Réal Lemieux

Réal Gaston Lemieux (January 3, 1945 – October 24, 1975) was a Canadian ice hockey right wing. He played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres between 1967 and 1974.

Réal Lemieux
Born	(1945-01-03)January 3, 1945 Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada
Died	October 24, 1975(1975-10-24) (aged 30) Sorel, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	172 lb (78 kg; 12 st 4 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Detroit Red Wings Los Angeles Kings New York Rangers Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	1965–1974

Early life

Lemieux was born in Victoriaville, Quebec. He played junior for the Lachine Maroons and the Hamilton Red Wings from 1962 until 1965.

Professional career

Lemieux turned professional with the Detroit Red Wings, playing several seasons with their minor league teams, and one game with Detroit. Lemieux was claimed by Los Angeles in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft and became a regular with the Kings. Lemieux was traded to the New York Rangers in 1969 but was re-acquired after playing 55 games with the Rangers. In 1973–74, Lemieux played for the Kings, Rangers and Sabres. In his NHL career, the vast majority of which was spent with Los Angeles, Lemieux played in 483 games, scoring 51 goals and adding 104 assists.

Retirement and death

After being cut by the Sabres in 1974, Lemieux decided to retire and joined a steel company in Sorel, Quebec. In October 1975, he developed a blood clot in his brain and died on October 24 of that year.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1962–63	Lachine Maroons	MMJHL		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1963–64	Hamilton Red Wings	OHA		42	20	24	44	58		—	—	—	—	—
1964–65	Hamilton Red Wings	OHA		48	48	40	88	64		—	—	—	—	—
1964–65	Memphis Wings	CPHL		8	5	7	12	0		—	—	—	—	—
1965–66	Memphis Wings	CPHL		53	11	15	26	68		—	—	—	—	—
1966–67	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1966–67	Memphis Wings	CPHL		68	28	34	62	211		7	4	0	4	7
1967–68	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		74	12	23	35	60		7	1	1	2	0
1968–69	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		75	11	29	40	68		11	1	3	4	10
1969–70	New York Rangers	NHL		55	4	6	10	51		—	—	—	—	—
1969–70	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		18	2	4	6	10		—	—	—	—	—
1970–71	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		43	3	6	9	2		—	—	—	—	—
1970–71	Springfield Kings	AHL		33	14	22	36	25		—	—	—	—	—
1971–72	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		78	13	25	38	28		—	—	—	—	—
1972–73	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		74	5	10	15	19		—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		20	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	New York Rangers	NHL		7	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		11	1	1	2	4		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				456	51	104	155	262		18	2	4	6	10

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database