6 days ago
Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion whose lucky profession was built connected playing pinch ferocity and physicality, has died. He was 60.
The NHL Alumni Association announced Lemieux’s decease successful a station connected societal media. A origin of decease was not instantly available, nor was it clear wherever Lemieux was erstwhile he died.
On Monday night, Lemieux was nan Montreal Canadiens’ torch bearer anterior to Game 3 of nan Eastern Conference last astatine Bell Centre.
“Today is simply a acheronian time for nan Canadiens family and nan full lucky community,” Canadiens proprietor Geoff Molson said. “A fierce competitor who roseate to nan juncture successful large moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous, and tenacious subordinate who led nan squad to nan highest honors. He embodied nan very principle of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn nan untimely passing of 1 of our champions. Our thoughts are pinch his family connected this difficult day.”
As a player, Lemieux was a operation of accomplishment and abrasiveness, unafraid to transverse nan statement successful nan sanction of competition.
He won nan Conn Smythe Trophy arsenic playoff MVP for his domiciled successful helping nan New Jersey Devils triumph their first title successful 1995. A twelvemonth later pinch nan Colorado Avalanche, he was suspended for 2 games for a deed from down connected Detroit’s Kris Draper connected nan measurement to them hoisting nan Stanley Cup for nan first clip successful their first play since moving from his autochthonal Quebec.
Darren McCarty, a personnel of nan Red Wings during nan heyday of their rivalry pinch nan Avalanche that was sparked by Lemieux’s deed connected Draper, posted a surgery bosom emoji connected societal media pinch nan alumni’s announcement and further thoughts astir his erstwhile adversary.
“This is highly sad nary matter what feelings from past aliases coming you hold,” McCarty said. “My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends, and group who sewage to spot nan personification disconnected nan crystal wasn’t nan personification on. As I’ve said and will ever telephone it arsenic I spot it “If you’re connected nan ICE pinch Claude Lemieux and your move your back. YOU Are an IDIOT. But disconnected nan ICE I’ll move mine” And please. If you are struggling astatine each please scope retired and talk to someone. Godspeed my friend.”
Lemieux besides won nan Cup pinch Montreal successful 1986 and returned to nan Devils to beryllium a portion of their title tally successful 2000. He played 1,449 regular-season and playoff games pinch six different teams from 1983-2009.
Commissioner Gary Bettman called Lemieux “one of nan top big-game players successful lucky history”.
Lemieux had go an supplier successful nan years since his playing profession ended and represented Carolina’s Frederik Andersen, New Jersey’s Timo Meier, Detroit’s Moritz Seider and Boston’s Hampus Lindholm among much than a twelve clients successful nan NHL.
At a gathering successful December to observe nan 30-year day of Colorado’s ‘95 Stanley Cup championship, Lemieux said of winning, “When it’s happening, erstwhile you’re successful nan mediate of it, you don’t rather admit it arsenic overmuch arsenic you should.”
Late erstwhile teammate Chris Simon was represented during nan on-ice ceremonial by his children. He died successful 2024 astatine 52.
“It’s very difficult, and particularly pinch Chris passing astatine specified a young age,” Lemieux said. “We person to count our blessings – beryllium grateful for nan days that we person and bask and admit those times erstwhile we get together.”
