Former Canadiens defenceman and Stanley Cup champion Lyle Odelein dies at 58
The Montreal Canadiens confirmed the death of the 1993 Stanley Cup champion, who played 1,056 NHL games over 16 seasons.
MONTREAL — Former Montreal Canadiens defenceman Lyle Odelein, who won a Stanley Cup with the team in 1993, has died at the age of 58.
The Canadiens confirmed Odelein's death in a statement Saturday.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Saturday that Odelein died of a heart attack. He played the last of his 16 NHL seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005-06 and lived in the area.
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"The entire Canadiens organization is saddened to learn of the passing of Lyle Odelein, who passed away Friday at the age of 58," the Canadiens said in a statement.
"The organization wishes to offer its most sincere condolences to Lyle Odelein's family, friends and close ones."
Odelein, from Quill Lake, Sask., scored 20 goals and had 75 assists in 420 games with Montreal between 1990 and 1996.
He ranked second in franchise history with 1,357 penalty minutes, and led the team in that category in each of his six seasons with the team.
The seventh-round pick of the Canadiens in 1986 played a career 1,056 NHL games with Montreal, New Jersey, Phoenix, Columbus, Chicago, Dallas and Pittsburgh.
Odelein was the first captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets when the team joined the NHL in 2000.
"Lyle is a significant part of our history, serving as our first captain and helping us celebrate our 25th season in March," the Blue Jackets wrote in a social media post on X on Saturday.
"He left an indelible mark on our organization and on our community. On the ice, Lyle was a fierce competitor and a Stanley Cup champion. Off the ice, he was warm, kind and quick with a smile and a kind word. He was a friend to all who knew him and will be sorely missed."
The Penguins also lamented Odelein's passing Saturday in social media posts.
"Lyle was known for his tough exterior on the ice, but we will always remember his generous heart and enormous laugh," the team wrote.
The Canadiens also posted about Odelein's death on social media, stating, "The Canadiens are saddened to learn of the passing of Stanley Cup champion Lyle Odelein."
Odelein played for seven different NHL teams over his 16-season career.
With files from CBC News, Sportsnet and The Globe and Mail