Who is Steve Letourneau?
Steve Letourneau is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. A defenceman, Letourneau played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1986 and 2000, for the Hartford Whalers, Buffalo Sabres, and Ottawa Senators.
Letourneau was born in Montreal, Quebec. He was drafted by the Whalers in the second round, 28th overall, of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Whalers in the 198687 season, and quickly became a regular on the team's blueline.
Letourneau was a stay-at-home defenseman who was known for his physical play and shot-blocking ability. He was also a good passer and puck-mover.
Letourneau was traded to the Sabres in 1992, and to the Senators in 1996. He retired from the NHL in 2000.
Steve Letourneau
Steve Letourneau is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. A defenceman, Letourneau played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1986 and 2000, for the Hartford Whalers, Buffalo Sabres, and Ottawa Senators.
- Position: Defenseman
- Teams: Hartford Whalers, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators
- NHL Career: 1986-2000
- Games Played: 890
- Goals: 45
- Assists: 146
- Points: 191
Letourneau was a stay-at-home defenseman who was known for his physical play and shot-blocking ability. He was also a good passer and puck-mover. Letourneau was a key member of the Senators team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1997.
After retiring from the NHL, Letourneau worked as a scout for the Senators. He is currently the head coach of the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Position
Steve Letourneau played the position of defenseman during his 14-season NHL career. As a defenseman, Letourneau was responsible for preventing the opposing team from scoring goals, while also helping to move the puck up the ice and create scoring chances for his team.
Letourneau was a stay-at-home defenseman, which means that he focused on playing a strong defensive game. He was known for his physical play and shot-blocking ability. Letourneau was also a good passer and puck-mover, which allowed him to help his team transition from defense to offense quickly.
Letourneau's defensive skills were a key part of the success of the teams he played for. He was a key member of the Senators team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1997.
Teams
Steve Letourneau played for three teams during his 14-season NHL career: the Hartford Whalers, Buffalo Sabres, and Ottawa Senators. Each team played a significant role in Letourneau's career and helped him develop as a player.
- Hartford Whalers
Letourneau began his NHL career with the Whalers in 1986. He quickly became a regular on the team's blueline and was known for his physical play and shot-blocking ability. Letourneau played for the Whalers for six seasons, and he helped the team reach the playoffs four times.
- Buffalo Sabres
Letourneau was traded to the Sabres in 1992. He played for the Sabres for four seasons, and he helped the team reach the playoffs three times. Letourneau was a key member of the Sabres team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999.
- Ottawa Senators
Letourneau was traded to the Senators in 1996. He played for the Senators for four seasons, and he helped the team reach the playoffs three times. Letourneau was a key member of the Senators team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1997.
Letourneau played a significant role for each of the teams he played for. He was a key member of the Whalers, Sabres, and Senators, and he helped each team reach the playoffs. Letourneau was a stay-at-home defenseman who was known for his physical play and shot-blocking ability. He was also a good passer and puck-mover.
NHL Career
Steve Letourneau's NHL career spanned 14 seasons, from 1986 to 2000. During that time, he played for three different teams: the Hartford Whalers, Buffalo Sabres, and Ottawa Senators.
- Regular Season
Letourneau played 890 regular season games in his NHL career. He scored 45 goals and 146 assists for a total of 191 points.
- Playoffs
Letourneau played in 65 playoff games in his NHL career. He scored 3 goals and 11 assists for a total of 14 points.
- Stanley Cup Finals
Letourneau played in the Stanley Cup Finals twice in his NHL career. He lost both times, once with the Sabres in 1999 and once with the Senators in 1997.
- International
Letourneau represented Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympics. He helped Canada win the gold medal.
Letourneau's NHL career was a successful one. He was a key member of several playoff teams and he represented his country at the Olympics. He was a stay-at-home defenseman who was known for his physical play and shot-blocking ability.
Games Played
Steve Letourneau played 890 regular season games in his NHL career. This is a significant number of games, as it is more than the average number of games played by an NHL player. Letourneau's longevity in the NHL is a testament to his durability and consistency.
Letourneau's 890 games played are also a reflection of his value to the teams he played for. He was a stay-at-home defenseman who was known for his physical play and shot-blocking ability. Letourneau was a key member of several playoff teams, and he helped the Ottawa Senators reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1997.
Letourneau's 890 games played are a reminder of the importance of hard work and dedication. He was a player who was willing to do the dirty work, and he was rewarded for his efforts with a long and successful NHL career.
Goals
Steve Letourneau scored 45 goals in his 890-game NHL career. This may not seem like a lot, but it is a significant number for a defenseman. Letourneau was a stay-at-home defenseman, which means that his primary responsibility was to prevent the other team from scoring goals. He was not known for his offensive ability, but he was a good skater and puck-mover, and he had a good shot.
Letourneau's goals were often important ones. He scored several game-winning goals and power-play goals. He also scored some key goals in the playoffs. In the 1997 playoffs, Letourneau scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This goal helped the Senators reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in their history.
Letourneau's goals were a valuable contribution to his teams. He was not a prolific scorer, but he was a reliable one. He could be counted on to score big goals when his team needed them most.
Assists
Steve Letourneau recorded 146 assists during his 890-game NHL career. This is a significant number for a defenseman, as it demonstrates his ability to contribute offensively as well as defensively.
- Puck-Moving Ability
Letourneau was a good skater and puck-mover, which allowed him to generate scoring chances for his teammates. He was able to make quick passes and move the puck up the ice efficiently.
- Offensive Instincts
Letourneau had good offensive instincts, which allowed him to find open teammates and make smart passes. He was also able to create scoring chances for himself, as evidenced by his 45 career goals.
- Power-Play Specialist
Letourneau was a valuable member of his teams' power-play units. He was able to quarterback the power play and set up his teammates for scoring chances. He scored 13 power-play goals in his career.
- Team Player
Letourneau was a team player who was always willing to sacrifice his own offensive opportunities to help his team win. He was a good passer and was always looking to set up his teammates for scoring chances.
Letourneau's 146 assists are a testament to his all-around ability as a defenseman. He was able to contribute offensively and defensively, and he was a valuable member of every team he played for.
Points
Steve Letourneau recorded 191 points (45 goals and 146 assists) in 890 NHL games. This is a significant number for a defenseman, as it demonstrates his ability to contribute offensively as well as defensively.
Letourneau was a stay-at-home defenseman, which means that his primary responsibility was to prevent the other team from scoring goals. However, he was also a good skater and puck-mover, and he had a good shot. This allowed him to contribute offensively, both by setting up his teammates for goals and by scoring goals himself.
Letourneau's points were a valuable contribution to his teams. He was not a prolific scorer, but he was a reliable one. He could be counted on to score big goals when his team needed them most. He was also a good passer and was always looking to set up his teammates for scoring chances.
Letourneau's 191 points are a testament to his all-around ability as a defenseman. He was able to contribute offensively and defensively, and he was a valuable member of every team he played for.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steve Letourneau
This section addresses some of the most common questions and misconceptions about Steve Letourneau, providing concise and informative answers.
Question 1: What position did Steve Letourneau play?
Steve Letourneau played the position of defenseman during his 14-season NHL career.
Question 2: For which teams did Steve Letourneau play?
Steve Letourneau played for three teams during his NHL career: the Hartford Whalers, Buffalo Sabres, and Ottawa Senators.
Question 3: How many regular season games did Steve Letourneau play in his NHL career?
Steve Letourneau played 890 regular season games in his NHL career.
Question 4: How many points did Steve Letourneau score in his NHL career?
Steve Letourneau recorded 191 points (45 goals and 146 assists) in his 890-game NHL career.
Question 5: Did Steve Letourneau ever play in the Stanley Cup Finals?
Yes, Steve Letourneau played in the Stanley Cup Finals twice in his NHL career. He lost both times, once with the Sabres in 1999 and once with the Senators in 1997.
Question 6: Did Steve Letourneau ever represent Canada internationally?
Yes, Steve Letourneau represented Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympics. He helped Canada win the gold medal.
These FAQs provide a concise overview of Steve Letourneau's NHL career, addressing common questions and misconceptions.
Transition to the next article section: Steve Letourneau's Impact on the NHL
Conclusion
Steve Letourneau's 14-season NHL career was a successful one. He was a key member of several playoff teams and he represented his country at the Olympics. He was a stay-at-home defenseman who was known for his physical play and shot-blocking ability.
Letourneau's career is a reminder of the importance of hard work and dedication. He was a player who was willing to do the dirty work, and he was rewarded for his efforts with a long and successful NHL career.