RW Lemieux clears waivers

Dec 30, 2008 - 7:25 PM SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- Claude Lemieux is another step closer to returning to the NHL.

The San Jose Sharks announced Tuesday that the right wing cleared NHL waivers and will be assigned to Worcester of the American Hockey League.

Lemieux signed a two-way contract with Worcester on Monday. According to Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, this is "simply the next step in the evaluation" process.

The 43-year-old Lemieux, who has not played in an NHL game since 2002-03 with the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars, originally signed an AHL contract with the Worcester Sharks on November 25.

In 14 games with Worcester, Lemieux has two goals, four assists and 12 penalty minutes.

Lemieux has won the Stanley Cup with three different teams. He captured his first with Montreal in 1986, added two with New Jersey (1995, 2000) and another with Colorado in 1996.

Prior to signing the AHL deal, Lemieux had been playing in Europe, but also skated in a pair of games with the China Sharks, San Jose's affiliate in Shanghai.

Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1995 as most valuable player of the postseason and ranks ninth all-time with 80 playoff goals.