Francis Lessard, a Canadian ice hockey player, is known for his role as an enforcer on the ice. Born on May 30, 1979, in Montreal, Quebec, Lessard's journey in professional hockey began when he was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round, 80th overall, of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Although he never played for the Hurricanes, his career in the National Hockey League (NHL) took off when he joined the Atlanta Thrashers.
Lessard made his NHL debut with the Thrashers during the 2001-2002 season. Known for his physical style of play, he quickly established himself as a tough competitor. His role primarily involved protecting his teammates and engaging in fights, a common expectation for enforcers in the league at that time. Over the course of his time with the Thrashers, Lessard played in 91 games, accumulating 268 penalty minutes. His presence on the ice was felt more through his physicality than his scoring, as he recorded only two assists during his tenure with the team.
After his stint with the Thrashers, Lessard spent time in the American Hockey League (AHL), where he continued to play a similar role. He played for several AHL teams, including the Chicago Wolves, San Antonio Rampage, and Hartford Wolf Pack. His time in the AHL was marked by frequent trips to the penalty box, as he continued to fulfill the enforcer role.
In 2005, Lessard signed with the Ottawa Senators, although he spent most of his time with their AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators. He played a handful of games for the Senators in the NHL but was primarily utilized in the AHL, where he continued to be a physical presence on the ice. Lessard's role in the AHL mirrored his NHL duties, focusing on physical play and protecting his teammates.
Lessard's career also included a brief period with the Phoenix Coyotes organization, where he played for their AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. His time with the Coyotes was short-lived, and he returned to the Senators organization, where he continued to play in the AHL.
Throughout his career, Lessard was known for his willingness to drop the gloves and engage in fights, a role that was both celebrated and criticized in the hockey community. His career statistics reflect his role as an enforcer, with more penalty minutes than points scored. Despite the limited scoring, his physical presence was valued by his teams, particularly in the AHL.
Lessard's professional hockey career concluded after the 2010-2011 season.
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