Claude Noel was an offensive-minded centre who played seven games for the Washington Capitals in 1979-80. Although his NHL career was short-lived he accumulated plenty of points in the AHL and IHL.
The native of Kirkland Lake, Ontario played tier II hockey with the North Bay Trappers before joining the OHA's Kitchener Rangers on 1974-75. The next year he scored 61 points in his first year as a pro with the North American League's Buffalo Norsemen. Beginning in 1976-77 he was a regular contributor to the Hershey Bears' offense for five years and helped the team win the Calder Cup in 1980. During this time he was signed by the Capitals as a free agent but only saw spot duty in seven contests.
Noel played five IHL seasons in the 80s and also sat out two years. In 1983 he scored 124 points in the regular season then led all scorers with 15 assists in 11 games while helping the Toledo Goaldiggers win the Turner Cup. Noel retired in 1988 after playing one last year with the Milwaukee Admirals of the "I".
