Sharks recall Claude Lemieux

Jan 19, 2009 - 4:18 PM SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- Claude Lemieux is back in the NHL.

The league-leading San Jose Sharks on Monday summoned the 43-year-old from Worcester of the American Hockey League.

Lemieux, who won four Stanley Cup titles during 21 NHL seasons with five clubs while earning a reputation as one of hockey's top agitators, signed with the Sharks on December 29.

Lemieux also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL's playoff MVP in 1995 with the New Jersey Devils, and he also won championships with Montreal (1986) and Colorado (1996) before adding a fourth ring back with New Jersey in 2000.

In 23 games at Worcester, Lemieux registered three goals and 11 points. He has not played in the NHL since 2002-03, but could make his return when the Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.

A native of Buckingham, Quebec, Lemieux has amassed 379 goals and 406 assists for 785 points with 1,756 penalty minutes in 1,197 games with Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado, Phoenix and Dallas.

The Sharks also placed defenseman Brad Lukowich on injured reserve and assigned right wing Brad Staubitz and center Tom Cavanagh to Worcester.

Lukowich, who has been sidelined since January 6, is expected to undergo surgery for a sports hernia in the near future. The veteran has six assists in 36 games this season.