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{{short description|Canadian ice hockey player}}
{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1975)}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Alexandre Daigle
| image = Alexandre Daigle.jpg
| image = Alexandre Daigle.jpg
| caption = Daigle with the [[Manchester Monarchs (AHL)|Manchester Monarchs]] in 2006
| caption = Daigle with the [[Manchester Monarchs (AHL)|Manchester Monarchs]] in 2006
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| career_end = 2010
| career_end = 2010
}}
}}
'''Alexandre Daigle''' (born February 7, 1975) is a Canadian former professional [[ice hockey]] player. A highly touted junior prospect, Daigle was drafted [[List of first overall NHL draft picks|first overall]] in the [[1993 NHL entry draft]] by the [[Ottawa Senators]]. After recording a modest career high of 51 points in three separate [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) regular seasons, Daigle briefly retired from hockey at age 25 but returned to the NHL two years later. Although he played ten seasons in the NHL and four in the [[National League A|Swiss NL]], he failed to live up to the high expectations put forth when he was drafted first overall and is therefore regarded by many to have been a [[draft bust]].<ref name="slambusts">{{Cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Draft/2007/06/17/4267883-sun.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130110113423/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Draft/2007/06/17/4267883-sun.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 10, 2013 |title=Ottawa Sun - Top 10 draft-day busts |access-date=2008-06-15 }}</ref><ref name="GM busts">{{cite news |last=Whyno |first=Stephen |title=The top bargains and busts from the past 20 years of the NHL draft|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/the-top-bargains-and-busts-from-the-past-20-years-of-the-nhl-draft/article12865098/|access-date=October 20, 2013|newspaper=Globe & Mail|date=June 27, 2013}}</ref><ref name="ESPN bust">{{cite web|last=Joyce|first=Gare|title=It begins with Daigle, and then ...|url=http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/blog?name=nhl_draft&id=5287566|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131020163959/http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/blog?name=nhl_draft&id=5287566|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2013|work=Insider – NHL Draft Blog|publisher=ESPN|access-date=October 20, 2013|date=June 15, 2010}}</ref>

'''Alexandre Daigle''' (born February 7, 1975) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] former professional [[ice hockey]] player. A highly touted junior prospect, Daigle was drafted [[List of first overall NHL draft picks|first overall]] in the [[1993 NHL Entry Draft]] by the [[Ottawa Senators]]. After recording a modest career high of 51 points in three separate [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) regular seasons, Daigle briefly retired from hockey at age 25, but returned to the [[NHL]] two years later. Though he played 10 seasons in the NHL and four in the [[National League A|NL]], he failed to live up to the high expectations put forth when he was drafted first overall, and is therefore regarded by many to have been a [[draft bust]].<ref name="slambusts">[http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Draft/2007/06/17/4267883-sun.html Ottawa Sun - Top 10 draft-day busts]</ref><ref name="GM busts">{{cite news|last=Whyno|first=Stephen|title=The top bargains and busts from the past 20 years of the NHL draft|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/the-top-bargains-and-busts-from-the-past-20-years-of-the-nhl-draft/article12865098/|access-date=October 20, 2013|newspaper=Globe & Mail|date=June 27, 2013}}</ref><ref name="ESPN bust">{{cite web|last=Joyce|first=Gare|title=It begins with Daigle, and then ...|url=http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/blog?name=nhl_draft&id=5287566|work=Insider - NHL Draft Blog|publisher=ESPN|access-date=October 20, 2013|date=June 15, 2010}}</ref>


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
===Amateur career===
===Amateur career===
As a youth, Daigle played in the 1988 [[Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament]] with a [[minor ice hockey]] team from [[Laval, Quebec]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref>
As a youth, Daigle played in the 1988 [[Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament]] with a [[minor ice hockey]] team from [[Laval, Quebec]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=2019-01-26|archive-date=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===NHL career===
===NHL career===
Leading up to the [[1993 NHL Entry Draft]], Daigle was considered a "can't miss" prospect and NHL [[superstar]]-in-waiting. The Senators were even accused of [[Match fixing#Better draft position|deliberately losing games]] late in the [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93 season]], their first in the NHL, in order to guarantee the first overall selection and the right to draft him. This prompted an investigation by the NHL, who soon implemented a [[NHL Draft Lottery#Selection order and Draft lottery|draft lottery]] to prevent such things from happening again. The Senators subsequently finished last place overall in the 1992–93 league standings, thus securing the rights to the first overall pick.<ref name="ad1">{{cite web|last=Wolff|first=Alexander|title=Winning by Losing|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1993/08/30/129195/winning-by-losing-its-clear-after-revelations-that-the-ottawa-senators-considered-tanking-a-game-to-clinch-the-no-1-draft-pick-that-the-nhl-needs-a-lottery|publisher=SI|access-date=February 7, 2019|date=August 30, 1993}}</ref>
Leading up to the [[1993 NHL entry draft]], Daigle was considered a "can't miss" prospect and NHL [[superstar]]-in-waiting. The Senators were even accused of [[tanking (sports)|deliberately losing games]] late in the [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93 season]], their first in the NHL, to guarantee the first overall selection and the right to draft him. This prompted an investigation by the NHL, which soon implemented a [[NHL draft lottery|draft lottery]] to prevent such things from happening again. The Senators subsequently finished last place overall in the 1992–93 league standings, thus securing the rights to the first overall pick.<ref name="ad1">{{cite web|last=Wolff|first=Alexander|title=Winning by Losing|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1993/08/30/129195/winning-by-losing-its-clear-after-revelations-that-the-ottawa-senators-considered-tanking-a-game-to-clinch-the-no-1-draft-pick-that-the-nhl-needs-a-lottery|publisher=SI|access-date=February 7, 2019|date=August 30, 1993}}</ref>


As the draft approached, the [[Quebec Nordiques]], who were hosting the event, were reportedly so eager to draft the next [[Québécois people|Quebecois]] superstar that they were rumored to have offered star players such as [[Owen Nolan]], [[Peter Forsberg]], [[Ron Hextall]], and draft picks,{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} but Ottawa management disregarded all offers. The Senators selected Daigle first overall, ahead of future Hall-of-Famers [[Chris Pronger]] and [[Paul Kariya]]. He subsequently received the largest starting salary in league history (five years, $12.25 million), leading to the introduction of a rookie [[salary cap]] a few years later. Regarding his draft position, Daigle uttered the now infamous comment, "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two".<ref>{{cite web |title=What Ever Happened to Alexandre Daigle? |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/what-ever-happened-to-alexander-daigle/ |website=thehockeywriters.com |access-date=August 15, 2018 |date=February 11, 2009}}</ref> [[Chris Pronger]], selected with the second pick by the [[Hartford Whalers]], was elected to the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 2015.<ref name="cphof">{{cite news|last=Whyno|first=Steve|title=Chris Pronger among 2015 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/reformed-pronger-among-hall-of-fame-inductees-1.3311784|publisher=CBC|access-date=February 7, 2019|date=November 9, 2015}}</ref>
As the draft approached, the [[Quebec Nordiques]], who were hosting the event, were reportedly so eager to draft the next [[Québécois people|Quebecois]] superstar that they were rumored to have offered star players such as [[Owen Nolan]], [[Peter Forsberg]], [[Ron Hextall]], and draft picks,{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} but Ottawa management disregarded all offers. The Senators selected Daigle first overall, ahead of future Hall-of-Famers [[Chris Pronger]] and [[Paul Kariya]]. He subsequently received the largest starting salary in league history (five years, $12.25 million), leading to the introduction of a rookie [[salary cap]] a few years later. Regarding his draft position, Daigle uttered the now infamous comment, "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two".<ref>{{cite web |title=What Ever Happened to Alexandre Daigle? |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/what-ever-happened-to-alexander-daigle/ |website=thehockeywriters.com |access-date=August 15, 2018 |date=February 11, 2009}}</ref> [[Chris Pronger]], selected with the second pick by the [[Hartford Whalers]], was elected to the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 2015.<ref name="cphof">{{cite news|last=Whyno|first=Steve|title=Chris Pronger among 2015 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/reformed-pronger-among-hall-of-fame-inductees-1.3311784|publisher=CBC|access-date=February 7, 2019|date=November 9, 2015}}</ref>


Daigle initially seemed destined to live up to the pre-draft hype, scoring 20 goals and 51 points in a rookie season in which he had little offensive support. However, he was never able to reproduce his junior dominance, and the superstardom the Senators and the league had hoped for never materialized. He scored 20 or more goals twice&nbsp;– in his rookie year and in [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]], never registering more than 26 goals in a season. He was frequently criticized for lack of effort and motivation, with his lucrative long-term contract perhaps partially to blame.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best junior hockey players who never made it |url=http://reisler.ca/juniorhockeyforum/|work=Agence Reisler|access-date=February 7, 2019 |date=August 15, 2004}}</ref> He seemed interested in the limelight, appearing in a full-page ad dressed in a [[nurse]]'s uniform.<ref name="slambusts"/>
Daigle initially seemed destined to live up to the pre-draft hype, scoring 20 goals and 51 points in a rookie season in which he had little offensive support, and his 37 points in the lockout-shortened [[1994-95 NHL season|1994-95 season]] had him on pace for 28 goals & 66 points in an 84 game schedule. However, he was never able to reproduce his junior dominance, and the superstardom the Senators and the league had hoped for never materialized. He scored 20 or more goals twice&nbsp;– in his rookie year and in [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]], never registering more than 26 goals in a season. He was frequently criticized for lack of effort and motivation, with his lucrative long-term contract perhaps partially to blame.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best junior hockey players who never made it |url=http://reisler.ca/juniorhockeyforum/|work=Agence Reisler|access-date=February 7, 2019 |date=August 15, 2004}}</ref> He seemed interested in the limelight, appearing in a full-page ad dressed in a [[nurse]]'s uniform.<ref name="slambusts"/>


Russian center [[Alexei Yashin]] outplayed Daigle in every season that they were teammates in Ottawa. Both entered the league in the [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94 season]] and were promoted as future stars of the franchise, displayed on the cover of the Senators' yearbook and media guide. Management, however, supported Daigle over Yashin, touting him over Yashin for the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] (though Yashin ended up receiving a nomination instead of Daigle). After management continued to support Daigle despite his subpar performance, an angered Yashin held out in the [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96 season]] unless his contract was renegotiated to pay him at a level similar to Daigle's. Head coach [[Rick Bowness]] and assistant coach [[Alain Vigneault]] were fired on November 21, 1995, after demoting Daigle to the fourth line.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
Russian center [[Alexei Yashin]] outplayed Daigle in every season that they were teammates in Ottawa. Both entered the league in the [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94 season]] and were promoted as future stars of the franchise, displayed on the cover of the Senators' yearbook and media guide. Management, however, supported Daigle over Yashin, touting him over Yashin for the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] (though Yashin ended up receiving a nomination instead of Daigle). After management continued to support Daigle despite his subpar performance, an angered Yashin held out in the [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96 season]] unless his contract was renegotiated to pay him at a level similar to Daigle's. Head coach [[Rick Bowness]] and assistant coach [[Alain Vigneault]] were fired on November 21, 1995, after demoting Daigle to the fourth line.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}


On September 25, 1996, Daigle was removed from a team flight when, while chatting with a flight attendant aboard [[US Airways|USAir]] Flight 1948, he leaned over to Trevor Timmins (then the Senators' Director Of Team Services) and said, "Watch out for your [[bomb]] there" while motioning towards Timmins' [[laptop computer]]. Upon hearing Daigle's comment, the flight attendant notified the captain, who immediately contacted USAir ground control, and police were subsequently notified. What Daigle did not know was that then-U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]] was also on the [[Pittsburgh International Airport]]'s [[Airport apron|tarmac]] at the time, resulting in a heightened level of security.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.senatorsextra.com/main/memorable-quotes-from-the-senators-first-20-seasons |title=Memorable quotes from the Senators' first 20 seasons |author=Allen Panzeri |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |date=October 6, 2011 |access-date=December 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107220127/http://www.senatorsextra.com/main/memorable-quotes-from-the-senators-first-20-seasons |archive-date=January 7, 2012 }}</ref> Daigle was not prosecuted for the incident, but was fined $300 and barred from boarding the connecting flight to [[Tampa]] with the rest of the team.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-09-27/sports/9609270064_1_drug-abuse-new-drug-policy-joke-bombs | title = Top-paid Lemieux Has Plenty Of Company In Millionaires Club | author=Tribune News Services | work=Chicago Tribune | date = September 27, 1996 | access-date = December 4, 2011}}</ref>
On September 25, 1996, Daigle was removed from a team flight when, while chatting with a flight attendant aboard [[US Airways|USAir]] Flight 1948, he leaned over to Trevor Timmins (then the Senators' Director Of Team Services) and said, "Watch out for your [[bomb]] there" while motioning towards Timmins' [[laptop computer]]. Upon hearing Daigle's comment, the flight attendant notified the captain, who immediately contacted USAir ground control, and police were subsequently notified. What Daigle did not know was that then-U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]] was also on the [[Pittsburgh International Airport]]'s [[Airport apron|tarmac]] at the time, resulting in a heightened level of security.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.senatorsextra.com/main/memorable-quotes-from-the-senators-first-20-seasons |title=Memorable quotes from the Senators' first 20 seasons |author=Allen Panzeri |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |date=October 6, 2011 |access-date=December 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107220127/http://www.senatorsextra.com/main/memorable-quotes-from-the-senators-first-20-seasons |archive-date=January 7, 2012 }}</ref> Daigle was not prosecuted for the incident, but was fined $300 and barred from boarding the connecting flight to [[Tampa]] with the rest of the team.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/09/27/top-paid-lemieux-has-plenty-of-company-in-millionaires-club/ | title = Top-paid Lemieux Has Plenty Of Company In Millionaires Club | author=Tribune News Services | work=Chicago Tribune | date = September 27, 1996 | access-date = December 4, 2011}}</ref>


During the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 season]], after four and a half seasons, 74 goals and 172 points in 301 games played, Ottawa finally soured on Daigle and traded him to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in exchange for prospect [[Václav Prospal]] and another first-round bust, [[Pat Falloon]]. With the Flyers, Daigle scored 31 points in 68 games. In January 1999, Philadelphia traded Daigle to the [[Edmonton Oilers]], who later that same day traded him to the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] for [[Alexander Selivanov]]. Daigle played only 32 games for the Lightning, collecting six goals and six assists for 12 points. The [[New York Rangers]] then acquired Daigle as a reclamation project, sending cash to the Lightning, but they too realized the one-time junior superstar was not living up to expectations and waived him at the end of the season. In 58 games with the Rangers, Daigle recorded just 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
During the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 season]], after four and a half seasons, 74 goals, and 172 points in 301 games played, Ottawa finally soured on Daigle and traded him to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in exchange for prospect [[Václav Prospal]] and another first-round bust, [[Pat Falloon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=SENATORS OBTAIN PROSPAL, FALLOON AND 2ND ROUND DRAFT PICK |url=http://ottawasenators.com/news/press/1998/nr006-e.aro |website=Ottawa Senators |access-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040409233842/http://ottawasenators.com/news/press/1998/nr006-e.aro |archive-date=April 9, 2004 |date=January 17, 1998}}</ref> With the Flyers, Daigle scored 31 points in 68 games. In January 1999, Philadelphia traded Daigle to the [[Edmonton Oilers]], who later that same day traded him to the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] for [[Alexander Selivanov]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Flyers, Lightning, Oilers Swap Forwards |url=http://www.nhl.com/news/jan/012999daigle.htm |website=NHL.com |access-date=July 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991118004958/http://www.nhl.com/news/jan/012999daigle.htm |archive-date=November 18, 1999 |date=January 29, 1999}}</ref> Daigle played only 32 games for the Lightning, collecting six goals and six assists for 12 points. The [[New York Rangers]] then acquired Daigle as a reclamation project, sending cash to the Lightning, but they too realized the one-time junior superstar was not living up to expectations and waived him at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tampa Bay Sends Daigle to Rangers |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-oct-04-sp-18689-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 7, 2024 |date=October 4, 1999}}</ref> In 58 games with the Rangers, Daigle recorded just 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}


Daigle found himself out of hockey by the age of 25. No one was willing to take a chance on the under-achiever, and in fact, Daigle admitted he had no desire to play the game anymore. In an interview on [[Radio-Canada]], he said he never wanted to play hockey, but stuck to the game because of his talent. Instead, he became interested in the [[List of entertainment industry topics|entertainment business]] and the opportunity to be a [[celebrity]]. He played hockey in a small league in [[Los Angeles]] with [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]] on [[Jerry Bruckheimer]]'s team, the ''Bad Boys'', and created an event promotion company, Impostor Entertainment, with former [[Montreal Expos]] pitcher [[Derek Aucoin]]. Their first project was a concert featuring [[Sheryl Crow]] during the [[Canadian Grand Prix]] [[Formula One]] auto race in [[Montreal]].{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
Daigle found himself out of hockey by the age of 25. No one was willing to take a chance on the under-achiever, and in fact, Daigle admitted he had no desire to play the game anymore. In an interview on [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|Radio-Canada]], he said he never wanted to play hockey but stuck to the game because of his talent. Instead, he became interested in the [[List of entertainment industry topics|entertainment business]] and the opportunity to be a [[celebrity]]. He played hockey in a small league in [[Los Angeles]] with [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]] on [[Jerry Bruckheimer]]'s team, the ''Bad Boys'', and created an event promotion company, Impostor Entertainment, with former [[Montreal Expos]] pitcher [[Derek Aucoin]]. Their first project was a concert featuring [[Sheryl Crow]] during the [[Canadian Grand Prix]] [[Formula One]] auto race in [[Montreal]].{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}


Following a two-year absence from hockey and in need of a steady paycheck, Daigle decided to attempt an NHL comeback. In mid-2002, he contacted numerous teams looking for an invitation to training camp, ultimately signing with the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]. Daigle would lead the Penguins in pre-season scoring, earning himself a spot on the Pittsburgh roster to start the season. Despite his impressive training camp, Daigle was unable to continue his success into the regular season, ultimately spending the better part of the season with the team's [[American Hockey League|AHL]] affiliate in [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins|Wilkes-Barre/Scranton]]. After his contract was not renewed by the Penguins, Daigle signed as a free agent with the [[Minnesota Wild]] in the offseason.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
Following a two-year absence from hockey and in need of a steady paycheque, Daigle decided to attempt an NHL comeback. In mid-2002, he contacted numerous teams looking for an invitation to training camp, ultimately signing with the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].<ref>{{cite web |title=PENGUINS SIGN DAIGLE |url=http://pittsburghpenguins.com/news/announcements/announcementstory.jsp?newsIndexID=150 |website=Pittsburgh Penguins |access-date=November 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030211034804/http://pittsburghpenguins.com/news/announcements/announcementstory.jsp?newsIndexID=150 |archive-date=February 11, 2003 |date=October 4, 2002}}</ref> Daigle would lead the Penguins in pre-season scoring, earning himself a spot on the Pittsburgh roster to start the season. Despite his impressive training camp, Daigle was unable to continue his success into the regular season, ultimately spending the better part of the season with the team's [[American Hockey League|AHL]] affiliate in [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins|Wilkes-Barre/Scranton]]. After his contract was not renewed by the Penguins, Daigle signed as a free agent with the [[Minnesota Wild]] in the offseason.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wild Sign RW Alexandre Daigle |url=http://www.wild.com/team/003/399/index.html |website=Minnesota Wild |access-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040804214321/http://www.wild.com/team/003/399/index.html |archive-date=August 4, 2004 |date=September 30, 2003}}</ref>


After arriving in Minnesota, Daigle impressed the Wild coaching staff enough to earn a roster spot for opening night. Over the course of the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]], Daigle managed to match his career high point total, finishing the campaign with 51 points (20 goals and 31 assists) to lead the team in scoring. During this season, he was also the Wild's nominee for the [[Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy]], given annually to an NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. On March 6, 2006, Minnesota waived Daigle and reassigned him to the team's AHL affiliate, the [[Houston Aeros (1994–2013)|Houston Aeros]]. Daigle did not play a game for the Aeros, and was subsequently loaned to the AHL's [[Manchester Monarchs (AHL)|Manchester Monarchs]] on March 13, 2006, in exchange for forward [[Brendan Bernakevitch]].{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
After arriving in Minnesota, Daigle impressed the Wild coaching staff enough to earn a roster spot for opening night. For the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]], Daigle managed to match his career-high point total, finishing the campaign with 51 points (20 goals and 31 assists) to lead the team in scoring. During this season, he was also the Wild's nominee for the [[Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy]], given annually to an NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. On March 6, 2006, Minnesota waived Daigle and reassigned him to the team's AHL affiliate, the [[Houston Aeros (1994–2013)|Houston Aeros]]. Daigle did not play a game for the Aeros and was subsequently loaned to the AHL's [[Manchester Monarchs (AHL)|Manchester Monarchs]] on March 13, 2006, in exchange for forward Brendan Bernakevitch.<ref>{{cite web |title=Monarchs Loan Smyth, Bernakevitch; Receive Rullier, Daigle |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/monarchs-loan-smyth-bernakevitch-receive-rullier-daigle/n-3279413 |website=OurSports Central |access-date=September 7, 2024 |language=en |date=March 13, 2006}}</ref>


===Post NHL-career===
===Post NHL-career===
Aware that his NHL career was over, Daigle set his sights on Europe. On May 5, 2006, he signed a two-year contract with [[HC Davos|Davos]], a top team in the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] [[National League A]], and inked a two-year extension with them in December. During his three complete seasons playing in Davos, the team won the league championship on two occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalleague.ch/NL/spiele/nla/de/playoffs.php?season=2007&league=&nav= |title=National League |publisher=Nationalleague.ch |access-date=2011-10-30}}</ref> In a little over three seasons with Davos, Daigle played 137 games, tallying 46 goals and 94 assists for 140 points (averaging a little over one point per game).{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
Aware that his NHL career was over, Daigle set his sights on Europe. On May 5, 2006, he signed a two-year contract with [[HC Davos|Davos]], a top team in the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] [[National League A]], and inked a two-year extension with them in December. During his three complete seasons playing in Davos, the team won the league championship on two occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalleague.ch/NL/spiele/nla/de/playoffs.php?season=2007&league=&nav= |title=National League |publisher=Nationalleague.ch |access-date=2011-10-30}}</ref> In a little over three seasons with Davos, Daigle played 137 games, tallying 46 goals and 94 assists for 140 points (averaging a little over one point per game).{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}


On October 26, 2009, Daigle was loaned to the [[SCL Tigers]] in exchange for [[Oliver Setzinger]]. Daigle played 25 games with the SCL Tigers in the [[2009–10 NLA season|2009–10 season]], with 7 goals and 17 assists for 24 points. Daigle ranked seventh on the team in points while playing in fewer than half as many games as the team's other top scorers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalleague.ch/NL/clubs/de/scl_tigers.php |title=National League |publisher=Nationalleague.ch |access-date=2011-10-30}}</ref>
On October 26, 2009, Daigle was loaned to the [[SCL Tigers]] in exchange for [[Oliver Setzinger]]. Daigle played 25 games with the SCL Tigers in the [[2009–10 NLA season|2009–10 season]], with 7 goals and 17 assists for 24 points. Daigle ranked seventh on the team in points while playing in fewer than half as many games as the team's other top scorers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalleague.ch/NL/clubs/de/scl_tigers.php |title=National League |publisher=Nationalleague.ch |access-date=2011-10-30 |archive-date=2011-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210053536/http://www.nationalleague.ch/NL/clubs/de/scl_tigers.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>


On March 23, 2010, Daigle and Davos agreed to have his contract reduced from five years to three years, making him a free agent after the 2009–10 season.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hcd.ch/team-single.41.0.html?&tx_ttnews&#91;tt_news&#93;=1872&tx_ttnews&#91;backPid&#93;=39&cHash=aad6614d1b | title = Davos Trennt Sich Von Alexandre Daig| language=de | publisher = HCD.ch | date = 2010-04-23 | access-date = 2010-10-22}}</ref>
On March 23, 2010, Daigle and Davos agreed to have his contract reduced from five years to three years, making him a free agent after the 2009–10 season.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hcd.ch/team-single.41.0.html?&tx_ttnews&#91;tt_news&#93;=1872&tx_ttnews&#91;backPid&#93;=39&cHash=aad6614d1b | title = Davos Trennt Sich Von Alexandre Daig| language=de | publisher = HCD.ch | date = 2010-04-23 | access-date = 2010-10-22}}</ref>


==Post-playing career==
==Post-playing career==
Since the completion of his European hockey career, Daigle works in the movie industry, running studios for MTL Grandé.<ref>{{cite web|title=MTL Grandé|url=http://mtlgrande.com/en/|website=MTL Grandé|access-date=November 28, 2017|language=en-CA}}</ref>
Since the completion of his European hockey career, Daigle has worked in the movie industry, running studios for MTL Grandé.<ref>{{cite web|title=MTL Grandé|url=http://mtlgrande.com/en/|website=MTL Grandé|access-date=November 28, 2017|language=en-CA}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Line 63: Line 61:
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! colspan="5" | [[Regular season|Regular&nbsp;season]]
! colspan="5"|[[Regular season]]
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! colspan="5" | [[Playoffs]]
! colspan="5"|[[Playoffs]]
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! Team
! League
! League
! GP !! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]] !! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]] !! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]] !! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! GP
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]]
! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]]
! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]]
! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! GP
! G
! A
! Pts
! PIM
|-
|-
| 1990–91
| 1990–91
| Laval Régents
| Laval Régents
| QMAAA
| QMAAA
| 42 || 50 || 60 || 110 || 98
| 42
| 13 || 5 || 9 || 14 || 23
| 50
| 60
| 110
| 98
| 13
| 5
| 9
| 14
| 23
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1991–92 QMJHL season|1991–92]]
| [[1991–92 QMJHL season|1991–92]]
| [[Victoriaville Tigres]]
| [[Victoriaville Tigres]]
| [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League|QMJHL]]
| [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League|QMJHL]]
| 66 || 35 || 75 || 110 || 63
| 66
| — || — || — || — || —
| 35
| 75
| 110
| 63
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
|-
| [[1992–93 QMJHL season|1992–93]]
| [[1992–93 QMJHL season|1992–93]]
| Victoriaville Tigres
| Victoriaville Tigres
| QMJHL
| QMJHL
| 53 || 45 || 92 || 137 || 85
| 53
| 6 || 5 || 6 || 11 || 4
| 45
| 92
| 137
| 85
| 6
| 5
| 6
| 11
| 4
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94]]
| [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94]]
| [[Ottawa Senators]]
| [[Ottawa Senators]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 84 || 20 || 31 || 51 || 40
| 84
| — || — || — || — || —
| 20
| 31
| 51
| 40
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
|-
| [[1994–95 QMJHL season|1994–95]]
| [[1994–95 QMJHL season|1994–95]]
| Victoriaville Tigres
| Victoriaville Tigres
| QMJHL
| QMJHL
| 18 || 14 || 20 || 34 || 16
| 18
| — || — || — || — || —
| 14
| 20
| 34
| 16
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95]]
| [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95]]
| Ottawa Senators
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| NHL
| 47 || 16 || 21 || 37 || 14
| 47
| — || — || — || — || —
| 16
| 21
| 37
| 14
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
|-
| [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96]]
| [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96]]
| Ottawa Senators
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| NHL
| 50 || 5 || 12 || 17 || 24
| 50
| — || — || — || — || —
| 5
| 12
| 17
| 24
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]]
| [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]]
| Ottawa Senators
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| NHL
| 82 || 26 || 25 || 51 || 33
| 82
| 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2
| 26
| 25
| 51
| 33
| 7
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 2
|-
|-
| [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98]]
| [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98]]
| Ottawa Senators
| Ottawa Senators
| NHL
| NHL
| 38 || 7 || 9 || 16 || 8
| 38
| — || — || — || — || —
| 7
| 9
| 16
| 8
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1997–98
| 1997–98
| [[Philadelphia Flyers]]
| [[Philadelphia Flyers]]
| NHL
| NHL
| 37 || 9 || 17 || 26 || 6
| 37
| 5 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 0
| 9
| 17
| 26
| 6
| 5
| 0
| 2
| 2
| 0
|-
|-
| [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99]]
| [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| NHL
| 31 || 3 || 2 || 5 || 2
| 31
| — || — || — || — || —
| 3
| 2
| 5
| 2
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1998–99
| 1998–99
| [[Tampa Bay Lightning]]
| [[Tampa Bay Lightning]]
| NHL
| NHL
| 32 || 6 || 6 || 12 || 2
| 32
| — || — || — || — || —
| 6
| 6
| 12
| 2
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
|-
| [[1999–2000 AHL season|1999–2000]]
| [[1999–00 NHL season|1999–00]]
| [[Hartford Wolf Pack]]
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| 16
| 6
| 13
| 19
| 4
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1999–2000 NHL season|1999–2000]]
| [[New York Rangers]]
| [[New York Rangers]]
| NHL
| NHL
| 58 || 8 || 18 || 26 || 23
| 58
| — || — || — || — || —
| 8
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 18
| [[1999–00 AHL season|1999–00]]
| 26
| [[Hartford Wolf Pack]]
| 23
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| —
| 16 || 6 || 13 || 19 || 4
| —
| — || — || — || — || —
| —
| —
| —
|-
|-
| [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03]]
| [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03]]
| [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]
| [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]
| NHL
| NHL
| 33 || 4 || 3 || 7 || 8
| 33
| — || — || — || — || —
| 4
| 3
| 7
| 8
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2002–03 AHL season|2002–03]]
| [[2002–03 AHL season|2002–03]]
| [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins]]
| [[Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins]]
| AHL
| AHL
| 40 || 9 || 29 || 38 || 18
| 40
| 4 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
| 9
| 29
| 38
| 18
| 4
| 0
| 1
| 1
| 0
|-
|-
| [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]]
| [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]]
| [[Minnesota Wild]]
| [[Minnesota Wild]]
| NHL
| NHL
| 78 || 20 || 31 || 51 || 14
| 78
| — || — || — || — || —
| 20
| 31
| 51
| 14
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2004–05
| [[2004–05 Nationalliga B season|2004–05]]
| [[Forward-Morges HC]]
| [[Forward–Morges HC]]
| [[National League B|CHE.2]]
| [[National League B|NLB]]
| — || — || — || — || —
| —
| 2 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0
| —
| —
| —
| —
| 2
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 0
|-
|-
| [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]]
| [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]]
| Minnesota Wild
| Minnesota Wild
| NHL
| NHL
| 46 || 5 || 23 || 28 || 12
| 46
| — || — || — || — || —
| 5
| 23
| 28
| 12
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2005–06 AHL season|2005–06]]
| [[2005–06 AHL season|2005–06]]
| [[Manchester Monarchs (AHL)|Manchester Monarchs]]
| [[Manchester Monarchs (AHL)|Manchester Monarchs]]
| AHL
| AHL
| 16 || 6 || 8 || 14 || 4
| 16
| 7 || 4 || 7 || 11 || 6
| 6
| 8
| 14
| 4
| 7
| 4
| 7
| 11
| 6
|-
|-
| [[2006–07 NLA season|2006–07]]
| [[2006–07 NLA season|2006–07]]
| [[HC Davos]]
| [[HC Davos]]
| [[National League A|NLA]]
| [[National League A|NLA]]
| 44 || 22 || 39 || 61 || 44
| 44
| 18 || 4 || 9 || 13 || 6
| 22
| 39
| 61
| 44
| 18
| 4
| 9
| 13
| 6
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2007–08 NLA season|2007–08]]
| [[2007–08 NLA season|2007–08]]
| HC Davos
| HC Davos
| NLA
| NLA
| 45 || 13 || 30 || 43 || 59
| 45
| 12 || 6 || 5 || 11 || 2
| 13
| 30
| 43
| 59
| 12
| 6
| 5
| 11
| 2
|-
|-
| [[2008–09 NLA season|2008–09]]
| [[2008–09 NLA season|2008–09]]
| HC Davos
| HC Davos
| NLA
| NLA
| 44 || 9 || 23 || 32 || 8
| 44
| 10 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 2
| 9
| 23
| 32
| 8
| 10
| 1
| 2
| 3
| 2
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2009–10 NLA season|2009–10]]
| [[2009–10 NLA season|2009–10]]
| HC Davos
| HC Davos
| NLA
| NLA
| 4 || 2 || 2 || 4 || 2
| 4
| — || — || — || — || —
| 2
| 2
| 4
| 2
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
|-
| 2009–10
| 2009–10
| [[HC Fribourg-Gottéron]]
| [[HC Fribourg–Gottéron]]
| NLA
| NLA
| 2 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 0
| 2
| — || — || — || — || —
| 0
| 2
| 2
| 0
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2009–10
| 2009–10
| [[SCL Tigers]]
| [[SCL Tigers]]
| NLA
| NLA
| 25 || 7 || 17 || 24 || 0
| 25
| — || — || — || — || —
| 7
| 17
| 24
| 0
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 616 !! 129 !! 198 !! 327 !! 186
! 616
! 12 !! 0 !! 2 !! 2 !! 2
! 129
! 198
! 327
! 186
! 12
! 0
! 2
! 2
! 2
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NLA totals
! 164
! 53
! 113
! 166
! 113
! 40
! 11
! 16
! 27
! 10
|}
|}


===International===
===International===
{{MedalTableTop|name= }}
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:50em"
{{MedalCountry |{{ih|CAN}} }}
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
{{MedalCompetition|[[IIHF World Junior Championship|World Junior Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1993 Sweden]] | }}
{{MedalGold | [[1995 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1995 Canada]] | }}
{{MedalBottom}}
===International===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Year
! Team
! Team
! Event
! Event
! ALIGN="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! rowspan="102" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
! GP
! G
! A
! Pts
! PIM
|-
|-
| [[1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1993]]
| [[1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1993]]
| [[Canada men's national junior ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[Canada men's national junior ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[IIHF World U20 Championship|WJC]]
| [[IIHF World Junior Championship|WJC]]
| 7 || 0 || 6 || 6 || 27
| 7
| 0
| 6
| 6
| 27
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1995 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1995]]
| [[1995 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1995]]
| Canada
| Canada
| WJC
| WJC
| 7 || 2 || 8 || 10 || 4
| 7
| 2
| 8
| 10
| 4
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=3 | Junior totals
! colspan=4 | Junior totals
! 14 !! 2 !! 14 !! 16 !! 31
! 14
! 2
! 14
! 16
! 31
|}
|}


==Awards==
==Awards==
*[[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92]]: [[Canadian Hockey League|CHL]]&nbsp;– Rookie of the Year (Canadian Major Junior)
* [[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92]]: [[Canadian Hockey League|CHL]]&nbsp;– Rookie of the Year (Canadian Major Junior)
*[[1991–92 QMJHL season|1991–92]]: [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League|QMJHL]]&nbsp;– Second All-Star Team
* [[1991–92 QMJHL season|1991–92]]: [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League|QMJHL]]&nbsp;– Second All-Star Team
* 1991–92: QMJHL&nbsp;– [[Michel Bergeron Trophy]] (Top Rookie Forward)
* 1991–92: QMJHL&nbsp;– [[Michel Bergeron Trophy]] (Top Rookie Forward)
*[[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93]]: CHL Top Draft Prospect (Canadian Major Junior)
* [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93]]: CHL top draft prospect (Canadian Major Junior)
*[[1992–93 QMJHL season|1992–93]]: QMJHL&nbsp;– [[Mike Bossy Trophy]] (Top Draft Prospect)
* [[1992–93 QMJHL season|1992–93]]: QMJHL&nbsp;– [[Mike Bossy Trophy]] (top draft prospect)
* 1992–93: QMJHL&nbsp;– First All-Star Team
* 1992–93: QMJHL&nbsp;– First All-Star Team


==Transactions==
==Transactions==
* June 26, 1993: [[Ottawa Senators]] 1st round draft choice (1st overall) in the [[1993 NHL Entry Draft]].
* June 26, 1993: [[Ottawa Senators]] 1st round draft choice (1st overall) in the [[1993 NHL entry draft]].
* January 17, 1998: traded by the Ottawa Senators to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in exchange for [[Václav Prospal]], [[Pat Falloon]] and Dallas' 1998 2nd round draft choice.
* January 17, 1998: traded by the Ottawa Senators to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in exchange for [[Václav Prospal]], [[Pat Falloon]] and Dallas' 1998 2nd round draft choice.
* January 29, 1999: traded by the Philadelphia Flyers to the [[Edmonton Oilers]] in exchange for [[Andrei Kovalenko]].
* January 29, 1999: traded by the Philadelphia Flyers to the [[Edmonton Oilers]] in exchange for [[Andrei Kovalenko]].
Line 533: Line 286:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Ice hockey stats|legends=15002}}
* {{Ice hockey stats}}
*{{IMDb name|1388997}}
* {{IMDb name|1388997}}


{{S-start}}
{{S-start}}
{{Succession box | before = [[Roman Hamrlík]] | title = [[List of first overall NHL draft picks|NHL first overall draft pick]] | years = [[1993 NHL Entry Draft|1993]] | after = [[Ed Jovanovski]]}}
{{Succession box | before = [[Roman Hamrlík]] | title = [[List of first overall NHL draft picks|NHL first overall draft pick]] | years = [[1993 NHL entry draft|1993]] | after = [[Ed Jovanovski]]}}
{{Succession box | before = [[Alexei Yashin]] | title = [[List of Ottawa Senators draft picks|Ottawa Senators first round draft pick]] | years = [[1993 NHL Entry Draft|1993]] | after = [[Radek Bonk]]}}
{{Succession box | before = [[Alexei Yashin]] | title = [[List of Ottawa Senators draft picks|Ottawa Senators first round draft pick]] | years = [[1993 NHL entry draft|1993]] | after = [[Radek Bonk]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{S-end}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Daigle, Alexandre}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daigle, Alexandre}}
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey right wingers]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey right wingers]]
[[Category:Canadian people of French descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of French descent]]
[[Category:French Quebecers]]
[[Category:First overall NHL draft picks]]
[[Category:Hartford Wolf Pack players]]
[[Category:Hartford Wolf Pack players]]
[[Category:HC Davos players]]
[[Category:HC Davos players]]
[[Category:HC Forward-Morges players]]
[[Category:HC Forward-Morges players]]
[[Category:HC Fribourg-Gottéron players]]
[[Category:HC Fribourg-Gottéron players]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Quebec]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Laval, Quebec]]
[[Category:Manchester Monarchs (AHL) players]]
[[Category:Manchester Monarchs (AHL) players]]
[[Category:Minnesota Wild players]]
[[Category:Minnesota Wild players]]
[[Category:National Hockey League first overall draft picks]]
[[Category:National Hockey League first round draft picks]]
[[Category:New York Rangers players]]
[[Category:New York Rangers players]]
[[Category:NHL first-round draft picks]]
[[Category:Ottawa Senators draft picks]]
[[Category:Ottawa Senators draft picks]]
[[Category:Ottawa Senators players]]
[[Category:Ottawa Senators players]]
Line 564: Line 317:
[[Category:Pittsburgh Penguins players]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Penguins players]]
[[Category:SCL Tigers players]]
[[Category:SCL Tigers players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Laval, Quebec]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Lightning players]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Lightning players]]
[[Category:Victoriaville Tigres players]]
[[Category:Victoriaville Tigres players]]

Latest revision as of 21:03, 2 December 2024

Alexandre Daigle
Daigle with the Manchester Monarchs in 2006
Born (1975-02-07) February 7, 1975 (age 49)
Laval, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Ottawa Senators
Philadelphia Flyers
Tampa Bay Lightning
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Minnesota Wild
Davos
Fribourg-Gottéron
SCL Tigers
National team  Canada
NHL draft 1st overall, 1993
Ottawa Senators
Playing career 1993–2000
2002–2010

Alexandre Daigle (born February 7, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. A highly touted junior prospect, Daigle was drafted first overall in the 1993 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators. After recording a modest career high of 51 points in three separate National Hockey League (NHL) regular seasons, Daigle briefly retired from hockey at age 25 but returned to the NHL two years later. Although he played ten seasons in the NHL and four in the Swiss NL, he failed to live up to the high expectations put forth when he was drafted first overall and is therefore regarded by many to have been a draft bust.[1][2][3]

Playing career

[edit]

Amateur career

[edit]

As a youth, Daigle played in the 1988 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Laval, Quebec.[4]

NHL career

[edit]

Leading up to the 1993 NHL entry draft, Daigle was considered a "can't miss" prospect and NHL superstar-in-waiting. The Senators were even accused of deliberately losing games late in the 1992–93 season, their first in the NHL, to guarantee the first overall selection and the right to draft him. This prompted an investigation by the NHL, which soon implemented a draft lottery to prevent such things from happening again. The Senators subsequently finished last place overall in the 1992–93 league standings, thus securing the rights to the first overall pick.[5]

As the draft approached, the Quebec Nordiques, who were hosting the event, were reportedly so eager to draft the next Quebecois superstar that they were rumored to have offered star players such as Owen Nolan, Peter Forsberg, Ron Hextall, and draft picks,[citation needed] but Ottawa management disregarded all offers. The Senators selected Daigle first overall, ahead of future Hall-of-Famers Chris Pronger and Paul Kariya. He subsequently received the largest starting salary in league history (five years, $12.25 million), leading to the introduction of a rookie salary cap a few years later. Regarding his draft position, Daigle uttered the now infamous comment, "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two".[6] Chris Pronger, selected with the second pick by the Hartford Whalers, was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.[7]

Daigle initially seemed destined to live up to the pre-draft hype, scoring 20 goals and 51 points in a rookie season in which he had little offensive support, and his 37 points in the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season had him on pace for 28 goals & 66 points in an 84 game schedule. However, he was never able to reproduce his junior dominance, and the superstardom the Senators and the league had hoped for never materialized. He scored 20 or more goals twice – in his rookie year and in 1996–97, never registering more than 26 goals in a season. He was frequently criticized for lack of effort and motivation, with his lucrative long-term contract perhaps partially to blame.[8] He seemed interested in the limelight, appearing in a full-page ad dressed in a nurse's uniform.[1]

Russian center Alexei Yashin outplayed Daigle in every season that they were teammates in Ottawa. Both entered the league in the 1993–94 season and were promoted as future stars of the franchise, displayed on the cover of the Senators' yearbook and media guide. Management, however, supported Daigle over Yashin, touting him over Yashin for the Calder Memorial Trophy (though Yashin ended up receiving a nomination instead of Daigle). After management continued to support Daigle despite his subpar performance, an angered Yashin held out in the 1995–96 season unless his contract was renegotiated to pay him at a level similar to Daigle's. Head coach Rick Bowness and assistant coach Alain Vigneault were fired on November 21, 1995, after demoting Daigle to the fourth line.[citation needed]

On September 25, 1996, Daigle was removed from a team flight when, while chatting with a flight attendant aboard USAir Flight 1948, he leaned over to Trevor Timmins (then the Senators' Director Of Team Services) and said, "Watch out for your bomb there" while motioning towards Timmins' laptop computer. Upon hearing Daigle's comment, the flight attendant notified the captain, who immediately contacted USAir ground control, and police were subsequently notified. What Daigle did not know was that then-U.S. President Bill Clinton was also on the Pittsburgh International Airport's tarmac at the time, resulting in a heightened level of security.[9] Daigle was not prosecuted for the incident, but was fined $300 and barred from boarding the connecting flight to Tampa with the rest of the team.[10]

During the 1997–98 season, after four and a half seasons, 74 goals, and 172 points in 301 games played, Ottawa finally soured on Daigle and traded him to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for prospect Václav Prospal and another first-round bust, Pat Falloon.[11] With the Flyers, Daigle scored 31 points in 68 games. In January 1999, Philadelphia traded Daigle to the Edmonton Oilers, who later that same day traded him to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Alexander Selivanov.[12] Daigle played only 32 games for the Lightning, collecting six goals and six assists for 12 points. The New York Rangers then acquired Daigle as a reclamation project, sending cash to the Lightning, but they too realized the one-time junior superstar was not living up to expectations and waived him at the end of the season.[13] In 58 games with the Rangers, Daigle recorded just 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points.[citation needed]

Daigle found himself out of hockey by the age of 25. No one was willing to take a chance on the under-achiever, and in fact, Daigle admitted he had no desire to play the game anymore. In an interview on Radio-Canada, he said he never wanted to play hockey but stuck to the game because of his talent. Instead, he became interested in the entertainment business and the opportunity to be a celebrity. He played hockey in a small league in Los Angeles with Cuba Gooding Jr. on Jerry Bruckheimer's team, the Bad Boys, and created an event promotion company, Impostor Entertainment, with former Montreal Expos pitcher Derek Aucoin. Their first project was a concert featuring Sheryl Crow during the Canadian Grand Prix Formula One auto race in Montreal.[citation needed]

Following a two-year absence from hockey and in need of a steady paycheque, Daigle decided to attempt an NHL comeback. In mid-2002, he contacted numerous teams looking for an invitation to training camp, ultimately signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[14] Daigle would lead the Penguins in pre-season scoring, earning himself a spot on the Pittsburgh roster to start the season. Despite his impressive training camp, Daigle was unable to continue his success into the regular season, ultimately spending the better part of the season with the team's AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. After his contract was not renewed by the Penguins, Daigle signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Wild in the offseason.[15]

After arriving in Minnesota, Daigle impressed the Wild coaching staff enough to earn a roster spot for opening night. For the 2003–04 season, Daigle managed to match his career-high point total, finishing the campaign with 51 points (20 goals and 31 assists) to lead the team in scoring. During this season, he was also the Wild's nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given annually to an NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. On March 6, 2006, Minnesota waived Daigle and reassigned him to the team's AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros. Daigle did not play a game for the Aeros and was subsequently loaned to the AHL's Manchester Monarchs on March 13, 2006, in exchange for forward Brendan Bernakevitch.[16]

Post NHL-career

[edit]

Aware that his NHL career was over, Daigle set his sights on Europe. On May 5, 2006, he signed a two-year contract with Davos, a top team in the Swiss National League A, and inked a two-year extension with them in December. During his three complete seasons playing in Davos, the team won the league championship on two occasions.[17] In a little over three seasons with Davos, Daigle played 137 games, tallying 46 goals and 94 assists for 140 points (averaging a little over one point per game).[citation needed]

On October 26, 2009, Daigle was loaned to the SCL Tigers in exchange for Oliver Setzinger. Daigle played 25 games with the SCL Tigers in the 2009–10 season, with 7 goals and 17 assists for 24 points. Daigle ranked seventh on the team in points while playing in fewer than half as many games as the team's other top scorers.[18]

On March 23, 2010, Daigle and Davos agreed to have his contract reduced from five years to three years, making him a free agent after the 2009–10 season.[19]

Post-playing career

[edit]

Since the completion of his European hockey career, Daigle has worked in the movie industry, running studios for MTL Grandé.[20]

Personal life

[edit]

Daigle lives in Montreal with his wife and their three children.[21]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1990–91 Laval Régents QMAAA 42 50 60 110 98 13 5 9 14 23
1991–92 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 66 35 75 110 63
1992–93 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 53 45 92 137 85 6 5 6 11 4
1993–94 Ottawa Senators NHL 84 20 31 51 40
1994–95 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 18 14 20 34 16
1994–95 Ottawa Senators NHL 47 16 21 37 14
1995–96 Ottawa Senators NHL 50 5 12 17 24
1996–97 Ottawa Senators NHL 82 26 25 51 33 7 0 0 0 2
1997–98 Ottawa Senators NHL 38 7 9 16 8
1997–98 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 37 9 17 26 6 5 0 2 2 0
1998–99 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 31 3 2 5 2
1998–99 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 32 6 6 12 2
1999–00 New York Rangers NHL 58 8 18 26 23
1999–00 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 16 6 13 19 4
2002–03 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 33 4 3 7 8
2002–03 Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 40 9 29 38 18 4 0 1 1 0
2003–04 Minnesota Wild NHL 78 20 31 51 14
2004–05 Forward–Morges HC NLB 2 1 1 2 0
2005–06 Minnesota Wild NHL 46 5 23 28 12
2005–06 Manchester Monarchs AHL 16 6 8 14 4 7 4 7 11 6
2006–07 HC Davos NLA 44 22 39 61 44 18 4 9 13 6
2007–08 HC Davos NLA 45 13 30 43 59 12 6 5 11 2
2008–09 HC Davos NLA 44 9 23 32 8 10 1 2 3 2
2009–10 HC Davos NLA 4 2 2 4 2
2009–10 HC Fribourg–Gottéron NLA 2 0 2 2 0
2009–10 SCL Tigers NLA 25 7 17 24 0
NHL totals 616 129 198 327 186 12 0 2 2 2

International

[edit]
Medal record
Representing  Canada
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 1993 Sweden
Gold medal – first place 1995 Canada

International

[edit]
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
1993 Canada WJC 7 0 6 6 27
1995 Canada WJC 7 2 8 10 4
Junior totals 14 2 14 16 31

Awards

[edit]

Transactions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Ottawa Sun - Top 10 draft-day busts". Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved 2008-06-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ Whyno, Stephen (June 27, 2013). "The top bargains and busts from the past 20 years of the NHL draft". Globe & Mail. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  3. ^ Joyce, Gare (June 15, 2010). "It begins with Daigle, and then ..." Insider – NHL Draft Blog. ESPN. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  4. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2019-01-26.
  5. ^ Wolff, Alexander (August 30, 1993). "Winning by Losing". SI. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  6. ^ "What Ever Happened to Alexandre Daigle?". thehockeywriters.com. February 11, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  7. ^ Whyno, Steve (November 9, 2015). "Chris Pronger among 2015 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees". CBC. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  8. ^ "Best junior hockey players who never made it". Agence Reisler. August 15, 2004. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  9. ^ Allen Panzeri (October 6, 2011). "Memorable quotes from the Senators' first 20 seasons". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  10. ^ Tribune News Services (September 27, 1996). "Top-paid Lemieux Has Plenty Of Company In Millionaires Club". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  11. ^ "SENATORS OBTAIN PROSPAL, FALLOON AND 2ND ROUND DRAFT PICK". Ottawa Senators. January 17, 1998. Archived from the original on April 9, 2004. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  12. ^ "Flyers, Lightning, Oilers Swap Forwards". NHL.com. January 29, 1999. Archived from the original on November 18, 1999. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  13. ^ "Tampa Bay Sends Daigle to Rangers". Los Angeles Times. October 4, 1999. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  14. ^ "PENGUINS SIGN DAIGLE". Pittsburgh Penguins. October 4, 2002. Archived from the original on February 11, 2003. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  15. ^ "Wild Sign RW Alexandre Daigle". Minnesota Wild. September 30, 2003. Archived from the original on August 4, 2004. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  16. ^ "Monarchs Loan Smyth, Bernakevitch; Receive Rullier, Daigle". OurSports Central. March 13, 2006. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "National League". Nationalleague.ch. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
  18. ^ "National League". Nationalleague.ch. Archived from the original on 2011-12-10. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
  19. ^ "Davos Trennt Sich Von Alexandre Daig" (in German). HCD.ch. 2010-04-23. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
  20. ^ "MTL Grandé". MTL Grandé. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  21. ^ "Donibrook: Alexandre Daigle was just 10 years ahead of his time". Ottawa Citizen. 2017-04-08. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
[edit]
Preceded by NHL first overall draft pick
1993
Succeeded by
Preceded by Ottawa Senators first round draft pick
1993
Succeeded by