NHL’s Lyle Odelein dies from heart attack at 58 just eight years after surviving horrific blood infection
Lyle Odelein, a defenseman who won a Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993, has died at 58 following years of health issues that began when he was pricked by a cactus in 2018.
‘The entire Canadiens organization is saddened to learn of the passing of Lyle Odelein, who passed away Friday at the age of 58,’ the Canadiens said in a statement.
Odelein is said to have suffered a fatal heart attack overnight on Friday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The former Pittsburgh Penguins star and his wife Laurel had retired in western Pennsylvania, where they owned several Supercuts franchises, the Post-Gazette reported.
His health problems began in 2018 when he contracted a near-fatal blood infection, apparently, after being pricked by a cactus while playing golf in Arizona. The infection traveled to Odelein’s heart and his organs began shutting down, so he needed liver, kidney and aortic valve transplant surgery, according to KDKA-TV.
The surgery left him temporarily paralyzed, but he somehow managed to survive the near-fatal infection and gradually began to improve.
‘His remarkable recovery was a testament to his resilience, courage and appreciation for life,’ read a post from the NHL Alumni Association following Odelein’s passing.
Lyle Odelein, a defenseman who won a Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993 before becoming the first captain in Columbus Blue Jackets history, has died at 58
Odelein was on the 1993 Montreal team that remains Canada’s last Stanley Cup champ
Odelein’s death on Friday was confirmed in social media posts by several teams he played for, including the Canadiens.
He played the last of his 16 NHL seasons with the Penguins in 2005-06 before retiring in the area.
The native of Quill Lake, Saskatchewan, was a seventh-round pick of the Canadiens in 1986 and played in 1,056 NHL games with Montreal, New Jersey, Phoenix, Columbus, Chicago, Dallas, Florida and Pittsburgh.
He totaled 252 points (50 goals, 202 assists) and served 2,316 penalty minutes. He scored 20 goals and had 75 assists in 420 games with Montreal between 1990 and 1996 and ranks second in franchise history with 1,357 penalty minutes, leading the team in that category in each of his six seasons.
Odelein was also the first captain of the Blue Jackets when the team joined the NHL in 2000
Odelein was also the first captain of the Blue Jackets when the team joined the NHL in 2000.
‘Lyle is a significant part of our history, serving as our first captain and helping us celebrate our 25th season in March,’ the Blue Jackets wrote in a social media post.
‘He left an indelible mark on our organization and on our community. On the ice, Lyle was a fierce competitor and a Stanley Cup champion. Off the ice, he was warm, kind and quick with a smile and a kind word. He was a friend to all who knew him and will be sorely missed.’
Later the team honored Odelein prior to their game against visiting Utah.
The Penguins also remembered Odelein on Saturday in social media posts.
‘Lyle was known for his tough exterior on the ice, but we will always remember his generous heart and enormous laugh,’ the team wrote.
