Curtis Leschyshyn is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 1,000 games. He was born on September 21, 1969, in Thompson, Manitoba, Canada. Leschyshyn began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Saskatoon Blades in 1985. He played for the Blades for three seasons and was named the team's top defenseman in 1987-88.
In 1988, Leschyshyn was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round, third overall, in the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Nordiques in the 1988-89 season and played with the team for four seasons. In 1992, he was traded to the Washington Capitals, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Hartford Whalers in 1994.
Leschyshyn played for the Whalers for two seasons before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. He played with the Avalanche for four seasons and was a member of the team's Stanley Cup championship team in 1996. In 2000, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Minnesota Wild in 2002.
Leschyshyn played for the Wild for two seasons before retiring from the NHL in 2004. He played in a total of 1,033 NHL games, scoring 47 goals and 163 assists for 210 points. He was known for his defensive play and was a reliable penalty killer throughout his career.
After retiring from the NHL, Leschyshyn worked as a color commentator for the Avalanche's television broadcasts. He also worked as a scout for the team and was a member of the team's front office staff. In 2014, he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
In addition to his NHL career, Leschyshyn also represented Canada internationally. He played for Canada at the 1991 Canada Cup and the 1998 Winter Olympics. He was also a member of Canada's gold medal-winning team at the 1993 World Championships.
Overall, Curtis Leschyshyn had a successful NHL career, playing for five different teams and winning a Stanley Cup championship with the Colorado Avalanche. He was known for his defensive play and was a reliable penalty killer throughout his career. After retiring from the NHL, he continued to work in the sport as a commentator and scout.
🏒