What Happened
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Saturday that former NHL defenceman Lyle Odelein has died at 58. No cause of death was provided. Odelein, from Quill Lake, Saskatchewan, played 16 NHL seasons, beginning with seven years in Montreal, where he won the 1993 Stanley Cup. He later became the Blue Jackets' inaugural captain after the 2000 expansion draft and also played for six other franchises.
Key Details
- Odelein appeared in 1,056 NHL games, recording 50 goals, 202 assists and 2,316 penalty minutes.
- He added 86 playoff games with five goals, 13 assists and 209 penalty minutes.
- He played 20 postseason games for Montreal in 1993, posting one goal and five assists.
- His 1,357 penalty minutes rank second in Canadiens franchise history.
- Columbus selected him in the 2000 expansion draft, and he served as the team's first captain.
- He also played for New Jersey, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, Florida and Pittsburgh.
What It Means
Odelein was a durable, physical right-shot defenceman whose 16-year career spanned seven organizations. His role on Montreal's 1993 championship team and his place as the first captain in Blue Jackets history give him a notable spot in two franchises' histories. His 1,056 games and 2,316 penalty minutes reflect a long tenure as a hard-nosed blueliner during a high-scoring era.