Hubbry Logo
Pierre TurgeonPierre TurgeonMain
Open search
Pierre Turgeon
Community hub
Pierre Turgeon
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Pierre Turgeon
Pierre Turgeon
Pierre Turgeon
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Pierre Julien Turgeon (TUHR-zhawn,[1] French pronunciation: [tyʁ.ʒɔ̃]; born August 28, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. Selected first overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, Turgeon played in the NHL for the Sabres, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche. He is the younger brother of former NHL player Sylvain Turgeon. He is one of 48 players to have scored 500 goals. Turgeon was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 13, 2023.[2]

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

Turgeon was a member of Canada's team that was involved in the "Punch-up in Piestany", a bench-clearing brawl between Canada and the Soviet Union during the final game of the 1987 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Piešťany, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) on January 4, 1987. He was the only Canadian who did not initially leave the bench until Canadian head coach Bert Templeton convinced him to go on the ice.[3] Many of his teammates never forgave Turgeon for failing to defend his teammates. In the words of Everett Sanipass: "I'm looking for someone to help (Stéphane) Roy out and I look over at the bench. There's this dog Turgeon, just sitting there, with his head down. He wouldn't get his ass off the bench ... just sitting there when everyone's off the Soviet bench and at least one of our guys is in real trouble getting double-teamed."[4] Regarding not leaving the bench, Turgeon stated in 2017: "that wasn't my job. I didn't have to fight." Two other players for Canada in forward Steve Nemeth and goalie Jimmy Waite also did not throw a punch.[3]

Buffalo Sabres

[edit]

Turgeon was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres as the first overall pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. Rick Jeanneret, play-by-play announcer for the Sabres, coined the phrase "Ooh-la-la Pierre" for Turgeon.

Turgeon would quickly make an impact with the Sabres once he arrived. In his rookie season, he contributed a respectable 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) during the 1987–88 season, helping the Sabres reach the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in three years. His production increased to 88 points (34 goals and 54 assists) for the 1988–89 season as he quickly became a fan favourite. In the 1989–90 season, he became a star by scoring 106 points (40 goals and 66 assists) and playing in the 1990 NHL All-Star Game. Turgeon's production dipped a little bit in the 1990–91 season to 79 points (32 goals and 47 assists), but he was still a solid performer.

New York Islanders

[edit]

On October 25, 1991, after over four years with the Sabres, Turgeon was traded (along with Benoît Hogue, Uwe Krupp and Dave McLlwain) to the New York Islanders in exchange for Pat LaFontaine, Randy Wood, Randy Hillier and future considerations.[5] Turgeon's best season as an Islander was in 1992–93, where he scored 58 goals and 132 points and helped lead the Islanders to the Wales Conference Finals, where they would lose to eventual Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens in five games. En route, the Islanders defeated the Washington Capitals and upset the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh Penguins.

The first round series, which the Islanders won in six games, is infamous for an on-ice incident. After scoring a goal to put the Islanders up 5-1 during game six at Nassau Coliseum, Turgeon was checked from behind by Dale Hunter of the Capitals as he celebrated his goal. Turgeon suffered a separated shoulder and missed the first six games of the ensuing series against the Penguins. Hunter received a then-record 21-game suspension for the hit.[6] In the semifinals against the Montreal Canadiens, Turgeon tallied five points in four games.[7] [8] The Islanders bowed out of the playoffs after a hard-fought five-game series, two of which went to overtime. After defeating the Islanders, the Canadiens went on to win the Stanley Cup.

As an Islander, Turgeon was awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in the 1992–93 season.

Montreal Canadiens

[edit]

Following the 1994–95 NHL lockout in which the 1994–95 season was limited to 48 games, Islanders general manager Don Maloney decided to rebuild the team, which included trading Turgeon and Vladimir Malakhov to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Kirk Muller, Mathieu Schneider and Craig Darby at the trading deadline. Turgeon was named captain of the Canadiens for the 1995–96 season after the departure of Mike Keane to the Colorado Avalanche in December 1995. During the 1995–96 season, Turgeon nearly recorded a 100-point season with 38 goals and 58 assists for 96 points; he also played in the 1996 NHL All-Star Game.

A Blues jersey worn by Turgeon during the 1999–00 season, including an October 9, 1999 game in Edmonton against the Oilers where Turgeon recorded the 1,000th point of his 13-year NHL career, becoming just the 55th player in league history to reach the milestone.

St. Louis Blues

[edit]

On October 29, 1996, Turgeon was traded to the St. Louis Blues (along with Rory Fitzpatrick and Craig Conroy) in exchange for Murray Baron, Shayne Corson and a fifth-round pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Turgeon spent the next five seasons producing well with the likes of Brett Hull, Chris Pronger, Al MacInnis and Grant Fuhr as teammates. He averaged more than 70 points per season and scored several key post-season goals during his tenure in St. Louis.

Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche

[edit]

On July 1, 2001, Turgeon joined the Dallas Stars as a free agent, followed by the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent on August 3, 2005. Turgeon took a year off during the 2004–05 NHL lockout. Upon signing with the Avalanche, Turgeon switched his jersey number to #87 from his customary #77, as the number was retired by Colorado for Ray Bourque.

On November 8, 2005, Turgeon became the 34th player in NHL history to score 500 goals, doing so against the San Jose Sharks.

On September 5, 2007, Turgeon announced his retirement from the NHL.[9]

Post-playing career

[edit]
Turgeon and Mario Lemieux in a faceoff in 2009

Turgeon was first considered for the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010, but was not selected. In 2023, after 13 years of being eligible, Turgeon would be selected for the Hockey Hall of Fame, with him being inducted on November 13, 2023. Up until his selection, he was one of only 5 (Peter Bondra, Jeremy Roenick (later elected in 2024), Keith Tkachuk, and Pat Verbeek) eligible players with 500 goals to not be in the Hall of Fame. Also, at the time of his induction, he is the 9th (Dale Hawerchuk, Guy Lafleur, Mario Lemieux, Eric Lindros, Mike Modano, Gilbert Perreault, Denis Potvin, and Mats Sundin) enshrined player to have been a first pick in the NHL draft.

Coaching career

[edit]

On July 10, 2017, Turgeon was named as the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Kings.[10] On June 8, 2018, the Kings announced that they had accepted Turgeon's resignation to leave the organization due to family reasons.[11]

Personal life

[edit]

Turgeon and his wife Elisabeth have four children and currently live in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. One of their children, Elizabeth, died in a car accident on December 23, 2010, near Vaughn, New Mexico, at age 18.[12] Turgeon's son Dominic was drafted 63rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.[13] His daughter, Valérie Turgeon, was a forward for Harvard Crimson women's ice hockey team, playing for two seasons.[14][15]

Turgeon represented Canada in the Little League World Series in 1982, along with former NHLer Stéphane_Matteau.

[edit]

George W. Strawbridge, Jr., an active shareholder of the Buffalo Sabres and director and member of the team's executive committee for more than 30 years, named one of his thoroughbred racehorses in Pierre Turgeon's honor. Turgeon raced for Strawbridge's racing stable in France where he won several conditions races and, after retiring, is developing into a successful sire. [1] [2]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1984–85 Bourassa Angevins QMAAA 41 49 52 101 26 5 3 8 11 2
1985–86 Granby Bisons QMJHL 69 47 67 114 31 — — — — —
1985–86 Canada Intl 11 2 4 6 2 — — — — —
1986–87 Granby Bisons QMJHL 58 69 85 154 8 7 9 6 15 15
1987–88 Buffalo Sabres NHL 76 14 28 42 34 6 4 3 7 4
1988–89 Buffalo Sabres NHL 80 34 54 88 26 5 3 5 8 2
1989–90 Buffalo Sabres NHL 80 40 66 106 29 6 2 4 6 2
1990–91 Buffalo Sabres NHL 78 32 47 79 26 6 3 1 4 6
1991–92 Buffalo Sabres NHL 8 2 6 8 4 — — — — —
1991–92 New York Islanders NHL 69 38 49 87 16 — — — — —
1992–93 New York Islanders NHL 83 58 74 132 26 11 6 7 13 0
1993–94 New York Islanders NHL 69 38 56 94 18 4 0 1 1 0
1994–95 New York Islanders NHL 34 13 14 27 10 — — — — —
1994–95 Montreal Canadiens NHL 15 11 9 20 4 — — — — —
1995–96 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80 38 58 96 44 6 2 4 6 2
1996–97 Montreal Canadiens NHL 9 1 10 11 2 — — — — —
1996–97 St. Louis Blues NHL 69 25 49 74 12 5 1 1 2 2
1997–98 St. Louis Blues NHL 60 22 46 68 24 10 4 4 8 2
1998–99 St. Louis Blues NHL 67 31 34 65 36 13 4 9 13 6
1999–2000 St. Louis Blues NHL 52 26 40 66 8 7 0 7 7 0
2000–01 St. Louis Blues NHL 79 30 52 82 37 15 5 10 15 2
2001–02 Dallas Stars NHL 66 15 32 47 16 — — — — —
2002–03 Dallas Stars NHL 65 12 30 42 18 5 0 1 1 0
2003–04 Dallas Stars NHL 76 15 25 40 20 5 1 3 4 2
2005–06 Colorado Avalanche NHL 62 16 30 46 32 5 0 2 2 6
2006–07 Colorado Avalanche NHL 17 4 3 7 10 — — — — —
NHL totals 1,294 515 812 1,327 452 109 35 62 97 36

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
1987 Canada WJC DSQ 6 3 0 3 2
Junior totals 6 3 0 3 2

Awards and honours

[edit]
Award Year
QMJHL
Michel Bergeron Trophy 1986
Mike Bossy Trophy 1987
NHL
All-Star Game 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy 1993 [16]

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pierre Turgeon.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pierre Turgeon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Pierre Turgeon (born August 28, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1987 to 2007, amassing 515 goals and 812 assists for 1,327 points in 1,294 games across six teams, and was inducted into the in 2023. Born in , , Turgeon was selected first overall by the in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft after a standout junior career with the Hull Olympiques in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he won the Trophy as the best professional prospect in 1987. He debuted with Buffalo in the 1987–88 season and quickly established himself as an elite playmaker, recording multiple 100-point seasons, including a league-leading 132 points (58 goals and 74 assists) in 1992–93 with the , where he won the for and gentlemanly conduct. Over his career, Turgeon was named to five NHL All-Star Games (1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, and 2000) and served as captain of the from 1995 to 1996 following a trade that sent him to his hometown team in 1995. Turgeon's NHL journey included stints with the Sabres (1987–1991), Islanders (1991–1995), Canadiens (1995–1997), St. Louis Blues (1996–2001), Dallas Stars (2001–2004), and Colorado Avalanche (2005–2007), where he concluded his playing career. Despite reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs multiple times, including a Conference Finals appearance with the Islanders in 1993, he never won the championship. Off the ice, Turgeon gained early recognition as a pitcher for Team Canada at the 1982 Little League World Series, and post-retirement, he transitioned into coaching and scouting roles, including as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings from 2017 to 2018, and in July 2025, was named offensive coordinator for the Kings. His induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023 recognized his consistent excellence as one of the highest-scoring players of his era, ranking him among the top retired NHL point producers not previously enshrined.

Early life and junior career

Early life

Pierre Turgeon was born on August 28, 1969, in , , . He grew up in a family deeply involved in hockey, as the younger brother of , a former NHL player who was drafted second overall by the Hartford Whalers in 1983. Turgeon's passion for the sport was ignited in his youth by watching Sylvain compete in junior hockey, an experience that fueled his dreams of a professional career amid Quebec's vibrant hockey culture. This early inspiration led him to begin playing organized hockey in local Quebec minor leagues, setting the stage for his development in the sport.

Junior hockey career

Pierre Turgeon began his major junior career with the Granby Bisons of the Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) during the 1985–86 season, where he quickly established himself as a prolific scorer as a 16-year-old . In 69 regular-season games, he recorded 47 goals and 67 assists for 114 points, earning him the Michel Bergeron Trophy as the league's offensive rookie of the year. The following season, 1986–87, Turgeon elevated his performance, leading the Bisons to the top of the QMJHL standings with the Jean Rougeau Trophy as regular-season champions. Playing in just 58 games, he amassed a league-high 69 goals and 85 assists for 154 points, capturing the Trophy as the QMJHL's top NHL draft prospect. In the playoffs, he contributed 9 goals and 6 assists in 7 games as Granby advanced but fell short of the President's Cup final. Turgeon's exceptional junior production, totaling 268 points in 127 QMJHL games over two seasons, positioned him as the consensus top prospect for the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He was selected first overall by the , marking the beginning of his transition to professional hockey.

Professional playing career

Buffalo Sabres

Pierre Turgeon made his NHL debut with the during the 1987–88 season at the age of 18, following his selection as the first overall pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. In his rookie campaign, he appeared in 76 games, recording 14 goals and 28 assists for 42 points, while contributing 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) in 6 playoff games as the Sabres advanced to the division semifinals. Turgeon's development accelerated in the 1988–89 season, where he led the team with 34 goals and 88 points (34 goals, 54 assists) in 80 games, adding 8 points in 5 contests. He maintained strong production in the following years, posting 106 points (40 goals, 66 assists) in 1989–90 and 79 points (32 goals, 47 assists) in 1990–91, both seasons in which the Sabres qualified for the and Turgeon provided key secondary scoring. Notable moments from his Sabres tenure include his first NHL hat trick, achieved on December 1, 1989, in a 6–4 victory over the . As a young center, Turgeon often anchored the top line, showcasing playmaking ability and contributing to the team's offensive core during his early professional years. After appearing in just 8 games during the 1991–92 season (2 goals, 6 assists), Turgeon was traded to the on October 25, 1991, along with Benoît Hogue, Uwe Krupp, and Dave McLlwain, in exchange for , Randy Wood, , and a 1992 fourth-round draft pick.

New York Islanders

Turgeon was acquired by the in a blockbuster trade from the on October 25, 1991, along with Benoît Hogue, Uwe Krupp, and Dave McLlwain, in exchange for , Randy Wood, , and a 1992 fourth-round draft pick. In his first partial season with the Islanders during 1991-92, he recorded 38 goals and 49 assists for 87 points in 69 games, providing an immediate offensive boost to the team. Turgeon reached the peak of his offensive prowess in 1992-93, amassing a career-high 58 goals and 74 assists for 132 points in 83 games. His exceptional performance earned him the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, recognizing his skill without excessive penalties, as he accumulated only 26 penalty minutes. He also represented the Islanders at the 1993 NHL All-Star Game. Turgeon's scoring included significant power-play contributions, with 20 power-play goals that season, helping drive the Islanders' top power play in the league. His efforts were pivotal in returning the Islanders to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1988, where he tallied 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in 11 games, including the series-clinching goal against the Washington Capitals in Game 6 of the first round before suffering a separated shoulder from a controversial hit by Dale Hunter. The following seasons solidified Turgeon's status as an elite . In 1993-94, he posted 38 goals and 56 assists for 94 points in 69 games, pacing the Islanders offensively and earning another selection while helping the team reach the once more. During the shortened 1994-95 season due to a , he contributed 13 goals and 14 assists in 34 games before the Islanders traded him to the on April 5, 1995, in exchange for , , and Craig Darby. One of his signature moments came on April 2, 1993, when he scored his 50th goal of the season in overtime against the rival at , securing a 3-2 victory and clinching a playoff spot for the Islanders.

Montreal Canadiens

Turgeon was acquired by the from the on April 5, 1995, in a five-player deal that sent captain , defenseman , and defenseman Craig Darby to the Islanders in exchange for Turgeon and defenseman Vladimir Malakhov. As a French-Canadian native of , , Turgeon quickly became a fan favorite upon his return to his home province, embodying the cultural significance of playing for the storied franchise and evoking strong emotional responses from supporters who celebrated the homecoming of a local star. In a following the trade, Turgeon expressed deep sentiment about joining the team, highlighting the personal and regional pride tied to wearing the Canadiens jersey. During the remainder of the 1994–95 season, Turgeon contributed 9 goals and 11 assists for 20 points in 15 games, aiding Montreal's late surge toward a playoff berth amid a transitional period for the club following their 1993 victory. Appointed the 25th in Canadiens history ahead of the 1995–96 campaign—the last to wear the "C" at the —Turgeon anchored the offense during a rebuilding phase, leading the team with 38 goals and 58 assists for 96 points in 80 games while earning a selection to the 1996 NHL All-Star Game. His leadership and production provided stability as the Canadiens integrated younger talent and navigated roster changes. In the 1996 playoffs, Montreal advanced to the first round but fell in six games to the , with Turgeon registering 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points in 6 games, underscoring his role in the team's competitive effort despite the early exit. The series highlighted Turgeon's playoff contributions during a season marked by renewed fan excitement around the captain's home-province impact, though the loss reflected broader challenges in the club's rebuild. Early in the 1996–97 season, after notching 1 goal and 10 assists for 11 points in 9 games, Turgeon was traded to the on October 29, 1996, along with forward and defenseman , in exchange for defenseman Murray Baron, forward , and a fifth-round draft pick in 1998. This move, part of ongoing roster adjustments, ended his brief but memorable tenure with , where he tallied 50 goals and 77 assists for 127 points in 104 regular-season games.

St. Louis Blues

Pierre Turgeon joined the via trade from the on October 29, 1996, in exchange for defenseman Murray Baron, forward , and a fifth-round draft pick. In his debut season of 1996–97, he quickly integrated into the lineup, recording 74 points (25 goals and 49 assists) in 69 games while helping the Blues reach the playoffs. Over his five-year tenure with St. Louis, Turgeon established himself as a reliable top-line , providing consistent offensive output despite battling injuries, including a broken hand in December 1998 that sidelined him for four to six weeks and torn ligaments in his thumb in February 2000 that cost him six to eight weeks. From 1997–98 to 2000–01, Turgeon posted between 65 and 82 points annually, with his most productive campaign coming in 2000–01 when he tallied 82 points (30 goals and 52 assists) in 79 games. He earned a selection to the 2000 NHL , where he represented the among the league's elite. That postseason, Turgeon contributed significantly to the team's deep run, registering 15 points (5 goals and 10 assists) in 15 games as advanced to the Western Conference Finals before falling to the . His playmaking ability was evident in key moments, such as assisting on winners during the . As an alternate captain from 1998–99 through 2000–01, Turgeon evolved into a veteran leader, guiding younger teammates amid the Blues' competitive roster that included stars like Brett Hull and Al MacInnis. Despite the physical toll of injuries limiting him to 52 games in 1999–00, his durability allowed him to play 60 or more games in four of his five seasons with the team. In total, Turgeon amassed 355 points (134 goals and 221 assists) in 327 regular-season games for St. Louis, his highest point total with any franchise. Following the 2000–01 season, he departed as a free agent, signing a five-year contract with the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2001.

Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche

In 2001, following his departure from the St. Louis Blues, Pierre Turgeon signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract as an unrestricted free agent with the on July 1, seeking to contribute to a contending team in the Western Conference. Over the next three seasons (2001–02 to 2003–04), Turgeon served as a reliable third-line center, providing secondary scoring and faceoff support alongside stars like Mike Modano and , though his production declined from earlier peaks due to age and the team's depth at center. He appeared in 207 regular-season games for Dallas, accumulating 40 goals and 87 assists for 127 points, with a career-high of +17 in 2003–04. In the playoffs, Turgeon added modest contributions, including five points in 10 games across two postseason runs, helping the reach the Western Conference Semifinals in 2003. The interrupted play, and upon its resolution under a new agreement, Turgeon's contract became a financial burden for amid constraints. On July 27, 2005, the Stars placed him on unconditional waivers with the intent to execute a if unclaimed, allowing them to shed two-thirds of his remaining $8.5 million salary over an extended period. No team claimed him, and Dallas completed the on July 28, freeing Turgeon to sign a two-year deal with the on August 3, 2005, for $1.5 million annually, where he joined a high-powered offense led by and . This move marked the final chapter of his 19-year career, positioning him as a veteran playmaker on a squad aiming for playoff success. With the in 2005–06, Turgeon enjoyed a resurgent season at age 36, centering the third line and mentoring younger players while logging significant minutes on the power play; he recorded 16 s and 30 assists in 62 games, highlighted by his 500th career NHL on November 8, 2005, against goaltender in a 5–2 victory. His 46 points contributed to Colorado's Northwest Division title and a second-round playoff exit, where he added two assists in five games. However, the 2006–07 season proved challenging, as and calf injuries sidelined him after just 17 games, in which he managed four s and three assists for seven points—his final NHL s coming in October against and . Turgeon's injury-plagued final year prompted introspection on his physical decline, leading to his official announcement on September 5, 2007, at age 38, after 1,294 regular-season games and 1,327 points across six NHL teams. In reflecting on his tenure, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to end his career in a competitive environment and the support from fans, while noting his shift to coaching his daughter's youth team in the Colorado Select Girls Hockey Association. These years encapsulated Turgeon's graceful fade from elite scorer to valued , underscoring his resilience amid mounting physical tolls.

Career Statistics with Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche

Regular Season

SeasonTeamGPGAPTS+/-PIM
2001–02Dallas Stars66153247–416
2002–03Dallas Stars65123042418
2003–04Dallas Stars761525401720
2005–06Colorado Avalanche62163046132
2006–07Colorado Avalanche17437–110

Playoffs

SeasonTeamGPGAPTS+/-PIM
2002–03501110
2003–045134–22
2005–065022–36

International career

Canada Cup and World Cup appearances

Pierre Turgeon did not participate in the or during his professional career, despite being a prominent NHL center during the eras of those tournaments. His selection for Team in major best-on-best competitions was limited, possibly due to roster preferences favoring other players or timing conflicts with his club schedule. Turgeon also had no Olympic appearances, as NHL players were prohibited from participating in the Olympics prior to the 1998 Nagano Games due to league scheduling restrictions and agreements with the . His senior international experience with Team was confined to pre-NHL play, including a stint with the Canadian National Team in 1985-86 where he recorded 6 points in 11 games, but these were not in major tournaments like the or . Overall, Turgeon's professional international statistics for Team stand at 0 games and 0 points in senior best-on-best events.

Post-retirement career

Coaching roles

Following his retirement from professional play in 2007, Turgeon began coaching at the minor hockey level, starting with his daughter Elizabeth's under-16 team in the Colorado Select Girls Hockey Association. Elizabeth tragically passed away in a 2010 car accident, after which he continued to coach his children, including his son Dominic, in youth hockey programs during the ensuing years. In the 2010s, Turgeon took on more formal coaching responsibilities, serving as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League during the 2017–18 season. In this role, he focused on improving the team's offensive output, drawing on his extensive playing experience as a prolific scorer. He departed the position after one season for family reasons. In July 2025, Turgeon was named of 3ICE Buffalo in the professional 3-on-3 hockey league, marking his return to a high-level coaching position. His philosophy emphasizes skill development and sportsmanship, influenced by his own receipt of the in 1993 for gentlemanly conduct.

Media and other involvement

Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2007, Pierre Turgeon has maintained a visible media presence through guest appearances on podcasts, where he shares career anecdotes and insights into the game. In the 2020s, he has been a featured guest on several prominent hockey podcasts, including the episode in August 2025, during which he discussed his time with the , including dynamics involving goaltender . He also appeared on the NHL Wraparound podcast's Hall of Fame edition in September 2025, reflecting on his Hall of Fame induction, junior hockey days, and his overall NHL journey. Earlier in the decade, Turgeon joined the Overtime Podcast in October 2023, shortly before his induction, to recount his draft experience and professional highlights. In July 2025, Turgeon made a notable television appearance on NHL Network's NHL Tonight, where he discussed his new role as a coach in the 3ICE professional three-on-three league ahead of its third season and shared reminiscences from his 19-year NHL career, including key moments with teams like the and . Beyond broadcasting, Turgeon has engaged in public-facing hockey activities, participating in autograph signings and fan events to connect with supporters. For example, he signed autographs at the Sports Collectors Convention in Langley, , in August 2024, alongside fellow Hall of Famer . He also held a public autograph session at Dave & Adam's Card World in 2023, allowing fans to obtain personalized items from the former first overall draft pick. These events highlight his ongoing commitment to hockey's community engagement post-retirement.

Personal life

Family and upbringing

Pierre Turgeon was born on August 28, 1969, in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, a mining and lumber town in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region known for its strong hockey culture. Growing up in a hockey-oriented family, Turgeon was introduced to the sport early by his mother, who taught him to skate at the age of three. His older brother, Sylvain Turgeon, four years his senior, played a significant role in shaping his passion for the game; Sylvain was selected second overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft by the Hartford Whalers and went on to have a professional career spanning over 700 NHL games. The siblings often practiced together, with Pierre crediting Sylvain as one of his earliest idols and influences. Turgeon married Elisabeth, whom he first met in when he was 12 years old, and the couple has four children: Dominic, Valerie, Alexandra, and Elizabeth. Their son followed in his father's footsteps, playing junior hockey in the with the before being drafted by the in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft; he continued his professional career in the minors and overseas. Daughter Valerie also pursued hockey, starting at age five and competing at competitive levels during her youth. Elizabeth and Alexandra were twins. Tragically, their daughter Elizabeth died in a car accident on December 23, 2010, at the age of 18. Following Turgeon's retirement from the NHL in 2007, the family relocated to , where they have resided since. Throughout his career, which involved multiple trades across teams in Buffalo, the , , , , and , Elisabeth provided steadfast support to Turgeon and the family during transitions and challenges, including injuries. No additional siblings beyond Sylvain are documented in Turgeon's immediate family background.

Philanthropy and interests

Turgeon has actively participated in charitable initiatives through NHL Alumni events, particularly those supporting . In April 2024, he joined the Alumni for the "Puck Cancer" charity game against NHL Alumni and celebrities, which raised over $400,000 for Siteman Cancer Center and The V Foundation for . Beyond , Turgeon pursues personal interests in and , activities he has discussed in interviews as ways to relax in the wilderness and spend time with family.

Career statistics and achievements

Regular season and playoff statistics

Pierre Turgeon played 1,294 regular season games over 19 NHL seasons from 1987 to 2007, accumulating 515 goals, 812 assists, and 1,327 points while posting a +139 plus-minus rating and 452 penalty minutes. His production peaked in the early , highlighted by a career-high 132 points in 1992–93 with the . Following a trade to the in 2001, Turgeon's scoring declined post-2000 due to recurring injuries, including groin and calf issues that limited his play in his final seasons with the . Turgeon's regular season statistics varied by team, with his most productive stretches coming in Buffalo and New York. The following table details Turgeon's season-by-season regular season performance, including goals, assists, points, penalty minutes, and plus-minus:
SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
1987–88BUF7614284234-8
1988–89BUF8034548826-2
1989–90BUF8040661062910
1990–91BUF783247792614
1991–922TM77405595207
1992–93NYI83587413226-1
1993–94NYI693856941814
1994–952TM49242347140
1995–96MTL803858964419
1996–972TM78265985148
1997–98STL602246682413
1998–99STL67313465364
1999–00STL52264066830
2000–01STL793052823714
2001–02DAL6615324716-4
2002–03DAL65123042184
2003–04DAL761525402017
2005–06COL62163046321
2006–07COL1743710-1
Note: "2TM" indicates seasons split between two teams (1991–92: Buffalo and New York Islanders; 1994–95: New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens; 1996–97: Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues). In the playoffs, Turgeon appeared in 109 games across 17 postseason appearances, recording 35 goals, 62 assists, and 97 points.

International statistics

Pierre Turgeon's international appearances for Team were limited due to his commitments with NHL clubs, resulting in participation in just two major senior tournaments during his career. He suited up for the , where claimed gold, and the , in which earned silver after falling to the in the best-of-three final series. Turgeon contributed offensively in both events, focusing on playmaking and finishing opportunities in high-stakes games against international competition.
TournamentGPGoalsAssistsPointsPIM
63252
1996 World Cup60440
Career Total123692
These statistics highlight Turgeon's selective but effective role on rosters stacked with elite talent, though his club schedule prevented broader involvement in global events.

Awards and honors

During his junior career with the Hull Olympiques and Granby Bisons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Turgeon earned the Michel Bergeron Trophy as the league's offensive rookie of the year in 1985–86, after recording 115 points in 68 games. He also received the Trophy as the best professional prospect in the QMJHL in 1987, following a dominant 154-point season that led Granby to the . Additionally, he was named to the All-Star Team in 1986 for his contributions during the tournament. In the NHL, Turgeon's sportsmanship and performance were honored with the in the 1992–93 season, when he tallied 132 points (58 goals and 74 assists) for the while accruing just two penalty minutes in 83 games. He was selected to the NHL Second All-Star Team that same year, acknowledging his elite play as one of the league's top centers. He was also named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 1995–96. Turgeon appeared in five NHL All-Star Games: 1990 with the , 1993 and 1994 with the , 1996 with the , and 2000 with the . On the team level, Turgeon helped lead the Montreal Canadiens to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final as captain, contributing 96 points (38 goals and 58 assists) in the regular season and 11 points in 12 playoff games before the team fell to the Colorado Avalanche. In recognition of his career contributions to Quebec hockey, he was inducted into the Quebec Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/player/pierre-turgeon-8451991
  2. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/8860/pierre-turgeon
  3. https://www.hhof.com/induction/induction2023/pierreturgeon.html
  4. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/t/turgepi01.html
  5. https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/bio/_/id/962/pierre-turgeon
  6. https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/pierre-turgeon-part-of-little-league-hockey-halls-of-fame-x9281
  7. https://www.littleleague.org/news/pierre-turgeon-from-little-league-baseball-world-series-star-to-hockey-hall-of-fame-inductee/
  8. https://www.nhl.com/news/2023-hockey-hall-of-fame-induction-speech-highlights
  9. https://www.si.com/nhl/2015/12/22/nhl-stars-and-their-lesser-known-brothers
  10. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=5495
  11. https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/article/pierre-turgeon-inducted-into-the-hockey-hall-of-fame/
  12. https://www.quanthockey.com/qmjhl/en/seasons/1986-87-qmjhl-players-stats.html
  13. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/team/hat-tricks
  14. https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/02/sports/hockey-sabres-beat-the-devils-with-two-late-goals.html
  15. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/maven-s-memories-the-big-bang-of-1991-317147718
  16. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/10/26/islanders-deal-lafontaine-sutter-in-separate-trades/
  17. http://www.nhltradetracker.com/user/trade_list_by_player/Turgeon%2CPierre
  18. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/10/25/Islanders-trade-LaFontaine-Sutter-in-separate-deals/5436688363200/
  19. https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-lady-byng-memorial-trophy-winners-complete-list-287910994
  20. https://records.nhl.com/nyi/records/skater-records/special-teams-since-1933-34/skater-most-power-play-goals-one-season
  21. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-04-03-sp-18515-story.html
  22. https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2025/08/19/pierre-turgeon-dale-hunter-controversial-hit-1993-nhl-playoffs/
  23. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-04-06-sp-51498-story.html
  24. https://awinninghabit.com/2023/06/19/montreal-canadiens-hall-fame-case-pierre-turgeon/
  25. https://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/hockey-inside-out/stu-cowan-hall-of-famer-pierre-turgeon-had-a-wild-ride-with-canadiens
  26. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/64/montreal-canadiens/stats/1995-1996/playoffs
  27. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-dec-16-sp-54694-story.html
  28. https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/02/02/Turgeon-out-six-to-eight-weeks/7101949467600/
  29. https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/2001/0701/1221114.html
  30. https://thehockeywriters.com/dallas-stars-biggest-free-agent-flops/
  31. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/dallas-stars-waive-pierre-turgeon-1.558858
  32. https://records.nhl.com/records/milestones/500-goal-career
  33. https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story/_/id/3004276
  34. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pierre-turgeon-retires-from-nhl-1.633207
  35. https://www.denverpost.com/2007/09/05/turgeon-retires-after-19-year-nhl-career/
  36. https://people.com/parents/pierre-turgeon/
  37. https://www.habsworld.net/2007/09/pierre-turgeon-one-step-from-greatness/
  38. https://forums.hfboards.com/threads/never-or-rarely-selected-in-team-canada-oates-francis-gilmour-etc.2812968/
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajK6t4qCyzw
  40. https://nhl-wraparound-podcast.captivate.fm/episode/nhl-wraparound-hall-of-fame-edition-pierre-turgeon
  41. https://www.overtimepodcast.ca/s2e1-overtime-podcast-season-2-ep-1-pierre-turgeon/
  42. https://www.nhl.com/video/pierre-turgeon-joins-nhl-tonight-6375729480112
  43. https://langleyadvancetimes.com/2024/08/07/nhl-hall-of-famers-will-be-signing-autographs-in-langley/
  44. https://www.daveandadamsstore.com/event/pierre-turgeon-autograph-signing/
  45. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/09/nyregion/despite-hockeys-ups-and-downs-turgeon-remains-a-favorite.html
  46. https://www.nhl.com/news/pierre-turgeon-part-of-little-league-hockey-halls-of-fame
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwG4m9FPHu8
  48. https://thehockeynews.com/news/montreal-forum-provided-fond-memories-for-retiring-pierre-turgeon
  49. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/ex-nhler-turgeon-s-daughter-dies-in-car-crash-1.923777
  50. https://torontosun.com/2012/01/05/christmas-brings-heartbreak-to-turgeon
  51. https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/dierks-bentley-scores-in-blues-alumni-charity-hockey-game-on-april-5
  52. https://www.nhl.com/news/pierre-turgeons-induction-into-hockey-hall-of-fame-a-long-time-coming-344962172
  53. https://www.quanthockey.com/hockey-stats/en/profile.php?player=6019
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.