Curtis Michael Leschyshyn ( leh-SIH-shuhn; born September 21, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Leschyshyn played 1,033 games in the National Hockey League. He is the only NHL player to have played for two relocated franchises, both before and after relocation, the Nordiques/Avalanche and the Whalers/Hurricanes. Since he was drafted and played for the Wild in their inaugural season, he is the only NHL player to have played for three new teams in their inaugural season in the league (2 relocated teams and 1 expansion team). In addition, he also played for the two national capital city franchises in the NHL, the Capitals and the Senators.
Leschyshyn appeared in only one game with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League during the 1985–86 season, earning no points.
He earned a regular spot on the roster of the Blades during the 1986–87 season, in which Leschyshyn scored 14 goals and 40 points in 70 games, leading all defensemen in goals and second in points. In 11 postseason games, Leschyshyn scored a goal and six points.
Leschyshyn had a very strong season with the Blades in 1987–88 as he scored 14 goals and 55 points in 56 games, helping the club finish with the best record in the WHL. In the postseason, Leschyshyn scored two goals and seven points in 10 games. Following the season, he was named to the WHL East First All-Star Team.
Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche (1988–1996)
Leschyshyn was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round, third overall, in the 1988 NHL entry draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec.
Leschyshyn played in his first career NHL game on October 6, 1988, earning no points in a 5–2 victory over the Hartford Whalers. On October 20, Leschyshyn earned his first career NHL point, as he assisted on a goal scored by Gord Donnelly in a 5–2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored his first career NHL goal against Rick Wamsley of the Calgary Flames on December 6, as the Nordiques lost to the Flames 3–2. Overall, in his rookie season in 1988–89, Leschyshyn scored four goals and 13 points in 71 games.
In 1989–90, Leschyshyn appeared in 68 games with Quebec, scoring two goals and eight points, while finishing the season with a -41 rating, as the rebuilding Nordiques finished in last place in the NHL standings.
Leschyshyn earned his first multi-point game of his career on December 7, 1990, as he scored a goal and earned an assist in 5–3 win over the Calgary Flames. In a season shortened to 55 games due to injuries, Leschyshyn scored three goals and 10 points during the 1990–91 season.
The 1991–92 was another season in which Leschyshyn was hampered due to injuries, however, in 42 games, he scored five goals and 17 points. On March 31, Leschyshyn had his first multi-goal game, as he scored two goals against Andy Moog of the Boston Bruins, and added an assist for his first career three point game, as the Nordiques lost to Boston 5–4. Leschyshyn also appeared in six games with the Halifax Citadels of the American Hockey League during 1991–92, earning two assists.
Leschyshyn broke out offensively during the 1992–93, as he scored a career high nine goals and 32 points in 82 games with the Nordiques, helping the club reach the postseason for the first time in his career. On April 18, Leschyshyn played in his first career playoff game, earning no points in a 3–2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Two days later, on April 20, Leschyshyn scored his first career playoff goal against Patrick Roy, as the Nordiques defeated the Canadiens 4–1. In six playoff games, Leschyshyn had a goal and two points.
In 1993–94, Leschyshyn saw his offensive production drop to five goals and 22 points in 72 games, as the Nordiques struggled and failed to qualify for the postseason. On October 28, Leschyshyn earned two assists and had a +5 rating in a 7–3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
During the lockout shortened 1994–95 season, Leschyshyn scored two goals and 15 points in 44 games, while earning a +29 rating, as the Nordiques finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference. In the postseason, Leschyshyn was limited to three games, where he earned an assist.
The Nordiques franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and were renamed as the Colorado Avalanche for the 1995–96. On October 6, 1995, the Avalanche played their first game, as Leschyshyn was held without a point in a 3–2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. In 77 games, Leschyshyn scored four goals and 19 points, while earning a career high rating of +32. In 17 playoff games, Leschyshyn scored a goal and three points, as the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Florida Panthers in four games in the final round.
Leschyshyn began the 1996–97 season with the Avalanche, as in 11 games, he earned five assists. On October 30, in what would be his last game with Colorado, Leschyshyn earned two assists in a 6–3 win over the St. Louis Blues.
On November 2, 1996, Leschyshyn and Chris Simon were traded to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Keith Jones, the Capitals first round selection in the 1998 NHL entry draft, and the Capitals fourth round pick in the 1998 NHL entry draft.
On November 6, 1996, Leschyshyn skated in his first game with the Washington Capitals, earning no points in a 2–1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Overall, he appeared in two games with Washington in 1996–97, earning no points.
On November 9, just one week after being acquired by the team, Washington traded Leschyshyn to the Hartford Whalers for Andrei Nikolishin.