Topic: John LeClair

John Clark LeClair (born July 5, 1969 in St. Albans, Vermont) is an American professional ice hockey player. He most recently played left wing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL), who released him on December 14, 2006. He is currently an unrestricted free agent and although he has not officially announced his retirement, a return to the NHL as a player is unlikely.

LeClair was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with the 33rd pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft after graduating from Bellows Free Academy (B.F.A.) High School in St. Albans, Vermont. One of the most highly recruited hockey players in New England, Leclair put his NHL aspirations on hold to attend the University of Vermont on a full scholarship. His fans didn't have to wait long to see him score in his first collegiate game. After the final game of his senior year he signed with the Canadiens and, less than a week later, played and scored in his first NHL game. As a member of the Canadiens, LeClair was on the Stanley Cup-winning team in 1993, where he scored two overtime game-winning goals during the Stanley Cup Finals.

On February 9, 1995, a Montreal team desperate to salvage a difficult season traded LeClair, along with Éric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Mark Recchi and Philadelphia's 3rd round choice (Martin Hohenberger) in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. LeClair gelled immediately with new line-mate Eric Lindros and quickly became one of the NHL's most feared goal scorers.