Francis Lessard is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman and enforcer. He was born on May 30, 1979, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Lessard began his hockey career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Drummondville Voltigeurs in 1996. He played for the Voltigeurs for three seasons, from 1996 to 1999, and was known for his physical play and fighting skills.
In 1999, Lessard was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He spent most of his time in the Hurricanes' minor league system, playing for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the International Hockey League (IHL) and the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL). Lessard made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes in the 2002-03 season, playing in three games and recording 17 penalty minutes.
Lessard was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in 2003 and played for their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for most of the season. He played in 15 games for the Thrashers in the 2003-04 season, recording 48 penalty minutes. Lessard became a free agent in 2004 and signed with the Nashville Predators. He played for their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, for most of the season and made his NHL debut with the Predators in the 2005-06 season, playing in 12 games and recording 34 penalty minutes.
Lessard played for the Predators for two seasons, from 2005 to 2007, and was known for his physical play and fighting skills. He was then traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in 2007 and played for their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for most of the season. Lessard played in 10 games for the Thrashers in the 2007-08 season, recording 26 penalty minutes.
Lessard signed with the Ottawa Senators in 2008 and played for their AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, for most of the season. He played in two games for the Senators in the 2008-09 season, recording 17 penalty minutes. Lessard became a free agent in 2009 and signed with the Colorado Avalanche. He played for their AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, for most of the season and made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in the 2009-10 season, playing in 15 games and recording 48 penalty minutes.
Lessard played for the Avalanche for one season, from 2009 to 2010, and was known for his physical play and fighting skills. He became a free agent in 2010 and signed with the Atlanta Thrashers. Lessard played for their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for most of the season and played in one game for the Thrashers in the 2010-11 season, recording two penalty minutes. He retired from professional hockey in 2011.
Throughout his career, Lessard was known for his physical play and fighting skills. He played in a total of 83 NHL games, recording 12 points and 471 penalty minutes. Lessard was a fan favorite for his toughness and willingness to stand up for his teammates.
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