Curtis Leschyshyn

Curtis Leschyshyn(born September 21, 1969 in Thompson, Manitoba, raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played 1033 games in the National Hockey League.

Playing career
Leschyshyn was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round (third overall) in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise for parts of 9 seasons. He won a Stanley Cup in 1996 with Colorado. The season after winning the Stanley Cup, Curtis hit what he describes as 'the low point' of his career when he was traded to the Washington Capitals with Chris Simon in exchange for Keith Jones and a 1st round pick, then after just 2 games, he was traded to the Hartford Whalers for Andrei Nikolishin on November 9, 1996.

He then played with the Carolina Hurricanes for three seasons before he was claimed in the expansion draft by the Minnesota Wild on June 23, 2000. Leschyshyn started the 2000–01 season with the Wild before he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for a 3rd round pick (Stéphane Veilleux) on March 13, 2001. After three more seasons as a fixture on the Senators defense Leschyshyn signed with Colorado (his adopted home) after the 2004-05 NHL Lockout on August 17, 2005. His return to the Avalanche was short lived when Curtis retired before the 2005–06 season started on October 3, 2005.

In retirement he was a member of the Avalanche radio broadcast team providing color commentary. However he stepped down prior to the 2007–08 season to spend more time with his family.

Awards and achievements

 * 1995–96 NHL Stanley Cup  (Colorado Avalanche)