Pierre Turgeon inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame

After being selected first overall by the Granby Bisons in the 1985 Entry Draft, Pierre Turgeon played two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the same team, in 1985-86 and 1986-87.

During his junior career, he scored 116 goals and added 152 assists, for a total of 268 points in just 127 games played, an average of 2.11 points per game.

In his very first campaign in the league, the Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec native won the Michel-Bergeron Trophy as Offensive Rookie of the Year. The following year, he won the Michael-Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL’s top professional prospect.

In 1986-87, the Bisons won the Jean-Rougeau Trophy as regular-season champions with 100 points in the overall standings. That season, Turgeon led his team with 69 goals and 85 assists in just 58 games.

Pierre Turgeon with the Granby Bisons

A few months after representing Canada at the 1987 World Junior Championship, the centerman was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, becoming the fourth player in QMJHL history to be selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft.

In his first pro campaign, he helped the Sabres reach the playoffs after a two-season drought. By the end of his 19-season career, Turgeon had played in four NHL All-Star Games: in 1990, 1993, 1994 and 1996, and had won the 1993 Lady Bing Trophy as the NHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player.

During his professional career, he scored 515 goals and picked up 812 assists for a total of 1,327 points in 1,294 games with six different teams: the Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.

Among his many other career highlights, Turgeon was captain of the Canadiens in their final game at the prestigious Montreal Forum.

Pierre Turgeon was announced as a member of the QMJHL Hall of Fame in 2008 and has just been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2023.

Congratulations to Mr. Turgeon on such a brilliant career!