Réjean Lemelin Explained

Réjean Lemelin
Birth Date:November 19, 1954
Birth Place:Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:170
Position:Goaltender
Catches:Left
Played For:Atlanta Flames
Calgary Flames
Boston Bruins
Ntl Team:CAN
Draft:125th overall
Draft Year:1974
Draft Team:Philadelphia Flyers
Wha Draft:209th overall
Wha Draft Year:1974
Wha Draft Team:Chicago Cougars
Career Start:1974
Career End:1992

Réjean M. "Reggie" Lemelin (born November 19, 1954) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and coach. Lemelin played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins. He is perhaps best known for leading the Bruins over the Montreal Canadiens for the first time since 1943, a span of 45 years and 18 series, in the 1988 playoffs.[1] [2] After his playing career, Lemelin spent 13 years as a goaltending coach for the Philadelphia Flyers, who had originally drafted him into the NHL.

Playing career

As a youth, Lemelin played in the 1965, 1966 and 1967 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Orsainville, Quebec City.[3]

After playing two seasons in the QMJHL with the Sherbrooke Beavers, Lemelin joined the North American Hockey League's Philadelphia Firebirds. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the seventh round, 125th overall, in the 1974 NHL amateur draft, and was also selected by the Chicago Cougars in the 1974 WHA Amateur Draft; however, he never played in the WHA, due to an argument with management. His NHL debut came with the Atlanta Flames during the 1978–79 season.[4]

Lemelin remained with the Flames through their move to Calgary, where he enjoyed the most success of his career. He split goaltending duties with Pat Riggin and then Don Edwards, earning the starting job in 1983. In 1984, he played 2 games for Canada in the 1984 Canada Cup, going 1-1. After losing his starting job in Calgary to Mike Vernon, he joined the Boston Bruins for the 1987–88 season, and would be instrumental in the Bruins overcoming the Canadiens for the first time since 1943 in the 1988 playoffs. Lemelin went 4-0, with a .952 save percentage, stopping 99 of 104 shots, and 1 shutout against the Habs after starting game 2 over Andy Moog, who had lost the series opener 5-2.[5] The Bruins would make it to the Stanley Cup Finals that year, losing in a sweep to the Edmonton Oilers. The following season, he and Moog would win the NHL's William M. Jennings Trophy (for fewest team goals allowed).

After battling numerous injuries, Lemelin retired during the 1992–93 season, with his final game on December 29, 1992 in Winnipeg against the Jets.[6] In his NHL career, he appeared in 507 games and had only two losing seasons.

After 13 seasons as the goaltending coach for the Philadelphia Flyers, Lemelin was replaced on June 25, 2009, by Jeff Reese. As of 2010, he was active in Boston area charity hockey games, playing as a goaltender with the Boston Bruins Alumni exhibition team.

Personal life

Lemelin married his wife, Rona, in July 1976. They have two children together, Brian and Stephanie.

Awards

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs statistics.[7]

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPWLTMINGASOGAASV%GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
1972–73Sherbrooke CastorsQMJHL281,66014605.28.87421201206.00.836
1973–74Sherbrooke CastorsQMJHL352,06015804.60.866160303.00.927
1974–75Philadelphia FirebirdsNAHL43211622,27713133.45
1975–76Richmond RobinsAHL34023004.48
1975–76Philadelphia FirebirdsNAHL291,6019713.6331711505.26
1976–77Springfield IndiansAHL32101801003.33.895
1976–77Philadelphia FirebirdsNAHL51261912,76317013.6131911404.40
1977–78Philadelphia FirebirdsAHL60312173,58517742.962021191206.05
1978–79Atlanta FlamesNHL188819945503.32.88110020000.001.000
1978–79Philadelphia FirebirdsAHL133917803602.77
1979–80Atlanta FlamesNHL30201501506.00.776
1979–80Birmingham BullsCHL38132122,18813703.76.88420179503.80
1980–81Calgary FlamesNHL2914671,6298823.24.9026333662203.61.897
1980–81Birmingham BullsCHL133827575604.44.864
1981–82Calgary FlamesNHL34101561,86613504.34.873
1982–83Calgary FlamesNHL39161282,21113303.61.8887332372704.95.852
1983–84Calgary FlamesNHL51211292,56815003.50.8938444483204.29.890
1984–85Calgary FlamesNHL563012103,17618313.46.8884132481513.63.883
1985–86Calgary FlamesNHL60292443,36922914.08.872301109703.85.854
1986–87Calgary FlamesNHL3416911,7359423.25.886201101603.56.872
1987–88Boston BruinsNHL49241762,82213832.93.889171161,0244512.64.895
1988–89Boston BruinsNHL40191562,39212003.01.8874132521603.82.857
1989–90Boston BruinsNHL43221522,31010822.80.8923011351305.79.772
1990–91Boston BruinsNHL33171031,82911113.64.86820032000.001.000
1991–92Boston BruinsNHL85104072303.39.89020054303.33.870
1992–93Boston BruinsNHL105405423103.43.862
NHL totals5072361626328,0001613123.46.8845923253,11618623.58.881

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Frank The Tank . April 26, 2021 . On This Date in Sports April 26, 1988: 45 Years of Frustration . April 30, 2024 . barstoolsports.com.
  2. Web site: Murphy . Austin . May 5, 1988 . HERE'S THAT MAN AGAIN: After a quiet regular season, Wayne Gretzky had Edmonton flying in the Stanley Cup playoffs . April 30, 2024 . Sports Illustrated.
  3. Web site: Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA. 2018. Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. January 4, 2019. March 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf. dead.
  4. Web site: Reggie Lemelin player profile . Hockey Hall of Fame . January 24, 2010.
  5. Web site: hockey-reference.com . April 30, 2024 . 1988 NHL Adams Division Finals: Boston Bruins defeat Montreal Canadiens 4-1 . April 30, 2024 . hockey-reference.com.
  6. Web site: SPORTS PEOPLE: HOCKEY; Lemelin Puts Away Mask . The New York Times . 14 May 2020 . 12 January 1993.
  7. Web site: Lemelin's stats . The Goaltender Home Page. September 27, 2017.