News broke several days ago that Claude Lemieux, whose two-decade career made him one of the NHL’s most recognizable figures, died at the age of 60.
Early reports indicated that he died by suicide, and subsequent updates from those close to him provided additional context regarding his final days.
As the New York Post reported, Lemieux had long felt a sense of rejection from the league because he hadn’t been inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame:
The hockey legend hanged himself in the warehouse of his family’s furniture business in Palm Beach County, FL. His body was found shortly after 3:30 a.m. Thursday.
ADVERTISEMENTThe iconic hockey team where he broke in as an 18-year-old rookie from Gatineau, Quebec, brought him back this past Monday to carry the torch at the Bell Centre – a team tradition – before Game 3 of the NHL conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. He was all smiles, as an adoring crowd of 21,000 people cheered him on.
Lemieux was at Montreal’s Bell Centre Monday night to carry the torch before the game.
“It’s possible that surge of love, that wave of love on Monday evening, triggered an emotion that was too intense,” Tremblay said, citing NHL friends close to Lemieux.
“It might have reawakened old pains, old suffering.”
Lemieux, who died at 60, also went some 10 years without speaking to his children, according to sources — another emotional load that weighed heavy on his heart in the years after his retirement.
“It hurt him tremendously,” said Tremblay.
He had been depressed leading up to his suicide, according to his family, but they had no idea he was planning to take his own life.
“They didn’t expect that at all, they never saw it coming” Colombe Lacroix, a close family friend who was at the scene with the family Thursday, told The Post. “He’s been going through a difficult time, he was depressed.”
Tributes and sympathetic remarks quickly flooded social media:
Perhaps he suffered from CTE like many former NFL players who tragically took their own lives at even younger ages. RIP CL
— Jonathan Birenbaum (@JonathanBi12165) May 28, 2026
Man, this one shook me. Claude Lemieux was the toughest SOB on the ice I've ever seen. I admired how he played with so much heart. Every shift. You could count on it. And he felt like he had to do what he did? Jesus. May God grant peace to his family.
— Christopher Possis (@possis) May 29, 2026
Here’s a post from the NHL Alumni X account, with a full transcript to follow:
The NHL Alumni Association is devastated to share that Claude Lemieux has passed away at the age of 60.
Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Claude was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft and would make his NHL debut just a few months later… pic.twitter.com/iohlATU6qz
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) May 28, 2026
The NHL Alumni Association is devastated to share that Claude Lemieux has passed away at the age of 60.
Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Claude was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft and would make his NHL debut just a few months later on October 13, 1983 and scored his first career NHL goal on December 4, 1983.
Claude split time between the Canadiens organization and the QMJHL from 1983 to 1985, capturing the President’s Cup with the Verdun Junior Canadiens in 1985 as QMJHL playoff champions, while earning the Guy Lafleur Trophy as Playoff MVP.
The very next season, Claude recorded 10 goals and 16 points in 20 playoff games as he and the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup. Claude remained with the Canadiens for an additional four seasons before joining the New Jersey Devils ahead of the 1990-91 season.
ADVERTISEMENTIn 1994-95, his fifth and final season with New Jersey, Claude led the Devils to their first Stanley Cup championship, registering 13 goals in 20 playoff games, taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP. As a member of the Colorado Avalanche in 1995-96, Claude was once again an integral part of team history as the Avalanche hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup for the very first time in 1996.
Claude played 297 regular-season games in an Avalanche uniform before rejoining the New Jersey Devils in November of 1999, and for a fourth and final time, would be crowned a Stanley Cup champion on June 10, 2000. Claude later played for the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars before making a comeback with the San Jose Sharks during the 2008-09 season.
Internationally, Claude represented Canada on several occasions, including capturing a gold medal at the 1985 World Junior Hockey Championships and winning the 1987 Canada Cup.
He was loved by his wife and four children, and on behalf of the Lemieux family, we kindly ask that everyone respect their privacy during this difficult time.
ADVERTISEMENTMemorial service details to follow.
Here are additional details about the family’s decision to donate Lemieux’s brain to be studied at the Boston University CTE Center, per NBC News:
The family said it gave the CTE Center permission to publicly share any findings with Lemieux’s name, adding that no conclusions should be drawn regarding any diagnosis.
“Claude dedicated his post-playing career to helping the next generation,” the family said, referring to Lemieux becoming an agent. “By allowing his name to be connected to this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead.”
And some additional commentary about Lemieux and his contribution to the sport of hockey:
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