Stéphane Yelle

Stéphane A. Yelle (born May 9, 1974) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League with the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Stéphane Yelle
Yelle with the Calgary Flames in 2007
Born (1974-05-09) May 9, 1974
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Colorado Avalanche
Calgary Flames
Boston Bruins
Carolina Hurricanes
NHL Draft 186th overall, 1992
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 1994–2010

He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, having won with Colorado in 1996 and 2001.

Playing career

Yelle played with the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League when he was drafted in the 8th round (186th overall) in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. On June 1, 1994, he was traded to the Quebec Nordiques, and made his professional debut in the 1994–95 season with AHL affiliate, the Cornwall Aces.

The following season, Yelle's rights were transferred as the Nordiques relocated to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche. In 1995–96, his and the Avalanche's first season in the NHL, Yelle became a regular as he played in 71 games en route to the Stanley Cup Championship. Known as an excellent faceoff taker and a gritty, hard-working player, Yelle played seven seasons for the Avalanche from 1995 to 2002, capturing another Stanley Cup in the 2000–01 season.

On October 1, 2002, prior to the 2002–03 season, Stéphane was traded by the Avalanche, along with Chris Drury, to the Calgary Flames for Derek Morris, Dean McAmmond and Jeff Shantz.[1] Yelle's transition was seamless as he established himself on the Flames checking line, helping Calgary to a 2004 Stanley Cup Finals appearance after a seven-year playoff hiatus. Throughout his five seasons with the Flames, Yelle's versatility and defensive prowess was often highlighted as he would often fill-in as a defenseman when others were out injured.

On September 3, 2007, Yelle was signed to a two-year deal with the Boston Bruins.[2] In 2007–08, the veteran played in 51 games scoring 12 points with the Eastern Conference leading Bruins.

On August 19, 2009, he signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.[3] After a slow start to the 2009–10 season, the struggling Hurricanes placed Yelle on waivers on October 26, 2009.[4] He went unclaimed and progressively found his feet, staying on the roster.

On March 3, 2010, Yelle was traded by the Hurricanes, along with Harrison Reed, back to the Colorado Avalanche for Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll and a sixth-round draft pick.[5] He has since retired and taken a development coordinator position with the Avalanche.

Yelle Practicing with the Boston Bruins

Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1990–91 Cumberland Grads CJHL 33 20 30 50 16 — — — — —
1991–92 Oshawa Generals OHL 55 12 14 26 20 7 2 0 2 2
1992–93 Oshawa Generals OHL 66 24 50 74 20 10 2 4 6 4
1993–94 Oshawa Generals OHL 66 35 69 104 22 5 1 7 8 2
1994–95 Cornwall Aces AHL 40 18 15 33 22 13 7 7 14 8
1995–96 Colorado Avalanche NHL 71 13 14 27 30 22 1 4 5 8
1996–97 Colorado Avalanche NHL 79 9 17 26 38 12 1 6 7 2
1997–98 Colorado Avalanche NHL 81 7 15 22 48 7 1 0 1 12
1998–99 Colorado Avalanche NHL 72 8 7 15 40 10 0 1 1 6
1999–2000 Colorado Avalanche NHL 79 8 14 22 28 17 1 2 3 4
2000–01 Colorado Avalanche NHL 50 4 10 14 20 23 1 2 3 8
2001–02 Colorado Avalanche NHL 73 5 12 17 48 20 0 2 2 14
2002–03 Calgary Flames NHL 82 10 15 25 50 — — — — —
2003–04 Calgary Flames NHL 53 4 13 17 24 23 3 3 6 16
2005–06 Calgary Flames NHL 74 4 14 18 48 7 1 0 1 8
2006–07 Calgary Flames NHL 56 10 14 24 32 6 0 0 0 2
2007–08 Calgary Flames NHL 74 3 9 12 20 7 2 0 2 6
2008–09 Boston Bruins NHL 77 7 11 18 75 11 0 1 1 2
2009–10 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 59 4 3 7 62 — — — — —
2009–10 Colorado Avalanche NHL 11 0 1 1 4 6 0 0 0 2
NHL totals 971 96 169 265 642 171 11 21 32 90

Awards and honours
Award Year
NHL
Stanley Cup (Colorado Avalanche) 1996, 2001 [6]

References
  1. "Flames deal Morris to Avalanche". CBC. 2002-10-01. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  2. "Bruins put in the call for veteran Yelle". Boston.com. 2008-09-04. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  3. "Canes Agree to Terms with Stéphane Yelle". Carolina Hurricanes. 2009-08-19. Archived from the original on 2009-08-22. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  4. "Yelle Placed on Waivers". Carolina Hurricanes. 2009-10-26. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
  5. "Yelle returns to Colorado". NHL. 2010-03-03. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  6. "After 104 minutes, Colorado wins the Stanley Cup". The New York Times. 1996-06-11. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
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