Donald Audette

Donald Daniel Audette (born September 23, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers.

Donald Audette
Born	(1969-09-23) September 23, 1969 (age 55) Laval, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Buffalo Sabres Los Angeles Kings Atlanta Thrashers Dallas Stars Montreal Canadiens Florida Panthers
NHL draft	183rd overall, 1989 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	1989–2004

Playing career

He was selected in the ninth round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft (183rd overall) by the Buffalo Sabres.^[1] Prior to playing in the National Hockey League (NHL), Audette won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the top rookie in the American Hockey League (AHL), while playing for the Rochester Americans.^[2]

Despite his small stature, Audette became known for his gritty, feisty style of play and quickly endeared himself to Buffalo hockey fans with a 31-goal rookie campaign.^[3] However, his approach to the game often led to lengthy trips to the injury reserve, including several knee injuries that cut short his 1990–91, 1992–93 and 1995–96 seasons respectively.^[4][5][6]

In 1998, Audette was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.^[7] Two years later, as a member of the Atlanta Thrashers, he reached his career high in goals (34) and assists (45) and was chosen as participant in that season's NHL All-Star game.^[8][9]

Audette would be traded back to the Sabres in March 2001,^[10] and signed a multimillion-dollar contract with the Dallas Stars later that summer.^[11] In the midst of the 2001–02 season, Audette was again traded, this time to the Montreal Canadiens.^[12] In a game against the New York Rangers on December 1, 2001, Audette had the tendons of his forearm severed by an opponent's skate and required life-saving surgery to repair the extensive damage, but still managed to recover in time for the playoffs.^[13]

After being placed on unconditional waivers by the Canadiens in January 2004,^[14] Audette signed with the Florida Panthers for the latter half of the 2003–04 season.^[15] Following this, he announced his retirement from professional play.^[16]

Personal life

Audette's son Daniel (b. 1996) was the first pick of the 2012 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Draft and was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.^[17][18]

Currently, Audette works an amateur scout with the Canadiens organization.^[19]

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1985–86	Laval Régents	QMAAA		41	32	38	70	51		8	5	9	14	10
1986–87	Laval Titan	QMJHL		66	17	22	39	36		14	2	6	8	10
1987–88	Laval Titan	QMJHL		63	48	61	109	56		14	7	12	19	20
1988–89	Laval Titan	QMJHL		70	76	85	161	123		17	17	12	29	43
1989–90	Rochester Americans	AHL		70	42	46	88	78		15	9	8	17	29
1989–90	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		—	—	—	—	—		2	0	0	0	0
1990–91	Rochester Americans	AHL		5	4	0	4	2		—	—	—	—	—
1990–91	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		8	4	3	7	4		—	—	—	—	—
1991–92	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		63	31	17	48	75		—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	Rochester Americans	AHL		6	8	4	12	10		—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		44	12	7	19	51		8	2	2	4	6
1993–94	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		77	29	30	59	41		7	0	1	1	6
1994–95	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		46	24	13	37	27		5	1	1	2	4
1995–96	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		23	12	13	25	18		—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		73	28	22	50	48		11	4	5	9	6
1997–98	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		75	24	20	44	59		15	5	8	13	10
1998–99	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		49	18	18	36	51		—	—	—	—	—
1999–2000	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		49	12	20	32	45		—	—	—	—	—
1999–2000	Atlanta Thrashers	NHL		14	7	4	11	12		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Atlanta Thrashers	NHL		64	32	39	71	64		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		12	2	6	8	12		13	3	6	9	4
2001–02	Dallas Stars	NHL		20	4	8	12	12		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		13	1	5	6	8		12	6	4	10	10
2002–03	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		54	11	12	23	19		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Hamilton Bulldogs	AHL		11	5	5	10	8		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		23	3	5	8	16		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Florida Panthers	NHL		28	6	7	13	22		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				735	260	249	509	584		73	21	27	48	46

Awards and honours

Award	Year
QMJHL
First All-Star Team	1989	[20]
Guy Lafleur Trophy	1989	[21]
AHL
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award	1990	[22]
First All-Star Team	1990	[23]
NHL
NHL All-Star Game	2001	[24]