By Taylor Rocca via Western Hockey League

The Western Hockey League is mourning the passing of former Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Lyle Odelein.

Odelein passed away Friday at the age of 58.

Hailing from Quill Lake, Sask., Odelein was a rough-and-tumble, hard-nosed defenceman and a member of the 1993 Stanley Cup-winning Montreal Canadiens.

Prior to embarking on his NHL career, he got his start with the Warriors.

From 1985-86 through 1987-88, Odelein manned the blueline in the Friendly City, where friendly was anything but a part of his game. Over 189 career WHL regular season contests, he tallied 163 points (33G-130A) and 353 minutes in penalties.

Selected by the Canadiens in the seventh round (141st overall) of the 1986 NHL Draft, Odelein graduated to pro hockey in 1988-89, splitting the season between the Peoria Riverman of the International Hockey League (IHL) and the Sherbrooke Canadiens of the American Hockey League (AHL).

He made his NHL debut the following season, getting into eight games with the Habs.

During the 1992-93 season, Odelein dressed for 83 regular season games in Montreal. In 20 postseason contests, he contributed six points (1G-5A) as the Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings. To this day, that championships stands as the last NHL title won by a Canadian-based Club.

The 1993-94 season saw Odelein log a career best campaign on offense, as he reached 40 points (11G-29A) in 79 games.

Following stints with the New Jersey Devils (1996-97 to 1999-00), Odelein made a brief stop with the Phoenix Coyotes (1999-00) before becoming a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets via the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft.

Odelein was named the first captain in Columbus Blue Jackets franchise history. He served as captain of the Blue Jackets from 2000-01 until he was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks in March 2002.

Over the final three seasons of Odelein’s pro career, he spent time with the Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, and Pittsburgh Penguins, before retiring due to a knee injury.

Over the course of his NHL career, he played 1,056 games, tallying 252 points (50G-202A). His 2,316 minutes in penalties ranks 30th in NHL history.

Odelein dealt with various health issues following his retirement.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Lyle’s family and friends, and all his teammates over the years.