Claude Lemieux Signs Contract with AHL's Worcester Sharks

Former NHL left wing Claude Lemieux has signed a contract with the Worcester Sharks of the AHL. Lemieux has been training hard in recent months in order to make an NHL comeback. He last played in the NHL five years ago with the Dallas Stars. The 43-year-old winger had signed a tryout contract with the San Jose Sharks a few days prior to signing with Worcester. Lemieux played 20 seasons in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, and Dallas Stars. In 1197 NHL games, Lemieux scored 379 goals and 406 assists for 785 points and 1756 penalty minutes. He won four Stanley Cups in his career, two with New Jersey and one with Montreal and Colorado. Lemieux was best known as an agitator in the league, and was constantly at the ire of rival teams on the ice. Among his more notorious actions were cross-checking Detroit Red Wings' center Kris Draper head-first into the boards in the 1996 playoffs and starting a pre-game brawl with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1987 playoffs. If Lemieux can make it back to the NHL with the Sharks, he will definitely bring a gritty presence to the team. He could also bring a bit of an offensive boost to the Sharks in the playoffs, as he always played his best hockey in the postseason. However, the game is a lot faster than when Lemieux last played in 2003 and could have a hard time keeping up with some of the young players. If he makes the Sharks, he will likely play on the 4th line.