Sylvain Turgeon

In the lead up to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)'s entry draft in 1981, the owner, the Laval Voisins, of the first overall pick debated between selecting Turgeon or Mario Lemieux.{{sfn|Martin|1993|p=35}} They ultimately chose Lemieux and Turgeon was selected by the Hull Olympiques. In his rookie year in the QMJHL during the 1981–82 season, Turgeon registered 33 goals and 73 points in 57 games.{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=5496 |title=Sylvain Turgeon |website=Hockeydb.com |access-date=July 11, 2024}} Despite Lemieux, who was also a rookie that season, scoring 30 goals and 96 points in 60 games, Turgeon was awarded the 1982 Michel Bergeron Trophy as offensive rookie of the year.{{sfn|Martin|1993|p=40}}{{sfn|Laberge|Bouchard|2005|pp=248–249}} Turgeon's win spurred Lemieux, who became one of hockey's greatest players, to focus entirely on hockey beginning the next season.{{sfn|Martin|1993|p=41}} Turgeon's second season with the Olympiques saw his points total climb to 163, while scoring 54 goals in 67 games. He was awarded the 1983 Mike Bossy Trophy as the league's best prospect and was named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team.{{sfn|Laberge|Bouchard|2005|pp=248–249}}

Turgeon was drafted by the Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the first round, second overall, in the 1983 NHL entry draft.{{sfn|Laberge|Bouchard|2005|pp=248–249}} He did not know how to speak English when he arrived in Hartford and boarded with an English family with whom he learned.{{sfn|MacGregor|1993|p=158}} His speed and quick, accurate shot made him a key member of the Whalers' power play unit in his first season, playing alongside Ron Francis.{{sfn|Laberge|Bouchard|2005|pp=248–249}}{{sfn|Codagnone|2007|p=64}} He made his NHL debut in the season opener against the Buffalo Sabres on October 5, 1983, playing on a line with Francis and Blaine Stoughton.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/368898011/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Whalers |title=Whalers Select Johnson Captain |work=Hartford Courant |last=Berlet |first=Bruce |page=39 |date=October 6, 1983 |access-date=July 11, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He registered his NHL point assisting on a goal by Mike Zuke in a 4–1 loss to the Boston Bruins on October 9.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/437089828/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Whalers |title=Keans solid as Bruins get even with Whalers |work=Boston Globe |last=Rosa |first=Francis |page=74 |date=October 10, 1983 |access-date=July 11, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He scored his first NHL goal and had his first multi-point NHL game in a 6–4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 15. He scored on goaltender Michel Dion on the power play in the second period and then assisted on Stoughton's goal later in the period.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/hfd-vs-pit/1983/10/15/1983020048/recap |title=Hartford Whalers 6 – 4 Pittsburgh Penguins |publisher=National Hockey League |date=October 15, 1983 |access-date=July 11, 2024}} Turgeon played in 76 games during the 1983–84 season, scoring 40 goals and 72 points and was named to the NHL's 1984 All-Rookie Team.{{sfn|Laberge|Bouchard|2005|pp=248–249}} During his first season, Turgeon was involved in a bizarre event in a game versus the Chicago Black Hawks on October 30, 1983. Tom Lysiak of the Black Hawks was kicked out of the faceoff circle by linesman Dan Foyt and another player took his place for the faceoff. The Whalers won the faceoff and on the ensuing play, Turgeon received the puck. However, instead of Lysiak going after the puck and Turgeon, the Black Hawks player intentionally tripped Foyt. For his abuse of the linesman, Lysiak received a twenty-game suspension.{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LjopDQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Sylvain+Turgeon%22+%2B&pg=PT352 |title=100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know Before They Die |last=Bamford |first=Tab |chapter=Howie Morenz Passes |date=15 October 2016 |publisher=Triumph Books |location=Chicago |isbn=978-1-62937-245-7}} In his second year during the 1984–85 season, Turgeon scored 31 goals and 62 points in 64 games but missed 16 games with a pulled stomach muscle early in the season, returning in December.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/243024790/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Whalers |title=Fenton Takes Bumpy Road Back to Binghamton |last=Jacobs |first=Jeff |work=Hartford Courant |page=97 |date=December 22, 1984 |access-date=July 11, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He scored his first NHL hat trick on March 3, 1985 on Frank Caprice in an 7–6 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/372987610/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Whalers |title=Canucks Chill Whalers, 7–6, in Horror Show |work=Hartford Courant |last=Jacobs |first=Jeff |page=23 |date=March 4, 1985 |access-date=July 11, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/hfd-vs-van/1985/03/03/1984020667/boxscore |title=Hartford Whalers 6 –7 Vancouver Canucks |publisher=National Hockey League |date=March 3, 1985 |access-date=July 11, 2024}}

He established career highs of 45 goals and 79 points in 76 games for the Whalers in the 1985–86 season. Turgeon recorded his second career hat trick on December 18, 1985 against Reggie Lemelin in a 4–3 victory over the Calgary Flames.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/369350375/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Whalers |title=Whalers Top Flames, 4–3 |work=Hartford Courant |last=Smith |first=George |page=51 |date=December 19, 1985 |access-date=July 11, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-hfd/1985/12/18/1985020320/boxscore |title=Calgary Flames 3 – 4 Hartford Whalers |publisher=National Hockey League |date=December 18, 1985 |access-date=July 11, 2024}} He was named as Francis' replacement as the Whalers' representative on the Wales Conference All-Star Team at the 1986 NHL All-Star Game that took place in Hartford. During the game, he assisted on a goal by Peter Šťastný.{{sfn|Podnieks|2000|pp=193, 197}} The Whalers made the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs that season, the first time in Turgeon's career. The first series was a best-of-five versus the Quebec Nordiques. In game one, Turgeon scored the game-winning goal to give Hartford its first ever post-season goal. The Whalers went on to win the series, the only playoff series that the team ever won. In the second round they faced the Montreal Canadiens in a best-of-seven series.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1825980/2020/06/14/cue-the-brass-bonanza-the-ballad-of-the-1985-86-hartford-whalers/ |title=Cue the 'Brass Bonanza' – The Ballad of the 1985-86 Hartford Whalers |work=The Athletic |last=Burnside |first=Scott |date=June 14, 2020 |access-date=July 12, 2024}} However, while warming up before game 7 against the Canadiens, Turgeon suffered an abdominal ailment and could not play.{{sfn|Pickens|2021|p=105}} Ultimately the Canadiens won the game and the series and the Whalers were eliminated.

The abdominal ailment turned into stomach surgery stemming from an injury to his groin{{sfn|Pickens|2021|p=105}} that kept him out of the lineup through the first half of thee 1986–87 season. He returned to the lineup on January 9, 1987 in a 3–0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/245900878/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22 |title=Turgeon, Wayne Babych return |work=Hartford Courant |last=Jacobs |first=Jeff |page=121 |date=January 10, 1987 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} That season saw the height of "Whalermania" and Turgeon was a key component of it, playing on a line with Francis and Kevin Dineen.{{sfn|Laberge|Bouchard|2005|pp=248–249}}{{sfn|Codagnone|2007|pp=64, 89}} He scored 23 goals and 36 points in 41 games that season as the Whalers won the Adams Division for the first time. The Whalers went to the playoffs again that season but were eliminated in the first round by the Nordiques.{{sfn|Codagnone|2007|p=89}} The Whalers struggled during the 1987–88 season, firing their coach in February 1988{{sfn|Codagnone|2007|p=81}} and Turgeon reflected that, scoring 23 goals, 49 points in 71 games. The Whalers made the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round again, this time by the Canadiens.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/372816556/ |title=Francis Ready to Deal |work=Hartford Courant |last=Jacobs |first=Jeff |pages=246, 251 |date=April 19, 1988 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} Turgeon did register a point in those six games. At the end of the season, the first mentions of a possible trade of Turgeon were raised by the Whalers general manager, Emile Francis. In his final year with Hartford during the 1988–89 season, Turgeon appeared in only 42 games, registering 16 goals and 40 points. He suffered a separated shoulder in a game versus the Boston Bruins on December 19, 1988.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/374383741/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22 |title=Turgeon out 3 months after shoulder surgery |work=Hartford Courant |last=Shea |first=Jim |page=67 |date=December 23, 1988 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He returned to the lineup on March 14, 1989 in an 8–2 victory over the New York Islanders and scored twice in his return.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/374042944/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22 |title=Turgeon returning to lineup after costly shoulder injury |work=Hartford Courant |last=Berlet |first=Bruce |page=19 |date=March 14, 1989 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/hfd-vs-nyi/1989/03/14/1988020739 |title=New York Islanders 2 – 8 Hartford Whalers |publisher=National Hockey League |date=March 14, 1989 |access-date=July 12, 2024}} The Whalers faced the Canadiens in the 1989 playoffs and were swept in four games in the first round.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/374140495/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22 |title=Canadiens close Whalers' season |work=Hartford Courant |page=17 |date=April 10, 1989 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}

On June 17, 1989, the day of the 1989 NHL entry draft, the new general manager of the Hartford Whalers Eddie Johnston made his first move, trading Turgeon to the New Jersey Devils for Pat Verbeek.{{sfn|Laberge|Bouchard|2005|pp=248–249}}{{sfn|Pickens|2021|p=128}} Turgeon was brought to the Devils to help with scoring and his ability to play both wings.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/723220481/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Devils |title=Devils perform a quick-fix |last=Libero |first=Rich |work=Daily News |page=49 |date=October 1, 1989 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He made his 1989–90 season debut on October 5 and scored his third career hat trick, this time against goaltender Ken Wregget, in a 6–2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/466924273/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Devils |title=Turgeon's 3 goals sink Flyers |work=Daily News |last=Brown |first=Frank |page=122 |date=October 6, 1989 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} The now oft-injured Turgeon had been suffering from a slight groin pull for a week when during a game against the Flyers on March 20, he suffered a major pull while being checked by Terry Carkner.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/496188897/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Devils |title=Devils: Fall to Blackhawks barrage |page=21 |work=The Record |date=March 23, 1990 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He missed the remainder of the regular season.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/467793005/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Devils |title=Flashes |work=The Daily News |page=174 |date=April 16, 1990 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} Turgeon scored 30 goals and 47 points in 72 games in his only season with the team. Turgeon returned to the lineup for the Devils' final playoff game, playing on the fourth line, where the Devils were eliminated by the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 1990 Stanley Cup playoffs.

On September 4, 1990, Turgeon was traded by the Devils to the Montreal Canadiens for forward Claude Lemieux.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/550372193/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens%20%2B%20trade |title=Canadiens trade Lemieux to Devils |work=Montreal Gazette |page=27 |date=September 5, 1990 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} The Canadiens had to trade Lemieux as he did not get along with coach Pat Burns. The Montreal fans were unhappy with the return for Lemieux, however, Lemieux had a reputation in the league and according to Canadiens' general manager Serge Savard, this was the best return they could get.{{sfn|Goyens|Turowetz|1994|p=7}} New Jersey sought to replace the loss of Brendan Shanahan and the toughness he brought to the forward group. Turgeon was known as a skill player and Lemieux was known for his ability to disrupt play.{{sfn|Fischer|Fischer|1992|p=145}} However, Turgeon had undergone surgery for a hernia on August 25, 1990 and had been ordered to remain off skates for six to eight weeks.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/423830416/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens%20%2B%20hernia |title=Groin problems make Turgeon questionable |work=Montreal Gazette |page=8 |date=September 6, 1990 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}

Turgeon made his Canadiens debut on December 15, 1990 in a 4–2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-win/1990/12/15/1990020344/boxscore |title=Montreal Canadiens 2 – 4 Winnipeg Jets |publisher=National Hockey League |date=December 15, 1990 |access-date=July 12, 2024}} He scored his first goal for the Canadiens in the following game on December 18, a 6–4 loss to the Nordiques.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/423969624/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Habs drop third straight as Nordiques KO Bergeron |work=Montreal Gazette |last=Zurkowsky |first=Herb |page=59 |date=December 19, 1990 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} Playing on a line with Stéphan Lebeau and Stéphane Richer, Turgeon had two goals and four points in an 8–4 victory over the Jets on January 31, 1991.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-win/1991/01/30/1990020546 |title=Winnipeg Jets 4 – Montreal Canadiens |publisher=National Hockey League |date=January 31, 1991 |access-date=July 12, 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/730710229/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Recovery complete for Sylvain Turgeon in 8–4 Habs win |work=Kingston Whig-Standard |last=Beacon |first=Bill |agency=The Canadian Press |page=9 |date=January 31, 1991 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} On February 6, during a game versus the Chicago Blackhawks, Turgeon blocked a shot with his knee and fractured his right kneecap. He missed the rest of the regular season.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/423946793/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Turgeon sidelined until playoffs |work=Montreal Gazette |last=Zurkowsky |first=Herb |date=February 8, 1991 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He finished the season with five goals and 12 points in 19 games. Turgeon returned to the lineup on April 19 for the second game of the second round series versus the Boston Bruins in the 1991 playoffs.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/242021750/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Richer's OT goal lifts Canadiens over Bruins |work=Hartford Courant |last=Jacobs |first=Jeff |page=120 |date=April 20, 1991 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He played in five games in the series, going pointless and was replaced by Ryan Walter for the seventh game, which Montreal lost.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/423952947/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Headline News |last=Fisher |first=Red |page=2 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=April 30, 1991 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/423952929/?terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Canadiens spell summer M-o-o-g |last=Fisher |first=Red |work=Montreal Gazette |page=1 |date=April 30, 1991 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}

In his second season with the Canadiens, Turgeon scored nine goals and 20 points in 56 games. Turgeon was in and out of the lineup and grew unhappy playing for the Canadiens, sending his agent, Pierre Lacroix, to talk with management about a possible trade in February.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/389719588/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Notes |work=Chicago Tribune |last=Kiley |first=Mike |page=59 |date=February 16, 1992 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/242350109/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Turgeon: value decreases |work=Hartford Courant |page=72 |date=February 16, 1992 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} After that meeting, Turgeon was scratched for the next fourteen games, only getting back into the lineup on March 21.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/424076909/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Turgeon ready for action – again |last=Zurkowsky |first=Herb |work=Montreal Gazette |page=26 |date=March 21, 1992 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} Turgeon played in the Canadiens' first round series with the Hartford Whalers during the 1992 Stanley Cup playoffs, making his first appearance in game four.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/495016261/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Burns feels it's not yet time for Canadiens to panic |work=The Vancouver Sun |agency=The Canadian Press |page=39 |date=April 27, 1992 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He scored his first playoff goal for the Canadiens in game 5 against Frank Pietrangelo, a 7–4 win for the Canadiens.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/424058517/?terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Now that's more like it |last=Fisher |first=Red |work=Montreal Gazette |page=1 |date=April 28, 1992 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He played the remainder of the series which Montreal won, but played only one game in the second round series with Boston, the final game. The Canadiens were searching for scoring and Turgeon and Lebeau were inserted into the lineup, replacing Chris Nilan and Mike McPhee. The Canadiens lost the game and were swept by the Bruins, ending the Canadiens season.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/241960628/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Canadiens |title=Bruins finish off Canadiens |work=Hartford Courant |page=229 |date=May 10, 1992 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}

The Canadiens left Turgeon unprotected in the 1992 NHL expansion draft and he was the chosen by the Ottawa Senators. He was named an alternate captain as one of the few original Senators established in the NHL.{{sfn|MacGregor|1993|pp=29, 213}} He played in the Senators inaugural game on October 8, 1992 against the Montreal Canadiens and scored the game-winning goal.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/senators-win-first-game-1992-1.3801211#:~:text=Sylvain%20Turgeon%20scores%20game%2Dwinning,8%2C%201992 |title=Relive Ottawa Senators' dramatic 1st win, 24 years later |work=CBC News |date=October 12, 2016 |access-date=July 12, 2024}} Turgeon led the expansion Senators in goals scored during the 1992–93 season, registering 25 and 43 points in 72 games.{{sfn|Laberge|Bouchard|2005|pp=248–249}} Off the ice, Turgeon was the Senators' National Hockey League Players' Association representative. However, the players grew unhappy with Turgeon in this role and asked teammate Brad Shaw to replace him.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/464816822/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Senators |title=Captain's curse strike again |last=MacGregor |first=Roy |pages=17–18 |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=December 1, 1994 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} The next season, Turgeon was no longer an alternate captain. He scored the fifth hat trick of his career against goaltender Ron Hextall of the New York Islanders on October 23, 1993, registering the 250th goal of his career in the process.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/464871689/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Senators |title=Hat trick begins road back for Turgeon |last=Mayoh |first=Rick |work=Ottawa Citizen |page=37 |date=October 25, 1993 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} In the next game on October 25 versus the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Turgeon's left forearm was fractured in a collision with teammate Dennis Vial in the third period.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/464874994/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Senators |title=Injury sidelines Turgeon |work=Ottawa Citizen |page=21 |last=Mayoh |first=Rick |date=October 27, 1993 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} After missing 37 games, Turgeon returned to the Senators' lineup on January 10, 1994 in a 3–3 tie with the Islanders. Turgeon had two assists and was named the first star of the match.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/464885178/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Senators |title=Senators thankful for point |work=Ottawa Citizen |last=Mayoh |first=Rick |page=15 |date=January 11, 1994 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He finished the season with 11 goals and 26 points in 47 games. Turgeon's final NHL season was the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season with the Senators. He scored 11 goals and 19 points in 33 games.

Turgeon attended the Senators 1995 training camp, but a week before its end in September 1995, he was dropped from the team.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/465014436/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Senators |title=Original Senator Turgeon dropped from camp roster |work=Ottawa Citizen |last=MacGregor |first=Roy |page=30 |date=September 27, 1995 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He joined the Houston Aeros of the International Hockey League (IHL) on October 13 for the 1995–96 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/465235380/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Senators |title=Former Senator Turgeon sent to Houston in IHL |work=Ottawa Citizen |page=16 |date=October 13, 1995 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} He scored 28 goals and 31 assists for 59 points in 65 games for Houston, and represented the team at the 1996 IHL All-Star Game.{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/440923457/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Houston |title=AHL, IHL show they can put on a show with Stars |work=Boston Globe |last=Van Handle |first=Judy |date=January 14, 1996 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}} An unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, Turgeon chose to play in Europe beginning in 1996. He played for various European teams in Germany, Italy, and Switzerland until 2002.

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Turgeon was selected to play for Canada's junior team at the 1983 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Leningrad, Soviet Union. He was one three 17-year old players on the team, the others being Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman. Turgeon played in seven games, had four goals and six points as the team finished third in the tournament, winning the bronze medal.{{sfn|Podnieks|1998|pp=106–120}} In August 1987, Turgeon was among those invited to Team Canada's selection camp for the 1987 Canada Cup. However, during a drill in practice, Turgeon attempted to retrieve the puck from between goaltender Ron Hextall's skates and jostled the goaltender, knocking him off his feet. Hextall's stick came down and struck Turgeon's arm, breaking it and causing Turgeon to miss the tournament.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/245930763/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20%2B%20Canada%20Cup |title=Turgeon breaks left arm |work=Hartford Courant |page=149 |last=Yantz |first=Tom |date=August 12, 1987 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}{{sfn|Gibson|2015|pp=97, 99}} Turgeon was named to Canada's Spengler Cup team for the 1996 tournament. Turgeon scored a hat trick in the final, a 6–2 victory over HC Davos on December 31, 1996.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/949603309/?match=1&terms=%22Sylvain%20Turgeon%22%20%2B%20Spengler%20Cup |title=Turgeon lifts Canada to Spengler Cup victory |work=Toronto Star |agency=The Canadian Press |date=January 1, 1997 |access-date=July 16, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=registration}}

Turgeon is the older brother of former NHL player Pierre Turgeon.{{sfn|Laberge|Bouchard|2005|pp=248–249}} His nephew, Dominic Turgeon (Pierre's son), was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2014 NHL entry draft.{{cite web |url=https://windsorstar.com/sports/wings-turgeon-not-same-player-as-his-dad |title=Duff: Wings' Turgeon not same player as his dad |work=Windsor Star |last=Duff |first=Bob |date=June 28, 2014 |access-date=July 12, 2024}}

Turgeon's trading card from the 1994–95 Pinnacle hockey set unexpectedly jumped in value in 2007, from {{US$|0.10|link=yes}} to more than $70 ({{Inflation|US|70|2007|r=0|fmt=eq}}), when 2007 first overall draft pick (later 2008 Rookie of the Year) Patrick Kane{{snd}}then six-years-old{{snd}}was spotted sitting on his father's lap in the stands, right at the glass, in the right-hand side of the card.{{cite news |title=See Patrick Kane's first hockey card, when he was 6 |first=Paul |last=Skrbina |work=Chicago Tribune |date=May 9, 2019 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/01/27/see-patrick-kanes-first-hockey-card-when-he-was-6/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 12, 2024}}

• Notable families in the NHL

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Codagnone |first=Brian |date=2007 |title=The Hartford Whalers |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |location=Charleston, South Carolina |isbn=978-0-7385-5501-0}}
• {{cite book |last1=Fischer |first1=Stan |last2=Fischer |first2=Shirley |date=1992 |title=Pain and Progress: The first 12 years of the New Jersey Devils |publisher=New Jersey Devils |location=East Rutherford, New Jersey |isbn=1-56352-039-7}}
• {{cite book |last=Gibson |first=Kevin |date=2015 |title=Of Myths and Sticks: Hockey Facts, Fictions & Coincidences |publisher=Douglas & McIntyre |location=Vancouver |isbn=978-1-77162-074-1}}
• {{cite book |last1=Goyens |first1=Chris |last2=Turowetz |first2=Allan |date=1994 |orig-date=1986 |title=Lions in Winter |edition=2nd |publisher=McGraw-Hill Ryerson |location=Whitby, Ontario |isbn=0-07-551712-4}}
• {{cite book |last1=Laberge |first1=Stéphane |last2=Bouchard |first2=Sylvain |date=2005 |title=Les 100 plus grands hockeyeurs québécois de la LNH |language=fr |trans-title=The 100 greatest Quebec hockey players in the NHL |publisher=Éditions Hurtubise |location=Montreal |isbn=2-89428-833-6}}
• {{cite book |last=MacGregor |first=Roy |date=1993 |title=Road Games: A Year in the Life of the NHL |publisher=MacFarlane Walter & Ross |location=Toronto |isbn=0-921912-70-6}}
• {{cite book |last=Martin |first=Lawrence |date=1993 |title=Mario |publisher=Lester Publishing |location=Toronto |isbn=1-895555-45-0}}
• {{cite book |last=Pickens |first=Pat |date=2021 |title=The Whalers: The Rise, Fall and Enduring Mystique New England's (Second) Greatest NHL Franchise |publisher=Lyons Press |location=Guilford, Connecticut |isbn=978-1-49304-402-3}}
• {{cite book |last=Podnieks |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Podnieks |date=2000 |title=The NHL All-Star Game: 50 Years of Great Tradition |publisher=HarperCollins |location=Toronto |isbn=0-00-200058-X}}
• {{cite book |last=Podnieks |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Podnieks |date=1998 |title=Red, White, and Gold: Canada at the World Junior Championships 1974–1999 |publisher=ECW Press |location=Toronto |isbn=1-55022-382-8 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/redwhitegoldcana0000podn }}

• {{Ice hockey stats}}

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{{succession box | before = Paul Lawless | title = Hartford Whalers first round draft pick | years = 1983 | after = Sylvain Côté}}

{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Turgeon, Sylvain}}

Category:1965 births

Category:Bolzano HC players

Category:Canadian ice hockey left wingers

Category:EHC Olten players

Category:Hartford Whalers draft picks

Category:Hartford Whalers players

Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen

Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States

Category:HC Thurgau players

Category:Houston Aeros (1994–2013) players

Category:Hull Olympiques players

Category:Kassel Huskies players

Category:Living people

Category:Montreal Canadiens players

Category:NHL first-round draft picks

Category:New Jersey Devils players

Category:Ottawa Senators players

Category:Revier Löwen players

Category:SC Herisau players

Category:SCL Tigers players

Category:Ice hockey people from Rouyn-Noranda

Category:Wedemark Scorpions players