Former Penguins' Defenseman Lyle Odelein Dead At 58

Former NHL defenseman Lyle Odelein, who spent the final season of his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005-06, died overnight Friday. He was 58.

No official cause of death has been shared at this point, although sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he died of a heart attack. Odelein lived outside of Pittsburgh in Fox Chapel, Pa. with his wife, Laura, and he owned several Supercuts locations in addition to being a community fixture at several local businesses. 

A seventh-round pick (141st overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, Odelein hailed from Quill Lake, Saskatchewan in Canada. The 6-foot, 212-pound blueliner won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1993 and spent 16 seasons in the NHL across eight different teams.

During his final season in Pittsburgh - the first season post-lockout and Sidney Crosby's rookie season - Odelein played in only 27 games, registering one point. Over the course of his NHL career, he amassed 50 goals and 252 in 1,056 games. 

According to the Post-Gazette, it is believed that a blood infection caused by the prick of a cactus in 2018 while golfing in Arizona caused a blood infection that led to further health complications. The Penguins and several other NHL teams that Odelein suited up for acknowledged his passing with social media posts.

In addition, the Penguins held a moment of celebration for Odelein during their home opener against the Canadiens on Saturday.

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