Departures of note

Lyle Odelein was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who played more than 1,000 games in the National Hockey League across eight teams from 1989 to 2006. He was a member of the Montreal Canadiens' 1993 Stanley Cup championship team and later became the first captain in the history of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Known as a fierce, tough competitor on the ice, Odelein earned the respect of teammates and opponents over a lengthy career that also included stints with the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers, among others. After retiring in 2006, he settled in Pittsburgh.

In March 2018, Odelein nearly died after contracting a severe blood infection from cactus needles during a golf trip in Arizonaholistic. He underwent nearly 24 hours of surgery, was placed in a medically induced coma, and was initially paralyzed from the neck down before a long rehabilitation that gradually restored his speech and ability to walk. He continued to be remembered as a devoted family man and businessman after his death on October 2, 2026.