Claude Lemieux has died just days after carrying torch for Montreal Canadiens
Claude Lemieux has passed away at the age of 60.
The news was broken by the official NHL Alumni Association X account on Thursday morning.
“The NHL Alumni Association is devastated to share that Claude Lemieux has passed away at the age of 60,” the account wrote.
“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.”
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 laterā¦ pic.twitter.com/iohlATU6qz
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) May 28, 2026
What makes this all the more shocking is that on Monday, Lemieux served as the torchbearer for the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final versus the Carolina Hurricanes.
Lemieux enjoyed a 1,215-game career that included stints with the Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and San Jose Sharks. He racked up 379 goals and 786 points over that span, along with 1,777 penalty minutes.
As a player, Lemieux was regarded for both his skill and his ability to get under the skin of his opponents. He was also known to elevate his game in a massive way in the playoffs.
Lemieux won four Stanley Cups in his career, including as a rookie with Montreal in 1986. He also won Cups with New Jersey in 1995 and 2000, and with Colorado in 1996.
The Buckingham, Que. native led the playoffs in goals (13) in 1995, earning him the Conn Smythe Trophy. In a combined 234 playoff games, he had 80 goals and 158 points.
The Lemieux family has major roots in professional hockey. His older brother, Jocelyn, enjoyed a 598-game career, while his son, Brendan, logged 307 NHL games before heading overseas.
Lemieux had an incredible impact on the game both during his career and after, and leaves behind a legacy that won’t be forgotten.
“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the greatest big-game Players in hockey history,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement released by the league.
“We send our deepest condolences to Claudeās wife, Deborah, and his four children, Brendan, Claudia, Michael and Christopher.”
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