Roger Lemelin (ice hockey)

For the novelist and television writer, see Roger Lemelin.

Roger Marcel Lemelin (February 6, 1954 - September 17, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 36 games in the National Hockey League for the Kansas City Scouts and the Colorado Rockies between 1974 and 1978. The rest of his career was spent in the minor leagues, mainly the American Hockey League (AHL).

Roger Lemelin
Born	February 6, 1954 Iroquois Falls, Ontario, Canada
Died	September 17, 2023(2023-09-17) (aged 69) Woodstock, Ontario, Canada[1]
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Right
Played for	Kansas City Scouts Colorado Rockies
NHL draft	56th overall, 1974 Kansas City Scouts
WHA draft	27th overall, 1974 Toronto Toros
Playing career	1974–1984

Early life

Lemelin was born in Iroquois Falls.^[2] He played junior hockey with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey Association for two seasons.

Career

Lemelin was selected by the Kansas City Scouts in the 1974 NHL amateur draft, and by the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association in the 1974 WHA Amateur Draft.^[3]

Opting to sign with the Scouts, Lemelin made his professional debut that year, though primarily played in the AHL. Over the next four seasons, he remained in the AHL, while briefly appearing for the Scouts and later Rockies, as the Scouts had moved in 1976 to Colorado. After 1978, Lemelin played a further three seasons in the minor leagues, and after two seasons away played one final season in 1983–84.^[4]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1972–73	London Knights	OHA		62	6	12	18	92		—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	London Knights	OHA		48	10	30	40	100		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	Kansas City Scouts	NHL		8	0	1	1	6		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	Baltimore Clippers	AHL		36	1	13	14	59		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	Springfield Indians	AHL		23	1	3	4	24		17	2	2	4	36
1975–76	Kansas City Scouts	NHL		11	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	Springfield Indians	NHL		53	4	14	18	83		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Colorado Rockies	NHL		14	1	1	2	21		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Rhode Island Reds	AHL		47	2	8	10	73		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Colorado Rockies	NHL		3	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Phoenix Roadrunners	CHL		27	1	5	6	72		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Hampton Gulls	AHL		16	1	4	5	22		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Philadelphia Firebirds	AHL		33	0	5	5	52		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Hampton Aces	NEHL		38	4	12	16	109		—	—	—	—	—
1979–80	Hampton Aces	EHL		5	0	1	1	20		—	—	—	—	—
1979–80	Hershey Bears	AHL		3	0	1	1	2		15	0	1	1	62
1980–81	Hershey Bears	AHL		12	0	2	2	14		—	—	—	—	—
1980–81	Oklahoma City Stars	CHL		11	0	1	1	6		—	—	—	—	—
1980–81	Hampton Aces	EHL		21	0	6	6	24		—	—	—	—	—
1983–84	Muskegon Mohawks	IHL		57	3	13	16	65		—	—	—	—	—
AHL totals				223	9	50	59	329		32	2	3	5	98
NHL totals				36	1	2	3	27		—	—	—	—	—