups in Vermont. These groups run programs for children. He lives in Haverford Township, Pennsylvania and his hometown of St. Albans, Vermont.

LeClair has been honored many times. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2012, he joined the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame in 2014.

In June 2023, the Flyers hired LeClair again. He now works as a special advisor for their hockey operations.

Awards and Honors

College

Professional

International