Claude Lemieux, a former National Hockey League (NHL) right wing who won the Stanley Cup four times, died on Thursday at the age of 60. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office confirmed his death was a suicide. Deputies responded to a call at a family-owned furniture store in Lake Park, Florida, where Lemieux was found in a rear warehouse by one of his sons. The NHL Alumni Association announced his death earlier on social media.
Playing Career
Lemieux played 21 seasons in the NHL from 1983 to 2009 for six teams: the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and San Jose Sharks. He registered 379 goals and 786 points in 1,215 regular-season games, accumulating 1,777 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, he scored 80 goals (ninth-most in NHL history) and totaled 529 penalty minutes (third-most all time).
He won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens (1986), the New Jersey Devils (1995 and 2000), and the Colorado Avalanche (1996). Lemieux received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff Most Valuable Player in 1995 after scoring a league-leading 13 postseason goals. In the 1995-96 season, he became the 10th player in NHL history to win the Cup in consecutive years with different teams (Devils in 1995, Avalanche in 1996).
Notable On-Ice Incident
During Game 6 of the 1996 Western Conference Final, Lemieux checked Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper from behind, resulting in facial injuries for Draper that required surgery. Lemieux received a major penalty, a game misconduct, and a two-game suspension that kept him out of the first two games of the subsequent Stanley Cup Final. The incident fueled a rivalry between the Avalanche and the Red Wings.
Post-Playing Career
Following his retirement in 2009, Lemieux worked as an NHL player agent. He also appeared on the CBC television program "Battle of the Blades." On Monday, June 2, 2025, he served as the torchbearer for the Montreal Canadiens prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes in Montreal.
Statements
Several figures from the hockey community released statements following his death:
Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said Lemieux "embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player."
Colorado Avalanche president of hockey operations Joe Sakic called him "a terrific hockey player, a fierce competitor and a champion in every way."
The New Jersey Devils stated that his performance in bringing the first Stanley Cup to the franchise "will forever be remembered as one of the paramount performances in team history."
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman described Lemieux as "one of the greatest big-game players in hockey history."
Former U.S. President Donald Trump paid tribute, calling Lemieux "a true Legend of the Game."
Former teammate Scott Niedermayer said: "It hurts. I don't even know if I believe it yet."
Former rival Brendan Shanahan said: "Sort of hidden behind that reputation on the ice, he was a very sensitive and sweet man."
Former Detroit Red Wings player Darren McCarty said: "If you're struggling out there, no matter what, just reach out for some help."
Ron Filion, a former minor hockey teammate, said: "It's a tough day. We go way back."
Survivors
Lemieux is survived by four children, including former NHL player Brendan Lemieux, and his brother Jocelyn Lemieux, also a former NHL player.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the U.S., or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.