Worcester, MA (Sports Network) - Five years since his last NHL game, veteran NHL winger Claude Lemieux signed a contract to play for the Worcester Sharks, the American Hockey League club officially announced on Tuesday.
"I would like to thank Wayne Thomas and the Worcester Sharks for the opportunity to show I can still play this game at a high level," Lemieux said. "I look forward to meeting my new teammates and helping Worcester on the ice."
The 43-year-old Lemieux, a 20-year NHL veteran with Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado, Phoenix and Dallas is a four-time Stanley Cup Champion. He is also one of only eight players in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup with three different teams.
"Claude called and inquired about resuming his hockey career and we have given him an opportunity to pursue it with Worcester," Worcester General Manager Wayne Thomas said. "He is here to help this team win games."
The 215-pound Lemieux, who will now need to pass through the 72-hour AHL waiver process, which would conclude on Friday, has posted 379 goals, 406 assists and 1756 penalty minutes in 1197 NHL games. In 233 Stanley Cup playoff games, he added 80 goals, 78 assists and 529 penalty minutes. His 80 Stanley Cup playoff goals also rank ninth all-time in NHL history.