Playing career

Odelein played junior hockey for the Moose Jaw Warriors before being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 7th round (141st overall) in 1986.

His playing style adapted through his career; primarily used as a defensive defenceman early in his career (as well as an enforcer), but became more of a two-way threat when former Montreal Canadiens coach Jacques Demers used him on the power play.

His first NHL goal was a highlight-reel end-to-end rush against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Ed Belfour on December 19, 1991.

Odelein won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.

The 1993-94 NHL season marked Odelein's career highlight. He scored 11 goals, 29 assists and 40 points, all career highs, scoring 24 of those points in 26 games in February and March that season. As well, he scored a hat trick against St. Louis Blues goalie Jim Hrivnak on March 9, 1994. His 5 assists on February 2, 1994, against the Hartford Whalers, tied a single-game record for Canadiens defensemen held by Doug Harvey, which was also tied in 2004 by Sheldon Souray.

Prior to the 1996-97 season, Odelein was traded by the Canadiens to the New Jersey Devils for Stéphane Richer on August 22, 1996. In the 1999-2000 season, his fourth with the Devils, Odelein was traded by the Devils to the Phoenix Coyotes for Deron Quint and a 3rd round selection on March 7, 2000.

Odelein's tenure with the Coyotes was short as he was claimed in the expansion draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 23, 2000. Lyle was later named the first captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets before their inaugural season in 2000-01.

Odelein signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins on September 2, 2005. However, he managed just 27 games before injuring his knee, gaining just a single assist, and retired from professional hockey.

Odelein finished his NHL career with 182 fights, and on occasion used dirty tactics, including headbutting Darren Langdon, sucker-punching Rob Ray, and knocking out Dallas Drake's front teeth with a high stick.

His 2316 career penalty minutes place him 29th all-time.

Awards and achievements

• 1992-93 NHL Stanley Cup (Montreal Canadiens)

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1985-86	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL		67	9	37	46	117		13	1	6	7	34
1986-87	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL		59	9	50	59	70		9	2	5	7	26
1987-88	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL		63	15	43	58	166		—	—	—	—	—
1988-89	Peoria Rivermen	IHL		36	2	8	10	116		—	—	—	—	—
1988-89	Sherbrooke Canadiens	AHL		33	3	4	7	120		3	0	2	2	5
1989-90	Sherbrooke Canadiens	AHL		68	7	24	31	265		12	6	5	11	79
1989-90	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		8	0	2	2	33		—	—	—	—	—
1990-91	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		52	0	2	2	259		12	0	0	0	54
1991-92	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		71	1	7	8	212		7	0	0	0	11
1992-93	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		83	2	14	16	205		20	1	5	6	30
1993-94	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		79	11	29	40	276		7	0	0	0	17
1994-95	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		48	3	7	10	152		—	—	—	—	—
1995-96	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		79	3	14	17	230		6	1	1	2	6
1996-97	New Jersey Devils	NHL		79	3	13	16	110		10	2	2	4	19
1997-98	New Jersey Devils	NHL		79	4	19	23	171		6	1	1	2	21
1998-99	New Jersey Devils	NHL		70	5	26	31	114		7	0	3	3	10
1999-00	New Jersey Devils	NHL		57	1	15	16	104		—	—	—	—	—
1999-00	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		16	1	7	8	19		5	0	0	0	16
2000-01	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		81	3	14	17	118		—	—	—	—	—
2001-02	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		65	2	14	16	89		—	—	—	—	—
2001-02	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		12	0	2	2	4		4	0	1	1	25
2002-03	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		65	7	4	11	76		—	—	—	—	—
2002-03	Dallas Stars	NHL		3	0	0	0	6		2	0	0	0	0
2003-04	Florida Panthers	NHL		82	4	12	16	88		—	—	—	—	—
2005-06	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		27	0	1	1	50		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				1056	50	202	252	2316		86	5	13	18	209

Personal

His brother Selmar Odelein lives in Saskatchewan also and played briefly for the Edmonton Oilers before playing for Team Canada and moving to Europe. Another brother, Lee Odelein, has also played professionally in Europe. After retirement, Odelein spent time on his family farm in Saskatchewan and also maintains a home in Pittsburgh, Pa.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]