John LeClair
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John Clark LeClair (born July 5, 1969 in St. Albans, Vermont) was a left winger in the NHL.
[edit] Playing careerLeClair was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with the 33rd pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft after graduating from the University of Vermont. As a member of the Canadiens LeClair was on the Stanley Cup-winning team in 1993, where he scored two overtime game-winning goals during the Stanley Cup Finals. During the 1994-95 NHL season he was traded, along with fellow teammates Eric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne for the Flyers Mark Recchi. He has played on the U.S. Olympic hockey team twice and has had three consecutive 50-goal seasons in the NHL. He was named to the Olympic Tournament All-Star Team after posting a tournament-best six goals for silver medalist Team USA at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games LeClair played for the Philadelphia Flyers for 10 seasons. While with the Flyers he played left-wing on the famed "Legion of Doom" line, with Mikael Renberg on right-wing and centered by Eric Lindros. The trio was not only effective at scoring but they were also a devastating physical presence on the ice. In 1998, LeClair became the first American-born NHL player to record three consecutive 50-goal seasons and the second Flyer to do so, behind Tim Kerr. Following the 1997-98 NHL season, LeClair had two consecutive 40 goal seasons. LeClair was one of the most productive players in the history of the Flyers franchise scoring 382 career goals, and an additional 42 in the playoffs. Marks good enough for top 10 in the history of Flyers goal scorers. On July 23, 2005, as a result of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and the salary cap that came along with it, the Flyers were forced to part ways with their long time Alternate Captain. His contract was bought out, as well as the one of fellow teammate Tony Amonte. Rumours had LeClair going to the Boston Bruins or perhaps the Toronto Maple Leafs. Instead, LeClair signed a two year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on August 15, 2005. It is rumored that friend and former teammate Mark Recchi recruited LeClair to join him in Pittsburgh. LeClair had a fairly successful season in Pittsburgh during the 2005-06 NHL season. John is President of the John LeClair Foundation which awards grants to non-profit Vermont organizations that sponsor programs for children. [edit] Awards[edit] Records[edit] Career statistics
[edit] References[edit] Related Articles[edit] Recent John LeClair ArmchairGM Stories
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