AMERKS MOURN THE LOSS OF CLAUDE VERRET
Verret played four seasons in Rochester, culiminating with a Calder Cup championship in 1987
Mar 13, 2025The Rochester Americans join the rest of the hockey community in mourning the loss of former Amerk and Calder Cup champion Claude Verret, who passed away Thursday at the age of 61.
Verret, who played his entire AHL career in Rochester, established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in franchise history despite only playing four seasons with the Amerks from 1983 to 1987. In 229 career games with Rochester, Verret produced an astounding 259 points, including back-to-back 90-point seasons, while also adding 27 points in 31 postseason appearances.
A native of Lachine, Quebec, Verret joined Rochester for the 1983-84 season, winning the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial award as the league’s top scoring rookie after recording 90 points in 65 games.
Verret also made his NHL debut that year with the Buffalo Sabres, who drafted him in the eighth round (163rd overall) of the 1982 NHL Draft, totaling seven points over an 11-game stint.
The following year was Verret’s best with the Amerks when he led the team with 40 goals, 53 assists and 93 points as a 21-year-old. He finished the 1984-85 season with 10 more goals and 18 more points than the next closest player.
The Amerks would miss the playoffs in 1986 despite Verrett being nearly a point-per-player during the regular season, but he would lead the team back to the postseason a year later, helping Rochester capture its fourth Calder Cup and second in five years.
After departing Rochester, Verret played out the remainder of his pro career in France and Switzerland before retiring following the 1999-00 season.
A moment of silence will be observed prior to Friday’s game against Providence in honor of his memory.
The entire Amerks organization extends its deepest sympathies to his friends and family during this difficult time.