Former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Claude Lemieux of Buckingham, Quebec passed away on Thursday at the age of 60 according to the Canadian Press. Lemieux played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2009.
Lemieux represented six NHL franchises. He was with the Montreal Canadiens for seven seasons from 1983 to 1990, the New Jersey Devils for six seasons from 1990 to 1995, and again in 1999 to 2000, the Colorado Avalanche for five seasons from 1995 to 1999, the Phoenix Coyotes for three seasons from 2000 to 2003, the Dallas Stars for one season in 2003, and the San Jose Sharks for one season from 2008 to 2009.
In 1215 NHL regular season games, Lemieux had 379 goals and 407 assists for 786 points. He was a +14 with 1777 penalty minutes, 239 power-play points, 15 shorthanded points, 58 game-winning goals and 3650 shots on goal.
It was in the playoffs where Lemieux excelled the most. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion. Lemieux won with the Canadiens in 1986, the Devils in 1995 and 2000, and with the Avalanche in 1996.
With the Devils in 1995, Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP. He had 13 goals and three assists for 16 points in 20 games. Lemieux was a +12 with 20 penalty minutes, three game-winning goals, and 65 shots on goal.
On the international scene, Lemieux won two gold medals for Canada. He was part of the Canadian team that struck gold at the 1985 World Junior Hockey Championships in Finland and the 1987 Canada Cup in Hamilton.
