Merci Beaucoup, Claude Lemieux

by JonHaven on Jan 21, 2009 9:19 AM PST

This started out as a one line response to a blog for a writer in the Denver Post, but ended up as a slightly gushing display of my man crush. Since Lemieux is a Shark now, I thought I'd share.

As excited as I was last night watching my favorite player of all time play hockey again, there was a even greater emotion that I was feeling.

Inspiration.

As corny as it may sound, Claude Lemieux has inspired me yet again.

It began in New Jersey in 1995. A player whom most considered at best a 3rd line agitator scores 13 goals and leads his team to a Stanley Cup. What he lacked in talent, he made up for and far exceeded with work, determination, and heart.

He's been my favorite player ever since.

I followed him to Colorado in '96 and watched him teach an amazingly talented, young group of players how to win. Watching him play with Forsberg and Kamensky is still among my greatest hockey memories.

Now, at age 43, he's back.

He has nothing left to win. Nothing left to prove. No reason whatsoever to play NHL hockey again... except that he loves it.

While others laughed, Claude hired a trainer and got into better shape than he had ever been before.

While the current Avalanche struggle on most nights to even put forth an effort for 60 minutes, Lemieux was sitting on a bus somewhere in New England, amongst kids half his age, traveling to play 3 games in 4 nights of minor league hockey, just thankful for the opportunity.

Last night, while critics called him a PR stunt and anticipated an embarrassment, Lemieux skated hard and finished checks.

Most former and current NHL stars would have a hard time just dealing with just their egos to play 4th line minutes. Claude Lemieux was just thankful for the opportunity.

The Conn Smythe winner is back because he loves hockey and thinks that playing in the NHL is the best life in the world. He'll skate his tail off each and every shift, not taking a single second of it for granted.

Most players and fans will continue to hate him, but the truth is this:

The NHL would be a whole lot better off with more players like Claude Lemieux.

This item was created by a member of this blog's community and is not necessarily endorsed by Fear The Fin.

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Claude Lemieux

Lemieux will help the Sharks get to where they want to go and where they expect to go.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jan 21, 2009 3:04 PM PST reply actions

Hopefully Claude can add that extra little bit of tenancity

that the Sharks appear to lack in the postseason. Personally, if I was an opposing player I would not want to face a line that features Pepe and Shelley. Thanks for sharing JonHaven. Nice blog post.

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Jan 21, 2009 3:10 PM PST reply actions

+1

To you, good sir.

Fear the Fin: Home of the Triple Game Thread

by Mr. K. on Jan 21, 2009 3:54 PM PST reply actions

Very nicely done sir.

Fear the Fin: Where everybody loves me.

by Matthew_Taylor on Jan 21, 2009 4:30 PM PST reply actions

Great post

I never actually got to see Lemieux play, so thanks about sharing what kind of player he is.

And nice Black Armor Lemieux jersey!

"Gotta suck for the other teams. You finally catch the Sharks on an off night and you still lose." -Shark Man

by idunno723 on Jan 21, 2009 4:35 PM PST reply actions

I think you’ll be pleased. He is an agitator so other players hate him, but other than one really bad hit (the Draper hit), Claude gets under peoples skin, but he does not go around doing ridiculous things trying to hurt people (like the Commies from Detroit will tell you). Its sad that one bad hit has greatly tainted his whole career. He isn’t a Dale Hunter/Chris Simon type player.

I'm back to doing what I love most and it feels great.
~ Claude Lemieux

by JonHaven on Jan 21, 2009 8:41 PM PST up reply actions

You mean he won’t stand with his back to the play in front of Martin Brodeur and wave his arms ridiculously? Hell, that makes him a stand-up agitator in my book.

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? - Satchel Paige

by Dan. on Feb 3, 2009 9:18 PM PST up reply actions

thanks

just like idunno, i had no clue who claude lemieux was until he came up on the sharks site.

'It aint over till the fat lady sings." - Not Yogi Berra

by serrapadre716 on Jan 21, 2009 4:41 PM PST reply actions

Well, I did know of the hit

But I didn’t know about his four Stanley Cups or his playoff excellence.

"Gotta suck for the other teams. You finally catch the Sharks on an off night and you still lose." -Shark Man

by idunno723 on Jan 21, 2009 4:47 PM PST up reply actions

i never heard of him either until the sharks got him to worchester

by WhoseYourNabby? on Jan 21, 2009 4:58 PM PST up reply actions

(shakes head, sighs...)

High schoolers… ;-)

Love,
Old Fart… I mean, Mr. K.

Fear the Fin: Home of the Triple Game Thread

by Mr. K. on Jan 21, 2009 6:01 PM PST up reply actions

I think it may be time to present another homework assignment

Read up on the history of Mr. Pepe Lemieux and locate a couple YouTube vids

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Jan 21, 2009 6:15 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Kids these days...

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker

by Lurker Shark on Jan 21, 2009 7:30 PM PST up reply actions

Unfortunately, 98% of the YouTube vids are “the hit.” I’ve been able to find very little from the Conn Smythe playoff run or any of the other Cups.

I'm back to doing what I love most and it feels great.
~ Claude Lemieux

by JonHaven on Jan 21, 2009 8:43 PM PST up reply actions

i did that

'It aint over till the fat lady sings." - Not Yogi Berra

by serrapadre716 on Jan 22, 2009 1:39 PM PST up reply actions

old fart?

You? Oh, pluuuuuueeeeeeaze

Fear the Fin....where being an old guy isn't all bad

by Dave Valentine on Jan 22, 2009 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

LOL

Anyone over 25 is old compared to some in this crowd – but I’m still happy to have them aboard. I LOVE the fact that you’re our elder statesman – you provide perspective that others lack.

Any possibility you’ll make it to CA this season? We should orchestrate a FTF meet-and-greet, watch-and-drink.

Fear the Fin: Keeping you from your obligations since 2008

by Mr. K. on Jan 22, 2009 4:31 PM PST up reply actions

drink?

apparantly you’ve forgotten that there are a good amount of high schoolers here. so just bring a couple extra 6 packs.

'It aint over till the fat lady sings." - Not Yogi Berra

by serrapadre716 on Jan 22, 2009 5:23 PM PST up reply actions

I'd be down for that.

Might I recommend Stanley’s? Service isn’t great but the food is and it’s one bar that will have hockey on. They’ll even let the kids in if they’ve got someone to watch them.

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker

by Lurker Shark on Jan 23, 2009 12:05 AM PST up reply actions

OLD FART

'It aint over till the fat lady sings." - Not Yogi Berra

by serrapadre716 on Jan 22, 2009 5:24 PM PST up reply actions

Yes?

You rang? Extra six-pack of Henry Weinhard’s (Root) Beer, coming right up.

Fear the Fin: Keeping you from your obligations since 2008

by Mr. K. on Jan 22, 2009 5:54 PM PST up reply actions

NHL Playoffs Goals Scored All-Time

1 Wayne Gretzky – 122
2 Mark Messier – 109
3 Jari Kurri – 106
4 Brett Hull – 103
5 Glenn Anderson – 93
6 Michael Bossy - 85
7 Joe Sakic COL - 84
8 Maurice Richard - 82
9 Claude Lemieux SJS – 80

Not bad company.

I'm back to doing what I love most and it feels great.
~ Claude Lemieux

by JonHaven on Jan 21, 2009 8:53 PM PST up reply actions

That

is very good company to be in.

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker

by Lurker Shark on Jan 21, 2009 8:58 PM PST up reply actions

I would like to see Claude move up that list

oh yes, the no.6 slot would be nice

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Jan 21, 2009 9:12 PM PST up reply actions

At the risk of sounding arrogant / greedy / mentally unstable

Claude Lemieux could actually take over Glenn Anderson’s spot…

Imagine the Sharks making it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Each series en route lasts 5-6 games (hypothetically). Lemieux scores one goal in 13 of those 20-24 games.

Too perfect?

Fear the Fin: Keeping you from your obligations since 2008

by Mr. K. on Jan 21, 2009 9:28 PM PST up reply actions

After all

Why should the Oilers dominate the top 5?

Fear the Fin: Keeping you from your obligations since 2008

by Mr. K. on Jan 21, 2009 9:29 PM PST up reply actions

They don't

Brett Hull earned a bunch of those goals as a St. Louis Blue :D

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? - Satchel Paige

by Dan. on Feb 3, 2009 9:21 PM PST up reply actions

I meant the other four ;-)

Hull played for Edmonton’s rival, Calgary, for the start of his career, right?

Unfortunately, he ended it with two teams I despise – Dallas and Detroit. Phoenix doesn’t count.

Fear the Fin: Keeping you from your obligations since 2008

by Mr. K. on Feb 4, 2009 12:41 AM PST up reply actions

Hey that works for me.

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker

by Lurker Shark on Jan 21, 2009 9:57 PM PST up reply actions

great post

i remember when i was little, everyone was always saying how much they hated claude lemieux. he seems great to me, i’m excited to see what he brings to our team.

goochaay

by carolinee on Jan 21, 2009 5:48 PM PST reply actions

me too

I couldn’t help but get excited to see him play.

When the booze is gone, it's time to move on.

by OhMySwede on Jan 21, 2009 5:54 PM PST up reply actions

Ah, loved reading that.

He has nothing left to win. Nothing left to prove. No reason whatsoever to play NHL hockey again… except that he loves it.

Don’t you just love a passion like that? It’s definitely inspiring, no doubt.
Thanks for the quick history! Just started being a fan of the Sharks and hockey, so it’s awesome to read stuff like this :) [apart from trying to read loads of articles on wikipedia, haha]

by AppleSweetRose on Jan 21, 2009 7:14 PM PST reply actions

Take notice, other newbies

Wikipedia articles are your friends.

-Mr. K. approves [anything with extra homework]

Fear the Fin: Home of the Triple Game Thread

by Mr. K. on Jan 21, 2009 7:43 PM PST up reply actions

Just don't go trying to give me any.

Grad school is bad enough. Speaking f which I should really not be on here right now…

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker

by Lurker Shark on Jan 21, 2009 7:52 PM PST up reply actions

Me neither

Report cards are due on Friday… but take a look at my new signature.

Fear the Fin: Keeping you from your obligations since 2008

by Mr. K. on Jan 21, 2009 8:02 PM PST up reply actions

Outstanding. This is much more fun than computational geometry.

I’m glad I have a job that I can’t really take home with me. They just make us work long hours.

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker

by Lurker Shark on Jan 21, 2009 8:11 PM PST up reply actions

Don’t you just love a passion like that?

Yes. It’s sad that it is so often seemingly missing from Pro athletes these days.

I'm back to doing what I love most and it feels great.
~ Claude Lemieux

by JonHaven on Jan 21, 2009 8:49 PM PST up reply actions

I also peaked in at Mile High Hockey to view the same fanpost

Interesting to note CL was in Denver at the start of the season, hoping to rejoin the Av organization, but was turned away. Some may say he signed with the Sharks simply looking for a fifth ring, but honestly the man just wants to play.

And I think it’s great that his son Brendon gets to hang out with his buddy Brett Roenick in the SJ locker room to watch his dad at work.

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Jan 21, 2009 9:26 PM PST reply actions

It's very refreshing

to see a guy doing what Claude is for all the right reasons.

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker

by Lurker Shark on Jan 21, 2009 10:10 PM PST up reply actions

I was a little sad he didn’t come back to the Avalanche, but without Forsberg coming back and saving them again, they are not a contender. They can very possibly make the playoffs, but there’s a big difference between a 7/8 seed and the Wings/Sharks.

One interview I read asked Lemieux why he chose the Sharks. Lemieux said that he called 7 or 8 teams to see if there was any interest and Ron Wilson was the first to call him back. How many of those other teams really had interest, I suppose we’ll never know. If I were to retire then go back to work, it would make sense to call my former employers first, so my guesses are that Claude called the Avs, Devils, Stars, Canadiens, Coyotes, Sharks, and maybe one or two other teams.

I'm back to doing what I love most and it feels great.
~ Claude Lemieux

by JonHaven on Jan 22, 2009 7:37 AM PST up reply actions

I can’t believe I haven’t commented on this yet- excellent article man. I’m really excited to have Claude on the squad.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Jan 22, 2009 11:06 PM PST reply actions

I have to contribute a lil' story here

I just got back from visiting my grandparents. They’re up there in age…twice as old as ol’ Pepe. I sink down into the floral couch , expecting to spend some quality time chatting about second cousins, life down on the farm in Georgia, knitting yarns and pesky raccoons and to my surprise my Pop says “So, I hear about this old fella who came out of retirement to play for the Sharks”

I nearly had to pick my jaw up off the baby blue carpet.

Then my grandmother, resting back in her recliner next to the pseudo fire, says “Oh yes, I saw him on TV the other day, but I hear the Sharks are not doing all the well and…” Then my Pop grimaces and says “Nooooooooo, they’re tops in the League!”

Next thing I know, I’m rambling on about Claude Lemieux and the Sharks to my grandparents who honestly couldn’t tell the difference between a puck and a coffee coaster.

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Jan 23, 2009 1:09 PM PST reply actions

LOL

Aw, how cute is that?!
Ah, I tend to ramble on to my brothers, when they just even MENTION something about Sharks or Penguins, and I go on and on, until I see their blank looks, as if I’ve gone stark raving mad… and I’m like okay, whatever, ass >_< lol

by AppleSweetRose on Jan 26, 2009 9:04 AM PST up reply actions