05/28/26 04:35:00
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05/28 16:33 CDT Claude Lemieux, the feisty four-time Stanley Cup champion for
Avalanche, Devils and Habs, dies at 60
Claude Lemieux, the feisty four-time Stanley Cup champion for Avalanche, Devils
and Habs, dies at 60
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer
Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion whose ferocious, hard-hitting
style of play angered opponents and sometimes overshadowed his prodigious
skills and ability to deliver in the biggest games, has died after taking his
own life, according to authorities. He was 60.
The Palm Beach County Sherriff's Office said Thursday that deputies responded
just after 3 a.m. to the scene of an apparent suicide at a furniture store
showroom in Lake Park, Florida. The sheriff's office said the victim was
believed to be Lemieux.
The NHL Alumni Association announced Lemieux's death in a post on social media.
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EDITOR'S NOTE --- This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone
you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is
available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at
988lifeline.org
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Just three days ago, Lemieux was the Montreal Canadiens' torch bearer prior to
Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Bell Centre. Former teammate Chris
Nilan reposted a photo of him, Lemieux and Sergio Momesso from the arena with
the message: "You never know when you're going to see someone for the last
time. Rest in Peace, Mon Ami."
"Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community,"
Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said. "A fierce competitor who rose to the
occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous and tenacious
player who led the team to the highest honors. He embodied the very essence of
being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one
of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day."
As a player, Lemieux was a mix of talent and abrasiveness, not afraid to cross
the line in the name of competition.
He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after scoring 13 goals in 20 games
for the New Jersey Devils to help them win their first championship in 1995.
A year later with the Colorado Avalanche, he was suspended for two games for a
hit from behind on Detroit's Kris Draper that fueled one of the nastiest
rivalries in the history of the NHL. Lemieux returned to score the first goal
in Game 3 of the final against Florida on the way to the Avalanche sweeping the
Panthers to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in their first season since
moving from his native Quebec.
Darren McCarty, a truculent member of the Red Wings who had multiple fights
with Lemieux, posted a broken heart emoji on social media and heard the news
from Draper. McCarty said Lemieux the person was totally different than the
player, and the two later met for an interview with smiles about their clashes.
"Sad day: another brother gone," McCarty said in a video message posted to
YouTube. "If you're struggling out there, no matter what, just reach out for
some help. It can never be that bad. It's a sad day, no matter what. Rest in
peace, Claude."
Lemieux also won the Cup with Montreal in 1986 and returned to the Devils to be
a part of their title run in 2000. He played 1,449 regular-season and playoff
games with six different teams from 1983-2009, finishing with Phoenix, Dallas
and San Jose.
His 80 career playoff goals rank ninth in league history. Commissioner Gary
Bettman called Lemieux "one of the greatest big-game players in hockey history."
Lemieux had become an agent in the years since his playing career ended and
represented Carolina's Frederik Andersen, New Jersey's Timo Meier, Detroit's
Moritz Seider and Boston's Hampus Lindholm among more than a dozen clients in
the NHL.
Part of a hockey family, Lemieux's brother Jocelyn and son Brendan also played
in the league. Brendan's feisty style over more than 300 games most resembled
his father's.
At a gathering in December to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of Colorado's
'96 Stanley Cup championship, Lemieux said of winning, "When it's happening,
when you're in the middle of it, you don't quite appreciate it as much as you
should." Late former teammate Chris Simon was represented during the on-ice
ceremony by his children. He died in 2024 at 52.
"It's very difficult, and especially with Chris passing at such a young age,"
Lemieux said. "We have to count our blessings --- be grateful for the days that
we have and enjoy and appreciate those times when we get together."
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Associated Press writer David Fischer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and AP
Sports Writers Pat Graham in Denver and Aaron Beard in Raleigh, North Carolina,
contributed to this report.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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