Paul Ysebaert

Paul Robert Ysebaert (born May 15, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. During his fourteen years playing career, he played 11 years in the National Hockey League as a left wing for the New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Ysebaert accumulated a total of 336 points in 532 games during his career.

Playing career

Ysebaert was one of the more popular players in Detroit during the early 1990s after arriving in a trade from the New Jersey Devils. Earning the nickname "Rocket Man" from the fans, he enjoyed his best season in 1991–92, with 35 goals and 40 assists. The same year he became the first Red Wing to win the NHL Plus-Minus Award. Ysebaert was dealt to the Winnipeg Jets before the 1993–94 season for former University of Michigan defenceman Aaron Ward. Ysebaert served as the first captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning, from 1995 to 1997. After one season in Europe, Ysebaert retired in 2000, citing injuries.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1982–83 Petrolia Jets WOHL 40 23 30 53 24 — — — — — 1982–83 Newmarket Flyers OJHL 2 0 0 0 19 — — — — — 1983–84 Petrolia Jets WOHL 33 35 42 77 18 — — — — — 1984–85 Bowling Green Falcons CCHA 42 23 32 55 54 — — — — — 1985–86 Bowling Green Falcons CCHA 42 23 45 68 50 — — — — — 1986–87 Bowling Green Falcons CCHA 42 27 58 85 44 — — — — — 1986–87 Canada Intl 5 1 0 1 4 — — — — — 1987–88 Utica Devils AHL 78 30 49 79 60 — — — — — 1988–89 Utica Devils AHL 56 36 44 80 22 5 0 1 1 4 1988–89 New Jersey Devils NHL 5 0 4 4 0 — — — — — 1989–90 Utica Devils AHL 74 53 52 105 61 5 2 4 6 0 1989–90 New Jersey Devils NHL 5 1 2 3 0 — — — — — 1990–91 New Jersey Devils NHL 11 4 3 7 6 — — — — — 1990–91 Detroit Red Wings NHL 51 15 18 33 16 2 0 2 2 0 1991–92 Detroit Red Wings NHL 79 35 40 75 55 10 1 0 1 10 1992–93 Detroit Red Wings NHL 80 34 28 62 42 7 3 1 4 2 1993–94 Winnipeg Jets NHL 60 9 18 27 18 — — — — — 1993–94 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 11 5 3 8 8 6 0 0 0 8 1994–95 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 15 4 5 9 6 — — — — — 1994–95 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 29 8 11 19 12 — — — — — 1995–96 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 55 16 15 31 16 5 0 0 0 0 1996–97 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 39 5 12 17 4 — — — — — 1997–98 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 82 13 27 40 32 — — — — — 1998–99 Cleveland Lumberjacks IHL 27 6 11 17 14 — — — — — 1998–99 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 10 0 1 1 2 — — — — — 1999–00 SC Rapperswil–Jona NLA 32 14 11 25 49 — — — — — NHL totals 532 149 187 336 217 30 4 3 7 20

Awards and honours Award Year All-CCHA Second Team 1985–86 All-CCHA Second Team 1986–87 AHL Les Cunningham Award 1989–90 AHL John B. Sollenberger Trophy 1989–90 NHL Plus-Minus Award 1991–92