Rejean Lemelin
Encyclopedia
Réjean M. "Reggie" Lemelin (born November 19, 1954) is a former National Hockey League
goaltender
. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers
in the seventh round, 125th overall, in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft
. He 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.
with the Sherbrooke Beavers, Lemelin joined the North American Hockey League
's Philadelphia Firebirds. His NHL debut came with the Atlanta Flames
during the 1978–79 season.
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 was named to the Canadian team that played in the 1984 Canada Cup
. He played in two games, earning a win and a loss. After losing his starting job in Calgary to Mike Vernon, he joined the Boston Bruins
for the 1987–88 season, and teamed with Andy Moog
to win the NHL's William M. Jennings Trophy
(for fewest team goals allowed) in the 1989–90 season.
Lemelin retired during the 1992–93 season. In his NHL career, he appeared in 507 games. After 13 seasons as the goaltending coach for the Philadelphia Flyers
, he was replaced on June 25, 2009, by Jeff Reese
. He also still plays in Boston area charity hockey games to this day, as a member of the Boston Bruins Alumni exhibition team as their goaltender.
.
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the seventh round, 125th overall, in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft
1974 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1974 NHL Amateur Draft was held via conference call at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec. In an effort to prevent the WHA from poaching players, the draft was conducted early and in secret. This failed to prevent tampering as information leaked out via agents and other sources over the three...
. He was also selected by the Chicago Cougars
Chicago Cougars
The Chicago Cougars were an original franchise in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the dilapidated International Amphitheatre. During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals against Gordie Howe and the Houston Aeros, the team's two home games were played at...
in the 1974 WHA Amateur Draft
1974 WHA Amateur Draft
The 1974 WHA Amateur Draft was the second draft held by the World Hockey Association.-Selections by round:Listed below are the selections made in the 1974 WHA Amateur Draft.-Round 1:1. Pat Price - Vancouver Blazers2. Mike Will - Indianapolis Racers...
; however, he never played in the WHA, due to an argument with management.
Playing career
After playing two seasons in the QMJHLQuebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
with the Sherbrooke Beavers, Lemelin joined the North American Hockey League
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
's Philadelphia Firebirds. His NHL debut came with the Atlanta Flames
Atlanta Flames
The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the...
during the 1978–79 season.
Lemelin remained with the Flames through their move to Calgary
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, where he enjoyed the most success of his career. He split goaltending duties with Pat Riggin
Pat Riggin
Patrick Michael Riggin is a retired former National Hockey League goaltender who played for the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as the Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association...
and then Don Edwards, earning the starting job in 1983, In 1984, he was named to the Canadian team that played in the 1984 Canada Cup
1984 Canada Cup
The 1984 Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament played during the first three weeks of September 1984. The best-of-three final took place between Canada and Sweden, with Canada winning two games to nil...
. He played in two games, earning a win and a loss. After losing his starting job in Calgary to Mike Vernon, he joined the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
for the 1987–88 season, and teamed with Andy Moog
Andy Moog
Donald Andrew Moog is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently the goaltending coach for the NHL's Dallas Stars.Moog was previously the Dallas Stars' assistant coach...
to win the NHL's William M. Jennings Trophy
William M. Jennings Trophy
The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League award given to "the goalkeeper having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it. Winners are selected based on regular-season play." From 1946 until 1981, the Vezina Trophy had been awarded...
(for fewest team goals allowed) in the 1989–90 season.
Lemelin retired during the 1992–93 season. In his NHL career, he appeared in 507 games. After 13 seasons as the goaltending coach for the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, he was replaced on June 25, 2009, by Jeff Reese
Jeff Reese
Jeffrey K. Reese is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers, Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils...
. He also still plays in Boston area charity hockey games to this day, as a member of the Boston Bruins Alumni exhibition team as their goaltender.
Personal life
Lemelin married the love of his life, Rona, in July 1976. The remain married to this day. They are the parents of two children, Brian and StephanieStephanie Lemelin
Stephanie Lemelin is a Canadian actress. She appeared in the American TV series Cavemen. Other past credits include The 40-Year-Old Virgin, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Me, Myself and Irene, the last in which she appears with her mother, Rona. Her father is former NHL goalie Reggie Lemelin...
.
Awards
- Selected to 40th National Hockey League All-Star Game40th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 40th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, home to the Edmonton Oilers, on February 7, 1989.- The return of Wayne Gretzky :...
(1988–89 season) - William M. Jennings TrophyWilliam M. Jennings TrophyThe William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League award given to "the goalkeeper having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it. Winners are selected based on regular-season play." From 1946 until 1981, the Vezina Trophy had been awarded...
(fewest goals allowed in NHL): 1989–90 season (w/Andy MoogAndy MoogDonald Andrew Moog is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently the goaltending coach for the NHL's Dallas Stars.Moog was previously the Dallas Stars' assistant coach...
)