Professional hockey right winger Claude Lemieux played in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2003. After a nine-year absence, he returned to the league in 2009, to play for the San Jose Sharks.

After playing with the Worcester Sharks, a San Jose Sharks affiliate, for a month, Lemieux signed a two-way contract with the Sharks on December 29, 2008. He was called up to join the Sharks roster on January 19, 2009.CBC.ca: Claude Lemieux Returns to NHL with Sharks

On July 8, 2009, Lemieux announced his retirement from professional hockey.http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12789328

After playing several seasons of junior hockey in Canada, Lemieux was selected 26th overall in the 1983 NHL draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He made his NHL debut that same year and went on to help the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup championship in 1986. Lemieux missed much of the 1989-1990 season with injuries, then was traded to the New Jersey Devils on September 4, 1990. He spent five seasons with the Devils and in 1995 won the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.Legends of Hockey: Claude Lemieux

On October 3, 1995, he was traded first to the New York Islanders, then to the Colorado Avalanche. He immediately made a difference with the Avalanche, winning his third Stanley Cup with the team in 1996. He was also involved in one of the most memorable fights in the history of the league, dubbed the "Brawl in Hockeytown," on March 26, 1997, when the Avalanche played the Detroit Red Wings and a huge fight broke out. Lemieux returned to New Jersey for the 1999-2000 season, earning his fourth championship ring in 2000. He then spent three years with the Phoenix Coyotes before he was traded to the Dallas Stars in 2003. Lemieux retired from the league following the 2002-2003 season.Legends of Hockey: Claude Lemieux