After an impressive win against UA on Saturday, the ASU ice hockey team got a visit from an equally impressive guest during practice Wednesday at Oceanside Ice Arena.
Former NHL forward Claude Lemieux skated with the team and gave the type of insight that 20 years of NHL experience with five different teams can bring to the table.
"It's nice to come out and skate with the guys," said Lemieux, who wore a black Phoenix Coyotes jersey. "It's good to see what these kids are up to and what they are doing."
Lemieux said it was his first time on the ice since undergoing surgery on his groin last summer.
"This gives the guys an opportunity to see one of the greatest NHL performers - to see the way he plays and the way he moves," ASU head coach Mike De Angelis said.
Lemieux's appearance was exciting for all the players, especially goalie Nate Schoenfeld. Schoenfeld was peppered in goal by the 38-year-old Lemieux, who scored 379 goals in his career.
The team was preparing for a two-game series against Robert Morris College this weekend.
Last season, the Eagles defeated ASU 7-4 in Tempe. The game was the second of a 10-game season-ending losing streak for the Ice Devils.
Reach the reporter at jeffrey.Hoodzow@asu.edu.
