Lyle Odelein, the former Montreal Canadiens defenseman who won the Stanley Cup in 1993 and later became the first captain in Columbus Blue Jackets history, died Friday. He was 58.
Odelein played 16 NHL seasons from 1989 to 2006 across eight teams. Montreal drafted him in the seventh round, 141st overall, in the 1986 NHL Draft.
Career highlights
Odelein appeared in 1,056 regular-season games and recorded 252 points (50 goals, 202 assists). His playoff résumé includes 86 games with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists).
The 1993 Stanley Cup win with Montreal remains his signature achievement. He contributed six points (one goal, five assists) in 20 playoff games that postseason as the Canadiens won their fifth Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Columbus and beyond
The Blue Jackets claimed Odelein from the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft before Columbus’ inaugural season. He was named the franchise’s first captain prior to the 2000-01 season and held the role for two seasons before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in March 2002.
After the Blue Jackets
Odelein played for the New Jersey Devils, Phoenix Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins during his 16-season career. He appeared in 86 Stanley Cup Playoff games across his career with 18 points.
Reporting from NHL.com contributed to this story.
