As a youth, Lessard played in the 1993 and 1994
Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a
minor ice hockey team from
Beauce, Quebec. Lessard attended the
University of Minnesota Duluth, where he led the
NCAA in goals (32) and points (63) as a senior during the 2003–04 season, numbers that would be good enough to win the
Hobey Baker Award. He also led the
WCHA in the same categories with 19 goals and 39 points in conference play. On April 15, 2004, Lessard signed a free agent contract with the
Dallas Stars and made his
NHL debut during the 2005–06 season. Lessard was traded to Tampa Bay on January 15, 2008, in exchange for
Dan Jancevski. Lessard signed a contract with the
Atlanta Thrashers on July 9, 2008, and was assigned to affiliate the
Chicago Wolves to start the
2008–09 season. On January 13, 2009, Lessard was traded by the Thrashers to the
New York Islanders for
Brett Skinner and was immediately sent to the Islanders' AHL affiliate, the
Bridgeport Sound Tigers. On October 7, 2009, Lessard signed a one-year contract with
SM-liiga team
Ilves, but was released on November 4 due to injury after only four games. On January 13, 2010, Lessard signed with Canadian semi-pro team the
Thetford Mines Isothermic of the
LNAH. On February 1, 2010, after recovering from injury, Lessard signed with
German team
Augsburger Panther of the DEL for the remainder of the season. ==Awards and honors==